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There are two aspects of human life: one towards worldly objects and people, and
that relates to the physical body – materialism; egoism. The mind experiences joy when these
and the other that relates to the inner self (the three attributes are attended to. Man generally
soul) – spirituality. Materialism means an engages his time and effort in satisfying the
inclination towards acquiring material requirements of the body and the mind. The
possessions and comforts; in short, it is a mind propels him to fulfil the three attributes and
tendency to lead a life in which pleasures of the also employs the body in its schemes. This is
body are given preference above anything else. not surprising, since satisfaction of the senses is
Spirituality means, “centred and established on a bodily requirement, and the mind is one of the
the soul”, that is, activities in life are decided senses.
keeping in mind the awakening of the soul. The mind is different from the rest of the
Normally a person’s needs are fulfilled with senses in that it is always unsatisfied and
limited materials such as food to satisfy hunger, ambitious. New hopes and ambitions arise once
few clothes to cover the body, a bed for rest, a the old ones are fulfilled. Suppose a person
house for shelter, etc.; anything over and above desires to buy a house. He would remain
the basic needs either remains unused or is preoccupied with that thought because there is
misused. For example, if a person who can eat an attraction in it. Once a house is bought, the
four chapattis for lunch were given eight attraction fades. If a person does not have
chapattis, it would be beyond his capacity to children, he would yearn for them; once he has
eat the extra four chapattis. A single bed is children, they appear burdensome. A similar
enough for a person to sleep on; any more bed principle applies to other things, such as
space would remain unused. Considering this, household items, clothes, etc and to attachment
a few hours work is sufficient to satisfy body’s towards people. Therefore greed and
requirements. The same is true for senses also. attachment are attractive only until they are
There are five physical senses: touch, smell, taste, fulfilled.
hearing and vision. No matter how beautiful a Egoism also follows a similar principle. A
view may be, the eyes will tire of seeing it after secretary in a company feels his job status is
a few minutes. The ears will not be able to listen low and aims for a higher status so that he can
to melodious music indefinitely. A person will elevate his standing in the society. It is possible
be able to eat only a certain quantity of food of that several persons within the company may
his liking. Thus the senses have limited be trying for the same position. Therefore he
requirements, beyond which they become becomes an enemy for them, since now he is an
saturated. But senses are never satisfied – they extra competitor in the race. In case he does
always crave for more. succeed in fulfilling his egoistic desire in
The mind is considered to be the sixth sense. progressing towards his dream position, mental
Its attributes are greed, attachment (moha) peace would elude him because there would
tat – That,savitu¡ – Bright, Luminous like the Sun, vareñya® – Best, Most
exalted, bhargo – Destroyer of sins, devasya – Divine, dhºmahi – May imbibe,
dhiyo – Intellect, yo – Who, na¡ – Our, pracoday³t – May inspire.
Indian Culture is founded on the principles “I will run into difficulty” when there is no chance
of G³yatrº (the protector of pr³ña and the of any difficulty being encountered. And when
Goddess of wisdom and pure intelligence) and difficulties really surround him, he becomes
Yajóa (noble deeds). G³yatrº is revered as nervous and panicky and passes sleepless nights.
the mother and Yajóa the father of Indian Apprehension and depression accompany him
Culture. all the time. He thinks of failure in any task he
Gayatri - the protector of pr³ña undertakes. To him, people seem selfish,
The scripture “Aitareya Brahmana” defines deceptive, fools and/or enemies. He does not
Gayatri as “gay³n pr³ñ³n tr³yate s³ Gayatri”, trust people’s honesty and gentlemanliness.
meaning, “That which protects pr³ña is Gayatri.” Other symptoms that result from the insufficiency
Pr³ña means the source of liveliness, of pr³ña include nightmares, tension, impatience,
consciousness and vitality. The element within an atheistic attitude, etc.
us that grants us the ability to move, work, think A person who is full of pr³ña lives in a
and possess wisdom and life is called pr³ña. It different world. He is enthusiastic, determined,
is the presence of pr³ña that keeps us alive. courageous, patient, hopeful and active. He may
When pr³ña leaves the body, a person dies and be physically weak and less educated and may
the body becomes useless. Thus in other words, live in substandard conditions, yet, because of
pr³ña is the soul residing in our body. Due to the vibrancy of his pr³ña, he seizes opportunities
the presence of pr³ña, living organisms are called and executes deeds that surprise even those who
pr³ñº. Physical matter such as rocks, water, cannot succeed despite an abundance of
wood, etc. is devoid of pr³ña. When the pr³ña facilities. Human strength is derived from pr³ña,
of a person becomes weak, his physical not from bones and muscles. At the time of
appearance may not seem to be affected but death, pr³ña leaves the body and all the body
internally he feels helpless and powerless, as if components (muscles, heart, lungs, liver, etc.)
his strength has been drained. There are people become inactive. A person whose pr³ña is
who appear physically strong but are very weak strong and protected from becoming depleted
internally (for example, fearful). They get becomes powerful and hardworking and
exhausted very easily and experience dizziness achieves happiness in the external world
after sometime. Their face looks glim and their (materialistic happiness) and of the inner self
speech sounds unimpressive. It takes a long time (spiritual happiness).
