DRK’S NEWS LETTER Issue 024

DRK’s News Letter

Issue No: 24 January,2019

AT THE INAUGURATION OF CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE Email: [email protected] INSTITUTE, BY HON’BLE . Website: www.goodgovernance.in www.lifepositive.com SEEN ALSO ARE MAHARASHTRA GOVERNOR, CM AND OTHERS

Yoga for Holistic Health, , Mumbai, Origin Harmony and Happiness with the following complements - “I am happy to be here for the Paramahamsa Madhavdas Ji was This Newsletter focuses on three commemoration of the born in 1798 in Bengal. In 1916 at recent major events marking the centennial celebrations of The the age of 118 Madhavdas ji was pre-eminence of yoga in all walks Yoga Institute, which means 100 in Mumbai at Madhabaug for a of life all over the planet. years of teaching, training, discourse where Yogendra ji met research and spreading the him and became his disciple. • The Centenary goodness of yoga in India and The Yoga Institute had a humble celebrations of The Yoga across the globe”. beginning in Mumbai on 25th Institute, Mumbai December 1918. Yogendra ji • The International The two-day celebrations attended by thousands of Yoga founded The Yoga Institute at Conference on Yoga for “The Sands”, The residence of Therapy, Kaivalyadhama enthusiasts also saw the participation of the Governor, Dadhabhai Naoroji in Versova in • Celebration of 100th 1918. He used therapeutic yoga Anniversary of Yogacharya Dr the Chief Minister of BKS Iyengar, Bellur Maharashtra, the Mayor, the Union AYUSH Minister The Yoga Institute – and several Spiritual Masters and prominent Mumbai – Centenary artists. I had the privilege of inaugurating the specially On 28th December 2018, the prepared documentary on Hon’ble President of India Shri. the history and Ramnath Govind ji inaugurated contribution of The Yoga the Centenary Celebrations of Institute. DRK with the Hon’ble President of India DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 2

Yoga Institute and also Conference on Yoga at edited the monthly journal Kaivalyadhama – the Oldest ‘Yoga and Total Health’. Yoga Research Institute in the world. A dynamic and charismatic personality Smt. Hansa Ji, Founded in 1924 by Swami wife of Dr. Jayadeva Kuvalayananda is virtually a Yogendra is presently university of yoga. It doesn’t just carrying on most efficiently teach, but has carried out the duties as Director of substantial and innovative With Gaur Gopal Das The Yoga Institute. studies into almost every aspect of Yoga’s practice. to cure various ailments. He She is ably supported by the traveled to America and founded young and dynamic Hrishi Mahatma Gandhi-ji was given a yoga institute at Harriman in Yogendra, the Assistant Director lessons right from 1930’s till the New York in 1920. and Pranee Yogendra, editor of end i.e 1948. Swami ji directly Yoga Sattva, the monthly advised him and also visited him Yogendra Ji retuned to India and newsletter of The Yoga while he was in Nandi hills. It was respecting his father’s wishes, Institute, India. Swami Kuvalyananda who married Sitadevi and remained immersed Gandhijis ashes in as a “householder yogi”. Wrote The institute, where even today Nashik. many authoritative texts on over 2000 yoga enthusiasts yoga based on ancient come for learning and practicing Swami-ji also directly taught scriptures. yoga every morning and evening Pandit Motilal Nehru in 1930’s , has made a huge contribution to Pandit Jawaharlal in 50’s and Since then Yogendraji went on the world by having created over Indira-ji in late 50’s. to spread what was then 40,000 yoga teachers. considered the secret Dr. B.R. Ambedkar spent 15 days knowledge of yoga among the The institute is not only teaching in Kaivalyadhama with Swamiji masses as he believed it should yoga but has become a school of in 1956, for his migraine. improve the lives of life preparing men and women to householders. live fuller lives. There is an In 1934 Pandit Madam Mohan overwhelming need in the Malviya spent a week with He along with Sitadevi, fondly society today for more such Swami-ji. known as Mother spread the schools teaching not only yoga knowledge of Yoga to the world, JRD Tata said on November 28, for physical and mental heath, particularly women and children. 1974, “I knew the late Swami but also the art and science of The books written by both of Kuvalayananda and, in fact, was leading a healthy, harmonious, them are preserved in the Crypt a pupil under his supervision at compassionate and of Civilisation to be opened only caring society. 6000 years later. – Born in 1929, Ji’s son, Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra was International a simple man and a true yogi Conference at dedicated to a life of yogic Kaivalyadham discipline and simplicity. Until Yoga as Therapy was the February 2018 he carried on the subject for discussion at Founder’s legacy in his silent and the 9th International simple way, as President of the With Hansaji Director, The Yoga Institute DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 3

