It is extremely heartening to note that from the year 2015, United Nations has decided to celebrate 21st June as the "International Day of Yoga". This is a welcome acknowledgement of the importance of Yoga, which is one of the greatest heritage transferred to the modern world by the ancient saints and sages.
World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing as the four basic elements of holistic health. Yoga is capable of ensuring holistic health of human beings in all these four aspects; hence, it was one of the primary contributors in making India a strong nation and teacher of the world (Jagadguru) in ancient times. These days, only the physical benefits of Yoga are being highlighted. Thus, there is an urgent need of establishing this extremely powerful ancient wisdom as a holistic life form that can ascertain success in each and every aspect of life; this is the way in which the ancient sages had presented it in front of entire humanity. The aim of Yoga is not just to cure diseases, but instead to protect the health and provide holistic development.
According to Bhagvad Gita - "Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam", which means Excellence in Actions is Yoga. Yoga propounds that this Excellence iscapable of ascertaining holistic growth in every aspect of life starting from physical exercise to the refinement of the inner-self and merging thepersonal consciousness (atma) with the Supreme Consciousness (parmatma). God is a collective representation of divine virtues; hence, Yoga gives us the ability to inculcate divine virtues within ourselves, and, undertake righteous and selfless actions. At the same time, Yoga ascertains a healthy and prosperous life, as well as development into a Supreme human being (mahamanav).
Both science & spirituality wholeheartedly support this unique wisdom of the ancient saints and sages. Today, Yoga is acknowledged and established in the entire world as an extremely evolved form of lifestyle. It is being utilized for promoting holistic health in personal life and ideal management in organizations.
Swami Vivekananda and Maharshi Arvind have described Yoga as the foundation of life. Similarly, Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya himself lived a disciplined life in accordance with the Yogic principles and motivated crores of people to follow the pious and practical path of Yoga. Due to the initiative of India, Yoga has gained international recognition.
Now, let us all take the responsibility of spreading it far and wide. Let us become the true followers of Yoga (yog-sadhak), prevent our energies from getting wasted in useless endeavors (kuyog), and employ these in righteous deeds (suyog). You are cordially invited for participating in the following programs of the International Day of Yoga:
| 06:45 - 06:55 am | Start with Gayatri Mantra and Prayer |
| He Prabhu! Apanii Kripaa Kii Chhaanha Men Le Liijiye, Kara Doora Khotii Buddhi Sabako, Neka Niiyati Diijiye. Hama Aapake Ho Kara Rahen, Shubha Preranaa Len Aapase, Sukha Baanta-kara Dukha Len Bantaa, Prabhu Bhaava Yaha De Diijiye. Karate Rahen Nita Punya Hama, Bachate Rahen Hara Paapa Se, Ujalaa Charitra Banaa Hamen, Ujjvala Bhavishyata Diijiye. | |
| 06:55 - 07:00 am | Chanting of Gayatri Mantra OR any other Mantra/Name of Diety as per your belief |
| 07:00 - 07:30 am | Yogic Practices as per the directives of the Government of India |
| 07:30 - 07:45 am | Pragya-Yog exercises (3 rounds of 16 asanas) OR joint loosening exercises (sookshma vyayama) as per personal capability |
| 07:45 - 08:05 am | Discourse on "Readily available, practical, holistic yoga for all" (Aim:- attainment of healthy body, pure mind, and, a disciplined & well cultured society through Yoga. Basis:- Atmabodh and Tatvabodh {contemplating on the importance of life}, Introspection, Self-Refinement, Self- Development, Self-Progress) |
| 08:05 - 08:10 am | Pledge taking ceremony |
| 08:10 - 08:50 am | Tree plantation (as per convenience, plant saplings should be given to people who have taken the Pledge; they should plant the same at a proper place once the weather is favorable) |
| 08:50 - 09:30 am | "Yoga Rally" Important information & Shantipath |
