1. Our Pràrthana

2. Pràrthana Sanskrit for ‘Prayer’ Never meant to be “begging”
Prārthana is meant to be invocation
Invocation not of any deity
Invocation of strength within
Prārthana is a method to help concentrate
Concentrate on task at hand
Concentrate on our own strength
Helps keep mind in a fair and a balanced state
Etymology, real meaning of the word.

3. Sangh Pràrthana In sangh, prārthana sung at the end of shākha
Not just a prayer but a collective vow
Initially, one shloka in Hindi other in Marathi
From 1940s, prārthana in Sanskrit,
unites Hindus not only in Bhārat but all over world
Our vishwa prārthana has 8 stanzas
Same prārthana for all countries outside Bhārat
History 1. Story about Guru ji, singing alone 2.

4. Aspects of Our Pràrthana
Whom are we praying to?
Who are “we”?
What qualities are we seeking?
What is our collective vision and mission?
What are our means to realize this vision?
Whose mission is this?

5. Whom Are We Praying To? Mother Earth Who is auspicious to all
Fulfills our desires
The ultimate refuge

6. Whom Are We Praying To? Paramātmā
The seat of eternal bliss, happiness, intellect
Responsible for welfare of universe
The genesis of eternal principles
The supreme being – Param Aatma

7. But Who is “We”? We, who are … Assembled here in the shākha
Driven by the ethics of universal dharma
Seeking auspicious blessings from Him for
achieving this goal

8. 5 Qualities We Seek from Him
Qualities of a dedicated swayamsevak
Unconquerable self-strength
All conquering character
Knowledge to enlighten us to move on our
path of ideals

9. 5 Qualities We Seek from Him
A firm and effulgent resolve
for material progress
as well as for spiritual growth
which should blossom in our heart

10. 5 Qualities We Seek from Him
A steadfast dedication towards the goal
The goal of
world peace
in the light of universal dharma
by organizing Hindu society

11. The Mission And The Vision
Pinnacle of glory
Through the mission
Of collective strength
Of ever victorious endeavour
Of sustaining and safeguarding Dharma

12. Whose Mission Is this? The divine mission God’s own work
The work of universal welfare
Let us offer to this work our body
made of sacrifice
made of service
made of resolve