for them to recover from a minor disease. This The above discussion leads to the conclusion
is due to insufficient pr³ña. that the essence of life is pr³ña because it
The insufficiency of pr³ña has damaging controls the physical capabilities. God has
effects on the mind also. The mind unnecessarily provided this pr³ña in plentiful to us; its infinite
imagines of incidents of fear, distress and store is present all around us. We can acquire
discomfort. For example, a person may think, pr³ña from this store as per our determination
The progress of any nation is dependent on habits and tendencies, which motivate actions
the fully developed personality of its citizens, of onto a path opposite to the desired aims. Such
which youth comprise a significant proportion. actions ultimately bring remorse at the
The personality of the young generation is highly awakening of wisdom and self-analysis.
influenced by education. However, worldwide, However difficulties never overpower a person
the current education system is not structured whose life is disciplined. He never feels
to develop the personality of students, and does depressed by the obstacles of time; rather, he
not guide them towards a purposeful path of overcomes them effectively. Students will be
life through which they can live happily and inspired, in part, by teachers who themselves
peacefully as well as be competent enough to would be practicing ascetic lifestyle.
fight difficulties. In the olden times, universities The Dev Sanskrati Vishwavidyalaya,
such as Nalanda and Takshashila accomplished Shantikunj Hardwar symbolizes the revival of
the task of guiding students in the right direction the divine glory of the Vedic, Rishi Culture. It is
by imparting spiritual knowledge on a practical established with the dawn of the new millennium
basis, that is, how ideals can be incorporated in the sacred Himalayan region near Shantikunj,
in personality considering the prevalent trends Hardwar, Uttaranchal, India. This is the land
in the society. In the 21st century, Shantikunj purified and sanctified by the holy currents of
has taken up this challenging task in the form the Ganga and the eternal radiance of spirituality
of Dev Sanskrati Vishwavidyalaya (Divine and religion invoked by the devout tapa-
Culture University). The University is the s³dhan³s of the great rishis, munis, saints and
fulfilment of the vision of Pandit Sriram Sharma yogis since times immemorial…. The aim of
Acharya and Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma, this unique university – the Dev Sanskrati
the patron founders of All World Gayatri Vishwavidyalaya – is to amplify and expand
Pariwar. across the globe the sublime energy of their
How will the university realise the above angelic vibrations.
task? It will do so by reviving the rishi tradition. Admissions to the departments of Yoga,
Universities founded by seers and sages in Philosophy and Psycho-Ayurveda have begun
ancient India had been the centres for the from July 2002. The following departments are
propagation of the Divine Indian Culture through proposed to be fully operational in the first
which cultural values enjoyed a global outreach. phase.
In these universities both the masters and 1. S³dhan³ Department
Department: The subtle
disciples practised a life dedicated to cultural science of yoga, s³dhan³ and spirituality
values. Students at the Dev Sanskrati devised by the sages of yore will be thoroughly
Vishwavidyalaya will be inspired to live an studied, reinvestigated and applied in new
austere, ascetic life conforming to high ideals. scientific light. Specific activities include:
Usual lifestyle is besieged by various unwanted • Basic Education and Practical
Let us begin with the Gayatri mantra: essential qualities, then his success will be short-
“Om bhur bhuva¡ swa¡ lived. If your digestive system is weak then an
tatsaviturvareñya® bhargo devasya dhºmahi excessive intake of eatables is sure to create
dhiyo yona¡ pracoday³t” problems and upset your health. Similarly, if you
You all must have heard of the grace of God. don’t have wisdom and the ability to make
His special incarnations entrusted with specific proper use of the resources and facilities
cosmic taks are called “devat³” (deity) in the available to you, then, these would be a cause
Vedas; devat³ means “one who gives”. Many of trouble to you in one way or the other. If
of us pray to and worship the deities because there is a lack of nobility and wisdom then your
we either want something or we need help in inherited or inappropriately grabbed wealth will
adverse moments. Let us discuss about deities. act as a catalyst for your evils and weaknesses;
There is no doubt that deities do bless us these would lead to pernicious addictions,
enormously; otherwise they would not have inflate your ego and sooner or later ruin your
been named as “deities” because by definition life.
deities always give something. There is nothing What else do the deities give?
wrong or unnatural if one requests something What else do the deities give? Well they
from someone who always wants to give. But give you the capacity to digest and handle
what do deities give? They give only what they success. To wisely handle worldly possessions,
themselves possess. Naturally, one can give only powers and comforts, which appear to you as
what one has. Deities have only one thing – treasures of joy, you should have appropriate
divinity (devatva). Divinity is the most refined qualities. This ability – the key to real joy – is
and virtuous form of one’s nature, conduct, what could be described as an offshoot of
qualities and deeds. Deities gladly bestow divinity. If divinity is awakened in you, then you
divinity upon the devotees, saying that, “we have could accomplish high goals with small or
given you the best we could; now it is up to you insignificant resources and effort; if you have
to accept and make use of it in the way you find greater opportunities and resources then well
it suitable and succeed accordingly.” and good, but you would be happy and
There is one thing in the world that indeed successful even without them. However if you
yields commendable success and that is desire something you do not deserve, or you
excellence of personality. It is the minimum are eager to acquire success without caring to
requirement to achieve anything worthwhile and improve yourself, then, well, what can I say...!
fulfilling. If one has somehow gained something God help you!
despite having an inferior personality and Vigour and strength of human body is good
without demonstrating his talents, hard work and but if it is not controlled by wisdom, it would
“…. ‘O’ Lord! Please bless us with courage and wisdom so that we
could welcome adversities as the opportunities to refine our qualities and
strengthen our potentials. The knock of hindrances and challenges today should
sound like the messages of brighter tomorrow….” –– This would be an ideal
prayer to elevate our zeal and optimism at all times and would protect us from
becoming weak or coward.