COIMBATORE: Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said Shiva is not just a deity but an eternal presence and that awakening ‘Shivatva’ — the essence of Shiva — is the true path to self-realisation, even as he credited Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev and his Isha Foundation of spreading this message far and wide.
As the chief guest for the grand Mahashvratri celebrations at Isha Foundation Yoga Centre here, Shah hailed Sadguru for creating a spiritual pilgrimage that seamlessly blends science and spirituality, proving that meditation, energy, and state of consciousness are not mere beliefs but fundamental aspects of science.
Stating that the entire nation — from Somnath to Kedarnath, Pashupatinath to Rameswaram, and Kashi to Coimbatore— was immersed in the devotion of Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri, Shah highlighted how the conclusion of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Wednesday had unfolded a grand “Maha Kumbh of devotion” in Coimbatore.
He emphasized that Maha Shivratri is not just a festival but a profound night of self-awakening. Shah said that Lord Shiva is more than a symbol…”a benevolent consciousness who embodies both destruction and protection, each playing a vital role in our lives”.
The home minister said the Isha Yoga Centre created by Sadguru is not just a pilgrimage but has become a global center for yoga, sadhana, devotion, self-knowledge and liberation. He said the centre serves as a bridge connecting people, especially the youth, with spirituality. Shah commended Sadguru for not only inspiring the youth towards spirituality but also offering them a profound and intelligent understanding of religion.
Praising Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev for guiding the world to the path of a meaningful and conscious life, Shah said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought global recognition to Yoga by commemorating International Yoga Day, Sadguru has given a new dimension to Yoga throug Adi Yogi. He highlighted that despite its ancient roots, Yoga remains highly relevant in the modern world and continues to evolve dynamically.
Shah said that any account of India’s spiritual history is incomplete without mentioning rich Tamil culture. “Tamil Nadu is a land enriched with countless living examples of spirituality and has carried forward an unbroken legacy of wisdom and spirituality,” he underlined.
