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| SCRIPTURAL STUDIES AND IMPARTING OF MORAL AND SPIRITUAL EDUCATION For building up the nation on the basis of its eternal spiritual ideals, what is necessary today is wide reintroduction of spiritual and moral education among the distressed masses and inculcation of spiritual studies in various ways. With the object in view, the Sangha, since 1949, has set up a department for organizing scriptural studies among the student community and holding examinations. The following methods of work have been adopted:- |
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| REFORMATION OF HOLY PLACES The holy places of India which have been from time immemorial, the main springs of spiritual inspiration and religious enthusiasm, have at present lost their ancient glories. Extorsion, torture, cheating by a section of so called agents of the pandas, negligence in performing the religious rites according to the scriptural injunctions as well as heavy demand as offerings and Dakshina i.e. Sufala (honorarium of the Pandas) and oppression by the ruffians, experienced by the innocent pilgrims have been deplorable realities for long. |
| The great Acharya with His divine foresight, realised the vicious atmostphere of the holy places of India and felt the need of urgent reformation of the places of pilgrimage for national upliftment. Therefore long ago, in the year 1924, he introduced the program of Tirtha-Sankar, through long and strenuous efforts the movement acquired country wide support from all sections of the people. Despite vehement opposition and working against heavy odds, the Sangha workers, who are sometimes attacked and beaten up mercilessly by the hired goondas have been able to create healthy and favourable atmosphere by means of a series of welfare activies and bold programs. The method of work is as follows :- |
| 1. Pilgrims are given free shelter in Dharmashalas established at Gaya, Varanasi, Allhabad, Vrindavan, Puri, Hardwar, Kurukshetra, Navadwip, Rameswaram, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gourikund, Gangasagar, Dwarka, Tarapith etc. 2. Pilgrims are helped to perform their religious rites at reasonable expenses and are saved from oppression and extorsion. 3. Diseased pilgrims are treated free of charge at the cheritable dispensaries of the sangha. |
| 4. Daily Bhajan, Kirtan, Puja, Arti, etc. and weekly exposition of scriptures, occasional festivals and anniversary celebrations are held. 5. Yearly relief work are organised during the time of Pitripaksha at Gaya, Annakut at Varanasi, Magh mela at Prayag, Car festival at Puri, Dol and Ras purnima at Nabadwip, Pous Sankranti mela at Gangasagar, Chimaguri, Kachuberia and Nimkhana. Besides, elaborate relief and preaching work are also organised during the time of Kumbha mela at Hardwar, Prayag, Nasik, and Ujjain and on solar ecclipse at Kurukshetra. Thousands of pilgrims are helped in all possible ways in these Sevashrams and in these mela camps. |
| (a) A regular and graduate course of studies of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Gita and other scriptures has been introduced for students of various classes (b) Scriptures are taught by trained preachers and teachers. (c) Copies of scriptures are distributed free of cost among the students. (d) Annual examinations are held, merit certificates, prizes etc. are awarded to the successful students. (e) Scriptural teaching are imparted in the rural areas through projections of lantern slides along with instructive and illuminative lectures by the Sannyasins of the Sangha. |
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