Held on 17th January, 2012, at Lonavla in Fond Memory of Dr. M. L. Gharote
Organized by The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India)
An International Conference on “Yoga in Upanisads” was organized on 17th Jan. 2012 at Biji’s Holiday Resorts, Lonavla. This one day yearly event was held to solemnize loving memory of Dr. M.L. Gharote who is the founder of The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India), Lonavla.
The occasion was presided over by Swami Brahmeshananda-ji, who is the President of Ramakrishna Mission, Chandigarh, India. Swami Govind
Dev Giri-ji, who is Founder, Veda Vyasa Foundation, Pune ordained the chair of chief Guest and keynote Speaker.
To begin this auspicious occasion a light was enkindled by the honored guests on the dais as it dispels darkness and brings light.
Miss. Ketaki Shetye a well–respected classical singer and TV star- sang soulful prayers in the praise of the Supreme Lord. Her mellifluous voice toned and christened with delicate emotional tenderness enthralled the august audience and transcended them to the lofty state of peace and harmony.
Shri Suhas N. Gurjar, Trustee, The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India), welcomed the guests on the dais by offering them bouquet of flowers.
Dr. Manmath M. Gharote, Organizing Secretary and the Director of ‘The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India)’, welcomed all the guests and participants through a short speech. In his speech he stressed on the importance of Traditional knowledge of Yoga and its utility in modern times. He expressed
that with rich knowledge and wisdom of yoga, aspirants may progress on the path of self-regulation and Self-realization. He also threw some light on the importance of Yogopanisads. He explained the content of all the twenty Yogopanisads in his speech. He also stressed out salient features of the new publication ‘Critical Edition of Selected Yogopanisads – Mandalbrahmanopanisad and Nadabindupanisad’ which was released during the conference.
Dr. Samprasad Vinod, Director, Vinod Research Foundation, Pune, was invited to give voice to his memories. He focused on his healthy relationship with Dr. M.L.Gharote when he was associated with him. He expressed that to share his feelings in this conference is a priviledge for him as this conference was organized in fond memory of Dr. M.L.Gharote. At the end he appreciated the efforts of Dr. Manmath for collecting very rare manuscripts from different oriental libraries.
A number of messages from well-wishers and close associates of The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India) like Leopoldo Chariarse, Germany, Dr. Daya Mullins, Germany, Katharina Mainhard, Germany, Dr. Armin Gottmann, Germany, Mr. Mario Verri, Italy and Mr. Kawee Kongpakdepong, Thailand were received from all over the world for this occasion.
It was the time of the Guest Speaker to deliver his speech. The guest speaker, Swami Govind Dev Giri-ji, who is Founder, Veda Vyasa Foundation, Pune, elaborated on the value of Upanisads. He explained the salient features of all the Upanisads in very lucid manner. He also pointed out the importance of Bhakti Yoga. He also praised the textual work being carried out by The Lonavla Yoga Institute for restoration, preservation and also spreading this wisdom.
Thereafter, Swami Brahmeshananda-ji, expressed his views about the Upanisads. He quoted several examples from Upanisads and Rajayoga to prove that both are interrelated with each other. At the same time he expressed the utility of Bhagvad Gita.
Dr. Alicia Souto from Argentina, Rosemarie Stein from Germany, Prof. Hiroshi Aikata from Japan, Ms. Sayuri Hongo, from Japan, Lucilla Monti from Italy, Adalberto Zappala from Italy, Sigrid and Peter from Germany, Gerson Da’dio D’silva, from Brazil were also respectfully honored with a memento and bouquet of flowers at the end of pre-lunch session.
Special Guests like, Shree Gurav Maharaj, a Great Siddha of Gorakshanatha Tradition, Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Madan Joshi, Dr. Bhagyalata Pataskar, Director, Vaidik Samshodhan Mandal, Pune, Shri. Indraneel Tawade, Educationist, Mumbai. Jagadguru Purshottamananda-ji, Srirangapattam, , Dr. BTC Murthy, Past Director, CCRYN, New Delhi and an Eminent scholar in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy, Shri. Shrikrishna Vyavahare, President, Ghantali mitra Mandal, Thane, were respectfully honored with a memento, a shawl & a bouquet of flowers.
Publications like “Hathatattvakaumudi (second edition)” and ‘Critical Edition of Selected Yogopanisads – Mandalbrahmanopanisad and Nadabindupanisad’ were released on this occasion.
Post-lunch session began with the panelist speaker Swami Nityashtanananda-ji, Incharge, Probationers’ association of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Kolkata………..
Swami Nityasthanananda-ji, who is a monk of Ramakrishna Order, has pointed out some of the basic but very important sutras from ‘Patanjala Yoga Sutra’ and its relationship with the consciousness. Prior to the second panel session Jagadguru swami Purushottamanandaji
and Dr. Bhagyalata Pataskar, Vaidik Samshodhan Mandal, Pune, who very kindly attended the function were also respectfully honored with a memento and bouquet of flowers.
The second panelist speaker Swami Chaturvedi-ji, is an spiritual head of Ramanuja Mission Trust (TN). He is spiritual Master per excellence. It would be quite difficult to find another personality of his stature. He mesmerized the audience with his extraordinary speech once again. He expressed the great importance of ten cardinal Upanisads and its utility. He suggested to the participant that Yoga is not only to be utilized for training or teaching but they should use Yoga for Transformation of an individual. Swamiji’s erudition truly was matchless. This was truly inspiring…..
The conclusion of the Conference was spirited with a promise to meet again on such highly educative and informative Congress of scholars and experts of international repute.
The Conference came to an end with the prayer ‘Pasayadan’ of one of the greatest saints of Maharashtra, Shri Jnaneshwara.