Yoga with modern science, Developing Standards in Yoga as neither is thought to be Therapy complete without the other. The Swami’s view was that 36 participants from America, society had lost its way, and Europe, SE Asia, Australia and only a new and happy India participated in the ‘marriage’ between the two discussions towards developing disciplines could help to standards in Yoga and Yoga Therapy. Addressing at Kaivalyadhama regenerate and build a better life for all. Kaivalyadhama. I had a highest Presentations were made on respect and regard for him and Now there are plans to change behalf of International shall, therefore, be happy to be a the institute’s status into a Association of Yoga Therapy in signatory to the appeal you are university. So many ground many countries, and in making for funds on the occasion breaking firsts continue to keep Australia, USA and Scandinavia of the Golden Jubilee of the Kaivalyadhama at the forefront in particular. Institute”. of Yoga practice as a whole both It was pointed out by the in India and across the world. Conference on Yoga Therapy delegate from Sweden that Over the many decades of this integrated yoga therapy has Top researchers, experts and good work, a wealth of been introduced into the health policy makers from various knowledge has been built, care system in Sweden, where 10 countries attended the resulting in over one thousand percent of the population Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute’s research articles being published practice yoga regularly. ninth International Yoga at home and internationally. Conference, which took place It was suggested that the from December 27 to 30 in Several research projects are Australian and IAYT models Lonavala. The theme of the completed each year in the should be taken into account to conference was ‘Yoga as Department’s fully equipped assist setting standards for Yoga Therapy - Scope, Evidence and laboratories. These fall into six Therapy. Evolution’. main categories: physiological, The conference resolved, "since radiology, psychological, sports, Along with Swami therapy is an inclusive part of biochemical, and neurological. Maheshananda (Chairman, Yoga, which is taught on a day to Kaivalyadhama), Justice B. N. Yoga could not be complete day basis all over the country, Shrikrishna (former judge of the without a learned body of efforts should be made to Supreme Court of India and writings, and it is Chairman, Kaivalyadhama the role of Advisory Board), P.N. Ranjit Kaivalyadhama’s Kumar, (Joint Secretary, Philosophico Ministry of AYUSH) Prof. Rajan Literary Research Welukar (VC, Raisoni University, Department to O P Tiwari (Secretary provide what may Kaivalyadhama) and Subodh be the world’s Tiwari, CEO, Kaivalyadhama most Yoga Institute, I addressed the comprehensive inaugural session. archive specifically on Book release at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute Kaivalyadhama’s specific aim is Yoga. to bring together traditional DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 4

privilege of knowing very 180 Iyengar Yoga Associations closely for several years. worldwide. He had shared with me Iyengar's thorough study, his very difficult period of understanding and mastery of childhood. Throughout Yoga are unrivalled in modern his childhood, he times. Having taught in all five struggled with malaria, continents, he has won tuberculosis, typhoid worldwide respect and With Swami Maheswarananda & fever, and general recognition for his Justice BN Sri Krishna malnutrition. "My arms achievements. He has made were thin, my legs were Yoga accessible and relevant to develop sustaining standards for spindly, and my stomach people everywhere, no matter a Yoga Therapy Course". protruded in an ungainly what their physical or mental "The curriculum for medical manner," he wrote. "My head ability. students should not only include used to hang down, and I had to lift it with great effort." While the Sage Patanjali’s all the Yoga practices, but treatise on yoga was compiled in should also cover the The legendary Shri T. the 5th century, Guruji has made philosophy, psychology, ethics Krishnamacharya became his it possible for ordinary humans and the rationale of Yogic life . At the age of 18 he came to to find the meaning, purpose style". Pune to teach, thus ending his and power of Yogasanas "Increased Research into the further studies and practice of through regular practice and efficacy of Yoga practices and yoga under his Guru’s guidance practical search. their effects is the need of the and with little knowledge of English. His unrelenting emphasis on hour. The results of these correct anatomical alignment researches should be preserved Due to his sheer commitment and methods of working have and disseminated so that more and determination he perfected refined the therapeutic aspects and more people, including Yoga the asanas and learnt more of Yoga. Therapists and Teachers get about yoga on his own. He has their benefits". studied and practiced Yoga Even at the age of 95, he continuously for over 75 years. remained a cherished and "Therefore, a Research Resource formidable figure. An author of Bank with adequate networking He told me that regular and sustained practice of yoga made over 14 books, he was a treasure capacity should be created and of knowledge and information. all made aware of it". The above him healthy and resolutions were circulated to all strong. the stakeholders, besides the Even the Oxford AYUSH Ministry of Government dictionary lists the of India. word “Iyengar” as Yogacharya Dr. BKS a type of Hatha yoga. He told me Iyengar that there are over 6000 qualified 17th December 2018 marked the Iyengar Yoga Centenary Celebrations of one of teachers in the the greatest of Yogacharyas of world in over 40 the Century – Padma Vibhushan countries with over With Yogacharya Dr BKS Iyengar at his residence at Pune Dr. BKS Iyengar, whom I had the DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 5

