FEBRUARY 25, 2017
Indian Prime Minister publicly acknowledges the Hindu god Shiva as the “First Yogi”
While not a few Catholics (priests and Bishops included) continue to insist that the Hindu spiritual discipline of Yoga/Yogic Meditation is secular and has nothing to do with religion and/or spirituality, the Hindutva-oriented Prime Minister of India has officially acknowledged the Hindu deity Shiva as the “first yogi”.
PM Narendra Modi to unveil first 112 feet Shiva idol at IshaFoundation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil Lord Shiva statue at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore
EXTRACT
February 24, 2017
The Isha Foundation plans to have 112-foot tall faces of Hindu God Shiva or ‘Adiyogi’ in the other three regions of the country – east, north and west – while the first one has been set up in Coimbatore, said Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
“We want to place these tall faces of Adiyogi in four corners of the country. The first one is in the south, at the Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore. The eastern one will most likely be in Varanasi. For the north, it will be somewhere north of Delhi and the western one will be in Mumbai,” Vasudevsaid over email. [..]
According to him, there is also a scientific significance —there are 112 chakras in the human system, with which you can work, to explore 112 dimensions of life.
“This face is not a deity or temple, this is an iconic inspiration. In pursuit of the divine, you don’t have to look up because it not somewhere else. Each of the 112 possibilities is a method to experience the divine within you. You just have to pick one,” Vasudev added.
Mr. Modi took to Twitter to tweet about the event:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev releases a book on Adiyogi during the unveiling function of 112-feet iconic statue of Adiyogi Lord Shiva at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
The 112-feet iconic statue of Adiyogi Lord Shiva that was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore.
Source: February 24, 2017
Before unveiling the giant 'Adiyogi' bust, Modi lighted the "Maha Yoga Yagna" and released the book 'Adiyoga: The source of Yoga', which deals with yogic sciences.
The Prime Minister offered aarti and showered flower petals over the Dhyana Linga.
He later sat in the Dhyana Linga mandapam, where a yogic dance was performed by a group of youngsters to the accompaniment of traditional music and Sanskrit shlokas.
What is Mahashivaratri? (Maha=great, ratri or ratra=night). It thus means “the Great Night of Shiva”
The Night of Shiva, Mahashivaratri or the great night of Shiva. Shiva is the factor of transformation. On Shivratri, total energy comes into the universe. ShivShakticoming from all thelingas, joining, merging.
If you chant ‘Om Namah Shivaye’ and think of Lord Shiva throughout the day, you will get rid of all sins…
Shivratri is auspicious because it is more alive in the environment… Any meditation done on this day has manifold effects. It is astrologically linked; when the sun and moon are in a particular position, it helps to elevate the mind.
Shivratri days are congenial for spiritual practices. On this day, people meditate, and all their desires either get dropped through knowledge, or get fulfilled. It is the day when the spirit touches the earth. In some schools of thought, it is said that usually the spirit is ten inches above matter, but on Shivratri it touches the earth…
Shivratri is where the Shiv tatva and the shakti become one…
Source:In Tune with the Cosmic Dance; Lingashtakam; The Night of Shiva, Cover Story, Rishimukh, March 2005
Shakti is the female universal esoteric energy of yoga. The lingas are phallus, penises.
The following is an extract under “Mahashivratra” from a book Religious Festivals and Rituals (Booklet 7, page 30) published for the “benefit” of the faithful by the Sub-Committee for Inter-Religious Dialogue for Jezu Krist Joionti 2000 of the Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman:
Two stories about the festival are related. In the first account, we are told how Brahma and Vishnu “saw the Linga in the middle of the flame and heard a voice uttering ‘OM’. Vishnu and Brahma realized that they were in the presence of Shiva, and that he was the real Supreme Lord. That was the moment of their enlightenment.”
In the second account, a hunter plucks the leaves of “a ‘bel’ tree (sacred to Shiva),” a few of which “fell on a Shiva Linga (‘pindi’).” Thus, “on the Siva Linga he had offered the ‘bel’ leaves.”
Who or what is “Adiyogi”?
Is Shiva a God or the first yogi?
“Shiva” is said to be the “essence” or “Sat” that resides inside every living being which propels them on their own. In other words, Shiva can be said to be the “jiva” or “life force energy” out of which life “flows! Puranas describe Shiva to be the “Divine essence” that is filled everywhere in the “Brahmmanda” where everything including the cosmos reside and causes it to “function on its own” as the “conscious energy!” Brahmn is depicted in the shape of an “Anda” or egg and it is because it is from an egg life is born. It is in this sense, it is said that Shiva is the creator of the universe.
Since Shiva is “that which caused creation” in the world when none existed, He is first a God. The Sanskrit expression, “Shiva” or “Siva” is originated from its root “Si” which literarily translates to “Auspicious” and hence Shiva verbatim means, “The Auspicious one.”
