KOCHI: There are no specific ‘slokas’ for yoga, and it is not necessary to start yoga sessions by chanting any, said noted yoga teachers, reacting to Health Minister K K Shailaja’s reported displeasure over reciting hymns at the International Yoga Day celebrations held in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
Earlier, speaking at a programme organised by the government, the Minister had raised objection to chanting slokas at the yoga session. “We should be singing something acceptable to the diverse crowd around us. Our country consists of people who follow various faiths and also those who are not believers. There is a need to sing songs that is not associated with any religion,” she said. Njanaamrithanandapuri, a well-known yoga guru associated with Amrita Yoga here, said reciting keerthanas was a personal choice. “But, a public programme has a common code, which should be followed by everyone who attends it,” he said. According to the Common Yoga Protocol issued by the Central Government, the International Yoga Day celebrations should start with a prayer. ‘The yoga practice shall start with a prayer or prayerful mood to enhance benefits of the practice’, states the protocol. “Samgacchadhvam samvadadhvam sam vo manamsi janatam deva bhagam yath purve sanjanana upaate” (May you move in harmony; may you speak in unison; let our mind be equanimous like in the beginning; let the divinity manifest in your sacred endeavours) is the keerthana suggested by the Central Government. “The aim of yoga is peace. So controversies should be avoided. But, there is nothing wrong in following the Ayush Protocol,” said S Rajendran, a yoga guru at Ramakrishna Math, Vyttila.
‘Yoga is beyond caste, religion’
T’Puram: Dispelling the notion that yoga is connected to a particular religion only, Union Minister for Forests and Environment Prakash Javadekar said here on Tuesday that yoga had no caste or religion and that it was for the benefit of entire humanity.Armed forces join fete
T’Puram: The armed forces joined the civil population in limbering up and performing exercises to mark the second International Day of Yoga in the state capital. Around 625 personnel participated in a mass yoga demonstration organised by the Indian Army at Pangode. It was also one of the biggest events organised to mark the day in the district.