Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Monday, emphasised the profound connection between Ayurveda, Yoga and Nath Panth, stating that all three share a common belief system centered around the importance of a healthy body for spiritual growth.
He was addressing a special lecture on the second day of the three-day international seminar organised by the Guru Gorakhnath Institute of Medical Sciences (Ayurveda College) at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University’s Arogyadham.
Quoting the ancient Indian wisdom, ‘sharir madhyam khalu dharma sadhanam’ (the body is the medium for practising religion), Chief Minister Yogi highlighted that a healthy body is essential for fulfilling spiritual, moral and worldly duties, ultimately leading to salvation.
He stressed that the principles of Ayurveda, Yoga and Nath Panth all converge on the importance of maintaining a disciplined and healthy lifestyle for spiritual advancement.
Chief Minister Yogi noted that Ayurveda, Yoga and Nath Panth all emphasise discipline and self-control to maintain physical health. Ayurveda focuses on natural healing through medicines and Panchakarma treatments, while Yoga promotes health through practices such as Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Laya Yoga and Kriya Yoga, he explained, adding that Nath Panth’s Hatha yogis, combine yogic practices with Khatkarma techniques to strengthen the body.
He highlighted that all three traditions share the belief in the body being composed of five elements (Panchabhautik). Ayurveda views health issues as imbalances in Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and the Nath tradition also emphasises balancing these elements through self-discipline and yogic practices, he added.
Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath emphasised that the universe resides within the human body, stating that the elements present in the universe also exist within us, he added.
The chief minister elaborated on teachings of Nath tradition, emphasising the importance of ‘niyam-sanyam’ (self-discipline), pointing out that Yoga has been instrumental in connecting individuals with these values.
He stressed that the purification of conscience can only be achieved through this, and the Nath yogis have provided a unique approach to this through functional yoga practices.
He explained that Nath yogis have detailed the benefits of specific yogic actions and mentioned that several prominent yoga asanas, such as Gorakh asan, Matsyendra asana and Gomukh asana, have been named after Nath yogis.
He further elaborated on the Nath tradition, where every Nath yogi wears a sacred thread that creates awareness about the body’s energy channels. He affirmed that Yoga is an integral part of every Nath yogi’s life, fostering both physical wellness and spiritual discipline.
Discussing the teachings of Guru Gorakhnath, Chief Minister Yogi emphasised the importance of exploring higher dimensions of consciousness. Along with the conscious mind, Guru Gorakhnath taught techniques to expand awareness beyond the conscious mind, helping yogis unlock the potential of the subconscious and unconscious mind through deep meditation and spiritual practices.
The chief minister explained that yogic practices not only promote physical well-being but also serve as a medium to attain the ‘ashta siddhis’ and ‘nava nidhis’. He emphasised the role of Pranayama in balancing the mind and body, comparing its importance to the vital necessity of breath for sustaining life.
Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the resurgence of India’s ancient wisdom, stating that the nation had once distanced itself from its rich heritage, leading to a period of cultural inferiority. He pointed out how ancient Ayurvedic medicines were once patented by outsiders, stripping India of its intellectual legacy.
However, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for reviving global interest in Ayurveda and Yoga, with India reclaiming its rightful place as the origin of these sciences. He also expressed pride in the growing global acceptance of Ayurvedic treatments and yogic practices, emphasising how India’s ancient wisdom is once again being acknowledged and respected worldwide.
The chief minister highlighted that the civilisation and culture of India are among the most ancient in the world, with Indian culture often regarded as the oldest since the beginning of creation. He explained that over various eras, sages and seers expanded and enriched this culture with their profound experiences and wisdom.
Initially, the tradition of knowledge was transmitted orally through the ‘guru-shishya’ (teacher-disciple) tradition. However, Maharishi Ved Vyas transformed this oral tradition into a written form by compiling the knowledge in the form of four Samhitas. He not only authored the four Vedas –Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda – but also played a pivotal role in furthering Indian culture by composing the 18 Puranas, including the revered Shrimad Bhagwat Purana, the chief minister explained.
Chief Minister Yogi stated that Indian wisdom does not confine religion to mere acts of worship, instead, it defines religion in a broader sense, encompassing duty, virtue, and moral values as a complete way of life. He emphasised that following a virtuous lifestyle and fulfilling one’s duties with integrity also constitute religious practice in the Sanatan tradition.
