Gorakhpur: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said yoga is a timeless gift of Indian wisdom that has become a global symbol of well-being.
Addressing yoga practitioners and trainers at Mahant Digvijaynath Memorial Hall on Gorakhnath Temple premises before joining them for yoga practice on the occasion of 11th International Yoga Day, the CM said that by promoting yoga as a tool for public welfare, India has offered the world a path to holistic health.
He said that on the 11th International Yoga Day, nearly 190 countries are proudly embracing India’s yoga tradition. “Yoga is a wonderful practice from India’s sage tradition that keeps both the body and the mind healthy,” he said.
Yogi extended greetings to the people of the state on International Yoga Day, emphasising India’s age-old reverence for yoga. Quoting the ancient saying ‘Sharir madhyam khalu dharma sadhanam’, the body is indeed the means to fulfill Dharma, he said that all four pursuits of human life, Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, are rooted in physical well-being.
He said, “A healthy body is essential not only for material success and personal fulfilment but also for spiritual advancement.”
He explained that yoga plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy so that one can pursue these goals. “India has always used yoga as a way to support public welfare and through this, it has also guided the world toward universal well-being.” he said.
The CM said, “Today we see many different aspects of yoga. India’s rich tradition has introduced the world to higher states of awareness through yoga. From personality development to revealing the mysteries of the universe, this vast knowledge of yoga is preserved in our Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Smritis and other sacred texts.”
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reviving and globalising India’s ancient yoga tradition. “At a time when other countries were attempting to patent yoga postures, PM Modi took the historic step of securing global recognition for yoga through the United Nations. As a result of his efforts, International Yoga Day has been celebrated worldwide every year since June 21, 2015, with participation from 190 countries today,” he said.
Yogi said, “International Yoga Day is a way to honour our sage tradition and help future generations stay connected to this rich heritage,” he said.
He also highlighted yoga’s healing power, quoting the Sanskrit verse, ‘Na tasya rogo na jara na mrityuh praptasya yogagrimayam shareeram’, which means a body refined through yoga becomes free from illness, ageing and even death.
Yogi expressed that it was his good fortune to participate in the International Yoga Day event on the sacred land of Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath. He said that he hoped the enthusiasm for yoga would lead to public welfare, social well-being, and the progress of the nation by ensuring healthy bodies and minds.
Meanwhile, CM Yogi also watched and listened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s live address at the Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhawan in Gorakhnath Temple on the occasion.
Afterwards, he practiced various yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation along with other yoga practitioners and trainees present at the hall. Yoga is an important and essential part of CM Yogi Adityanath’s daily routine.
