Prayagraj: This morning, H.H. Pujya Swami Chidandand Saraswati led a very special yagna at the Parmarth Niketan camp on the banks of the Sangam to honor the 37 CRPF Jawans that were martyred in a terrorist attack yesterday in Kashmir’s Pulwama. The yagna was for “Shanti, Shakti and Shraddhanjali.”
Accompanied by Aditya Puri, Managing Director of HDFC Bank and globally renowned yoga teachers from the United States, Kia Miller and Tommy Rosen, as well as pilgrims from around the world, Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati prayed for the souls of those who lost their lives, for peace and solace for their families and also that the buddhi (intelligence) of those who committed this horrendous attack should become shuddh (pure).
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati expressed his sorrow on this occasion and said that “Sangam se Sangram ka sandesh” is going out to the world.
Puja led by @PujyaSwamiji on the banks of the sangam at #kumbh for the #CRPFJawans killed in the #PulwamaTerrorAttack . Prayers.for shanti, shakti and shraddhanjali for their souls and for peace and solace for their families at @ParmarthNiketan camp in #KumbhMela2019 . pic.twitter.com/4GTAjEv59H
— Sadhvi Bhagawati (@SadhviBhagawati) February 15, 2019
Those gathered for this tribute came from more than 30 countries around the world. They showed their respect for those killed and their deep sadness for this violent act through the chanting of Vedic mantras, prayer, and offerings to the sacred fire.
The attack was one of the most deadly in Kashmir and involved a CRPF convoy of 70 vehicles that were targeted by a suicide bomber who rammed an SUV laden with explosives into the CRPF bus. Those gathered for the yagna were guests of the Parmarth Niketan camp, who have joined Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji for a number of festivals currently taking place at the Parmarth Niketan camp. These include the International Yoga Festival, which is running from 13 – 18 February and the Kiva Kumbh Mela, which takes place from 14 – 18 February. All involved in the yagna expressed their heartbreak at the events which caused the death of so many people.