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The Ambassador of India in Mahaprabhu Dip Ashram, Strilky

A traditional cultural event welcomes distinguished guests to a yoga ashram. This gathering celebrates shared spiritual purpose and cultural exchange. The ashram serves as a spiritual lighthouse, a place for seekers to cross the ocean of illusion through practice. It has created a pure and harmonious energy over many years, becoming a home for practitioners from across the world. The teachings brought here have established a systematic and traditional yoga practice widely integrated into society. This system promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being in many communities and institutions. The event highlights festivals of brotherhood and protection, symbolizing universal love. The shared goal is to foster peace, understanding, and a sustainable future through collective action and spiritual unity.

"Every ashram in the world is a lighthouse, a place where there is opportunity for the spiritual seeker to cross the ocean of māyā."

"Yoga is a science; it is above religion. If anything, all religions are part of yoga, because yoga is for the body, mind, and soul."

Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

Part 1: A Gathering of Light: Welcoming the Ambassador to Mahāprabhudīp Āśram Nāti, he pala, pala kṣaṇa, yehi vinati, he pala, pala kṣaṇa, kṣaṇa mila tahe. Her Excellency has arrived. With the traditional offering of salt and bread, we welcome you. Praṇām Gurudev. Bhārat Gaurav Viśva Gurujī, most respected guest of honor, Her Excellency Madam Narinder Chauhan, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Czech Republic; Madame Alenka Smrkol; Mahāmaṇḍaleśvar Vivek Purījī; Professor Gulab Kothārījī; Professor Dr. Martin Repko; respected Vivek Ojā; dearest yoga sisters and brothers; and dearest representatives of the culture of tomorrow, our children and youth—a warm welcome to our traditional cultural event at Yoga in Daily Life’s annual summer yoga retreat in Mahāprabhudīp Āśram in Střílky. We are gathered today in the largest ashram of the Śrī Alakhpurījī Siddha Pīṭh outside India. In the present Czech and Slovak republics, which previously formed Czechoslovakia, it is this particular Yoga in Daily Life ashram where, on several occasions, the holy feet of Satgurudev Swāmī Madhavānandajī touched the ground, forever leaving divine blessing and spirit. Allow me, respected dignitaries and dear friends, to first introduce our guest of honor and respected speakers. Our honorable guest today is Her Excellency, Madam Narinder Chauhan, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Czech Republic. This traditional candle lighting symbolizes the opening of our special cultural event today. Thank you very much, Your Excellency. We also welcome Madame Alenka Smrkol, Minister for Development and European Cohesion of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia; Mahāmaṇḍaleśvar Vivek Purījī of Yoga in Daily Life from the Republic of Croatia; Professor Gulab Kothārījī, author, researcher, scholar, great thinker, journalist, and chief editor of Rajasthan Patrika; Professor Dr. Martin Repko, head of the Orthopedic Department and the Center for Spinal Surgery at the Faculty Hospital Brno, Vice Dean for International Affairs at Masaryk University Brno, and President of the Czech Union of Yoga in Daily Life. A very warm welcome also to our dear guest, Priest Jaroslav Štancel from the Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; and to respected Vivek Ojājī, President of the Iśvaguru Deep Hindu Mandir in the Czech Republic. And, of course, to His Holiness Bhārat Gaurav Viśvaguru Paramahaṁsa Śrī Svāmī Maheśvarānandajī, author and founder of the Yoga in Daily Life scientific system, founder and president of the Śrī Svāmī Madhavānanda World Peace Council, president of the World Yoga Union, author of numerous books and publications, and initiator of systematic yoga scientific research. A very warm welcome also to Professor Arvind Kalia. I would now kindly ask Mahāmaṇḍaleśvar Svāmī Vivek Purījī to come for his opening remarks. Svāmī Vivek Purījī: Praṇām Gurudev. Praṇām Gurudev. I always want to say "Your Holiness"—it’s not "Your Excellency." I am so happy that today we are here in the Střílecký āśram. We hear that it is the biggest ashram of the Śrī Alakhpurījī Siddha Pīṭha in Europe. In the rest of the world, in India, we have a much bigger ashram, the Om Āśram. But here in a Western country, the Střílky Ashram is one of the biggest ashrams. This ashram is, for all of us and for all spiritual seekers, something like a lighthouse on the coast. Every ashram in the world is a lighthouse, a place where there is opportunity for the spiritual seeker to cross the ocean of māyā. The Střílky Ashram has existed