President Ram Nath Kovind said spirituality is the soul of country and an important contribution to the world.
Releasing Hindi version edition of Swami Paramahansa Yogananda’s bestseller God Talks with Arjuna – The Bhagavad Gita at Yogada Satsanga Society of India Ashram in city on the occasion of the Society’s 100 years, Kovind also thanked on Wednesday each and every individual associated with the Society and thoughts of Swami Paramhansa Yogananda across the world.
Notably, Kovind was in city for the first time as President to take part in celebrations organised by the government of Jharkhand on the occasion of Jharkhand Foundation Day which falls on birthday of legendry freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The President participated in the centenary celebrations of Yogada Satsanga Society of India, which was founded 100 years ago by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1917. Yogada Satsanga Society president Swami Chidananda Ji Maharaj, General Secretary Swami Smaranananda, Swami Vishwananda and Swami Nityananda along with other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Addressing monks and devotees on the occasion, Kovind said that spiritualism is the soul of our nation and a precious gift from India to others. Swami Vivekanand and Paramhansa Yogananda popularized and promoted spiritualism in international sphere.
“It is a rare historic coincidence that Swami Paramhansa Yogananda was born in the name of Mukund lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur exactly same year in 1893 when Swami Vivekananda was creating new wave of awakening in the west part of the world about Indian Spiritualism with his address in Chicago. From 1918 to 1920, he worked in this Aashram and later he worked in America for 32 years, where his ‘Self Realization Fellowship’ helped lakhs of Americans in getting enlightened through Kriya-Yoga,” said the President.
He said that Swami Paramanada in his book simplified Krishna and Arjuna conversation and tried to make people understand ‘Yoga’. He believed Yoga is above any religion and open to all. “He paved a path for readers with psychological and spiritual aspect of Gita and considered intrapersonal conflict as nothing but a subject matter of Gita. This holy book is a part of day to day life and great help in resolving intrapersonal situation of quandary,” said Kovind.
He added that materialism and competition have overpowered youth in contemporary generation and they believe ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ as help in overcoming obstacles. This landmark book was published in 70s but charm is not faded yet. He also appreciated the Ashram’s work in the field of education, health, natural disaster, adoption of orphan and assistance provided to leprosy patients. He showed his confidence in Yogada Satsanga Society in spread of spiritualism and welfare across the world.
