Shaakha Activities

Here are some of the shaakha activities that can be conducted:
1. Shaakhar Start
2. Ekatmata Stotra (http://sanskritdocuments.org/all_txt/ekatmata-stotra.txt, http://www.geetganga.org/ekaatmata-stotra)
3. Laghu/Ushna Vyayam
4. Surya Namaskaara (http://www.hssus.org/sny/about/)
5. Vyayaam
6. Khel
7. Boudhik
7.a. Geet (www.geetganga.org)
7.b. Subhashita
7.c. Amritvachan
7.d. Boudhik/Katha/Charcha
8. Shaakha End

Aachar Vibhaag

Fig-1. Layout for Shakha

Shakha-Prarambh

When Mukhyashikshak blows the whistle all the swayamsevaks will stand in “Aaram” behind “Sampat-sthan”, facing the Dhwajsthan.

Procedure for Sampat

Mukhyashikshak will call upon agresars by giving “(1) Sangh Daksha” and “(2) Aaram” commands. Sampat line should be at least at the distance equal to height of dhwajstambh. When Mukhyashikshak gives “(3) Agresar” command, all the agresars should stand in Daksha position. Then they will match forward towards Sampat line and stand is Daksha position at designated places. These places for Agresars are to be earmarked by Mukhyashikshak as follows: go towards right of the Dhwaj for steps one less than number of Agresars.(ex: If there are 5 Agresars , then Mukhyashikshak will go 4 steps right of the Dhwaj),and that will be the position of first Agresar. Then on every two steps on left side (i.e. right side of First Agresar) will be other Agresars. Mukhyashikshak should ensure that distance between Agresars is proper. Mukhyashikshak will give “(4) Agresar Samyak “ command to check that all the Agresars are standing in a single straight row. Once this is verified Mukhyashikshak will issue “(5) Agresar Aaram” command.

After this Mukhyashikshak will issue “(6) Sangh Sampat” command. On issuance of this command all the swayamsevaks (including Agresars) will stand in the Daksha position. Then all swayamsevaks should march forward and stand behind Agresar at a distance of arm’s length. Mukhyashikshak should stand midway between Dhwaj and Agresar standing line towards right of Dhwaj, at a distance of 3 steps from left most Agresar. Adhikari will stand midway between Dhwaj and Agresar standing line, towards left of Dhwaj, at a distance of 3 steps from right most Agresar. This way Mukhyashikshak and Adhikari will be facing each other.

Procedure for Samyak

Mukhyashikshak will issue “(7) Sangh Daksha” command. On this command swayamsevaks will stand in Daksha position. Then Mukhyashikshak will issue “(8) Sangh Samyak”. On issuance of this command, Agresars will turn by 180 degrees by right side. In this position Agresar will be facing the swayamsevaks. When in this position Agresar has to check that all the swayamsevaks are in one line. If not, proper verbal instruction should be given (No hand gestures). On issuance of “(9) Agresar Ardhvrut” command, Agresars will turn by 180 degrees by right side. In this position Agresars will face the Dhwaj. Mukhyashikshak issues “(10) Sangh Aaram” command to prepare the swayamsevaks for Dhwajaropan.

Swayamsevak, who is responsible for Dhwajaropan, should stand at the right hand side of the Mukhyashikshak during Sampat holding the flag in his hand. On “(11) Sangh Daksha” command, all the swayamsevaks will stand in Daksha position. Then swayamsevak, who is responsible for Dhwajaropan, will march towards Dhwajmandal by shortest path. He will stand in front of Dhwajsthan at proper distance. Then he will hold the Dhwajstambh under his left armpit at an approx. angle of 45 degrees. Then using both his hands he will put the Dhwaj on the Dhwajstambh. When this is done, Dhwajstambh will be placed in the holder. After this, swayamsevak should come out of the Dhwajmandal-step back one step and do the Dhwaj-pranam. After Dhwaj-pranam, he will march by shortest path towards at two steps right of the right most agresar and will stand in line with other agresars after taking a turn of 180 degrees.

