The Westernization of our lifestyle is one of the significant drawbacks we observe today. Under the guise of modernization, young minds are being exposed to obscenity and cultural degradation, leading them to forget their values and blindly adopt Western culture. Events like Valentine’s Day have been one of the contributors to this downfall with a high number of teenage pregnancies, drug abuse, depression, and moral degradation as the result. To counteract this cultural erosion and revive our traditional values, Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu in year 2007 started a revolutionary initiative known as Parents Worship Day. This initiative is not merely a gesture but a necessity of the hour.
Current Social & Cultural Challenges
While technological advancement has opened the horizon of development for the nation, it has also exposed society to the darkness of adverse effects and cultural downfall. One such effect is the blind following of other cultures. Valentine’s Day celebration is one such event that is slowly creeping into society and eroding cultural values. Despite its lack of significance, this event brings about obscenity and a lustful ambiance. Reports indicate that Valentine’s Day has led to an increase in teenage pregnancies, depression, cultural degradation, suicides, and a breakdown in relationships. If this trend continues, the destruction of the society will be inevitable.
Modernization has led to the bifurcation of families into smaller units. Nuclear families are now replacing joint families, and people are sending elderly parents to old-age homes. Hatred, ego, and fake attitudes are replacing compassion and family bonding, which were once strengths of our society. The growing emotional gap between family members is leading children to send their parents to old-age homes, where they must live without love, care, and emotional support. Parents build their families with the bricks of emotions, but during their last days, when they need the most support, they find themselves living a dreadful life.
Parents Worship Day: A Vision
Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu believes that love is innocent and unites with God. It should not be conflated with lust or desires; instead, it is an eternal feeling that can help one reach spiritual excellence and contribute to the growth of others as well. Bapuji is a revolutionary saint with a clear vision – he aimed to protect the younger generation by instilling cultural values, strengthening parent-child relationships and preventing blind adherence to Western influences. His main goal is the welfare of society, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or sect.
Bapuji said, ‘I don’t want to oppose anybody, but I feel grieved seeing the destruction of humanity. This assault has its origin in Western countries. Instead of opposing it, we’ll just give it a new direction so that it contributes to the welfare of foreign people as well. Celebrate the day of love by saying, ‘Matridevo Bhava, Pitridevo Bhava’ – ‘Regard your mother as a god, regard your father as a god.
Parents Worship Day: A Factual Event
One of the first relationships that a living being establishes is the relationship with the parents. Parents form the first association with their offspring, whether it’s an animal or a human, even before birth. Parents have spent a longer time in this world, and their experience is vital for the growth of a child. It is the eternal love of parents and gurus that elevates one the path to success. Hence, respecting Parents or worshiping them is not just a belief. In fact it is a factual event that needs to be practiced everywhere.
Parents Worship Day: The Beginning
To counteract the adverse effects and obscenity caused by Valentine’s Day, and to revive cultural values and the eternal love of parents, Visionary Saint Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu initiated the celebration of Parents Worship Day on February 14th in the year 2007.
Bapuji has said:
Youth get entangled in premarital relationships by celebrating 14th February as ‘Valentine’s Day.’ Their vital fluid and brightness get wasted in the sexual indulgence caused by the stimulation of lower chakras during the day. ‘Parents’ Worship’ on 14th February will lift them from the evil of profligacy and the mire of depravity to a life of a bright future, purity of character, and good conduct.
Parents Worship Day: Universal Resolve
Pujya Bapuji’s Brahma-Sankalpa for the welfare of universal good: ‘Now, we will celebrate 14th February as ‘Parents’ Worship Day’ at an international level. I send out this Sankalpa into space, envisioning that in the celebration of ‘Parents’ Worship Day’ (Matri-Pitri Pujan Divas), all the five great elements, gods, and goddesses will assist. May my devotees, whether they are Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Parsis, all participate in it. Let the gods, and demigods (Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Pitris) hear that I intend to propagate ‘Parents’ Worship Day’ on a wider scale in India and around the world.
Parents Worship Day: Successful Realization
Since 2007, Parents Worship Day has become a new trend. Under the guidance of Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu, people now celebrate it worldwide.Volunteers began the initiative at Sant Shri Asharamji Ashram and later spread it to all corners. Everyone warmly welcomed this movement. Thereby, leading to mass celebrations in schools, colleges, societies, and other public places across the nation.