for 24 years. In those 24 years, people from all continents have been here practicing Yoga in Daily Life—not only from Europe, but from the whole world. Mostly we have seminars and summer retreats here for three weeks, and through that period, usually more than 1,000 people pass through. Through normal programs, education programs for yoga teachers, and also a lot of satsaṅg with Viśva Gurujī. Through these 24 years, this ashram has created such nice energy. We have such beautiful countryside around it, completely pure earth and soil, nice forest. This area of the Střílecká region has somehow become home for all of us. I hope that for you, Your Excellency, the Střílecký āśram will also somehow become home. I know it is your duty to be out of your country, but always, when you feel homesick, you are most welcome to come here to be with us. You will see that we know a lot of Indian tradition. All this we have received from the grace of our Gurudeva, Viśvagurujī. Once more, I will not say "welcome," because everybody is at home when they are in the ashram. Host: Thank you very much, Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara Svāmī Vivek Purījī. Since we have started with the orange color, it is best that we continue with it. So I would kindly ask Svāmī Madhuraṁjī for a few of his magical tunes. Thank you very much, Svāmījī Madhuraṁjī. While the technicians prepare our next point—a video on Yoga in Daily Life in the Czech Republic—I would also like to warmly welcome Madam Marie Skrytková, author and chairwoman of the Association for Saving the Baroque Cemetery. Welcome. Now, let us enjoy the video presentation. Video Presentation: In March 1973, His Holiness Viśvaguru Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara Paramahaṁsa Svāmī Maheśvarānanda first brought yoga and Vedic wisdom to Czechoslovakia. The teachings of ancient wisdom and practical techniques were met with great enthusiasm. As a result, the Yoga in Daily Life system has developed and grown steadily in this part of Europe, with many yoga aspirants soon becoming yoga teachers themselves under Viśva Gurujī’s training and guidance. Viśva Gurujī has produced numerous books and publications on yoga and Vedic philosophy, which have been translated and published in Czech and Slovak languages since 1978. The Yoga in Daily Life system is used specifically in healthcare as well as for the general public to improve physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. Classes and courses are available not only in yoga centres and ashrams, but also in rehabilitation centres, spas, hospitals, schools, and universities. Several thousand people now practice according to the Yoga in Daily Life system regularly at several hundred locations throughout the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This includes the largest Yoga in Daily Life ashram outside India, which was founded in 1994 on the historical castle estate of Střílky Village, Moravia, in the southeastern Czech Republic. Mahāprabhudīp Āśram has become a much-loved and appreciated centre for local and international seminars and educational programs, where people from all over the world can come together to learn and practice in a peaceful, pure, and natural environment. Another important area of Viśva Gurujī’s activities in the Czech and Slovak republics is the organizing of world peace conferences, world peace prayers, and the ceremonial planting of world peace trees under the auspices of the Śrī Svāmī Madhavānanda World Peace Council—an NGO founded by Viśva Gurujī, which is affiliated with the United Nations. Viśva Gurujī has also inspired many Czech and Slovak people to become vegetarian and to become both examples and promoters of a healthy lifestyle. Protecting the natural environment is a central aim of Yoga in Daily Life, and one of the supporting activities is tree-planting projects. Over 20,000 trees have been planted by Yoga in Daily Life groups in the Czech and Slovak republics in cooperation with local authorities and national parks. In 2002, Viśvagurujī inspired the foundation of the Czech Hindu Society, which is recognized as one of the Czech religions. The society builds upon the work and activities of the previous Om Viśvaguru Deep Hindu Mandir, which was established to promote Vedic culture and cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and India. More than a decade ago, Viśva Gurujī initiated the Youth Union of Yoga in Daily Life, a gathering of children and youngsters who together address difficult problems of the world around them. The union has organized several conferences for children and youth on the topics of world peace, the environment, family values, and health. From the beginning of the Yoga in Daily Life system, teachers have offered specialized classes for disabled and