Hindu Swayamsevak sangh USA, Inc. (Sangh in short) is a non-profit, tax exemt religious and cultural organization. The aim of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) is to organize the entire Hindu society and to lead it to all round glory of Hindu Dharma and Hindu culture. (The main reason for the weakness of our society is the lack of unity among Hindus and lack of pride in calling ourselves Hindus. Over the years Hindu Society collapsed in to small groups formed according to their different castes. As a result, Hindus have become self-centered and thought only of their families and not of their fellow brothers in the society. Because of this lack of unity, Hindus felt inferior about their culture and religion and felt ashamed to be Hindus. Every Hindu became a stranger to another Hindu. The problem with the Hindu was his mental attitude towards his society and culture. It was this weak point that Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (affectionately known as "Doctorji") set about to cure by creating Sangh.
Doctorji founded Sangh in 1925, his great aim being to create a strong and unified Hindu society proud of the values of Hindu Dharma. His method of work was to contact individuals and develop them into dedicated Hindus. Sangh would eventually organize the divided Hindus into one large society. Such a united society would be respected throughout the world and be in a position to promote Hindu dharma to the rest of the world. And so, it is the goal of every Sangh Swayamsevak and Swayamsevikas to work for the development of this Dharma and eventually every Hindu shall live according to its principles. This is a very noble task which requires the best human efforts. It is not just a theory but a practical idea which has been achieved by Hindus in the past. A study of history shows how Hindus have gone far and wide to spread their Dharma with lasting success. They achieved then, what Sangh is trying to achieve now by winning not the wealth, but the hearts and souls of the people).
To achieve this, HSS strives to instill in the Hindus, youth in particular a high sense of discipline, social awareness, character and devotion to the Hindu values of life. In the light of the eternal life principles of Hindu Dharma or Sanatan Dharma, whose basis is Universal Brotherhood, such an ideal society will immensely contribute towards a better, harmonious and a peaceful world.
A Swayamsevak is one who volunteers of his own accord to serve the society. Since rightly motivated and properly trained swayamsevaks are the medium to achieve this aim, the entire objective of the Sangh method of working is to mold such swayamsevaks.
The literal meaning of the word 'Shakha' is a branch. So like the branches of a tree, the Sangh Shakhas make up the Sangh organization. A Sangh shakha is essentially a training center for molding an ideal worker and its effectiveness depends on imparting 'Samakars' (values) ti instill and to cultivate in him or her the necessary attributes of a good worker.
It is expected that the various activities in the Shakha and the atmosphere of the Sahakha will bring about an all round development of a swayamsevak by creating in him a deeper understanding and pride of Hindu values, afeeling of oneness with the Hindu society, discipline, courage, boldness, cooperative spirit, apathy for undue publicity and self aggrandizement, individual high moral character, valor, practical wisdom, dedication, and self inspiration. The Shakha in a sense smoothens the angularities of the swayamsevaks and teaches them to work together in a very cooperative manner.
The name of Sangh, its flag, its prayer, its unity hymns, its exposition of thoughts and other several aspects of its metodology conveys but one message-- the message of devotion to the social integrity of the Hindu identity.
The physical programs in the routine Shakha - including the various games, the Boudhik (intellectual) programs, the person to person contact, the heart to heart talks, the various festivals celebrated, the camps, the training programs, and the seva (service) oriented activities all have one main aim: 'to create social conscious, dedicated, active and proud Hindus. In fact the social consciousness would encourage the individual to work for the cause of the society's good.
The Sangh founder Param Poojaneeya Hedgewarji deliberately eschewed many formalities usually followed for running organizations. In the beginning, he did not even bother about the rigid fiscal routine for the Sangh. His focus and attention always remauned the 'men' and the methods by which their personalities could be shaped. His long experience of public life combined with his genius were put into use to evolve a unique style of functioning.
MAN-MAKING ASPECTS OF SHAKHAS: The foremost feature of the Sangh technique is the Shakha where swayamsevaks congregate with regularity and punctuality. Through physical and intellectual programs, the understanding of the ideology and discipline come about naturally. Physical programs marked with strict discipline, vigor, and heroism help rouse the spirit of fortitude. Physiacl games like 'Kabbadi' and 'Kho Kho' and scores of other games help in bringing about better rapport and comraderie between swayamsevaks. Lectures are arranged which give clarity of thought and generate confidence in the Sangh ideology and the Sahkha technique. A combination of such physiacl, intellectual and emotional type of program immensely helps inculcate desirable attributes in the perticipants.
The gamut of well planned programs never allows the participants to misjudge Sangh as a mere gymnasium or as just a study circle. The sole idea behind these programs is to help organize the socity by motivating workers with the noble ideas and a disciplined and dedicated attitude towards the mission. The programs are merely the outer shell - hte means to accomplish the Mission. A swayamsevak in course of time is imbued with the exalted and subtle motivation for sacrificing in the cause of the socity without even thinking of what he gets in return.
NATIONAL THRUST TO ANCIENT CUSTOMS: The various other essential features of the HSS are developed by giving a national and world wide thrust to the ancient religion and cultural customs and traditions. In keeping with the age old tradition of Guru Pooja (expression of reverence and gratitude to one's preceptor) the Bhagwa Dhwal (Saffron Flag) is presented as the Guru before the Sangh swayamsevaks and the tradition of offering Guru Dakshina (voluntary offerings) on the auspicious day of Guru Poornima. The Bhagwa Dhwaj symbolizes the Hindu culture in essence and its acceptance as the Guru in place of an individual is a unique and original idea. This saves the organizatiuon from an unhealthy money and personality cult influence.
In keeping with our ancient socio-cultural traditions, the Sangh celebrates the six festivals pf Vijaya Dashmi, Makar Shakranti, Varsa Pratipada, Guru Pooja and Raksha Bandhan. New meaningful dimensions of national, world and social relevance have been added to these festivals, thus transforming them as effective instruments for mass enlightenment and social interactions. BY introducing 'Hindu Sanghatan Divas, (Hindu Unity Day) asthe sixth festival (coinciding with the coronation of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj), attention is being drawn to the importance of consolidation of the Hindus all over the world.
The prayer and commands of Sangh are in the Sanskrit language again in keeping
with the Hindu tradition. To many observers, the working technique of the Sangh
seems too simple; but it has now been proven beyond doubt that the apparently
simple technique has stood the tough tests of time and has enabled the Sangh
to mold out of ordinary members of the society, thousands of swayamsevaks who
are able to rise to rare heights of human endeavor.
