Resources
Questions, downloads & a little glossary
Honest answers to the questions people ask us most, things to read and explore at home, and a short guide to the Sanskrit words you'll hear at a shakha.
Frequently asked
Your questions, answered honestly
If something you want to know isn't here, please just ask — a volunteer will be glad to help.
Where and when can I attend a shakha in Manila?
Two free weekly gatherings now meet in Metro Manila, and everyone is welcome. Our all-ages family shakha meets every Sunday, 9:00–10:30 AM at the Hindu Temple, Paco, Manila. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Shakha for children and young people meets every Saturday, 5:30–7:00 PM at the Crimarcel Basketball Court.
Just come along, or message our pracharak on WhatsApp at +63 915 857 5603 for exact directions. There is no fee. See all shakha times →
What is HSS?
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) is a voluntary, non-profit, cultural and educational community of Hindus living outside India. Everything we do centres on the shakha (branch) — a weekly, all-ages gathering where children, youth, parents and elders come together for yoga, games, songs, stories and selfless service.
Our work rests on three core values: Sanskar (good character), Seva (selfless service) and Sanghatan (unity). We are strictly non-political, run entirely by volunteers, and free of any membership fee. Everyone who shares these values is welcome.
Is HSS political?
No. HSS is strictly non-political. We do not take part in political activism, campaign for any party or candidate, or promote any political ideology.
Our focus is entirely cultural, educational and character-building — helping families stay rooted in good values and contribute, shoulder to shoulder with their neighbours, to the wider community. That is the whole of our work here.
Who can join?
Everyone is welcome — whatever your age, background, language or level of familiarity with Hindu traditions. Families take part together: little ones, teenagers, parents and grandparents, side by side.
You don't need to be an expert in anything, and there is no test of belief at the door. You only need to share our values of good character, selfless service and unity, in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the whole world is one family.
Is there a fee?
No. There is no membership fee and nothing to pay. HSS is run entirely by volunteers, and taking part costs nothing.
If one day you would like to help support the running of activities — venues, materials, festivals and seva — that is always a free and personal choice, and never a condition of belonging.
Is HSS religious — and who is a “Hindu”?
We understand the word “Hindu” in its broadest, most inclusive and pluralistic sense — a family of many paths, languages and traditions, united by shared ideals rather than by any single sect, practice or belief.
HSS is cultural and character-building rather than a place of worship, and we have no clergy. Our prayer (Prarthana) is universal — offered for the well-being of all and for peace in the world. People of every background who share our values are warmly welcome to take part.
What happens at a shakha?
A shakha follows a gentle three-part rhythm over about an hour and a half. We begin with the physical (Sharirik) — warm-ups, yoga, Surya Namaskar (sun salutations) and joyful team games (khel) like kabaddi and kho-kho. We move to the intellectual (Bauddhik) — short talks, stories of inspiring figures, and songs (geet). And we close with prayer (Prarthana), offered for the good of all.
Children take part in Balagokulam, our program of games, stories and crafts, right alongside the adults. See our activities in full →
Is it safe and suitable for children?
Yes — the shakha is family-oriented by design. Children take part in Balagokulam alongside their own parents and other families, and the whole gathering happens together, in the open, as one community. Young ones are never off on their own.
We believe the best way for children to learn good values is to see them lived by the grown-ups around them — which is exactly why families come and grow together.
What is HSS's relationship to the RSS?
HSS is autonomous and entirely volunteer-run, with its own leadership and its own charitable, registered chapters in countries around the world — such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.
It draws inspiration from a long lineage of Hindu cultural and character-building movements, but our work is not political in any way. What we do here is simply this: gather families around good character, selfless service and unity. That is our beginning and our end.
How can I start a shakha?
We now hold weekly shakhas in Metro Manila — but if there isn't yet one near you, that is exactly where you can help most. A shakha can begin with only a few committed families and a shared willingness to gather each week.
The first step is simply to reach out: tell us where you are and that you'd like to help gather families, and our volunteers will walk the journey with you. Help start a shakha →
Downloads
Things to read and explore at home
We are preparing a small library of guides and prayers to share. These are being written and translated now — check back soon, or ask a volunteer for an early copy.
Vishwa Prarthana & translation
The universal prayer we close each shakha with, in Sanskrit with a clear, line-by-line English translation.
Surya Namaskar guide
An illustrated, step-by-step guide to the twelve postures of the sun salutation, for practice at home.
Introduction to Balagokulam
A short guide for parents to our children's program — what it is, what a session looks like, and how little ones take part.
Our values, in brief
A gentle primer on Sanskar, Seva and Sanghatan — what each core value means, and how it shows up in everyday life.
Festival calendar
The utsavs (festivals) we celebrate through the year — Makar Sankranti, Holi, Guru Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Diwali and more — with the meaning of each.
Looking for something else?
If there's a prayer, song (geet) or guide you'd like to see here, let us know and we'll do our best to add it.
A little glossary
Words you'll hear at a shakha
We weave a few Sanskrit words into everyday life at HSS. Here is what they mean — no prior knowledge needed.
- Shakha
- Branch — the weekly, all-ages gathering at the heart of everything HSS does.
- Sanskar
- Values and good character; the nurturing of virtues like truth, compassion and self-discipline.
- Seva
- Selfless service, offered for the good of all without expectation of reward.
- Sanghatan
- Unity — the strength of a diverse community standing together with mutual respect.
- Balagokulam
- The children's program — heritage and values through games, stories, yoga and crafts.
- Sharirik
- The physical part of a shakha: warm-ups, yoga, Surya Namaskar and team games.
- Bauddhik
- The intellectual part: short talks, discussions, stories of role models and songs.
- Prarthana
- Prayer — the universal closing prayer, offered for the well-being of all and for world peace.
- Geet
- A song; the devotional and inspirational songs we sing together.
- Khel
- Games; joyful team games like kabaddi and kho-kho.
- Utsav
- A festival; the seasonal celebrations that mark our year.
- Swayamsevak
- A (male) volunteer who takes part in and serves the shakha.
- Sevika
- A (female) volunteer who takes part in and serves the shakha.
- Surya Namaskar
- Sun salutations — a flowing sequence of twelve yoga postures.
- Bhagwa Dhwaj
- The saffron flag, revered at the shakha as a timeless, impersonal ideal — the Guru.
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
- “The whole world is one family” — the worldview at the very heart of HSS.
Explore further
Helpful links
While our community here is still taking shape, these established HSS chapters and service networks abroad are a wonderful way to learn more about the work worldwide. They are independent, sister organisations — not our local chapter.
-
HSS United States hssus.org — an established, registered chapter with shakhas across the country.
-
HSS United Kingdom hssuk.org — a long-running charity with weekly shakhas and family programs.
-
HSS Australia hssaus.org — shakhas, camps and community service across Australia.
-
HSS Canada hsscanada.org — family shakhas and youth activities across Canadian cities.
-
Sewa International sewausa.org — an affiliated Hindu service and disaster-relief network, expressing Seva on a global scale.
Didn't find your answer?
These pages are growing as our community takes shape. If your question isn't here — or you'd like a download that isn't quite ready yet — please reach out. A volunteer will be glad to help, and there's no obligation and no fee, just a warm welcome.
Everyone is welcome
Still have a question?
We'd love to hear from you. Ask us anything, tell us where you are, or let us know how you'd like to take part — and we'll help you find your place in our community.