Press Conference at Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Mumbai

Please go through www.newsband.in 28-06-2016 for the full report 

Press Conference at Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Mumbai

Press Release by Bharat Sevashram Sangha
Date: 25 June 2016

BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA, a Socio-Cultural, Philanthropic, Non-Profit Organization is happy to launch celebrations to mark the centenary year of Bharat Sevashram Sangha.  This organisation is being run by a brotherhood of monks and selfless workers with non-sectarian, non-communal, non-political character and outlook. 

This organisation was founded in 1917 by the illustrious patriot saint Yugacharya Sreemat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj.  Swamiji, a visionary, focused on building an institution that nurtured self-less individuals who could work for the cause of humanity, thus Bharat Sevashram Sangha came into existence. The Sangha today has nearly 100 branches including branches in USA, UK Canada etc.  The Sangha is engaged in host of social welfare activities across the country.

At a national level the Sangha is focussing on health care sector by running a number of hospitals/clinics and mobile dispensaries wherein support is provided to the needy at their doorsteps. The Sangha also focuses on the education sector wherein it is presently running besides many Rural Development and Tribal Training Centres, 7 Higher Secondary Schools, 72 Primary Schools, 2 Junior Basic Schools, 40 Students’ Homes, 50 Orphanages, 22 Free Reading Rooms & Libraries, 15 Students’ Book Banks, and 109 Pranavananda Computer Centers.  Attempt is also made to provide support to promising and needy students by sponsoring them for higher educations.  During the hour of natural calamities Bharat Sevashram Sangha is among is in the forefront by reaching the affected areas to provide support and relief.

The Mumbai Branch of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, in its own way is also contributing in the health sector, education and character building. The Mumbai Branch of the Sangha, apart from working in the area of education and literacy primarily focuses on providing support to BPL Level Cancer patients.  Mumbai being a hub for Cancer treatment, cancer patients from other states come here to get treatment.  Most of these patients belong to Below Poverty Line (BPL) Strata. Procuring accommodation at Mumbai proves extremely tedious and unaffordable for these patients.  The Mumbai Ashram provides free accommodation; Free Transportation to Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Parel, Rasoi Ghar for self-cooking, free utensils for cooking, Distribution of free milk and biscuits every day etc.  As of today the Ashram can accommodate 105 patients. We conduct Cancer Awareness Program, and also arrange Medical Relief Camp at Pandharpur every year during Ashadhi Ekadasha. We participare in relief work during natural calamities and distress situations.

As a part of the Centenary Celebrations of the Sangha a Chariot Procession has also commenced from Kolkata, our Head Ofiice, that will reach Mumbai on 2^nd August, 2016. This Chariot Procession is being organised to create awareness and to spread the message of Swami Pranavanndaji focusing on family values, character building and devotion to the nation.

On the occasion of Centenary Celebrations Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Mumbai is planning a series of activities for creating awareness and spreading the massage of Swami Pranavanandaji.  The Sangha will be conducting Theme based Essay & Drawing competitions in schools wherein the participants will be rewarded. A Seminar/Conference will be held on “Role of the parents and teachers for the development of youth for nation Building” on 20^th August, 2016 which will be followed by a Cultural program. The events are being planned at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Vashi. 

The Sangha expects common man and prominent citizens to participate in this celebration with great involvement and enthusiasm. 

BRAHMACHARYYA

OR THE GOLDEN RULES FOR SELF-CONTROL

PRESERVATION OF SEMEN IS THE ESSENCE OF BRAHMACHARYYA. - Patanjali

POWERS - PHYSICAL, MENTAL, MORAL AND SPIRITUAL – ARE THE NATURAL OUTPUTS OF BRAHMACHARYYA. - Patanjali

THE GREAT FOUNDER OF BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA

ACHARYA SREEMAT SWAMI PRANAVANANDAJI MAHARAJ

Born on 29th January, 1896

(On Maghi Purnima)

Mahanirvan on

8th January, 1941

(On Shukla Ekadashi)

“The first and foremost duty of a student is to build up character. Along with study, the building of moral character is absolutely necessary. Without this, nothing will be done.”

“Those who aspire after self-improvement and follow these golden rules are dearer to me than my life itself. Wherever and in whatever condition they may be, I will be always with them; my power will always save them whenever they will seek it.”

