Pranaam to the Seeker Within You
Years ago, as I sat at the feet of my Gurudev, Baba Maheshwar Ji, he whispered a truth that still echoes in my soul: ‘The Vedic Rishis did not preach discipline—they lived it. Their lives were not a set of rules, but a dance with the cosmos. Today, we have forgotten the steps.’
Brothers and sisters, this dance is Panchapreeti—the five timeless rhythms that once harmonized every breath of life, from the first cry of a child to the final sigh of a sage. Let me guide you back to this rhythm.
The home is the first Gurukul. Here, the seeds of discipline, love, and wisdom are sown. To nurture a child into a complete human being—Manushyottam—we must first cultivate these values within our families.”
At Vedvik Gurukul, we will follow the timeless teachings of our revered Gurudev, Baba Maheshwar Ji, who taught us the Panchapreeti—five sacred practices that harmonize the body, mind, and soul. These practices are not rituals; they are a way of life, tailored to guide every individual through their ashram (life stage) while anchoring families in holistic growth.
Panchapreeti: The Daily Symphony of a Disciplined Life
In the Vedic age, life was not divided into ‘work’ and ‘rest’—it flowed like a river, guided by the Panchapreeti:
1. Brahmamuhurta: Pranayam & Yoga (4:30 AM – 6:30 AM)
Begin each day with 15 minutes of pranayam (breath control) and yoga asanas. Teach your child to synchronize breath with movement—simple poses like Aditya-Kriya Yoga or Balasana (Child’s Pose).
“Wake 15 minutes before sunrise. Let the first light touch your closed eyelids as you sit in Sukhasana.”
- Pranayam: Inhale Prana (life force) through Urdha-Nimna, Simhamsika, Prana Bandhana and Shakti Kriya. Repeat 21 times each.
- Yoga: Perform Aditya-Kriya Yog facing the rising sun. As Gurudev taught, “The sun does not rise—it awakens the environment (birds, animals, plants, trees, etc). Your body must rise with it.”
- Why?
Pranayam purifies the prana (life force), while yoga strengthens the body and calms the mind. For a Brahmachari (student), this discipline fuels focus for Gyan Sadhana (pursuit of knowledge). For parents (Grihastha), it instills stamina to balance karma (duty) and dharma (righteousness). For elders (Vanaprastha), it reignites vitality.
2. Ishtha Aradhana: Worship Your Anchor (6:30 AM – 7:00 AM)
Identify your Ishtha—your personal anchor of divinity. It could be God, parents, guru, nature, or even your inner self. Dedicate 10 minutes daily to sit quietly, light a diya, Offer water to Tulsi, Bow to your parents or Guru or offer flowers while reflecting on your Ishtha.
- Ishtha: Choose your anchor (that can hook your senses, and makes you calm) — It can be "God, Guru, parents, or your Higher Self."
- Chant:
“त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव,
त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव।
त्वमेव विद्या च द्रविणम त्वमेव,
त्वमेव सर्वमम देव देवः।।”
( You are the mother, you are the father, you are the brother, you are the friend, you are the knowledge, you are the wealth. O god of the gods! You are my everything.) - Why?
Ishtha Aradhana roots the mind in gratitude and reverence. For a Vanaprasthi (retiree), this evolves into Bhakti Sadhana — Devotion to the Supreme Self. For children, it fosters humility, it sows reverence and connection to cultural roots. For householders (Grihastha), it teaches humility.
3. Sadhana: Practicing For Excellence (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
“From sunrise to sunset, your every action is worship.” Do every work as a Sadhana (practice for Excellence). Sadhana is a discipline undertaken in the pursuit of a goal. Abhyas is repeated practice performed with observation and reflection. Kriya, or Karya, or action, also implies perfect execution with study and investigation. Therefore, Sadhana, Abhyas, and Kriya; all means one and the same thing. A Sadhan, or Seeker, or Practitioner, is one who skillfully applies... mind, body and intelligence in practice towards a goal.
"Maybe it is your work, study, or whatever it is - do it as your sadhana."
- Students (Brahmacharya): Start your study with this mantra “सा विद्या या विमुक्तये” (Knowledge is that which liberates). Focus in your studies as you like to seek for God. Always remember "Knowledge is God".
- Adults (Grihastha): Work as Karma Yogi — clean homes mindfully, cook with gratitude, serve with detachment, love without lust, work without greed.
- Why?
As Gurudev said, “A farmer’s plough is his pen; his field, the scripture.” This is Karma Sadhana — the Grihastha’s duty to act without attachment. The same thing applies for the Gyana Sadhana — the Brahmachari's duty is to learn, observe, ask questions, experiment, and understand to acquire more and more knowledge.
4. Vandana: Gratitude at Twilight (6:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
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Every evening, gather as a family to perform Jal Arghya (offering water to the Tulsi plant) and bow to Surya Dev (Sun).
- Chant:
“दिवास्तमये नमः। प्रकृतेः अनुग्रहाय नमः।” (Salutations to the setting sun. Gratitude to Mother Nature.)
- Why?
This is Dharma Sadhana—honoring the Five Pillars (Knowledge, Patience, Love, Dedication, Justice). A child learns love by thanking the earth; a parent learns justice by sharing resources. Vandana teaches children that nature is a living guru. For Grihastha Ashram, this ritual reinforces Karma Yoga — performing duties with gratitude. It reminds us that every resource — food, water, air — is a gift, not a right.
5. Dhyan: Union with the Infinite (8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
End the day with 10 minutes of dhyan (meditation). Sit together, focus on a candle flame.
- Mentally recite: “अहं ब्रह्मास्मि” (I am Brahman).
- Why?
This is Raja Sadhana—the Sanyasi’s path. Dhyan is the pinnacle of Raja Yoga, the path of the Sanyasi (renunciant), that build focus, calmness, peace. For families, it cultivates emotional resilience. A child who masters dhyan learns to channel emotions; a parent learns to lead with calm authority.
6. Dharma Stands on Five Pillars — Panchapreeti Nurtures All
“You ask, ‘What is Sanatan Dharma?’ It is not a religion—it is the science of living through five pillars:
- Gyan (Knowledge): Brahmagyan is the goal.
- Dheeraj (Patience): To wait for the fruit of actions.
- Prem (Love): For all beings as manifestations of Brahman.
- Samarpit Bhav (Dedication): Surrender to Dharma.
- Nyaya (Justice): Balance in thought, word, deed.
Panchapreeti is the loom that weaves these pillars into daily life. When a child wakes up early does Pranayam, they learn patience and discipline. When a mother offers Jal Arghya, she practices Love (to nature). When a father works selflessly (Karma Sadhana), he embodies dedication.”
Conclusion
“Manushyottam is not born; it is crafted—day by day, breath by breath. When a family embraces Panchapreeti, the home becomes a temple, and life itself a prayer.”
Begin Today: Watch our Panchapreeti Video to understand it clearly and deepening your practice.
—Acharya Jata Maheshwar Ji