Sayujyam …A Spiritual Journey
An insight into the planning for a 15-month ‘sadhanamaya’ programme for all the sadhaka-s across the globe by Dr. Chaitanya Gulvady – Coordinator, Team Sayujyam (February 2022)
It was in the early part of 2021, that a group of sadhaka-s, inspired by Gurubhakti, got together to steer the programmes to observe the Silver Jubilee year of the Pattabhisheka of our revered Guru H.H. Swami Sadyojat Shankarashram. The year 2021-22 also happened to be the 75thJanmadivasa year of our Guruswami, H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram Swamiji III. They were inspired to call it “Sayujyam”, which means the union of the sadhaka with the Guru and the Divine Consciousness.
Since the last 25 years, H.H. Swamiji has been slowly introducing to and teaching our samaja the various facets of sadhana. Subsequently, a series of discussions began with H.H. Swamiji on the way forward and a more definite plan unfolded slowly. The onslaught of the Covid pandemic caught the world unawares. Many were affected, but the mental strength intensified by faith and nishtha in the Guru’s Guidance helped the sadhaka-s to face these obstacles bravely. Sayujyam helped to bridge continents, countries, cities and brought together sadhaka-s from all across the globe on this virtual platform. This helped sadhaka-s to further strengthen the bond and increase their sadhana manifold.
The last week of March 2021 began with a saptaha of Sadhana Panchakam and Gurupujanam-s to observe the onset of the Silver Jubilee year on the 27th of February 2021. Soon, a year-long scheduled allocation of Sayujyam Seva slots to various sabha-s was announced. Smaller sabha-s joined the bigger ones to participate in the seva. This included Vaiyaktika (personal) Sadhana and Samuhika (collective) Sadhana.
Vaiyaktika Sadhana emphasized the chanting of an additional mala of the Ishta Mantra Japa, an additional mala of the Gayatri mantra by the male sadhaka-s and the Devi Anushthana by all sadhaka-s. It also included the pathana of the sacred Chitrapur Guruparampara Charitra. To keep track of all this sadhana-s by individual sadhaka-s spread across continents a Google Online Form was used. They were also encouraged to learn to chant at least one stotram of their choice every month.
Samuhika Sadhana involved online performance of the Sadhana Panchakam which included the Navratri Nityapath, Devi Anushthana, Shri Guru Pujana, Lalita sahasranama, Shivamanas Puja, 12th and 15th Chapters of the Bhagawadgita. Samuhika Sadhana witnessed the participation of a large number of sadhaka-s in the different aspects of the sadhana and this gave them immense spiritual satisfaction.
The monthly online, Atmabal Series was conceptualized which was a platform for sadhaka-s to express how their atmabal increased with the connect with the Divine. Panel discussions with experts on Covid, Mental Health, Nutrition, Chitrapur Museum – Parijnan Vastu Sangrahalaya, Saatvik Aahaar, Healthy Bones, Physiotherapy, Konkani Sourabh – our Matrubhaasha and many other interesting topics were discussed on this platform. Participation in these programmes soared as sadhaka-s watched these interactive programmes from their comfortable home environs.
Following H.H. Swamiji’s advice, a unique bi-monthly online “Satsanga” was started to bring the Bikaner/Jodhpur Saraswat-s and Chitrapur Saraswat-s together. It included familiarizing them with our Guruparampara through presentations on the Guruparampara Charitra, training sadhaka-s to chant the Sabha Prarambha and Sabha Samapti Prarthana-s, singing bhajans and presentation of their culture to the Chitrapur samaja.
“Gurupadeshah”- pearls of wisdom from our hallowed Gurus-was relayed to the sadhaka-s through the “Anushravas” broadcast Whatsapp group.The sadhaka-s have now begun to look forward to these beautifully designed posts which are sent out once a week and on specific tithi-s.
It came as a pleasant realization to some that this was the 25thChaturmasa of our beloved H.H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji as our Mathadhipati... another joyous milestone on the journey to the momentous 75/25 Sayujyam in 2022.To celebrate this historic event, the Sayujyam team organised a Samuhika Japa Sadhana on 26th August 2021, the Samaradhana Divasa of our Karunamurti Guruswami, H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram Swamiji III. It brought together all sabha-s to offer a tribute capsuling the unalloyed devotion of the Shishya to His Revered Guru.
