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H.H. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati as Chief-Guest and Chief-Speaker during Seminar on Different Aspects of Yoga, Organized by Yoga Alliance International, on 29^th February 2012, in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, Chief Guest, and Kumari Somashekhari are welcomed by the President of Yoga Alliance International, Shri Swami Vidyananda, while taking the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

From 25th February 2012 to 4th March 2012 I T P O (India Trade Promotion Organization, Govt. of India) had organized an Exhibition in Hall No. 18, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, called "Nakshatra 2012".

The beautiful huge Hall No. 18 in Pragati Maidan was transformed into a very different, interesting world:

There were many stalls of renowned Astrologers, Numerologists, Tarot Card Readers, Face, Palm and Aura Readers, etc. from different parts of India, being available for consultation for the visitors.

There were also many stalls with different Centers for Computer-Horoscopes, Jyotish Softwares, Vastu Shastra, Vedic Education, books and magazines on those subjects, items of worships like Yantras, Photos of Gods and Goddesses, Rudrakshas, colourful Gemstones, CDs with Prayers and Mantras, Ayurvedic Herbs, Alternative Medicine and much more.

Every day special Seminars were conducted during Nakshatra Exhibition, where experts were invited to discuss and enlighten the audience on different aspects and issues of Astrology, Vastu and other related Sciences, as well as Yoga and Spirituality.

Shri Swami Vidyananda, a renowned Yoga Master and Founder and President of "Yoga Alliance International" had organized a 3 days Seminar on different aspects of Yoga during "Nakshatra 2012" Exhibition.

Swami Vidyananda introducing the guests and elaborating the purpose of Integral Yoga.

The concluding day of this Seminar was on Wednesday, 29th February 2012. For this special occasion Shri Swami Vidyanandaji had specially invited H. H. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram, who had come from Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, to attend this function as Chiefguest and Main-Speaker.

When Swami Vishveshwarananda, accompanied by Shri R.D. Gaur, Member of Omkarananda Educational Society, and Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, arrived in Hall No.18, they were all welcomed by Shri Swami Vidyanandaji and others with a lot of warmth, and Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji was overflown with a lot of Flowermalas.

First Swami Vidyanandaji showed all of them a part of the interesting "Nakshatra 2012" Exhibition, and then they were lead to the nicely decorated Seminarplace, where Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari were seated on the Dais along with other Dignitaries.

The Seminar started with an introduction by Shri K. M. Chandrashekharan, Organizing Director of Yoga Alliance International. After informing the audience about their Institution, he talked about the Chiefguest of this Seminar, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji. Shri Chandrashekharan said, that once, during a big event, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, spoke only one sentence: "Be kind!", and Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji embodies this kindness. He further explained to the participants of this Seminar, that Swami Vishveshwarananda is the Head of Omkarananda Ashram and his activities are very impressive and commendable, since he extents a lot of help to the people of the hilly regions of Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, where life is often full of hardships and struggle.

When Shri Swami Vidyanandaji, the President and Founder of Yoga Alliance International, addressed the audience during this Seminar, he said, that already before he had met Swami Vishveshwaranandaji many times, and the reason, why he specially wanted him to bless this function was, that he was in search of a true Yogi, who is carrying in himself the Force of Truth, and such a Yogi he had found in Swami Vishveshwaranandaji. According to Swami Vidyanandaji only one, who follows the Truth and is at the same time extremely humble, is a real Yogi and Saint, and only such a person can really inspire and help others. Therefore he invited Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, since he actually embodies the qualities of a real Saint and Bhakti- and Karma-Yogi and is a great source of inspiration to all.

Swami Vishveshwarananda speaks about Yoga and spiritual Science in today's life.

No doubt the speech of Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, the Chiefguest of this Seminar, was the main-attraction of this Seminar. He talked very beautifully on the Essence of Yoga and the Purpose of Yoga.

Swamiji mentioned the fact, that nowadays Yoga is often only practised to improve health and physical wellbeing, whereas the real aim of Yoga is the Union of the individual soul with the Divine.