chronically ill people. The Yoga in Daily Life classes provided for elderly seniors are very popular and successful. There is also ongoing research into the effects of Yoga in Daily Life for preventing and treating modern diseases, which shows very promising evidence and positive results. Many Yoga in Daily Life groups and members also participate in fundraising for humanitarian projects in India organized by Viśva Gurujī, including rainwater harvesting and drought aid, a hospital, women’s education, and school and college education for local children in Rajasthan. His Holiness Viśva Gurujī’s tireless work and efforts have been recognized by many dignitaries over the years, among them the late Czech President Václav Havel and former Slovak Presidents Michal Kováč and Rudolf Schuster. Former Vice President of the Czech Senate, Elena Gaduzkova, has often participated in Viśva Gurujī’s official events in the Czech Republic. Both the Czech Ministries of Education and Culture have also given their thanks and honored him several times for his great social and educational work and for his contribution to furthering mutual understanding between Indian and European cultures. Host: Thank you. I think this is a very proper introduction for our next speaker, Dr. Martin Repko, President of Yoga in Daily Life in the Czech Republic. Dr. Martin Repko: I would like to start by giving many thanks to your country, to the country of India, that we got such a nice teacher, such a nice guru. Something so big for us is Viśvagurujī. I think so many things have changed in our country since Viśvagurujī came. When I was thinking about yoga before Svāmījī came, it was more or less a very experimental one. Svāmījī came to our country on the 3rd of March, 1973, and the real systematic and traditional yoga was starting at this time—and still it is. 45 years, still it is in our country. We are very grateful for that. I would like to introduce the system Yoga in Daily Life in the Czech Republic. We have 53 individual centres in our country. In these centres, there are 351 instructors or yoga teachers who are working on a Karma Yoga basis. It means they are very free, not dependent on this practice financially. They are doing this work with their open heart, teaching the system of Yoga in Daily Life very systematically, in a traditional way. We are a country with about 10 million people, and I think that more or less each and every citizen of our country knows what Yoga in Daily Life is. In regular courses, we have about 7,500 people who are practicing regularly, and they are very happy to do this. But not only the public—all universities in our country are very interested in yoga. This is also something we got from Viśvagurujī: he brought from India the traditional scientific system. All researchers and scientists are starting to be interested in how they can involve the Yoga in Daily Life system in their practices. Looking at this auditorium, I can see a lot of doctors, pedagogues, and psychologists who are using the system in their daily practice. That’s why what I can see now is a bright future for yoga in our country, especially for traditional and scientific systems like Yoga in Daily Life. Once again, from my heart, many, many thanks to Viśva Gurujī. He is willing to help us in our personal growth, and in this way, he is helping a lot of people in our country. We heard about Střílky as well, that there is a history of 24 years of the ashram. That’s why I welcome Your Excellency to our country, to our capital, Prague—but welcome as well to the capital of yoga, which is Střílky Āśram. Host: Thank you very much, Dr. Repko. Dr. Martin Repko: I was sorry, I didn’t say that I finished. I would like to say something more. It was very funny to see myself in this presentation when I was very young, very thin—but I think I feel the same feelings for yoga and for you, Viśva Gurujī. If I can say something personal: I met Svāmījī in 1990, and since that time my life is stable in yoga, and I am trying to incorporate yoga into my life. I am a little bit lazy in āsanas, but what I found in my profession—because I am in orthopedics—is that definitely, if I am hearing from my colleagues from rehabilitation, orthopedics, or other specializations, they are coming closer and closer to yoga principles in their work. Maybe they are not calling their work "yoga," but definitely there is a rising of the principles of yoga in our medical practice. Maybe you have heard about psychosomatic medicine or specific physiotherapeutic techniques. If you are doing yoga practice, you can see that all is based on the thousands and thousands of traditional years of yoga. That’s why we would like to be, and we should be, very thankful to India that we got this system. We attended with Viśvagurujī the first yoga conference