AUM
MESSAGE TO ARYA SAMAJ PLESSISLAER
From Veda Dharma Sabha, Verulam
The President, officials and members of Veda Dharma Sabha, Verulam are honoured to congratulate Arya Samaj Plessislaer on their milestone of one hundred years, and to share this message.
We must remember with humility the great vision and sacrifices of our founding forebears who toiled for the cause of Vedic Dharma; following the footsteps of Maharshi Dayanand Sarasvati (1824 -1883). His twofold clarion calls: “Back to the Vedas; and paakhand khandani pattaaka” remain ever relevant. Go back to the word of God – Vedas; and so expose and explode all forms of fear, superstition, blind faith and ignorance of truth.
The immense humility and unselfishness of the Rishi is that on establishing the Arya Samaj on 10 April 1875, he did not take on any position of leadership, asking that any Samaj must be democratic, lead/controlled by not any one individual, but an elected committee of suitable members to abide by the Principles of the Arya Samaj, which he sourced from the Vedas.
An example of the qualities and expectations of a good leader in the Vedas; which applies at any level, be it at home, in society, business or government at local, provincial, national or international:
Rik Veda 4.1.4; Yajur Veda 21.3: Aum twan no agne varunasya vidvaan devasya hedo…
Agne: knowledge, education in order to take the institution forward.
Varuna: like the oceans – varuna and earth exist and function not just for themselves, but ‘embrace,’ support each other, so does God – Varuna, embrace and support all of creation. Leaders who accept any position must apply this unselfishness in their approach at all times.
Vidvaan: more than just knowledge and education, one must be guided by wisdom, enlightenment and foresight, like the founding stalwarts.
Devasya: true leadership entails one to display divine intentions for the greater good, for the organisation and its mission.
Being judged by these qualities, leaders must be not just elected, but selected. Leaders must live the terms swaahaa and idan na mama: be a giver, not a taker.
Swami Agnivesh (1939 – 2020): Don’t talk about what position you occupy, let people talk about what work you do.
The following is a selection of the 100th mantra from each of the four Vedas, as God’s message:
Rik Veda 1.10.10: Aum vidmaa hi tvaa vaajeshu havanashrutam; vrishantamasya hoomaha oontim sahastrasaatamaam.
We know – realise You, O Giver of blessings. You respond to the call of devotees whenever they are in trouble. We invoke You for protection, as You shower a thousand-fold bounties on us which protect us like a shield.
Yajur Veda 3.35/36.3 (also Rig Veda 3.62.10; Saama Veda 1462): The Gayatri mantra: Scientifically proven to be the most powerful mantra in the world. Aum bhooh bhuvah swah tat savi tur varenyam bhargo devasya dheemahi; dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat.
We meditate on the glory of the ONE Who exists since before the universe, Who has created the universe; the ONLY Giver of life and Who ALONE is worthy of worship; Who is the source of the highest knowledge and peace; the Remover of all sorrows. Just the splendorous sun dutifully and peacefully eradicates darkness each day, so may God guide us to dispel our vices, weaknesses and ignorance; and enlighten our intellect, thoughts, desires, intentions and intelligence positively on the path of truth and righteousness (Dharma).
Saama Veda 100: Aum agne yajishtto adhvare devaam devayate yaja; hotaa mandro vi raajasyati stridhah.
O God You are the great Benefactor. In noble deeds of charity, bring the learned to the pious worshipper. O joyful Donor Who shines with splendour, may You keep away our foes, weaknesses and difficulties.
Atharva Veda 100: Aum kilaasam cha palitam cha nirito naashayaa prishat; aa tvaa svo vishataam varnah paraa shuklaani paataya.
O medicine, remove the leprosy (disease), remove from the patient the whiteness of hair and skin, the festering wounds and excruciating pain. May you regain your healthy colour. O medicine, drive away the white specks.
Note: Atharva Veda is the primary source of Ayurvedic medicine and treatment.
God, nature and the Vedas teach us to live by principles and not principals, ideals and not idols.
GREATER THAN ANY INDIVIDUAL IS THE INSTITUTION,
GREATER THAN THE INSTITUTION IS THE CAUSE,
GREATER THAN THE CAUSE IS GOD.
THE HIGHEST CONSTITUTION OF ARYA SAMAJ ALWAYS WAS, IS AND WLL BE THE 1O PRINCIPLES,
THE HIGHEST SOURCE OF AUTHORITY AND KNOWLEDGE ALWAYS WAS, IS AND WILL BE THE VEDA,
THE SPIRITUAL HEAD OF ARYA SAMAJ ALWAYS WAS, IS AND WILL BE GOD.
Sau saal pehele sanaatan Veda Dharma tha, aaj bhi hai aur kal bhi rahega
Veda Dharma Sabha, Verulam
24 June 2024