Parents Worship Day: Political Leaders Support
Today, Parents Worship Day has evolved into a global reform. It is celebrated not only at the regional level but has become a festival of humanity. Various political leaders have come forward and appreciated Bapuji’s efforts. Their appreciation not only reflects their acceptance but also demonstrates its global reach. This initiative has received appreciation from the President of India, Governors, Central ministers, Chief Ministers of various states, and many other politically renowned personalities. The recognition has thrived and gained momentum over the years as its reach continues to expand. Inspired by this initiative, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh officially declared 14th Feb as Parents Worship Day.
Voice of Leaders
Let us see what some of the political leaders have to say about Parents Worship Day.
My best compliments to you for the great conception of celebrating 14th February as ‘Parents’ Worship Day’.
– Shri Vijay Rupani, Contemporaneous Chief Minister, Gujarat
It is a matter of great pleasure that 14th February is being celebrated as Parents’ Worship Day.
– Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Contemporaneous Chief Minister, M.P.
Children should be associated with Indian culture and customs right from an early age, and you have been executing this responsibility perfectly.
– Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Contemporaneous Chief Minister, H.P.
The direction that Asharamji Bapu has shown by way of the Parent’s Worship Day event is not just for a particular region, community, or race, but an important step to make the whole world virtuous.
– Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Union Minister of State for Steel
I am very glad to know that, like every year, the ‘Parents’ Worship Day program is being organized globally on 14th February ‘
– Shri Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh,
These notes are clear indications of the acceptance and applause this initiative is receiving from the government and political leaders. They not only appreciate this event but also promote its practice everywhere.
Parents Worship Day: A Global Reform
This festival of eternal love extends beyond Bharat. It has crossed the national boundaries. People celebrate it in countries like America, Canada, UAE, Australia, England, Nepal, and approximately 200 other countries. Let’s see what California State Assembly says about this event.
“On behalf of the California State Assembly, I, Assembly member Kansen Chu, do at this moment recognize ‘Shri Yoga Vedanta Ashram’ for their dedicated efforts over the past 21 years to uplift all people and children with special appreciation for their work on behalf of young people in our community by organizing the celebration of Parents’ Worship Day. Thank you for all of your work!”
Parents Worship Day: Support from Saints
Events like Parents Worship hold immense spiritual importance; hence the views of Saints are very important. People consider this unique initiative revolutionary and believe it brings cultural reform. It takes necessary measures to protect our culture from degradation. Saints of Bharat adore this initiative and advocate its importance in the current social condition. Here are a few of the statements from saints about these events:
Hundreds of thousands of salutations to such a Saint!
– Gaubhakta Sant Shri Kalidasji
By celebrating Valentine’s Day, people are desecrating the word ‘love’. The trend of celebrating ‘Parents’ Worship Day’ in lieu of this, as set by you, is quite laudable.
– Shri Devkinandan Thakur, Bhagavat Katha Narrator
Parents Worship Day: Newspaper Speaks
Parents Worship Day received commendation not just from religious and social organizations and dignitaries but also gained official recognition. Authorities distributed circulars advocating the celebration of Parents’ Worship Day in schools across various districts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The programs garnered significant acclaim in newspapers and on news channels. Some of the newspapers and agencies that applauded this program include pioneers like BBC, promoting global coverage. Other newspapers include Navanagar Time, Sandesh, Dainik Bhaskar, Prabhat Khabar, etc.
Let’s have a look at some of the glimpses of the news:
‘India.com’ News Desk – Celebrating it in place of Valentine’s Day was initiated by Sant Asharam Ji Bapu 2007, the spiritual Guru of India.
Navanagar Time – Following the order of the District Education Officer, in most government schools of Jamnagar district, students received blessings by worshiping their parents with devotion.
Sandesh, Sabarkantha-Aravalli – Many educational institutions celebrated Parents Worship Day on 14th February and pledged to keep celebrating it in the coming years as well.
Parents Worship Day: A vision from the past to make a better future
The Parents Worship Day was initiated by Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu with the vision of barricading cultural degradation. This initiative also aims to combat issues such as teenage pregnancies, drug addiction, depression, and moral degradation. Parents worship has existed in Sanatan Dharma right from Lord Ganesha worshiping his parents, Pundalik & Shravan Kumar serving their parents, to Pujya Bapuji seeking blessings from his parents. Bapuji has given a new look to this tradition by celebrating it on 14th Feb. It revives parent-child love and strengthens family bonds. This not only brings prosperity to the child’s life but also protects him from external troubles. Let’s celebrate 14th Feb as the Day of Eternal Love by worshiping our parents.
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