prominent Indian world told me “I always tell figures, including the people live happily and die cricketer Sachin majestically”. Accordingly, he Tendulkar and the led a remarkably happy, healthy Bollywood actress and majestic life till the very end. Kareena Kapoor. Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Although he lived in Modi has paid his tribute on the Pune, he has a strong Centenary Celebration of the affinity for the village Yogacharya “As an admirable With the Yogacharya BKS at a function at Bangalore where was born, Bellur Guru and an outstanding in Karnataka. He has scholar, BKS Iyengar made a “Light on Yoga” is a classical adopted the village and invested phenomenal contribution in masterpiece that has sold a lot of his time and money to popularising Yoga throughout millions of copies the world over. better the quality of the life of the world. As a teacher, he He has been honoured with people there, particularly in the possessed fine qualities of the several awards, titles and fields of health and education. head and heart. He had made it doctorates the world over. his mission to provide a healing He says, "Yoga teaches us to touch to humanity. Like a true Iyengar was awarded the Padma cure what need not be endured Guru, he himself devoted Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan and endure what cannot be countless hours in learning, in 2002 and the Padma cured." practicing and perfecting Vibhushan in 2014. In 2004, techniques of performing Iyengar was named one of the “When I practice, I am a ‘Asanas’. 100 most influential people in philosopher. When I teach, I am the world by Time magazine. a scientist. When I demonstrate, The celebration of the Birth I am an artist”. Centenary year of B.K.S Iyengar Some of his disciples include are an occasion to practice Yoga eminent personalities such as J Google’s doodle honoured BKS and bring about unison of the Krishnamurti, Jayaprakash Iyengar, on his 97th birth body, mind and soul, which will Narayan and Achyut Patwradan. anniversary. Through a fun, be an ideal tribute in his His teachings have been animated doodle which features memory.” appreciated by Dr Rajendra a person identical to Iyengar Prasad, the first President of flitting between different Yoga India, Pope Paul VI and many ‘asanas’ (postures) between the others. He taught Sirsasana letters of G-O-O-G-L-E, the (head stand) to Elisabeth, Queen search engine giant said, “BKS of Belgium when she was 80. Iyengar, it’s been said, could hold a headstand for nearly half A fortuitous meeting with an hour well into his eighties.” Yehudi Menuhin in 1952 was instrumental in introducing “His style–Iyengar Yoga–is Guruji to the western world and characterized by tremendous many luminaries like the Queen control and discipline, which he Mother of Belgium. Among his exercised in ways not limited to other devotees were the novelist confoundingly long Aldous Huxley, the actress headstands,” said Google. Life size Bronze statue of the Master at Annette Bening and the Dr. BKS Iyengar popularly Bellur, his birthplace, Karnataka designer Donna Karan, as well as known as Guruji all over the DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 6