Under the Direction of H.H Swamiji, to celebrate the 55thSamaradhana of our Parameshti Guru, Shrimad Anandashram Swamiji, a unique online programme “Ananda Sandhya” took shape. It brought forth the katha of the spiritual journey of our Parameshti Guru interspersed with lilting bhajana-s sung in His praise.
A series of online Shri Guru Pujana training sessions for new sadhaka-s commenced in Bengaluru and this was taken up by the other sabha-s. Then began the monthly series of L2G (Local to Global) series of Samuhika Guru Pujana-s by various sabha-s.
A conscious effort was made to highlight special programmes by local sabha-s. The unique “Kallo” Gokulashtami programme of the Santacruz Sabha, was beamed to sadhaka-s across the world. Everyone was overjoyed to witness this programme right from their homes.
A virtual Navaratri celebration with representation from all the sabha-s was planned. The sabha-s were clubbed into groups and a special training session on zoom and live streaming was conducted. The backend technical support team in each sabha was trained and they helped the groups to independently manage the Zoom platform efficiently. During the 10-day celebration leading upto Vijayadashami, all the sabha-s were able to livestream via the website livestream page. This motivated the Sayujyam team to start live streaming more programmes to involve sadhaka-s from all the sabha-s.
A unique idea, in the form of “Indradhanush”, was born to showcase the hidden talents of our children, Yuva-s and the entire samaja offered it as a birthday surprise to our beloved Guru on 13th November, 2021. Invites were sent to budding artistes and very soon the team received a huge collection of videos featuring a bouquet of cultural talent such as sand art, paintings such as digital Warli, harmonica quartet, poems, jokes in Sanskrit, songs, dances and more. All the participants were thrilled to receive very complimentary feedback in the form of a “return gift” from H.H. Swamiji who called it His- “Beshtesht Gift”!!!
For the first time, Gita Jayanti witnessed the virtual chanting of the entire Shrimad Bhagawadgita by all the 26 sabha-s. A similar chanting session was also held at Karla Math in the Divine Presence of H.H. Swamiji. This was followed by a very inspiring and endearing Ashirvachana, which highlighted the divine message of Bhagawan Krishna through the Bhagawadgita. This Ashirvachana by H.H. Swamiji was uploaded on the website a few hours after. Dr. Sudha Tinaikar pachi gave a lucid talk on the Paraspara Sambodhana of Bhagawan Krishna and Arjuna in Bhagawadgita which was premiered on the website on that very evening.
Datta Jayanti followed and the unique celebrations including the Palakhi Utsava, in Talmakiwadi (Grant Road Sabha) were beamed worldwide. H.H. Swamiji addressed the samaja from Karla Math via the virtual “Samparka”, continuing with His usual practice of annual Ashirvachana during Datta Jayanti. Here, H.H. Swamiji elaborated on the various aspects of the Shri Datta Charitra.
Planning for Rajatotsava began soon after. The plan was to commemorate the 25 years of H.H. Swamiji’s Mathadipatya on 21st February 2022 which was tithi-wise, the Pattabhisheka day. Also on the sacred list was1st March, 2022 - the Shishya Swikara Dinam of H.H. Guruswami which, by divine synchronicity, coincided with the auspicious Mahashivaratri- a day of Shivaradhana and puja-s. In view of the continuing Covid pandemic, a virtual programme is being planned and the details will be shared with sadhaka-s closer to the date. Sadhana Panchakam and Guru pujana performed by sadhaka-s and Shivaratri pujana performed by H.H. Swamiji will be webcast for the benefit of all the sadhaka-s who are unable attend this momentous, once-in-a-lifetime occasion due to the pandemic. Commemorative mementos for the occasion are being planned for release during the Rajatotsava commemoration on the 21st of February, 2022.
Through the year music, artistic skills, dance, art, theatre, one-act plays, panel discussions, bhajana-s – more shades than can be seen in a Indradhanush will be showcased– to make this a memorable and most unforgettable event.
By the Anugraha of our Guruparampara, Sayujyam – our spiritual journey has connected each one of us with the Divinity in all that surrounds us!