By Madhu Varshney
Hari and I attended the International Arya Maha Sammelan (Conference) 2014 held in Singapore (November 1-2 , 2014) and Bangkok, Thailand (November 7-8, 2014). Singapore also celebrated 100th Anniversary of Arya Samaj on this occasion.
During the conference, a yoga program was held under the guidance of Swami Devbrat Shashi Rai followed by meditation and discourse by Aachaarya Gyaneshwerji is entitled ‘Follow Gods Teachings and Make the Whole World Noble, Peaceful and Prosperous.’ Through the holy words of the Rig Veda, he explained how God addresses human beings. By doing virtuous deeds, a person first becomes Noble (an Arya ) he then proceeds to make other persons in the family , society , community , the Nation and the world also Arya and virtuous . Shri Prakash Chandra Arya (General Secretary of Sarvadeshi Arya Pratinidhi Sabha ) spoke on the topic ‘Religion is the Pivot of World’s Peace’. He explained workable solutions and answers to the human complexities.
Pandit Dhaneswar Daiboo, presiding Priest of Arya Sabha Mauritius spoke on the topic of Vedas and Environment.
At the Beginning of Creation, the Vedas (Rig Ved , Yajur , Sam and Atharva ) provided humans moral and spiritual guidance , and uplift of humanity. These holy books are the reservoirs of all wisdom necessary to sustain the whole universe. Unfortunately, man has changed this code and has interfered with nature to suit his immediate needs to such an extent that today humans are facing the repercussions of dreadful climate change, pollution, rise in atmospheric temperature with high concentration of green house gases. All these are creating negative impact in our eco system. He explained the importance of working together with nature and sustainability.
Shri Balchand Tanakoor (President of Arya Sabha Mauritius ) talked about “Be Progressive and Prosperous in the Spirit of Non Violence and Love ‘. Violence is sinful and we do not have the right to kill any sentient living being. Violence is against Ethics, (Moral Codes). Violence is against Dharma (Righteousness). Religion does not teach us violence. We cannot conceive the whole as one family if we advocate violence in our daily life.
Shri Harrydev Ramdhoony (General Secretary of Arya Sabha , Mauritius ) explained Vedas are the Divine knowledge given by the Almighty to human beings for their holistic development . The Vedas, as such, is the Supreme Authority for human beings and ordains that if humans want to live in peace, harmony and happiness, they need to uphold Righteousness (Dharma).
The followers of Arya Samaj have a unique role to play in the upliftment of humanity. They have an important role to impart the words and practices of the Vedas to save the world.
In the 20th Arya Maha Sammelan held in Orlando, USA, Dr. Tulsi Ram Sharma said that peace and prosperity celebrated in the Vedas are not for one individual , one community or one nation alone but they are for all . All people, all communities, all nations are the limbs of this same being. At our earthly level, we are all one family of Mother Earth which bears all of us. Though we speak different languages and observe different aspects of one Universal Dharma, yet we live under one roof, in the same earthly home. Peace and prosperity are God’s gift for all the mankind. If there is any disturbance, it is man -made and it is owing to ignorance, injustice, oppression, poverty and miserliness. Divine knowledge and achievement of peace and prosperity is for all, and it is without conflict. Wherever conflict arises, it is from our failure to interpret and follow the divine message.
The Vedas declare that it is only when all will look to the welfare of all, then and then only can we hope for a lasting peace. This message is also conveyed through the Arya Samaaj Niyam 9 (Principal #9).
‘Pratyek ko apnee hi unnati se santushta nahi rahnaa chaahiye , kintu sab kee unnati mein apani unnati samajhnee chaahiye’. (One should not be content with one’s own welfare alone,but should look for ones welfare in the welfare of all).
After all the prayers we all do the Shaanti Prayer:
“O Supreme Lord, thy celestial regions are full of peace and harmony, peace reigns on thy earth and thy waters. Thy herbs and trees are full of peace. All thy forces of nature are full of peace and harmony. There is peace and perfection in thy eternal knowledge, everything in the universe is peaceful and peace pervades everywhere. O Lord, may that peace come to me”.
There were several other speakers on various topics such as Ved and Vishwa Shaanti by Dr. Satish Prakash of New York , Ved Mein Moksha Praapti ka Upaya by Aachaarya Gyaneshwerji , Yoga se Maanav Nirmaan by Dr. Somdev Shaastri, Vedic Dharam kee upyogita, Vedas and World peace , Dharam and Raajneeti , Vedas and Maanav Kalyan , Yoga Se Samasya Samaadhan, etc.
I also spoke on the history of Arya Samaj in Canada. These conferences are always useful in reinforcing the knowledge and give an opportunity to socialize and learn from many scholars in one time at one place.
2015 International Arya Maha Sammelan will be held in Sydney, Australia, from October 23 to 25, 2015.
