Vijayadashmi

Ashwin Shuddha 10th- Satya Vikram Samvat 59- 15th October 2002.

All Agnihotris will be celebrating the 58th birth anniversary of Sapta Shloki and Shree's vow on October 15th 2002.

Followers of Satya Dharma i.e. Fivefold Path of Vedas as ordained by Paramsadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj (Shivpuri, Akkalkot ) chant the Sapta Shloki along with the daily practice of Agnihotra.

Sapta Shloki is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Seven Verses'. It is in Sanskrit. These seven verses were revealed unto Shree by divine grace. The basic principles, the essence of Vedas is ordained in these simple, lucid and compact verses. Sapta Shloki ordains the fundamentals of happy and peaceful life on the planet. It ordains the Fivefold Path consisting of Yajnya, Daan, Tapa, Karma and Swadhyaya, which is the royal path of liberation. Sapta Shloki is not a human composition or a mere poem. It is a divine revelation like Bhagvat Geeta or any other divine scripture.

On September 21st 1944 a vision was given to Shree. He was sitting on His wooden couch in the central hall of Gurumandir in Akkalkot. Lord Parshuram, the sixth eternal avatara, appeared in front of Shree's eyes. Shree was shown four dogs, which were lying nearby. These dogs were dying, extremely diseased and feeble. Faint traces of life appeared in them. They were breathing laboriously. Shree felt deep heartfelt compassion towards these dogs. Lord Parshuram, pointing towards these dogs remarked, "Lo presently this is the condition of the Satya Dharma of Vedas".

He wanted to suggest that the Satya Dharma is diminishing and dying from the face of the earth just like the dogs. The ancient path of happy living was in pitiable condition. The four dogs were symbols of the four Vedas viz – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Smaveda & Atharvaveda. The simile of the four dogs indicating four Vedas has been used elsewhere in Vedic mythology. Lord Dattatreya is often pictured surrounded by two dogs on either side.

Being overwhelmed by compassion Shree promptly replied unto Lord Parshuram, " If this is the condition, then I will rejuvenate the Vedas." Immensely pleased on the promise Lord Parshuram said, " This is my Gurudakshina, my fees of being your Guru". Vision was suddenly over and the scene disappeared. Shree became aware of the world around Him. This vision was given during daytime. The vision was being enacted in special dimension.

Shree began to grasp the depth of the meaning of the vision. Day and night He became absorbed in meditation on the divine mission that was expected from Him. He began to delve deeper into the enormity of the divine mission allotted to Him.

Next three days He spent in mauna. He observed total silence. Shree wanted to purify and strengthen His speech by means of speech Tapa. Now that He realized what was the divine will, the expectation of Lord Parshuram from His beloved disciple, He wanted to formally make an announcement of the vow.

The historic day designated by Shree and destiny for uttering the vow dawned. It was the tenth day of Vedic month Ashwin saka year 1866 and Vikram era 2000. English date was September 27th 1944. Time was 9' O clock in the morning.

To Shree's great joy and delight Lord Parshuram once again blessed Him by appearing in body. His joy knew no bounds. He could not control the tears of joy rolling from eyes. Touching the holy lotus feet of Lord Parshuram, ceremoniously sprinkling waters on them, Shree uttered the most difficult Vow-

" I will rejuvenate the Vedas "

Indeed this historic moment was to change the course of mankind. This vow was to put an end to the era of darkness, ignorance & evil referred to as Kaliyuga. This moment was ushering in of the New Era, which Shree was to name Satya Vikram Samvat. Calculation of fresh time as if commenced from that divine moment when Shree uttered the vow. We are now living in the 59th year of the New Era of peace, prosperity and happiness.

After uttering the vow "Sapta Shloki" was revealed unto Shree. Shree was the first singer of Sapta Shloki. Since then these divine verses are ringing throughout the world at every sunrise and sunset.

The day on which Shree uttered His vow and Sapta Shloki was revealed is know an Vijayadashmi day. It is the tenth day of the Vedic month 'Ashwin'. This day is associated with "Victory and acquiring wealth and success" etc. Truly on this day the victorious march of Fivefold Path has begun on the planet. Let us celebrate this special occasion by making a personal commitment to Shree that we will follow Fivefold Path with great devotion and dedicate our lives towards the divine cause of propagating it throughout the mankind.

In His service

Shreekant.

15th October 2002.