ranging from Security to occupied higher positions in Social Sciences. Government service, while other have become leading lights of The Institute is truly a the corporate sector. Vasudaiva Kudumbakam in its research approach I participated in this programme focussing on human along with Dr Kiran Kumar, security, economy, Former Chairman, ISRO; Dr education, energy and Sudhir Mishra, CEO & MD, environment, animal BrahMos Aerospace; Mr Ricky With Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi and Dr. Shailesh Nayak at NIAS sciences and heritage. Kej, 2014 Grammy® Award Winner; Mr Yashwant Sinha, Besides the regular Former Minister of Finance and National Institute of faculty, the Institute also has a Advanced Studies (NIAS) Former Minister of External young army of Research Affairs; Mr. SS Associates. It has a small but a “India in 2047: A Global Leader.” Meenakshisundaram, Former substantial PhD programme; its Is the Senior Executive Advisor, Planning Commission; scholars besides pursuing their Programme, which I attended Amb. Muchkund Dubey, Former own independent research also this month at NIAS, Bangalore. Foreign Secretary; Dr G assist the multiple programmes Padmanabhan, Chairman, Bank It was organised by this unique at the Institute. NIAS in fact is a of India; Mr Anil Swarup, Former institution conceived and microcosm of a larger University! Secretary, Dept of School founded in 1988 by Mr. JRD Annual Programme for the Education and Coal; Prof SD Tata. Senior Executives Muni Professor Emeritus, IDSA; He sought to create an Lt Gen (Dr) Prakash Menon, It was in 1989, JRD Tata and Dr institution to conduct advanced Director, Strategic Studies, multidisciplinary research. He Raja Ramanna started the Takshashila Institute; Prof teamed up with Dr Raja annual programme for the senior Rajmohan Gandhi, Biographer, Ramanna, the first Director of executives at the NIAS. Historian and Former Member of Parliament; Mr B Muthuraman, the Institute to give shape to a With participation from the Former MD & VC, Tata Steel; vision that they both shared. Government, Private and Public Philanthropist Ms. Rohini sectors, the executive Housed in a picturesque green Nandan Nilekani and Amb programme was conceived as a area within the Indian Institute Shyam Saran, Former Foreign residential program, where the of Science Campus (IISc) in Secretary. future leaders interact with Bangalore, the Institute serves eminent people who act as as a forum to bring together the faculty. The lectures individuals from diverse are led by inspiring intellectual backgrounds, in the thinkers and acclaimed natural and life sciences, experts from various fields. humanities, social sciences, and conflict and security studies. The Program draws on the Over the years, the Institute has experience of leaders in evolved and today has four corporate, government Schools on the above subjects. and academic institutions Within the four Schools, there and civil society. Over the are multiple programmes years, many of the alumni With Rohini Nandan Nilekani, Philanthropist and Chairperson, Arghyam, Foundation of this Program have DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 7

fully utilise the enormous Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth of infrastructure available at this Art of Living. pet project of Mr. JRD Tata. With great hesitation I accepted Importance of the invitation to address the graduates in the presence of Sanskrit language great Masters in Vedas and With Dr. Suba Chandran, Prof & Dean, Sanskrit Sri Sri Ravishankar ji, School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS besides the mother Founder of Art of Living and The speakers looked at what tongue Pujya Sri Dayananda Saraswati, should India start doing from The importance of the study of great exponent of Vedanta. today in various spheres, if it Sanskrit language came up by wants to be recognised as a my participation in two major There again I regretted that I did global leader in 2047 (hundred events – not have the opportunity of years since India’s 1. Samskrita Yoga Conference learning Sanskrit and studying independence) by rest of the at Bangalore Vedas in my childhood in a small world. village. However I emphasised on the value of Vedas and I spoke about the history of I participated in a conference on Sanskrit. Indian Police, particularly the "Relevance of Samskritam and

developments since Yoga for strong nation building", I quoted from the address that Pt independence and the reforms at the insistence of Sri Sri Sri Jawaharlal Nehru made at the that ought to be brought about Jayendrapuri Mahaswamiji, Sri Constituent Assembly. Though in the police and administration Kailash Ashrama, RR Nagar, considered an atheist, he stated, of criminal justice service to Bangalore. “If I was asked what is the ensure better policing, internal greatest treasure that India security and administration of Everyone including, Sri Sri possesses and what is her finest criminal justice by the year 2047. Jayendrapuri Mahaswami and Sri Anant Kumar Hegde, Union heritage, I would answer I emphasized on the need for Minister of State for Skill unhesitatingly that it is the insulating police, prosecution, Development & Sanskrit language and literature administration and judiciary Entrepreneurship spoke in from political and outside Sanskrit language. influence. I also spoke on the need for professionalizing the I alone spoke in English police and all stakeholders in the regretting that I did not have the administration of criminal justice opportunity of learning Sanskrit to ensure that everyone in the in my younger days. And also society are assured of security of spoke about the importance of person and property besides Sanskrit as a language and the efficient and good governance value of Vedas. and delivery of justice with fairness, integrity and I recalled my being invited years transparency. ago to participate and deliver the special address at the First A well-known environmental Convocation of Veda Agama scientist Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Samskrutha Maha Patashala, who is now the Director, NIAS JRD Tata with Dr. Raja Ramanna has many more plans to further DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 8

accomplished Tabla and then magic tricks. He taught player and an admirer just to get people to realize that of Sanskrit poetry. He mathematics is connected with says “Patterns, in poetry and with music. Watch numbers and nature, his full interview here: inspired me to pursue https://youtu.be/2MCK3eVwTw mathematics”. 4 He became Professor Knowledge of Sanskrit At AOL HQ, Bangalore with Sri Sri Ravishankar at the young age of helps in many ways and Swami Dayananda Saraswati 28. He helped production of film on Sanskrit is the main liturgical and all that it contains. This is a mathematical genius Srinivasa language of Hinduism and used magnificent inheritance and so Ramanujam. to be the lingua franca that long as this endures and helped all of the different influences the life of our people, He explained in detail how the regions of Greater India so long will the basic genius of knowledge of Sanskrit language communicate with each other. India continue. If our race forgot helps in mastering mathematics Most of the greatest literary the Buddha, Upanisads and the and numbers theory law. Watch works to come out of India were great epics, India would cease to his video here: written in Sanskrit, as well as be India.” https://youtu.be/4wVufz5j954 many religious texts. Sanskrit is

