Bharat Sevashram Mission and Service to Nation
The Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s mission statement adress service and education to nation; moral and spiritual regeneration; irrespective of caste and national origin; spreading moral, spiritual and physical education; teaching of yoga and related health science subjects; education through moral and spiritual publications; tribal welfare and uplifting of the weaker sections of society.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) – a spiritual brotherhood of Hindu monks and volunteer workers founded in 1917 by Acharya Srimat Swami Pranavananda Maharaj. At age 17, Acharya went to Baba Gambhirnathji, the great yogi of the Natha Sampradaya, and underwent five years of intense sadhana and tapasya at Gorakhpur. In January 1924, at age 28, he was initiated into Hindu monasticism (sanyas), by Swami Govindananandagiri and received the name Acharya Swami Pranavananadaji Maharaj.
In the 1920s, Bengal a famine struck in Bengal and Acharya and his close disciples, along with 500 students, went door to door collecting cash and rice for distribution in the famine-struck areas of the Sunderban region. He setup the development of village defence forces, Rakshadal, and their successful use to suppress communal attacks on Hindus. Acharya’s idea of “Milan Mandir” has become a great centre of religious awakening, social reform and cultural revival. Today, there are more than 500 Mandirs worldwide.
The monks are trained in martial arts. Techniques of Fire Fighting, Disaster Management, Combating Communal Riots are some of the important parts of the training module related to the Physical Fitness and Confidence Building. Disaster relief has been a BSS speciality from its founding initiated by Acharya himself taking part in releif work.
Today the BSS is established in many countries worldwide. These include Fiji, UK, Central and South America (Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, etc.), US ,Canada and Nepal. In Guyana, which has produced more than 15 monks. BSS holds consultative status as a NGO with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. BSS and Acharya Pranavananda Maharaj played a critical role in lighting up our national pride and identity. His teachings are as relevant in the current social political scenario as they were before for all Indians. Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) flourished even in the tough days of the British era, feeding the starving people, educating the ignorant and uplifting the Hindu masses. It continues to do social service while educating masses about our heritage and culture.