Swamiji rightly pointed out, that many people make the mistake to look for worldly power only. But when their health is in trouble or they face other misfortunes, mere worldly power will not be of any help to them. Only Spiritual Power, a Power and Strength, derived from the Grace of the Divine, will prove to be really helpful always and in all circumstances, also in difficult times.

Further Swamiji requested all, not to waste a single minute in their lifetime, since once precious time has been wasted, it cannot be regained anymore.

Swamiji asked the audience to question themselves, how many times during the day they really think of God? Swamiji said, that the more we remember the Supreme Reality, the more we will be protected and guided in the right way.

Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji informed the audience that it is not an easy life to become a Sannyasi and to give up everything in life. Therefore he offers his Adorations to such Sannyasis.

Even if somebody is not able to give up everything and become a Sannyasi, it would be very beneficial to take advices from real Sannyasis and Saints.

Swami Vishveshwarananda explained how immensely important it is to have a spiritual Guru.

He further said, that anyone, who wants to achieve real happiness can find it only in one's own Self. Only the Supreme Divinity can give us supreme Protection.

One should try to overcome all kinds of impurities like jealousy, greed, passion and change one's life.

Kumari Somashekhari explains to the audience the meaning and relation of Indian Classical Dance and Yoga.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji appealed to the audience to adopt from the Western world only the good things, and also to use Mass Media, like Television, very carefully and with discrimination. One should protect the young generation from wrong influences of TV and Films, otherwise those media can sometimes become instruction manuals for destructive things.

Swamiji said, that India is the country of Vedic Science and Rishis and we should follow their teachings.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji praised and thanked Shri Swami Vidyanandaji from Yoga Alliance International, for his extraordinary kind and spiritual personality and for organizing along with his wonderful team this great Seminar for the benefit of spiritual Seekers.

Swamiji concluded his inspiring speech with the words of his Sadgurudev, H.D. Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati: "Think like a Genius - Work like a Giant - Live like a Saint."

The huge clapping from the side of the audience and the comments many people gave afterwards to Swamiji showed, that Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's speech had touched their hearts.

Among other speakers of this event were some more Swamis from different parts of India. One of them said, that India needs Karma-Yogis like Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, because such people like him help our country and its people to pave the way for God-Realization. He emphasized, that one has to prove ones Love for God through action, by Tapasya and Service to the Society, in the same way as Swami Vishveshwarananda is doing it.

The dignitaries on the dais listening to Mrs. Vandana Wadera, explaining the meaning of Integral Yoga.

Then Mrs. Vandana Wadera, Director of Srima International School of Transformational Yoga, New Delhi, and Vice-President of Yoga Alliance International, gave an explanation about their Yoga-System, which includes Yoga-Asanas, Prayers, Mantras and Pranayama. While speaking to the audience, Mrs. Vandana Wadera radiated a calmness and poise which had a soothing effect on all.

On special request of Shri Swami Vidyanandaji Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and Indian Classical Dancer, gave a speech in Hindi about different spiritual aspects.

She told that Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati emphasised on Mantra-Repetition as a wonderful means for spiritual progress and protection.

Further she threw light on the spiritual aspects of Indian Classical Dance and Music, an Art which is so beautiful, divine and inspiring, that it has no match anywhere in the whole world.

Somashekhari demonstrated a few classical hand-gestures, Mudras, and explained also their philosophical and spiritual meaning.

She said, that Indian Classical Dance and Music, if practised with the right attitude, can also be a powerful Yoga, a means for reaching Union with the Absolute Supreme Being.

Kumari Somashekhari receiving mementos from Mrs. Vandana Wadera, Vice-President, Yoga Alliance International.

In the end of this Seminar all the Speakers, including Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati and Kumari Somashekhari from Omkarananda Ashram, were felicitated with Shawls and Mementos.

Shri Swami Vidyanandaji and Mrs. Vandana Wadera, the Main Organizers of this wonderful Seminar, invited Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, Kumari Somashekhari and others for refreshments. Also during this time spiritual thoughts were exchanged in a joyous and informal way and everybody felt delighted and inspired.

It was a memorable divine event, indeed.

Kumari Somashekhari in front of the large Hall, where "Nakshatra" showed its potential.