Two Special Remembrances in May

Ed.

May 17th marks the birthday of PARAMA SADGURU SHREE GAJANAN MAHARAJ (1918-1987)
of Akalkot, India, who resuscitated the ancient knowledge of Agnihotra and the Fivefold Path for modern times.

From I Wish I Had Known, by Fran Rosen-Sawyer (now Parvati Rosen-Bizberg):

“Shree is KALKI AVATAR. The word AVATAR means the descent of Divine Power on earth to fulfill an allotted task from Almighty Father. KALKA means pollution; hence, KALKI AVATAR means Divine Messenger for the destruction of pollution. SADGURU means PERFECT MASTER. PARAMA SADGURU means highest among the PERFECT MASTERS.

“Shree’s lineage reflects a glorious spiritual heritage. His mother Sonamata was a great YOGINI. (YOGINI is the feminine term for YOGI.) Shree’s father Shivananda Swami was a renowned NADA BRAHMA YOGI….Shree’s grandfather Tatyaji Maharaj was a saint who possessed great intuitive knowledge of medicine and astrology….

“On Christmas day, December 25th, 1941 Shree’s allotted task was revealed by the Will of Almighty Father…Shree was further informed that the time for unfolding was yet to be…. In 1944 Shree vowed, ‘I will resuscitate the Vedas.’

“Parama Sadguru once said:
‘Whatever Almighty has willed to be done through our instrument shall be done. Our
whole life is totally dedicated to Him. He who revealed to us our allotted task shall grant us
the necessary strength to fulfill it.

‘It is not for us to advise people to follow any particular individual.

‘If it is the will of the Almighty to convey to the world any message through us He will do so.
We are merely His slaves.

‘We are not votaries of any religious denomination. Whether it is the Bible or the Koran or the doctrines of Hindus we will convey the message with equal yearning.

‘We have asked people not to call us GURU. Many have imposed Guruhood on us. Many have experienced superhuman powers with us. Many have witnessed miracles. We are mere witness of, not the doers of these things.

‘We surrendered totally to the Almighty and He started utilizing our body as His instrument.
Each one has to tread his path of Self-realization.’”

Parama Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj left the mortal coil on December 6, 1987. In reference to the lineage after He left the Body, Shree stated that after Us, comes Vedas; after Us, comes the Fire. There is no lineage. The Fire is of utmost importance.

May 13th marks the birthday of Shree Vasant V. Paranjpe, who left the body on December 30,
2008, at Maheshwar, India.

Words could never convey the impact of His life on countless people around the world to whom He carried the message of Agnihotra and Fivefold Path. In His mission, He circled the globe year after year, serving with unwavering devotion, utmost humility, astonishing energy and boundless love. He was instrumental in transforming the lives of people from all walks of life.

He so scrupulously avoided personal attention throughout His life of service, and never sought to collect followers. (For years, He declined to have His photo in this newsletter, which He Himself founded.) In total humility, He guided people to focus on the message of Yajnya, Daan, Tapa, Karma, Swadhyaya–not the messenger.

Following are some highlights from Shree Vasant’s life of service:

In 1970, Parama Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj of Akalkot, India, who resuscitated Agnihotra and the Fivefold Path of Vedas in modern times, commanded Shree Vasant:
“Our words which lead to BLISS, convey them to all the people.”

Thus began Shree Vasant’s thirty-eight years of travel and teaching, of Grace and total surrender to the Divine.

In 1972 He began teaching in the U.S. In 1973 He became the founder president of Fivefold Path, Inc., a nonprofit organization established in Madison, Virginia. In that same year, Shree Gajanan Maharaj commanded Shree Vasant to start this Satsang newsletter.

On September 22, 1973, Shree Vasant inaugurated the Parama Dham Fire Temple in Madison,
Virginia, the first Fire Temple in the world established under Shree Gajanan Maharaj’s dispensation of ancient science of atmospheric purification for the New Age.

In 1974 Shree Vasant carried the message to Europe. Over the years, His mission also took Him to South America, Australia, Africa and Asia. He was instrumental in bringing Agnihotra and Fivefold Path to thousands of people all over the planet.

In today’s world He pioneered the use of Homa Therapy in agriculture, psychotherapy, alternative medicine, self-development and healing the environment. Under His guidance, Homa farms and centers such as Ecovillage Bhrugu Aranya in Poland, Om Shree Dham farm in Australia, and Tapovan in India, came forth.

He is the author of Grace Alone, Light Towards Divine Path, Ten Commandments of Parama Sadguru and Homa Therapy, Our Last Chance. His books have been translated into many languages.

Over forty years ago, many of His talks and writings warned of the environmental degradation and deterioration that has come to pass in virtually all parts of the globe today, in the forms of atmospheric pollution, nuclear radiation hazards, water pollution, soil fatigue, noise pollution and more. But along with these warnings, He offered a solution that people all over the world could use to heal themselves and their environment–Agnihotra and Fivefold Path.