in Delhi when the Prime Minister of India established the ĀYUSH system. It was really something nice to see how it’s growing up in modern times. This is not only traditional, because usually we think about tradition as something old. In the same way it’s coming back to our medicine, traditional principles and systems are coming back to our life. And this is our only chance for a bright future. Thank you. Host: Thank you, Dr. Repko. As Dr. Repko very nicely stressed, the importance of children is the culture of tomorrow. It is now time for the children’s program, along with the special Raksha Bandhan program. First, children will sing some Vedic mantras, and then they will perform the Yoga in Daily Life Scientific System’s special system, the Barikāṭu. Children’s Program Leader: To Your Excellency, to Viśva Gurujī—as you have heard, we will open our children’s program with the chanting of Vedic mantras. It is called Sītā Rojová. I am very happy that I can accompany children at the Yoga in Daily Life seminars and that I have the chance to lead the children’s programs during the retreat. As an educator, and being foremost their friend, we have a special children’s program which we call Gurukul. Now the children of our Gurukul will chant. [Children chant:] Gaṇeśāya namaḥ, Sarasvate namaḥ, Śrī Guryo namaḥ. Hariyo śāstya dimacho, dimacho dayāḥacho. Leader: Near the village of Barikāṭu in the district of Nagaur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, there is our ashram of Yoga in Daily Life. Our paramparā is in the village of Barikāṭu. It is the place where there was the physical existence of Bhagavān Śrī Dīp Nārāyaṇ Mahāprabhujī, who is the divine incarnation of love, mercy, and wisdom. To this holy place and to His Holiness Śrī Mahāprabhujī, we dedicate our exercises of Barikāṭu Praṇām, which are a part of the system of Yoga in Daily Life authorized by our dear master, His Holiness Paramahaṁsa Svāmījī. I would like to ask our children to get ready. With this exercise, they will achieve harmony of body, mind, and soul. But as Śrī Patañjali mentions in his Yoga Sūtra, "Satu dhīrghakāla nairantarya satkāra sevito dṛḍhabhūmiḥ"—they need to practice regularly, without interruption, and with great devotion. I would ask our children to practice with their bodies, and through this practice, they will communicate with the highest, as well as with the mantra which is dedicated to Mahāprabhujī. [Children perform the exercises with counted movements.] Host: Thank you, children. Now it is also time to celebrate the traditional Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan. It means "to bind, to connect." It is the festival of brothers and sisters, involving the binding of a knot—the knot of protection. It is the festival of understanding, brotherhood, compassion, and honor to women. It is the day when a sister approaches her brother and ties a rakhi on his wrist. What’s amazing about this holiday is that we can also adopt a spiritual brother or sister. There is an ancient story about when a king fell in love with a beautiful girl and wanted to marry her. He invited her to his palace, but she made a rakhi. The moment she came to the king, she tied it on his hand and said, "You will protect me." The king was so moved by the wisdom of the girl that he accepted her as his sister. Since then, we have held the celebration of this traditional festival. Thanks to Viśvagurujī, this tradition came also here to Mahāprabhudīp Āśram. You can’t imagine what joy and happiness is connected with this festival here, because this world needs protection and love. Children love to take part. So they will now demonstrate the traditional rakhi ceremony. First, the rakhis will be given to Viśvagurujī, Her Excellency, and Dr. Gulābjī. There is one great wish: our dear guest, Minister Alenka Smrkol, also has a wish to tie a rakhi to Viśvagurujī. Now, our small brothers and sisters will form two ranks. Part 2: A Celebration of Brotherhood and Shared Purpose Brotherly and sisterly love will forge this protective bond. Celebrating such festivals brings hope to all of us. As all the speakers before me expressed their gratitude to Viśvagurujī, I would like to join them in the name of all the children. If we could see such brotherhood everywhere, there would certainly be peace in the world. Thank you, Vishwagurujī, from the depths of our hearts, for the direction and the path you are leading us on. Thank you very much, Sītājī and all the children. This is Vishwa Gurujī’s initiative for the United Nations to announce Raksha Bandhan as the International Day of Brothers and Sisters—or, if I may correct myself, Sisters and Brothers. Now you know that nobody leaves the hall without a signature. It is a voluntary signature. Thank you very much. I now kindly ask our dear