By Our Correspondent
LONDON:World’s cultural capital London hosted the unique and innovative programme, “Yoga : An Appeal For Peace” recently with spiritual fervour and solemn atmosphere. Organised jointly by Swami Chidananda World Peace Foundation, Brahma Vidya, Shree Jagannath Society, U.K. ( SJSUK) and Odisha Society of United Kingdom (OSUK) the Mega Event was attended by hundreds of front ranking spiritual leaders and prominent community representatives as well as Government Officials.
The glittering ceremony held at Nehru centre in London to celebrate Swami Sivananda Saraswati’s 139th Birth Anniversary witnessed an unexpected enthusiasm and unprecedented excitements amongst both the organisers and attendees .
The programme commenced with lighting of ceremonial lamp amidst chanting of vedic sermons. The inauguration of the grand conclave also witnessed a spectacular Odissi dance recital by Prem Sahoo and displaying of a captivating video clipp on the life and philosophy of Swami Sivananda. Gracing the summit distinguished dignitaries focussed on the continuing relevance of His Holiness Swami Sivananda Saraswati’s preachings of selfless service, universal love, spiritual practice, universal brotherhood, mutual understanding and world peace at a time when different parts of the planet are confronting complete unrest now.
During the august occasion a book entitled “Sivananda Yoga–A Worldwide Phenomenon” was jointly launched by the author Founder of Swami Chidananda World Peace Foundation & Brahma Vidya Swami Brahmanishtananda Saraswati and His Excellency Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius in London Mr Kevin Payendee .The book dwealt on practicing the essential teachings of the Founder of Divine Life Society Swami Sivananda such as to serve, to love, to purify, to meditate with utmost dedication for attaining ultimate salvation by being connected with almighty. He stressed on creating a more peaceful and sustainable world hrough service, devotion and meditation beginning with individual responsibility. The book has the rare honour of being Forwarded by Gajapati Maharaja Sri Dibyasingha Deb of Jagannath Dham, Puri. It contains also goodwill messages from European Yoga Federation, Swami Jyotirmayananda of Yoga Research Foundation, Miami, Florida, USA, Swami Premananda of Sivananda Seva Samiti, Uttarkashi and Yoga Vidya Headquarters in Germany. This programme was part of ‘Chidananda Decade 2016 – 26: A World Peace’ Initiative.
Addressing the gathering the author Swami Brahmanishtananda Saraswati emphasised that Yoga must extend beyond physical exercises and asanas to become a part of everyday life reaching people across nationalities, communities and faiths.The highlight of the teaching was to connect with four paths of Yoga expounded by Swami Vivekananda such as Gana Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga, Swamiji added. He further advocated that peace must first has to be cultivated within the individual, then within family, later on extend into the wider world. Swamiji advised his followers and devotees to translate spiritual preachings into personal practice.
Trustee of SJSUK and Secretary of OSUK Sukanta Sahu lauded the leadership of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in uniting the whole world by initiative of declaring June 21st as the International Day of Yoga. Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir in South Hall Jai Sharma underlined the transformative potential of Bhakti Yoga through unfringed faith and unstinted Sadhana.
Prominent personalities present include Minister In Charge of UK’s Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre Swami Sarvasthananda,Parvati Chaitanya, Dr Sahadev Swain, Anuradha Pandey, Dr Prakash Dey, Anita Mishra, Partha Panda, Sunita Gupta, Nityananda Pattnaik and Shubhakanta Das.
The programme was supported by High Commission of India in England , High Commission of Mauritius in London and Nehru Centre.
