Dhyanasthali, Gandhinagar

Indian classical music is an invaluable heritage of Indian culture. The positive effects of Indian music on the body and mind are well-known, at the same time, there is a deep spirituality hidden in it as well. With the aim of preserving this invaluable heritage of Indian culture, Shree Shivkrupanand Swami Music Festival has been organised for the last several years under the inspiration of Param Pujya Gurudev. Through this music festival, good social service is also performed by providing a suitable platform to a classical musician. In these music festivals, many sadhaks have easily attained a state of thoughtlessness, and these festivals have proven to be an effective means of increasing the general public’s interest in classical music.

In addition to promoting Indian classical music, Param Pujya Gurudev and Her Holiness Guruma have also been encouraging folk dance, folk songs, and various other aspects of Indian culture. Therefore, folk dances, folk songs, etc. are an integral part of the programmes of Gurudev’s Guru-purnima, Consciousness-filled Mega Meditation camps, and other similar functions. In fact, they also serve as a powerful means for Param Pujya Gurudev to spread the energy of consciousness into the participants of the camps.

To fulfil one of the main objectives of His life – the incarnation of pious souls and Guru-energies, with the inspiration of Param Pujya Gurudev, Samarpan marriages have been taking place every year since 2003. From the last few years, these Samarpan marriages have been held on the holy land of Samarpan Ashram, Dandi. The purpose of Samarpan Marriage is not the fulfilment of physical desires, but rather the manifestation of Guru-energies and pure souls.

In line with the fundamental spirit of the Samarpan wedding, the Gurutattva platform has incorporated the essence of Arsh Vivah, a marriage tradition mentioned in Indian culture, and has reintroduced it with a new name – Arsh Sankalp Vivah! “Arsh” refers to sages, signifying that through Swamiji’s devotional Himalayan meditation, even a householder can reach the pinnacle of spirituality, akin to a sage. Historically, sages were often accompanied by their families. In this ceremony, the entire wedding takes place according to Indian cultural traditions, and the couple receives blessings from the Guru-energies during the rites.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a Sanskrit phrase meaning “The World is One Family”, beautifully encapsulates the essence of Indian culture. To realise this noble ideal, a special, residential eight-day meditation camp for foreign sadhaks is organised every year under the guidance of Param Pujya Gurudev. Recognising the intellect-driven nature of foreign participants and their inclination towards scientific validation, Param Pujya Gurudev seamlessly integrates practical demonstrations alongside meditation sessions during the retreat. Through these experiments, He easily makes the attendees experience the effect of the consciousness obtained through meditation.

Both these three-day spiritual programmes have been organised every year since the year 2000 and 2001 respectively. In the Guru-Purnima camp Param Pujya Gurudev imparts Guru diksha (Initiation by the Guru of the disciple).

This is the occasion when all the devotees come from India and abroad to express their gratitude towards their Gurudev with great feelings. Guru-Purnima has the greatest importance from the point of view of the sadhak, because when he takes initiation, he formally connects with the Satguru at the spiritual level. Satguru is always dedicated towards the disciple, but on the day of Guru-Purnima, the dedication of the disciple reaches new heights.

­Chaitanya Mahotsav (Consciousness-filled Mega Meditation camps) is another meditation camp organised around the birth anniversary of Param Pujya Gurudev, when Param Pujya Gurudev gives a return gift in the form of divine consciousness to the devotees who come to wish Him on His birthday. In fact, Param Pujya Gurudev keeps looking for opportunities to grant consciousness to the sadhaks, to lead them on the path of spiritual progress! This ­Consciousness-filled Mega Meditation camp is an ongoing annual event serving the same purpose.

In both these mega meditation camps steeped in spirituality, group meditation is included, spiritual question-and-answer session, soulful cultural programs and bhajans and most importantly, priceless discourses of Param Pujya Gurudev and Her Holiness Guruma. Both these programmes infuse a new consciousness in the lives of the sadhaks and that is why every sadhak waits for them with great eagerness.

Param Pujya Gurudev, who brought the values of Samarpan Meditation into society, which was previously limited to the inaccessible caves of the Himalayas, remains in deep meditation while in solitude at Samarpan Ashram, Dandi for 45 days every year since 2007. Every year during this time He consecrates a new Mangal Murti (living idol) by transferring life-force energy in it. In these living idols, life-force energy is consecrated with the resolute intention that in the future, every individual, regardless of race, language, religion, nationality, colour, gender, or any other distinction, should achieve self-realisation. In this way these Mangal Murtis (living idols) are truly a spiritual invention!

During the deep meditation practicum, Param Pujya Gurudev transcends the physical realm and ascends to such a high state that an immense amount of consciousness flows through His body, causing natural changes in the surrounding environment, such as an untimely fog or a drop in surrounding temperature. The entire atmosphere of the ashram campus becomes suffused with divine consciousness. To benefit from this divine energy, groups of birds often come to the ashram after a long journey.