This country has followers of different religious faiths blessed by an extraordinary diversity in linguistic, ethnic and cultural fields. But behind this apparent diversity, there is an unending unity, which is the greatest feature of our country.  Today when we are on the verge of atomic destruction and when everybody is busy in the mad-race of materialistic pursuit, only religions will be a great relief to the sick humanity.

To make India a Spiritual leader in the world, Shri Bhaiyyu Dada has taken upon himself the task to promote Sanatana Dharma.  Shri Sadguru Datta Dharmik Evam Parmarthik Trust believes in creating awareness about “Sanatana Dharma” amongst the youth and all others in the society and is taking all the possible steps to achieve the same.

Sanatana Dharma is the eternal truth, the eternal faith, the eternal religion and its glorious culture, which has stood the test of time.  It is the mighty law of life, great principle of human revolution, a body of spiritual knowledge and experience.  The word Dharma does not simply mean Religion (as often translated). The word ‘Dharma’ is derived from the root ‘Dhr’, which means ‘to uphold’, ‘to support’, ‘and to sustain’. In the broadest sense Dharma is used for the universal laws of nature that uphold the cosmos.  It is that fundamental principle which upholds people together irrespective of their religion, race, sex, and creed.  It is the firm foundation on which the entire universe stands.  ‘Dharma’ in its deeper sense means none other than the ‘the Ultimate Reality’, the God.

What is Karma?

Karma is a very important concept in the Hindu culture, religion and philosophy.  Karma literally means action. In later religious and philosophical works the word Karma is used in the sense of action and its fruits.  This doctrine is based on casual principles.  It is the law of preservation of moral values; merits and demerits of action where every being reaps the fruit of his/her/its own action, whether good or bad and right or wrong, one is responsible for his good or bad deeds.

KARMA = Action            GYAN = Knowledge          BHAKTI = Devotion.

This trinity indicates three Gods BHRAHMA, VISHNU and MAHESH.

BHRAHMA is the Creator, VISHNU is the preserver and MAHESH is the Destroyer. The Trinity is called BHAGWAN DATTATRAYA who became a dynamic and hope inspiring savior of humanity and from time to time took Avtaar in the form of great saints to enlighten, educate and give proper direction to mankind.

Whenever sacrilege rises in the society, although against the then trend, there is an incarnation of an immortal virtue and principle in form of a great saint to propagate the principles of humanity and deviate the society away from its decline.

To enlighten, educate and provide proper direction to mankind it is very true that renaissance has to be brought about by saints only. India has a rich tradition of Saints and their spirituality is still continued in the person of Shri Bhaiyyu Ji Maharaj. The spiritual knowledge gained by these saints through their perseverance would only enable the physical and social development along with a multifaceted enhancement of common individuals following the footprints of their Guru on the path of virtuousness, i.e. religion.

When nomadic man turned to civilisation one of the first occupations that he undertook and one of the most critical was agriculture. Agriculture formed the basis of civilisation and other occupations were born out of the need to support it. Thousands of years down the line we have moved, moved far ahead of being an agrarian world. We have been through the industrial revolution that drove the industry in the past century and are currently riding on the wave of service-oriented businesses.

India too has moved with the times. The services sector contributes more than 60 percent to the GDP of the country. But in our excitement about  'India Shining' we have forgotten about an important component of our society – the farmers.

The farming community makes up more than 60 percent of our population but ironically it is the farming sector that has progressed the least. Over the last few years farmers across the country have had to bear the brunt of infrequent rains, changing climates and lack of support. The worst hit have been farmers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The situation has been grim in these states to the extent that many farmers, not finding a solution, have resorted to committing suicides.

Unfortunately governments, both central and state, have been unable to provide a sustainable remedy for this situation, which is taking on the form of an epidemic. Multidimensional help has come in the form of the Shri Sadguru Dutt Dharmik Dharmik Evam Parmarthik Trust (Suryoday Trust), from Indore, which has initiated several projects to support farmers. Heralded under the guidance of legendary social thinker and reformer Shri Bhaiyyu ji Maharaj, the Suryoday Trust has initiated mega projects called ‘Bhoomi Sudhaar Abhiyaan’ and ‘Krishi Tirth’.

Both the projects are extremely ambitious but extremely important too. Krishi Tirth, as the name suggests, can be described as a pilgrimage to better farming. The trust has set up training centres in all major pilgrim centres of Maharashtra, where knowledge is being imparted about technology, technological advances in farming, ways to improve soil, productivity, finance options for farmers, and a lot more 24x7.  Latest technology like Internet, software based programmes and LCD projectors is being used to impart knowledge to the farmers under the Krishi Tirth Scheme. Six out of total proposed 34 Krishi Tirths have already been established at Tuljapur Bhawani, Khamgaon, Aundha Nagnath, Parlai Vaijnath, the other remaining would be operational very soon at Shirdi, Shani Signapur, Trayambekeshwar, Shegaon etc. The farmers who visit a pilgrim place would access the information right there, inside the pilgrim place itself!