guest, Priest Jaroslav Štancel from the Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, to speak. Your Excellency, Your Holiness, dear gathered friends. I am very happy to have been invited and to be here with you. Perhaps it is not so common for a Catholic priest to speak at your meetings, but I am happy for it because I think our spiritual paths go along. They support each other; they help each other. Our grandfather Abraham set out on a journey; he is the patron of all seekers. Lord Jesus Christ invites all seekers, all those on the path of spirituality, to his kingdom. I like the metaphor of your ashram being a beacon, a light for all seekers. Our spiritual path is similar. I am trying to lead believers towards the living God. We may be strangers, but we will always meet as good friends. Thank you very much. I would now like to kindly invite again Swami Madhuramjī, Bhakti Devījī, and Narsingh Purījī for a very special bhajan, "Dhanya Dhanya Bhārata." [Bhajan Performance] Dhanya dhanya Bhārata bhūmi, svātaṅtra kari parama sukha. Saba prabhu ne liyā yaha avatāra. Ananta ṛṣi muni aura yogī, Bhārata meṁ kī ucca sīṭa. Rāmakṛṣṇa Buddha, Guru Nānak, Kṛṣṇa Buddha, Guru Nānak. Gāndhī, Nehru, nahīṁ hai adhāra, Rāmakṛṣṇa, Buddha, Guru Nānak, Gāndhī, Nehru, nahīṁ hai adhāra, Śrī Dīpa Dayāluka deśa, hamako prāṇo se ati pyārā, prāṇo se ati pyārā... Dhanya, dhanya Bhārata bhūmi, bahādur aura bābalau puruṣa, sabake sardāra Himālaya hai śiṣa. Bhārata kā hī svarṇa kā mukuṭa hai, dharā Gaṅgā Yamunā aura rājā Yamunā aura caraṇapakara. Gaṅgā, Yamunā, uttare, Bhārata, kāye, caraṇapakara. Dīpadayāluka deśa hamako prāṇo se atipyāra Śrīdīpadayāluka deśa hamako prāṇo se atipyāra O Siṁha Bhārata Bhūrga Se Bhārata Bhūmi Kī Mai Mahāpā Devatā Vande Bhārata Bhūmi Sab Karate Jaya Jaya Karā Sāgara Seva Śobham Par Sāgara kī le aura sevā śobhā aura rā’ī, aparampārā upādhyāyaka deśa hamako prāṇa se ati pyārā, prāṇa se ati pyārā... Thank you very much, Bhakti Devī Jī, Leelā Jī, Swāmī Madhuran Jī, and Narasiṁha Purī Jī. I would now kindly like to invite the Slovenian Minister for Development and European Cohesion. Thank you. Dear Vishwa Gurujī, Your Excellency, other guests, dear sisters and brothers. When Vishwagurujī asked me to address you on this occasion, I immediately knew what subject I would share. I wish to say a few words about a global agenda, Agenda 2030, or the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda. Why? Because it is global, and it definitely affects and touches the lives of us all. The world we live in today is increasingly uncertain and unpredictable. On one hand, we see manifold catastrophes—from violence and conflict to economic migration and natural disasters resulting from the increasingly adverse effects of climate change. Many still live in poverty, and there is a growing gap between the rich and the poor. Simultaneously, the speed of technological progress has completely changed societal expectations. For quite some time, there was an urgent need for the world to develop a plan to save the planet and the human beings on it, to find a global development paradigm which would also take the planet's capacity into account. And guess what? The politicians once took the first steps. Within the framework of the United Nations, they adopted Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Agenda. It was signed and agreed upon by consensus, with all 196 member nations of the UN. I will not list the goals, but it is an important framework: 17 goals with precise targets to meet by 2030. In essence, I see this agenda as a strategic plan for how to solve the planet’s problems. All goals are intertwined, from eradicating poverty to reducing inequalities. They touch on climate change, clean energy, clean water, and sanitation. They require responsible production and consumption. They touch all three pillars of sustainable development: economic, environmental, and social. Vishwa Gurujī supports this agenda very much and makes great efforts at the United Nations to push for it. So the big plan is there. What we need now is action. Governments and ministers need to report on progress each year, but this is not enough. To achieve the agenda is the responsibility of all societies, all countries. Businesses, media, and local communities need to join. Only with a global effort can we succeed. What I would like to raise today is that it is crucial we, as individual citizens of this world, do something and take action as well. We can all contribute in our own capacities. Because of the teachings of our Viśwa Gurujī, we as his disciples know much more about the issues and challenges the world faces. So it is also our responsibility not to remain passive. I invite you to join forces, to work together, to raise our voices and push the governments we live in to put Agenda 2030 at the center of their development plans. I firmly believe this is the base and a realistic hope to save the planet. Let’s start acting today. Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam Minister. The Minister asked how. Vishwa Gurujī gave one answer: by truly being sisters and brothers. The respected guest priest gave another: being proper neighbors. I would now like to ask our dear sister Bhakti Devījī for an Indian dance performance. The first will be dedicated to Lord Gaṇeśajī, and the second to Lord Śivajī. Bhakti Devījī has been conducting professional Indian dance courses in Vienna, Austria, for the past 14 years. Praṇām, dear Gurudev, welcome Your Excellency and dear guests. Bhaktījī will perform two dances. First, we will narrate the dance so you can understand the movements; then it will be performed without narration. The first dance is called Gaṇeśa Stuti. With it, we call to Lord Gaṇeśajī and pray for his blessings. He removes all problems and obstacles. He has one task, and he is Śiva’s son. We worship him with flowers and bow to him with devotion. Everyone, please be attentive. We will start with the second dance, as we have prepared music for it. The second dance, performed by Bhakti Jī, is called "Bho Śambho Ragharevati" in Tāla Ādi. It is dedicated to Lord Śiva. He is the ocean of mercy and has three eyes. The moon and sun are his ornaments. Holy Gaṅgā flows from his hair. He is the one who carries us across the ocean of saṃsāra. He is absolutely pure and omnipresent. He is worshipped by all the gods. The entire universe is his cloth. He is the one who grants mokṣa. He is the highest consciousness, the Śiva Liṅgam. Thank you very much, dear Bhakti Devījī. After a brief welcome program, we finally come to our guest of honor. I kindly ask Her Excellency Madame Narinder Chauhan for her address. Namaskar. This is a surprise. But Swamiji, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, children, it is an honor and privilege for me to be present today. In fact, it was not planned at all; this happened very fortuitously. I have served in different capitals across the world, but the dedication and love for India I have seen in this part of the world is truly exemplary. I have today discovered friends of India. I request you all to please stay in touch with me at all times so we can work together for world peace. With these words, I thank Gurujī once again and the distinguished friends of India present here for the love and affection they have showered on me today. Thank you once again. Thank you very much, Your Excellency. If we could kindly ask for one more unpredicted effort: to hand over five certificates for Yoga in Daily Life instructors to our disciples. I kindly first ask Jana Ganga Nemečková to approach Her Excellency, then Eva Škrabánková, Uroš Pergar, David Stamberg, and Martin Proksha. Thank you very much, Your Excellency. You have my word, there are no other unpredicted events. I promise no more surprises are waiting. Vishwa Gurujī, the floor is yours. Dvandātītaṁ Gaganasadṛśyaṁ Tasmāsyādilakṣyaṁ Ekaṁ Manītyaṁ Vimalāchalaṁ Sarvaddhīsākṣyabhūtaṁ Bhavātītaṁ Triguṇarahitaṁ Satgurutāṁ Namāmyaṁ. Oṁ Śānti. Salutations to the Cosmic Light, Lord of our hearts, omniscient and omnipresent. Salutations to our Holy Siddha Pīṭh, Ārādhyā Alagpurījī Mahādev, Devādidev Deveśvar Mahādev. Ārādhyā Bhagavān Śrī Dīp Nārāyaṇ Mahāprabhujī, Ārādhyā Bhagavān Śrī Dīp Nārāyaṇ Mahāprabhujī... Our salutation. We are very happy and joyful on this occasion of the holy festival called Rakṣā Bandhan. We welcome our very dear Excellency, Madame Narinder Chauhan, the Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic. Every ambassador is visited many times, but Her Excellency said yes to one request. She has been here as ambassador for only about a month. She may not yet know all about the Czech Republic, but she is a very distinguished visitor. I have heard that she has hosted a very great visitor: the Prime Minister, the President of India. Can you imagine? Compare the Indian population and the Czech population. Yesterday someone told a very nice joke about our minister here. A past president of Slovenia was invited as a guest to China. The Chinese president asked the Slovenian president about his country’s population, and he said about two million. The Chinese president said, "In which hotel are they?" That was a joke, but a visit from the Indian president is a great event. When the president comes from such a great, big country, there are many preparations. Though she is so busy, how great it is that she came to our ashram. We are very happy. She thought it would be about a one-hour visit, but we kept you so long. Thank you very much, Your Excellency. I think you know I am also from Rajasthan, and Vasundharājī is very kind. Just