After this Mukhyashikshak issues “(12) Dhwaj-Pranam 1-2-3” command. After Dhwaj-pranam, “(13) Sankhya” command will be issued. Then the swayamsevaks standing at the end of each column will step aside by one step towards his right side. Then he will march forward counting number of swayamsevaks in his column. He will stop near the Agresar and will tell the number of swayamsevaks to agresar. He should tell the number loud enough to be heard by Agresar and without looking at Agresar.

When Mukhyashikshak issues “(14) Aaram” command, the above swayamsevaks will turn by 180 degrees and march towards their respective place. When they are near their place these swayamsevaks will turn by 180 degrees. Then they will step aside (left side) by one step to be in line with other swayamsevaks. When above command is issued , the right most agresar will step ahead by one step and will turn by 90 degrees to his left. Then he will march forward collecting the number count from each Agresars. Then he will step ahead by one step from left most agresar. Then he will inform Mukhyashikshak, the total number of swayamsevaks (by adding all Agresar’s numbers and himself). After informing the Mukhyashikshak, he will step aside one step towards his left, march forward two steps and do a 180 turn to be beside Mukhyashikshak.

After issuing “(15) Sangh Daksha” and “(16) Aaram”, Mukhyashikshak will tell the number of swayamsevaks present (includes Number given by Swayamsevak + Himself + Adhikari) to the Adhikari present and will return to his place.

If Adhikari present is to be honored by “Daksha”, then Mukhyashikshak will tell the number of swayamsevaks after command 15. Then stepping back one step and will turn to face swayamsevaks. Then after giving “(16) Aaram”, he will return to his place.

Once Mukhyashikshak reaches his place, he will issue “(17) Daksha” command and “(18) Swasthan”. Then all the swayamsevaks will go to places as led by “GanShikshaks”.

Shakha-Visarjan

To call upon swayamsevaks for Prarthana, Mukhyashikshak will blow the whistle. Then all the Agresars will march towards respective place and stand in Daksha position. Mukhyashikshak will give “(1) Agresar Samyak” and check whether all the agresars are in-line. After checking the Samyak of Agresars, Mukhyashikshak will give “(2) Agresar Aaram” command. When Mukhyashikshak blows the whistle for second time, all the Agresars will stand in Daksha Position and all the swayamsevaks will come forward and stand behind Agresars at proper distance. After this Mukhyashikshak will issue “(3) Sangh Daksha”,”(4) Sangh Samyak”,”(5) Agresar Ardhvrut”,“(6) Sankhya” and “(7) Aaram“ commands. After this swayamsevak, standing as the right most agresar will collect Sankhya from other Agresars and will inform the Mukhyashikshak after adding those. Mukhyashikshak will inform the Adhikari about Sankhya. Then Mukhyashikshak will come to his designated place and will issue “(8) Sangh Daksha”. To prepare swayamsevaks for Prarthana Mukhyashikshak will issue “ (9) Aaram and (10) Sangh Daksha” commands. When Mukhyashikshak blows the whistle or issues “(11) Prarthana” command, swayamsevak, designated for the Prarthana, will recite the Prarthana and other swayamsevaks will follow him. After completion of Prarthana, Mukhyashikshak will give “(12) Dhwaj Pranam 1-2-3” command. After Dhwaj Pranam, swayamsevak (designated for the Prarthana) will march forward towards the Dhwajstambh. He will stand outside the Dhwajmandal and after will offer the Dhwaj pranam and then enter the Dhwajmandal. Then he will lift the Dhwajstambh from holder and hold it slanted under his left arm. Then will remove the flag by right hand and hold it in the left arm. After this he will stand beside the Mukhyashikshak. When this is done Mukhyashikshak will issue “(13) Sangh Vikir” command. Then all the swayamsevaks will turn towards their right side by 90 degrees, do a pranam and leave their places. Adhikari, Mukhyashikshak and Prarthana Swayamsevaks will do the pranam in their respective positions.