The Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav was held from 17th to 19th May to mark the 83rd Birth Anniversary of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale (Sanatan Sanstha’s Founder), and the Silver Jubilee of Sanatan Sanstha. This grand and vibrant festival was graced by Saints, devout Hindus from 23 countries, including 30,000 devout attendees. It was not merely a gathering, but a profound spiritual revelation of Sanatan’s Dharma-shakti (Divine Energy of Sanatan Dharma). Many were moved to express their admiration on witnessing devotees from across Bharat and around the world, united in their reverence for Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale as their Spiritual Guide.
Sanatan Dharma-shakti manifested abroad too
Devout Hindus and seekers had come not only from many parts of Bharat but also from 23 countries. All have embraced spiritual practice as per Gurukrupayoga. In the past, Bharat was home to families that had lineages of Saints. Now, that tradition has taken root in Sanatan as well. Even families abroad have adopted this tradition. Some abroad families were introduced to the attendees during the Mahotsav. Among them were seekers who had attained Sainthood. There was one devoted family from abroad, in which three members are Saints.
Goa Government’s support
The Goa Government extended immense support to the Mahotsav. In the very first meeting, Chief Minister (Dr) Pramod Sawant assured full cooperation. Mr Rohit Kadam was appointed the Nodal Officer to ensure smooth execution of activities by various Government departments. Dignitaries from the Government attending the Mahotsav on the first day included Mr Shripad Naik (Union Minister of State), Chief Minister (Dr) Pramod Sawant, Mr Damodar Naik (BJP Goa State President), Mr Sudin Dhavalikar (Power Minister), Mr Subhash Phal Desai (Social Welfare Minister). They paid respectful obeisance to Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale and sought His blessings.
Other prominent attendees included Mr Ramesh Tawadkar (Speaker of Goa Assembly), Mr Rohan Khaunte (Tourism Minister), Mr Subhash Shirodkar (Water Resources Minister), Mr Digambar Kamat (Former Chief Minister), Mr Sadanand Shet Tanavade (Rajya Sabha MP), Mr Narendra Sawaikar (former MP), Mr Babu Kavalekar (former Deputy Chief Minister), and Mr Dilip Parulekar (former Minister). Some saw the exhibitions and invited their family, friends, and acquaintances to benefit from the Mahotsav.
A Vishwarup darshan through the Lokotsav
The Mahotsav was not limited to Sanatan’s seekers. It brought together all sections of society. It truly became a Lokotsav (Festival of the people), organised with their cooperation.
Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale taught seekers to see the Divine (Brahman) in everyone, and through collective participation, He gave us darshan of the Vishwarup (The Divine in Universal form), as a Dharma Guru, Moksha Guru, Jnan Guru, Rashtra Guru and Jagadguru. For this, we pay obeisance a million times unto His Holy feet.
 A line from Sadguru’s Arati says ‘Jyot se Jyot Jagao’ (Light a lamp with another flame). True to this sentiment, what began in Mumbai a few decades ago with Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale and a few seekers, has now expanded remarkably. While 30,000 people attended in person, thousands more who could not attend due to health or other reasons, experienced the Mahotsav through livestream on YouTube. These devotees were varied in their social, financial, and regional backgrounds. Some are financially well-off, while others struggle for daily needs. Some have renounced everything and perform full-time satseva, while others manage their careers alongside spiritually-related activities. Some are motivated by a deep yearning for the ‘Hindu Rashtra’, while others are steeped in devotion. Yet, all of them are strung like pearls on one sacred thread, with Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale being the Merumani (The main bead, gem, in a string of chant-beads) of that garland. Seekers treading various Spiritual Paths of Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga, Jnanyoga, and Dhyanyoga as per their basic constitution are united in the Guru, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale’s Path of Gurukrupayoga – a confluence of all the above four Paths. It was as if the Guru’s boundless love manifested through every attendee at the Mahotsav. – Mr Virendra Marathe, Managing Trustee, Sanatan Sanstha |
Representatives of many organisations participated in organising the Mahotsav
The organising committee of the Shankhnad Mahotsav included representatives from the Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Federation, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, Shri Sampradaya, the Padmanabha Sampraday of Tapobhumi (Kundai), Art of Living and others.
Local entrepre-neurs, religious and cultural organisation members, temple trustees, cow protectors, retired administrative officers, and professors also participated enthus-iastically. Many shouldered respons-ibility for specific satsevas and offered necessary assistance.
Sanatan Dharma-shakti manifested abroad too
Devout Hindus and seekers had come not only from many parts of Bharat but also from 23 countries. All have embraced spiritual practice as per Gurukrupayoga. In the past, Bharat was home to families that had lineages of Saints. Now, that tradition has taken root in Sanatan as well. Even families abroad have adopted this tradition. Some abroad families were introduced to the attendees during the Mahotsav. Among them were seekers who had attained Sainthood. There was one devoted family from abroad, in which three members are Saints.
The vastness of Sanatan Sanstha
Since its inception, we have emphasised that Sanatan Sanstha is not a Sampraday, but an organisation that guides how to lead a spiritual life. This has been tangibly experienced in recent years.
During the Annual Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Rashtra Adhiveshan, many devout Hindu organisations refer to Sanatan Sanstha as their parent organisation. Several leaders of these organisations revere Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale as their Guru. The deep reverence and humility of these leaders while interacting with Him at the Shankhnad Mahotsav was a reflection of their inner bhav (Spiritual emotion).
The sense of kinship and affection for Sanatan, which has long existed in devout Hindu circles, was even more evident at the Mahotsav. Bringing together such diverse organisations and inspiring them to speak about the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ was by no means a small feat. It was a mighty task fulfilled by local leaders, social activists, and well-wishers of Sanatan.
– Mr Virendra Marathe, Managing Trustee, Sanatan Sanstha
| The kinship and affection for Sanatan, which has long existed in devout Hindu circles, was even more evident at the Mahotsav ! |
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