Post on 14-Dec-2015
Pràrthana Sanskrit for ‘Prayer’
Never meant to be “begging”
Prārthana is meant to be invocation Invocation not of any deity Invocation of strength within
Prārthana is a method to help concentrate Concentrate on task at hand Concentrate on our own strength
Helps keep mind in a fair and a balanced state
Sangh Pràrthana• In sangh, prārthana sung at the end of shākha
• Not just a prayer but a collective vow
• Initially, one shloka in Hindi other in Marathi
• From 1940s, prārthana in Sanskrit, • unites Hindus not only in Bhārat but all over world
• Our vishwa prārthana has 8 stanzas• Same prārthana for all countries outside Bhārat
Aspects of Our Pràrthana Whom are we praying to?
Who are “we”?
What qualities are we seeking?
What is our collective vision and mission?
What are our means to realize this vision?
Whose mission is this?
Whom Are We Praying To?
Mother Earth
Who is auspicious to all
Fulfills our desires
The ultimate refuge
Whom Are We Praying To?
Paramātmā
The seat of eternal bliss, happiness, intellect
Responsible for welfare of universe
The genesis of eternal principles
The supreme being – Param Aatma
But Who is “We”?
We, who are …
Assembled here in the shākha
Driven by the ethics of universal dharma
Seeking auspicious blessings from Him for
achieving this goal
5 Qualities We Seek from Him
Qualities of a dedicated swayamsevak
Unconquerable self-strength
All conquering character
Knowledge to enlighten us to move on our
path of ideals
5 Qualities We Seek from Him
Qualities we seek
A firm and effulgent resolve
• for material progress
• as well as for spiritual growth
• which should blossom in our heart
5 Qualities We Seek from Him
Qualities we seek
A steadfast dedication towards the goal
The goal of
• world peace
• in the light of universal dharma
• by organizing Hindu society
The Mission And The Vision
The vision
Pinnacle of glory
Through the mission
Of collective strength
Of ever victorious endeavour
Of sustaining and safeguarding Dharma
Whose Mission Is this?
The divine mission
God’s own work
The work of universal welfare
Let us offer to this work our body
• made of sacrifice
• made of service
• made of resolve