Pranoy Roy on NDTV has the language of Hindu and I emphasised while one’s mother Buddhist chants and hymns as tongue is most important, described Prof. Manjul Bhargav, as “the bewildering genius, one well. Today, only about 1% of Sanskrit also is a valuable the population of India speaks language to be learnt for of the greatest minds India has ever created. He has been Sanskrit, though it is protected learning ancient heritage, as a scheduled language and is culture and traditions of India, awarded a prize which I consider even greater than the Nobel the official language of one besides pursuing the modern Indian state, Uttarakhand. Maths, Science, and IT. Prize - has recently won the Fields Medal in mathematics - Besides its importance to 2. Sanskrit again at why do I say it's possibly even Hinduism, Sanskrit is also a INFOSYS Science Prize 2018 greater than the Nobel Prize philosophical language used in because this highest global Jainism, Buddhism, and The same evening I attended the award in mathematics is given Sikhism. popular annual Infosys Science only once in every four years”. Prize award ceremony, where eminent scholars in various His grandfather was a Sanskrit fields – chosen by an scholar. He had lots of International jury headed by mathematics textbooks on his Nobel Laurate – were recognized shelf from ancient India. He and awarded 100,000 US dollars used to read those books. per head for further research According to him mathematics is projects. an art and a creative Subject. At Princeton University he The Chief Guest was the young developed a course where for Addressing Samskrita Bhatati function with Prof Manjul Bhargava (44) Freshers in the first years he UnionOne Minister of Anant the Kumar most Hedge, popular HH Sri Sri Professor of Maths, Princeton taught mathematics through Jayandrapurilanguages Swami, in India Dr. Hampa today, Nagarajaiah, Hindi, Kannada Scholar University USA. He is an poetry and classical Indian music is hugely influenced by Sanskrit. DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 024 9

itself. This means there are orders of magnitude more "Samskrit was at one time manuscripts in Sanskrit than in the only language of the Latin and Greek put together. world. It is more perfect and copious than Greek and Sanskrit has a highly inflected grammatical structure, which Latin." -- Prof. Bopp contributes to a great "Samskrit is the greatest conciseness of the language What one can express in Sanskrit language of the world." Dr. Manjul Bhargava, Brandon Fradd in one word, an English speaker -- Max Muller Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University often would need four to six or even more words to express the "India was the motherland Austronesian, Sino-Tibetan, and same idea. of our race and Samskrit many languages of Southeast the mother of Europe ’s Asia show Sanskrit influence as Poetry in Sanskrit is languages…Mother India is well. Some have said that there extraordinarily diverse, with are even words in English that over 100 common meters, and in many ways the mother of were originally Sanskrit words. books of prosody listing over 600 us all." -- Will Durant meters. More than 95% of the Sanskrit "The Veda was the most literature has nothing to do with Sanskrit has been proven to help precious gift for which the religion, and instead it deals in speech therapy, increase West had ever been with philosophy, law, science, concentration and in learning indebted to the East." literature, grammar, phonetics, maths and science better. interpretation etc. -- Voltaire Research has shown that the No language in the world has its phonetics of this language has alphabets arranged in such a roots in various energy points of "Be not afraid. Think rational and systematic manner the body and reading, speaking not how many times as Sanskrit. or reciting Sanskrit stimulates these points and raises the you fail. Never mind. There are an estimated over 30 energy levels, whereby million Sanskrit manuscripts Time is infinite. Go resistance against illnesses, today with a conservative forward: assert yourself relaxation to mind and reduction estimate of 7 million in India of stress are achieved. again and again, and light must come." Sanskrit is the only language, which uses all the - Swami Vivekananda nerves of the tongue. By its pronunciation, energy points “Put your heart, mind, in the body are activated that causes the blood circulation and soul into even your to improve. This, coupled smallest acts. This is the with the enhanced brain secret of success.” functioning and higher energy levels, ensures better - Swami Sivananda health. Blood Pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, etc. are controlled.