Members of the Ganga Action Parivar preformed a special yagna ceremony in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, as today marked the date in which he had been assassinated. 108 offerings were made to the sacred fire during the Kumbha Mela to honour the teachings, principles and values of Gandhiji which are forever immortal.
It was stated so beautifully today by Shri Ram Mahesh Mishra that Gandhiji, like Lord Shiva – the Hindu God who in the great Kumbha story of the churning of the ocean swallows the poison to allow for the nectar of immortality to come forth – is immortal because he too swallowed the poison of colonization to bring independence to India. He selflessly served for the welfare of all, living his life as his example.
Bapu, as he was lovingly referred to by many, literally translates to “respected father”, and illustrates how he lives on today in everyone’s hearts, minds and soul. His stories and teachings are so universal that they have the power to touch and transform people of all walks of life, transcending all boundaries and barriers. His example of being the change is so profound that activists around the world continue to be inspired by him.
His simplicity and deep grounding to the Earth made him one of the earliest pioneers of the environmental movements in India. For Gandhiji, a non-violent lifestyle was one that honored the soil and its people. How to live one’s life with a small carbon and water footprint in a way that is just enough to meet one’s need is one of the many lessons one can learn from his life. Gandhiji said so beautifully that while there is enough on this planet for every man’s needs, there is not even enough for one man’s greed.
This is the same thought that marks the vision of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Founder of Ganga Action Parivar. From the clean-ups to all of the green initiatives carried out by Ganga Action Parivar, the message is that we must, like Mahatma Gandhiji, start with changing our self and our choices and then extend to change one’s community, city and nation. We must be the change we want to see in the world. Living life in this way is the nectar of immortality and the true meaning of the Kumbha Mela.
Read press clippings about this event >>