Glimpses of Shree Vasant’s life can be found in Messenger of the Sacred Fire, the Extraordinary Life and Works of Shree Vasant Paranjpe by Parvati Rosen-Bizberg. In it, a number of people from various countries have shared their experiences with Shree Vasant and the spread of Agnihotra around the planet. But perhaps the greater story of His life is just beginning to unfold, as people the world over continue His mission.

In February, 2012, another important milestone was achieved: Homa Therapy Teachers’ Certification training. The certification program is a means of accurately preserving and conveying the Vedic knowledge given by Parama Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj and taught worldwide by Shree Vasant Paranjpe. Through the program, Homa Therapy teachers can be more thoroughly and consistently trained, so that a uniform message of the teachings of Homa Therapy goes out to the world. This also promotes unity among Homa Therapy teachers.

Homa Therapy Teachers’ Certification courses have been given in Tapovan, India, and at Ecovillage Bhrugu Aranya, in Poland. Another course, to be held at the Resonance Point, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A., is being planned for this year.

Some years ago, Shree Vasant suggested that a Homa farm be established near the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. In the autumn of 2013, the Baltimore Homa Community realized that dream by purchasing and establishing Ancient Oaks, a 28-acre farm
northwest of Baltimore. The farm sells produce via a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. In 2016, Ancient Oaks began hosting groups of children from the inner city, allowing them to explore Nature, meet the farm animals, enjoy a vegetarian lunch featuring Homa-grown produce, participate in creative activities, and experience Homa.

In 2016, Agnihotra made its way to Harvard University, and was presented at a conference on “The Spirit of Sustainable Agriculture,” by Dr. Appachanda Thimmaiah.

Another important goal was reached on March 25, 2018 at Tapovan Homa farm, where they
celebrated the completion of 17 years of continuous Om Tryambakam Homa.

A small group of dedicated people from various countries held Shree Vasant’s vision of completing a series of seven Maha Somayags on the banks of the Narmada River in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, India, for the healing of our planet. February 12th, 2017 marked the successful completion of the Aptoryam, the seventh and final Somayag in this series. This series of seven Somayags was performed strictly according to Vedas, and the purifying effect of each of these Somayags lasts for several decades. These events were attended by people from all over the world, who can attest to their powerful and transforming effects. (For more information, please visit somayag.org.)

Ecovillage Bhrugu Aranya, Poland, continues to progress in manifesting Shree Vasant’s vision of the Centre of Light, an international environmental educational and healing center. The first three years of fundraising and construction built the framework and roof. At this time, volunteers from around the world are building the eco-friendly straw and clay walls. June through October are prime months for volunteering. It is truly a win/win experience, all volunteers have reported.

Step by step, Agnihotra moves toward a wider audience. More scientific research on Agnihotra has been, and is being, conducted. Internet and social media allow us to disseminate information on Agnihotra more quickly than ever before. Following are some resources for Agnihotra, Homa Therapy and Fivefold Path information:

Homa Therapy International
Agnihotra and Homa Therapy Web Portal
www.homatherapy.org
This comprehensive site features articles on Agnihotra, Homa Therapy, Somayag, scientific validation, Homa communities, climate engineering, activations and cleansings, plus news and blogs from around the world. Links to websites of Homa centers in a number of
different countries are also featured. Sunrise/sunset timings for Agnihotra can be obtained here as well. The site also offers an extensive archive of back issues of Satsang.

Homa Organic Farming
Evergreen Revolution
www.homafarming.com
In addition to basic information on Homa Organic Farming, this site includes such topics as scientific validation, radioactivity, Resonance Points, applications, farmers’ testimonies, the farmer’s friends (cows, bees and earthworms), soil and water, and pests and diseases. It also highlights the Noah’s Ark Project. This is a special system of Homa Organic Farming wherein
a group of farmers can work together using a Resonance Point on contiguous farms. The model can be useful for organic farmers or those who wish to go organic.

Homa Health
www.homahealth.com
This site gives articles on Homa Therapy, along with Agnihotra Ash medicines, healing testimonies, and an Agnihotra Timetable request form. A listing of many ailments and diseases is given, making it easy to locate information pertaining to a particular health issue.

It is impossible to truly sum up the spread of Agnihotra, Fivefold Path and Homa Therapy today. We may read about events and milestones on the aforementioned websites, but there is no way to chronicle the work that goes on quietly, behind the scenes, all over the world, or the great changes that take place within the hearts and minds of Agnihotris and Fivefold Path practitioners around the globe.

A precious heritage has been entrusted to all of us who have been taught Agnihotra, the Fivefold Path and Homa Therapy. We can honor this gift by striving to manifest these teachings more fully in our lives, and by sharing this knowledge with others.