PHYSICAL

1	For the preservation of semen, attempt physically, mentally and orally with an unflinching strength of purpose.
2	Take pain, moderate, unexciting diet; fast on special religious days.
3	Carefully shun all objects of luxury; luxury includes every article of living which is not indispensable for us in dress and diet.
4	Strictly give up all intoxicating things, such as Tea, Coffee, Tobacco, Betel leaves, Snuff etc.
5	Don’t use bedding and clothing that are not your own.
6	Make it a point to go to bed “alone” on your own bed and never deviate an inch from that.
7	Don’t sleep for more than five hours a day.
8	Put on “Koupin” or “Langot” (loin cloth) day and night.
9	Take regular physical exercise, at least once a day.
10	Make it a point not to touch another’s body except on necessity.
11	Never look wishfully upon the face of a woman, not even on that of a boy or girl.
12	Never speak except on necessity.

MENTAL

1	Always keep your mind and body employed in some sort of work or other.
2	Always keep your mind busy with good thoughts, noble ideas, high aspirations, and engage yourself in the study of instructive books, in meditation and in prayer.
3	Never allow any bad thought to enter your heart under any pretext.
4	If evil thoughts creep into your heart in anyway, repent, and do penance for the sin, and pray GOD for forgiveness help and guidance.
5	Just before you go to bed leave off all thoughts of self and resign yourself solely in to the contemplation of the LORD.
6	Daily read a portion of the Bhagwad Geeta, Sangha-Geeta or other religious books and learn by rote one the shlokas.
7	Repeat the name of the LORD and meditate upon Him at least for two hours daily.
8	Before going to bed examine yourself and keep a regular diary of your daily progress, digress or retrogress.

TEACHINGS AND PHILOSOPHY OF

ACHARYA SRIMAT SWAMI PRANAVANANDAJI MAHARAJ

When righteousness declines and vice (i.e. immorality, impurity, persecution exploitation, cut-throat competition and disorder) prevails in the creation, then in order to root out the evils and protect the righteous, reinstate justice and religion, peace and order, the Divine power incarnates Itself on earth. According to the exposition and display of power and order in their activity they are called Incarnation, Acharya, Guru, Prophet, Emancipator, saviour etc. In different ages and in different parts of the world they take birth, preach and propagate different ideals, inculcate different rules and ideologies according to the demand and necessity of the time. But they take incarnation with the one idea and for the same purpose. Therefore, their ideals and systems, modus operandi and procedure bear a strikingly common feature. To fulfil the demand of the age and preach ideals in keeping with present circumstances, Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, the founder of Bharat Sevashram Sangha has incarnated himself as the prophet of the age, undergoing strenuous austerities. He attained beatitude and from this altar of realisation he proclaimed thereafter in aphorisms the aim and object of the age. These are known as the “Message of the Sangha”. Though very brief, they breathe the essence of all treaties of all religions. They are pregnant with the highest spiritual thoughts. A little reflection will show how deep, universal, far-reaching is the effect of the each word of the Message, how liberal is its application to society and individuals and how conducive it is solve problems relating to mundane life. The Sangha-message is some supreme truths realised by the founder of your Sangha. In different ages great souls attain salvation and dispense the truths realised for the welfare of humanity. This message of the Sangha is introduced for the benefit of mankind. Once by way of advice the great Acharyadev told a disciple of the Sangha: “The Message of the Sangha reflects all the truths of the Vedas, Vedanta, Purana and the great Epics.”

TEN DIVINE MESSAGES

“SANGHA VANEE”

1.	What is the Goal?	6.	What are real Sins?
Self-Realisation, Universal Emancipation		Weakness, Fear (Defeatism), Cowardice, Meanness and Selfishness
2.	What is Religion?	7.	What are real sources of Strength?
Self-sacrifice, (Self-abnegation), Self-discipline, Adherence to truth and continence		Patience, Fortitude and Endurance
3.	What is real Death?	8.	What are real Assets?
Forgetfulness of the ‘Self’		Self-confidence, Self-reliance and Self-respect
4.	What is real Life?	9.	What are real Enemies?
Self-realisation, Self-remembrance and Self-consciousness		Indolence, Slumber, Procrastination, Inertia, Lustful senses and Passions
5.	What are real Virtues?	10.	What are real Friends?
Heroism, Virility, Manliness and Aspiration for Emancipation		Energy, Enthusiasm and Perseverance

 “The essence of religion is in its practice and realisation. Spirituality is not something to be gained by scriptural studies or from hearsay. Mad indeed is the one who thinks of unravelling the mysteries of spiritual life with the help of a mind torn by passions, tyrannized by the sense and agonized by carnal hankering.”

Bharat Sevashram Sangha - completion of 100 years