Page 11 - NIS English 16-30 June, 2026

International Day of Yoga | COVER STORY
12 Years of International Day of Yoga
Yoga Emerges as
the World’s Largest
Cultural Celebration
“योोगश्चि�त्तवृृत्तित्तत्ति�रोोध:” Yoga is the
cessation of fluctuations of thoughts in
chitta or Mind. The 2014 initiative to
establish a dedicated Ministry of
AYUSH to integrate Yoga, Ayurveda,
and other traditional systems of
medicine into the country’s healthcare
services, along with the start of
celebrating the International Day of
Yoga globally from June 21, 2015, was a
turning point. Yoga is a hallmark of our
civilization, keeping us healthy and
well-balanced in every respect. Today,
fostered by the strength of Yoga, India
is demonstrating the formidable
influence of its ‘soft power’ across the
entire world...
This year, June 21st marks the 12th
International Day of Yoga, coinciding
with a truly special occasion. As this
year also marks 12 years of the Central
Government under the leadership of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, June
has become a month of celebration...
hether ordinary masses or dignitaries,
young or old, woman or child, believer or
non-believer—today, 'Yoga' has become
Wan integral part of the physical, energetic,
mental, and emotional identity of people across all age
groups. Transcending the boundaries of religion, sect,
caste, rich, poor, and even the national borders that
divide countries, it has emerged as a universal language
for the entire world. It was precisely this unique charac-
teristic of Yoga that the great Sanskrit poet Bhartrhari
extolled centuries ago in his 'Shatakatrayam'.
धैर्यंं र्यंस्र्यं पि�ताा क्षमाा च जननी शाान्ति�तान्ति�चरंं गेपि�नी
ै
े
सत्र्यंं सनरंर्यंं दर्यंा च भपिगेनी भ्रााताा मानः संर्यंमाः।
ु
ू
ृ
शाय्र्यंा भूपिमातालंं पिदशाोSपि� वसनं ज्ञाानामातां भोजन ं
एताे र्यंस्र्यं कुुपि�न्ति��नः वद सखेे कुस्मााद् भर्यंं र्यंोपिगेनः।।
The meaning of this verse, articulated centuries ago,
is that through the regular practice of yoga, certain
virtues become akin to our own kith and kin. The
practice of yoga cultivates courage, which invariably
protects us like a father; it fosters a spirit of forgive-
ness—much like a mother’s love for her children—and
mental peace becomes our steadfast companion.
Bhartrhari has observed that through regular yoga
practice, truth becomes our offspring, compassion
our sister, self-restraint our brother, the very earth our
bed, and wisdom the sustenance that appeases our
hunger. When one is accompanied by such a multitude
of virtues, the yogi triumphs over every form of fear.
June 16-30, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 9