Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday completed a 45-hour meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari, and in a handwritten note said he was now feeling “divine energy”.
In a note shared by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, PM Modi wrote, “Today, after so many years, I too am fortunate to have had the opportunity to meditate at this sacred place, when India embodies the values and ideals of Swami Vivekananda.”
Modi called it “one of the unforgettable moments” of his life and said that every moment of his life and every part of his body would always be “dedicated to the service of the nation.”
“I wish the development of the nation and happiness of its people and convey my highest respects to ‘Ma Bharati’,” he wrote.
PM Modi arrived in Kanyakumari on May 30 and meditated at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. According to mythology, Goddess Parvati also meditated on one leg at the same place while waiting for Lord Shiva.
“On this rock Mother Parvati and Swami Vivekananda meditated. Later Eknath Ranade converted this rock into ‘Sila Smarak’, embodying the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda…Swami Vivekananda, a leader of spiritual revival, is my ideal, my energy and the source of my spirituality,” PM Modi wrote in the letter.
He added, “Many years ago, when Swami Vivekananda meditated here after traveling across the country, he envisioned a new direction for the rebirth of India.”
During his stay at the memorial, PM Modi, who was meditating and draped in saffron, also performed ‘Surya Argya’, a ritual linked to spiritual practice, at sunrise.
Meanwhile, PM Modi’s meditation drew strong reactions from the Indian opposition.
Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday dismissed PM Modi’s religious activity in Kanniyakumari as just a “photo shoot”. “PM Modi is not meditating. He is just having a photo shoot. Once the photo shoot is over, they will come back,” he said.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Indian National Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has slammed PM Modi for releasing a picture of him meditating inside the Vivekananda Memorial despite the ban on taking photographs at sacred places. Raising questions on the issue, Singh asked, “Is PM Modi not following the law and rules?” He further urged the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to take action on the issue.
