Yoga guru appeals for protecting cows, stopping calf slaughter
Photo : Narayan Pissurlenkar
PANAJI
Modern lifestyle has given birth to numerous diseases. In spite of advancement in science, mankind has failed to discover a cure for most ailments. Why is the number of diseases on the rise? Have we ever given a thought as to why there is so much toxicity in the environment? Can anyone understand from where the diseases come in the body? Posing these questions, Yogi Ashwini, founder of Dhyan Foundation, pointed out that following a yogic lifestyle and walking on the righteous path would ensure health and longevity in each and every being.
The yoga guru was here to propound the mantra of healthy lifestyle to the people of Goa.
Referring to Goa or 'Gomantak' as the land of cows, Yogi Ashwini said, “I am here to make people understand what yoga, diet and emotions are all about,” said the yoga guru, stressing that yoga is not new, rather "it is Shashwat (eternal) and has always been there."
“Diet makes us what we are. One must avoid acidic diet, indulge in a lot of charity and follow the correct way of breathing. The yogic techniques (asanas), if performed correctly, regulate and cleanse the major glands (chakras) in the body,” he pointed. Explaining that the cells in our bodies can live longer in an alkaline environment, the yoga guru emphasised that it is due to our wrong diet that the body turns acidic and keeps releasing toxins all the time, which in turn leads to various kinds of diseases.
“A diet consisting of red meat, milk, paneer, eggs and vegetarian food treated with pesticides produce acidity in the body. Also, our emotions aids in increasing acidity,” he said, adding, “Remain healthy by avoiding acidic diet and cleanse the toxins by following a yogic lifestyle. Shatkarma (seven karmas) can help a person gain health.”
Elaborating the concept of negative emotions like anger, hatred, jealousy and fear, the yoga guru said that even attachment leads to it. Warning that the body dies when it turns acidic, he mentioned that it is a known scientific fact that death originates in the colon. All diseases, even psychosomatic ones, arise out of acidity. Specific yoga techniques and asanas are aimed at the chakras or points of glands that secrete hormones and their secretions can be controlled, thus keeping the body alkaline. But hyper action exercises like aerobics are not good for the body, he said.
Commenting on the yogic lifestyle, Yogi Ashwini stated that volunteers of Dhyan Foundation (DF) are working towards aiding the creation.
“We don’t sell anything at Dhyan Ashram, there is no headquarters or head at DF,” he said, adding, “Dhyan Foundation is a thought to aid the creation. We do it by following a yogic lifestyle and working towards animal welfare and charity.”
The Foundation's volunteers rescue, rehabilitate and take care of birds and animals across the nation, and around 15,000 animals have been attended to. It has gaushalas in all states to take care of orphaned, injured and abandoned cows. Around 1,000 street dogs are fed everyday, and DF has 500 centres in India to distribute free food to needy people. It runs 21 schools for underprivileged children. It also runs two gaushalas in Goa where around 200 cows are being taken care of.
“Cow is called Dhenu (giver) not only milk but health and riches. One must respect and protect cows. The more cows are killed, the more diseases will come up,” he warned. Kamdhenu (the desi breed) should be protected. Dhyan Foundation is voluntarily working towards protecting the cows in Goa and all over the country with no aid from the government.
“We must follow the law which is based on the directive principals and emotions of freedom fighters. Cow slaughter is banned by law in India and a bull less than 14 years of age is also not allowed to butcher. We will see that the laws are followed and cows are respected, as the world will be facing a big danger if cows are extinct.”
