The Pursuit to Honor His Guiding Light, the Gayatri Mantra, Leads to World Hindu Congress
Dr. Randeep Suneja attended the World Hindu Congress in New Delhi with his brother Dr. Pradeep Suneja (right).
By Jawahar Malhotra
KATY: Without a doubt, he is sure, that his unshakeable faith in the Gayatri Mantra has been one of the reasons for his success in his career as a physician and has also guided him to courageously face the challenges in his life. Growing up in Karol Bagh in New Delhi and attending the Arya Samaj mandir with his father Om Prakash Suneja (who was the Secretary of the mandir for 25 years), he learnt not only the importance of the Gayatri Mantra and memorized the Sandhya and havan which he continues to recite faithfully every day. It has become second nature to him to quickly recite and seek strength from the shlouk, even as he starts any medical procedure.
Dr. Suneja with American Hindu spiritual leader and author David Frawley at the Congress
“The Gayatri Mantra has always given me the strength and wisdom to go on the path of righteousness,” said Dr. Randeep Suneja, who has a large practice in Katy and is consistently listed among the top renowned cardiologists in the area. He was referring to the ancient Vedic Sanskrit verse from the Rigveda (3.62.10) which is believed to have been revealed to the Brahmarishi Vishvamitra. It consists of 24 syllables, three line of eight syllables each with the first line being an invocation, thus: Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.
A basic translation of the Gayatri Mantra is: “Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.”
Suneja’s pursuit to spread the benefits of reciting the Gayatri Mantra led him to found the Gayatri Mantra Global Foundation on November 16, 2014 and while researching information on Hinduism, he learnt of the World Hindu Congress which was to be held in New Delhi this past November 21 to 23. Convinced that it would provide him with a network of like-minded people, Suneja registered and attended the event in his home town and his brother, Pradeep, a just-retired physician, came along too. They were among the 1,800 delegates from 53 countries and who heard from over 200 speakers.
The opening address was by the Dalai Lama who spoke for over an hour to pin-drop silence as he explained his philosophy of universal love and peace, his life, as of other Tibetans in exile in Ladakh and how much he had learnt from Hinduism and ancient Hindu culture. “You could feel his Divine, spiritual aura,” said Suneja of the experience, “as he connected with the hearts of people. It was an experience of a lifetime!”
Before the program started, Suneja had a chance encounter with Ashok Singhal, the previous President for over 20 years of the Vishva Hindu Parishad. Suneja mentioned that he thought that Prime Minister Narender Modi’s election was the best thing that had happened to India in 67 years. He replied “No!! That’s not right.” “I was taken aback by Singhalji’s response,” recalled Suneja, “but then he added ‘It’s the best thing that has happened to India since 1192 when Prithvi Raj Chauhan ruled India!’”
Suneja was also impressed by the young and dynamic new Minister of Human Resources Development, Smriti Irani who explained how the education initiative was permeating down to villages on a mass scale through free web-based learning. Another speaker was David Frawley, the American Hindu spiritual leader and author. Encouraged by the contacts he made, Suneja was further heartened by learning that the next World Hindu Congress will be held in the US in 2018 and has even suggested that the venue be in Houston and hopes to be included in the organizing committee.
Meanwhile, Suneja continues on with his plans for a global launch of his Gayatri Mantra Global Foundation website this summer and will be heading off to India in late May to oversee its final production. His ultimate goal is to hold a World Gayatri Mantra Day with 24-hour chanting to spread the power of the message contained therein. “The message is simple but powerful,” said Suneja of his guiding force. “God is omnipresent, omnipotent and universal and gives direction and strength,” he added with a glowing, confident look, “and this is the message I want to spread.”