Shiva is one of the “Thrimurthis” or three primary Gods of Hindu mythology apart from Brahma and Vishnu. According to Puranas, Brahmadoes creation to” populate,” Vishnu helps them to “exist” and Shiva is said to be the “destroyer.” These three, therefore represent the three aspects of life – “Shristi, Sthithi and Samhara” or “creation, existence and destruction” which is described as the endless “cycle” of life. Out of these 3 originated the 33 crores of Gods in Hindu Puranas!
Shiva, therefore is a “God,” but He is also described as the “Adi Yogi.” “Adi” in Sanskrit means “first.” He is described as the “Adi Yogi” because, he was the “First” one who “learned,” practiced and taught “Yoga Vidya” or “the knowledge of Yoga.”
It is said that after doing intense “Tapas” or penance on the mighty Himalayas for several years, Shiva came out and began “Ananda Nirthya” or “ecstatic dance” after having been understood the blissful “essence of Yoga.” Shiva then shared this knowledge to his consort “Parvathi” “intimately” sharing the bliss and the holistic benefits Yoga” could bring into the life of a person.
He then taught the Yoga Vidaya to Seven Rishis and these Rishis later came to be known as “Saptarshis.” This is how he became the first Yogi and described as The “Adi Yogi!” Shiva was also the first “Guru” as he accepted these “Saptharshis” or seven Rishis as his disciples and thus got the title, “Adi Guru” as well.
Hindu Puranas have several interesting stories which are stories by itself and yet symbolic of universal truths for the common man to learn, understand and practice in their day to day life. According to Shiva Purana, Shiva Himself was born into this world as “Rudra” from Lord Brahma and Brahma from the Lotus cells that was born out of the navel of Lord Vishnu!
Interesting, surprising, mystic and quite divine? Yes, this is the uniqueness of Hindu Puranas that baffle every reader and yet teach him or her the “Prapancha Sathyas” or universal truths by way of interesting stories.
PM Modi Unveils Shiva Bust in Coimbatore, Protesters Cry ‘Illegal’
Coimbatore, February 25, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 112-foot bust of ‘Adiyogi’ (Shiva) at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
The Isha Yoga Center has come into limelight for its night-long celebrations, led by its founder and guru, (Sadhguru) Jaggi Vasudev.
Mega Mahashivaratri
This year, the celebrations on February 24 are being held on an international scale, with nearly two lakh people attending, and over five crore devotees being part of it through 23 television channels.
This has brought the allegations of environmental and land violations by the spiritual-yoga-meditation destination back into focus, with activists and locals getting into a flurry of activity.
The Shiva Bust & the Many Controversies
It is a known fact that the Isha Center is embroiled in legal cases for several building and land violations, including a demolition notice for 44,000 sq. ft. of buildings issued by the Madras High Court in 2013, which the state government is yet to act upon.
The Madras HC, on February 17, heard a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by P Muthumal, President of the Velliangiri Hill Tribal Protection Society, seeking to demolish unauthorised construction, including a “120-ft Shiva statue” built on wet lands, restraining further construction, and action against Coimbatore District Collector TN Hariharan for allowing such unauthorised constructions to come up on land falling within the ambit of the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA). The HC issued notices to the Government returnable by March 3.
The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) heard another application, by advocate M Vetriselvan of the environmental organisation ‘Poovulagin Nanbargal’, seeking an interim order restraining the Isha Center from holding the Mahashivratri celebrations, from February 21 – 25, 2017, in the buffer zone intimated by the District Forest Officer, Coimbatore.
The applicant had pointed out that the high decibel level sounds throughout the night, huge influx of vehicles, powerful lights, and movement of nearly two lakh people in the area disturbed the normal life of elephants and led to the herds attacking devotees. He had also sought a permanent order restraining the Isha Center from holding any such events in the future.
According to Vetriselvan, here too, the Tribunal posted the plea for further hearing to March 27, much like in other cases, where they are either pending hearing, or the orders are pending implementation against Isha.
In the light of all this, the arrival of the PM upset not only the activists, but also the locals. The contention is whether the PM has agreed to inaugurate the statue knowing about the disputes and violations surrounding the Isha Center.
Activists maintain that PM Modi cannot be ignorant about the situation and must have made the decision to attend the programme in spite of this.
Srinivasan Kuppusamy, who has been fighting the cause for the last five years, had begun a petition “Modiji, please don’t attend the Sadhguru Jaggi’s function, destroyer of tribals and elephants” on Change.org. The petition however could not muster the 2500 backers it targeted.
Usher in a new yuga of harmony through yoga: PM
Coimbatore, February 25, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with yoga guru Jaggi Vasudev during the unveiling of the 112 foot-tall Adiyogi bust.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gave a clarion call to create a new yuga of togetherness and harmony through yoga.