While Krishi Tirth waits for the people to come to the pilgrim area, Bhoomi Sudhar goes actually to the farmers.

Under the Bhoomi Sudhar scheme, there is a team of experts that is travelling from district to district, village to village, teaching and educating farmers providing them with information about the soil, ways to test the soil as well as ways to improve the condition of the land, and hence to increase the productivity & the profitability. In June 2007, Bhumi Sudhaar Abhiyaan covered up 124 villages in Akola District and presently 1000 villages of Jalgaon District are being covered.

The work being done by Suryoday Trust is commendable.  Many of us may not be able to do a lot to help farmers in India. But the least we can do is to volunteer and help. Your contribution in any form will prove to be invaluable to address the plight of the farmers in our nation.

Shri Bhaiyyu Ji Maharaj
Shri Sadguru Datta Dharmik Evam Parmarthik Trust, Indore

Guru and Disciple

The Guru is the Sun and disciples are the rays. The entire world is full of life energy. Taking up its life energy to its pure conscious form is what the Guru does.   The Guru spreads the lights through his disciples and removes the darkness of ignorance. A human being is just a body and an untrained mind without a Guru. A Guru establishes knowledge, devotion, sacrifice and detachment in the subconscious mind of the disciples. By adopting a person through DIKSHA¹ the Guru transforms the energy of a disciple towards community welfare activities. In this process the person develops an intellectual emotional and spiritual level and the society also progresses in the same directions.

Nobody can attain the state of pure consciousness or knowledge without a master. Everyone needs a teacher in one form or the other. The master through the power of his aura brings such people together who will take his knowledge, devotion and work further. The master always has the ultimate development of humanity in his mind. To fulfill this objective, he keeps on working throughout life, as a person needs a good master, so a master equally needs a good student. Hence both are complementary to each other. One should seek noble thoughts from a teacher. People have become slaves to the materialistic world. They always run after the status symbol and physical cravings. But the Guru knows the true meaning of development and thus he always guides them accordingly. While doing the noble work, a person should feel that he is not alone but supported by the power of his Guru. This feeling will make you more optimistic. Whether you are successful in your attempt or not, you should keep on moving forward.  Society in general, does not let you work easily. They put you through all types of test and parameters.

There has been enmity between Gods and demons for ages. A Guru always saves you from evil forces and pushes you on the path of development. Today, in the name of religion we come across terrorism and war. In fact religion is not about homicide or war of words. The values like affinity, love, surrender and brotherhood are the foundation stones of any religion. A person who instills these values in his thoughts; behavior and action can be called a religious person. The role of a master is to convert his disciple into a religious person.

Once a disciple gets the knowledge, he or she should not limit it to himself or herself. To think about enlightenment or MOKSHA² for yourself is a selfish motive. Any thought, action or work that is for the betterment of humanity without violating the rights of others is a noble job. It has to be shared and nurtured. The master sees the living or nonliving world with equanimity. He passes on the same knowledge to the world. He is the light full of knowledge, devotion, surrender and consciousness. Those who spread the light in the world are the disciples. To follow the principles and values taught by guru is the true meaning of Yog³.

² The release from the cycle of birth and death as well as pain, sorrow, and suffering within the human condition of life.

PERFORMING ONE'S DUTY IS ALSO YOG

Everyone has to work throughout life with intention or without intention. As a person can’t live without breathing in the same way he can’t live without work. The entire nature is working constantly. Your body, the ecosystem and all animals are working constantly. Every cell in the body is working, not for his self-satisfaction but to retain the equilibrium of the body. Similarly a person who works judicially for the sake of work without expecting anything in return is a true yogi. Any work done through devotion and surrender becomes a service. Service could be to the nation, humanity or animals. Your feelings are important. An excellent example of patriotism can be found in the history of India in the form of CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ⁴. He surrendered his entire life to the building of the nation. He donated his whole empire to Swami Ramdas Ji. Such kind of non-attachment cannot be seen in today’s materialistic world. God always supports any work that is done with devotion.

Similarly SWAMI VIVEKANANDA⁵ served humanity throughout his life. He never thought about the results of his efforts and went on working. A person who is full of affinity and love for humanity can work for the welfare of the community. Absence of selfish motive in this work is devotion. The Gods in Indian mythology namely Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are Yog (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion) and karma (work). When these three come together you find yourself worshiping LORD DATTATRAYA. Whatever you do surrender it to the God; you will experience the joy, bliss and peace.

You are nothing. You are just the spirit in the hands of lord. Have noble intentions, have faith, keep on working devotedly, that is Yog.  

Shri Sadguru Datta Dharmik Evam Parmarthik Trust
Rashtra Saint P.P. Shri Bhaiyyu Ji Maharaj  

⁴ Refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaji

⁵ Refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda