The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies (AYOS) organised a lecture on “Yogic traditions in Thailand” here on Saturday. The meeting was presided over by notable Sanskrit scholar and former IPS officer Arun Kumar Udahyaya.
The lecture was delivered by Prof Pratibha Manjari Ratha of the Department of Sanskrit, Utkal University. Prof Ratha said there are lingual, religious and cultural similarities between India and Thailand. Indian Hathayoga is widely spread and practised in Thailand since long which is evident from the sculptures installed in the temples.
Especially in a temple named Wat Pho, there are sculptures of many yogis in various yogic postures. Yogis are seen assuming Kukkutasana, Ustrasana, Pavanamuktasana, Vajrasana, Natarajasana, Siddhasana, Goraksasna, etc. Names of the yogis who are seen assuming the postures are inscribed as Kalajit, Kuddhalaka, Soma, Govindra, Narada, Kalasiddha, etc. It is also written on the walls of the temple that these yogis are seen in postures to impart the knowledge of yoga therapy, she said.
There was a question-answer session after the speech in which many questions relating to the topic were discussed.
Upadhyaya said yoga is a necessity for a human being. Yoga keeps the body and mind problem-free, and man leads a much better and higher life by the practice of yoga.
Sanskrit scholar and former IAS officer S Sundar Rajan senior IPS officer and Nageswar Rao were among those present. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Mihir Kumar Mishra.