one week ago, we were together. At the same time, our minister from Slovenia—she is very great, very active, and her work is very admirable. She only came to see me and did not know we would have such a big function. Thank you for coming, for your speech. I send blessings to your country. In Slovenia, we also have many practitioners of Yoga in Daily Life. In such a big population, we are sharing some percentage. Thank you. Our dear reverend brother, our priest, I welcome you very much. I am always thinking of you. Today is a great day that we are together. Our destination is one; the path is different. In this small village, Střílky has become worldwide famous... due to you, brother. This is a very historical village. This castle is very historical. In the whole of Europe, there are only three castles like this: one in France, one here, and I think somewhere in Germany. It is very historical, but more historical is the cemetery. Well, you want to say something, sister? Give her the mic. In short, I can tell you that Střílky are remembered from the year 1258; they are documented. It is a village with unique history and beautiful natural surroundings. I am studying the history of Střílky and have published two books about it. The first mention is from 1258. The history started with the Střílky Fortress. There were various owners. In the 15th century, the fortress was abandoned and the castle was built. In 1562, building was initiated, first as a tower. [The owner] built this castle to its present form. Finally, I draw your attention to our unique Baroque cemetery, built in Baroque style, unique in all of Europe. Thank you. I take part in the... I had a lecture there about the history of Střílky and the culture. I also remember the castle where the ashram is, where yoga exercises are. Finally, I mention to Czech citizens living abroad that whenever I am invited to any function, I mention the castle, the ashram, and the yoga life present in Střílky. Thank you. So, it is said... it is time for lunch. Yes, I know. Her Excellency will come to know about Yoga in Daily Life. We will meet again. I don’t want to take a lot of time because it is already getting to 2 o’clock, and the kitchen people should go there. Thank you very much. You have heard all about yoga activities. We have the Śrī Svāmī Madhavānanda World Peace Council, registered in Austria. I have been in Europe, in Vienna, for about 48 years. There are a large number of practitioners of Yoga in Daily Life. Yoga is a science of the human. It is again time to practice yoga. Many people are now coming towards yoga. Very soon, yoga practice will spread throughout the whole world, bringing good health and relief from stress and diseases like cancer. Yoga is a science; it is above religion. It is not a religion. If anything, all religions are part of yoga, because yoga is for the body, mind, and soul. Thank you very much. Now, our very dear Vivekjī Oja has also been in the Czech Republic for about 47 or 48 years. He has done a lot of good work for India. Now we have what is called the Mahāprabhū Dīp Hindu Dharma Mandir. I taught yoga for 20 years in Soviet Union territory, and after that, we established Hindu Dharma in Czechoslovakia, Hungary... Hindu Dharma is acknowledged here, as well as yoga. Thank you very much for your coming. This is your ashram; whenever you drive by, you can come and have a little rest or a good meal. We have a 100% vegetarian restaurant. We have many ashrams and centers in the Czech Republic. In any village I stop, somebody will know, "Oh, Swamiji is here." The Czech people really appreciate yoga very much. Thank you. Vivekjī, can you come and say something short and sweet, and then we have the next hymn? Thank you very much, Swāmījī. As Swāmījī said, "Bukhe Bhajan Hojnā Gopālā," so I will be very short. Thank you for your time, Your Excellency, Minister, and all brothers and sisters, for devoting time to this occasion, our Rakṣā Bandhana. Every day in life, the Vishwa Hindu Mandir Society and Yoga in Daily Life organize celebrations every year. We organize celebrations for the festival of Śivarātri in Prague. We would be very happy and glad if you could spare some time for that function also. It is held every year, and people gather from the Czech Republic and other countries. With Swamiji's blessings, our organization also wishes to donate something like 51,000 crowns for the Kerala victims. We have collected other donations as well, and Swamiji will tell how to transfer this money. I would like to mention that our organization is donating 51,000 CZK and other money we collected as humanitarian aid for Kerala. Thank you. I forgot to thank Dr. Gulābjī. Thank you very much.

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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