Unveiling the 112 foot-tall bust ofAdiyogi, 'the first yoga guru', consecrated by Isha Yoga Centre founderSadhguru Jaggi Vasudevin the foothills of theVelliangiri mountainsin Coimbatore district on Friday, Modi said yoga could be the panacea for lifestyle diseases, stress and addiction.
"Lifestyle-related ailments and stress-related diseases are becoming common. It gives me immense sadness, one that I cannot describe in words, when I read about people taking to substance abuse and alcohol because they are not at peace with themselves," Modi said.
He suggested that yoga could be crucial for world peace. "The whole world wants peace, not just peace from wars and conflict but peace of the mind," he said. There is ample evidence that practising yoga helps combat stress. If the body is a temple of the mind, yoga creates a beautiful temple, he said, adding that more than being a cure to ailments, it is a means to wellness. "Twisting and turning one's body in different poses is not yoga. Yoga is far beyond physical exercises. Yoga it is ancient, yet modern, it is constant, yet evolving. The essence of yoga has not changed. It is of utmost importance to preserve this essence,'' he said.
Stating that the family of Lord Shiva is a symbol of harmony in diversity, Modi said India too is a nation of unparalleled diversity. "This diversity has been India's greatest strength and has also brought India together. Diversity is not a cause of conflict for us. We accept it and embrace it wholeheartedly," he said.
Underlining the need for peaceful coexistence, Modi said, "Lord Shiva is everywhere," and referred to the bull, peacock and mouse that were the vehicles of the Lord and his sonsGanapathyand Karthik.He also talked about the venomous snake Vasuki curled around Shiva's neck to emphasise the importance of peaceful coexistence.
He stressed the need to protect nature which is part and parcel of our culture.
"Each god is associated with an animal, bird or tree, which is also worshipped with the same spirit as the god or goddess. There cannot be a better means to inculcate a spirit of reverence for nature. Nature equals to God, this has been firmly established by our ancestors, and this shows their foresight.These are virtues that have kept Indian civilization alive for centuries," he said.
Modi also released a book on Adiyogi written by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said that before the next Mahashivratri, the Isha Yoga Centre will create one million yoga veeras who will impart and teach simple yoga to 100 people each.
Comment by Aditya Raman:
After BJP took over power at Centre, the benefits of Yoga have been massively hyped with the PM himself becoming its brand ambassador in promoting its so called values. Yoga is a billion dollar industry today with Saints and Sadhvis actively competing and marketing it ostensibly with religious overtones. The World Health Organisation has not yet certified Yoga as a beneficial form of exercise and yet this doesn’t deter its proponents to propaganda its so-called health gains associated with its practice.
Song, dance as world gathers at Isha to celebrate yoga
Coimbatore, February 25, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the gathering at the Mahashivratri celebrations at Isha Yoga centre, Coimbatore.
Amidst sacred chants extolling Lord Shiva, Prime MinisterNarendra Modiinaugurated the Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga centre and consecrated the 112 foot tall bust of Adiyogi. People from across the globe participated in the event.Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudevsaid that before the next Mahashivratri, Isha Yoga centre would create 1 million `yoga veeras' who would impart the basic techniques of yoga to 100 people each."As humans we have always worshipped human elements* but never understood why. We looked upon them as a threat. But Adi Yogi taught us how to look inside ourselves," Jaggi Vasudev said. "It took us 2.5 years to design Adi Yogi but our boys completed the structure in just eight months," he added.
People from across the world witnessed the event.Ravi Prakash Pandeyfrom Lucknow said that he had been learning yoga for the past one year and this was his first Mahashivratri at Isha Yoga centre. "I don't have the words to express what I've experienced here. The peace I feel here is simply unbelievable," he said. Andrea Carhen, who has travelled all the way from Romania, said she felt incredibly blessed to be part of the event."I started practising yoga since last September and since then, I have experienced much change in my physical and mental well-being," she said.
Singer Kailash Kher and bands such as Nritarutya from Bengaluru enthralled the crowd with their performance. Folk music troupes from several parts of India, entertained the crowds. Meditation and chants of Shiva marked the entire night.Sadhguru was part of the event till the end, dancing and entertaining the crowd in his own way. He also spoke about the real meaning of yoga.
Since becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has laboured to popularise the gospel of Yoga all over the world, starting at the United Nations, successfully resulting in the institution of the World Day of Yoga or International Yoga Day. He has made the practice of yoga (and Surya Namaskar or sun worship) all but compulsory in educational institutions, in prisons, in the paramilitary, defense and police forces, and now having commenced with the South, intends to bind the sub-continent with three more giant idols of Shiva strategically placed in the North, East and West, “the four corners” (see page 1).
*Christians do not “worship human elements” (see above) as Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Mr. Modi do.
We worship the Creator God of the universe alone. We achieve union with God not through Yoga but through sanctifying grace and the Sacraments that enable us to abjure sin and to thus live lives of holiness and become His children and heirs of His heavenly kingdom.
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