"Invitation to a new religion implies that all who lived before the birth of the religion did not attain salvation and also that salvation is denied to all those who do not belong to that religion. Obviously this is absurd... God accepts all forms of worship, even those unsophisticated forms(Avidhi Poorvakam). He ultimately turns the devotee to the high and holy path and takes him to Himself. For, the God of all religions is the same." -- Paramacharya of Kanchi
As
we all know, HSS is completing its formal 25th year as a registered
organization in the US. It is a proud moment for all of us. During
this time we grew up our base in terms of shakha, outreach, karyakrams
and last but the most important: increasing active participation of our
next generation born and/or brought up in the US - karyakartas!
During the Month of May 2014, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA (HSS) honored teachers across the US, during month long events of Guru Vandana. Each year, US celebrates first week of May as “teachers appreciation week” and Tuesday of the same week as “National Teachers Day”. Hindu philosophy and culture considers Guru as “Supreme Being” who invokes and sustains light of knowledge while eliminating the darkness of ignorance. Our lives are touched and inspired by countless teachers in schools, colleges and many other activities that we participate and excel in. To acknowledge and appreciate these Gurus who silently shape our lives, HSS volunteers across the nation held Guru Vandana during their weekend activities in the Month of May and at some places in June.
On April 17th and 19th, the HSS Satsang Balagokulam, located in Woburn, Massachusetts had a Hindu Heritage Camp, during the school vacation week in MA. There, a team of volunteers conducted activities with kids ages 5 through 12, with about 50 kids both each day. The groups were divided according to age, so the kids could do activities with kids of their own age. Some of the interesting sessions were -- "talk 1 minute about your favorite God", and "Complete the story" -- where kids were told part of a Panchatantra story and they had to complete it
from their imagination. Kids were very imaginative and original in both these sessions.
Activities included drawing, yoga, suyra namaskar, story time, group games, jeopardy, geet, shlokas, and arts and crafts. These activities are were very similar to those conducted at shakhas weekly Balagokulam, where children of all ages are invited to participate, with activities for kids, teenagers, and adults.
Overall, the camp was very successful, and we encouraged all children who attended and their families to join Balagokulam!
From April 5th-6th
2014, 29 Yuvas from the northeast area gathered at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg,
Pennsylvania for a two-day Hindu Youth Conference. The goal of this conference
was to provide a platform for young people between the ages of 18-35 to
socialize, share ideas, and get more in touch with their identity as Hindu
Youth. Participants included some young working professionals, and students
from Pennsylvania State University, Drexel University, Rutgers University,
University of Massachusetts, Boston University, Northeastern University, and
Columbia University. In total, there were 11 Yuva who were attending an HSS event
for the first time. There was one new participant from New Jersey, two from New
York, three from Pennsylvania, and five from Massachusetts.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA (HSS) wishes you, your family and friends a happy, healthy and prosperous Varsha Pratipada, beginning
of Hindu New Year. Varsha Pratipada is also popularly known
as Yugadi and corresponds to the Shalivahana Shaka in some part of
Bharat and in the rest, it corresponds to the Vikrama Samvat,
corresponding to the era beginning 78 A.D. and 57 B.C. respectively.
This day recalls the inspiring occasion when the invading Sakas from
Central Asia were vanquished by the great emperors Shalivahana and
Vikramaditya in the 1st Century A.D.
As
a meaningful coincidence, the great founder of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, belovedly known as
Doctorji, was also born on this very day of Yugadi in 1889. On this
festive occasion let us take inspiration from these great souls.
This year is 125th year of Doctorji's birth year. We would like to share an audio recording of an article written in Hindi, on this great soul and the core Sangh principles, by Pujaneeya Swargeeya Balasaheb Deoras ji. (read more...)
beginning
of Hindu New Year. Varsha Pratipada is also popularly known
as Yugadi and corresponds to the Shalivahana Shaka in some part of
Bharat and in the rest, it corresponds to the Vikrama Samvat,
corresponding to the era beginning 78 A.D. and 57 B.C. respectively.
This day recalls the inspiring occasion when the invading Sakas from
Central Asia were vanquished by the great emperors Shalivahana and
Vikramaditya in the 1st Century A.D.
