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which concluded here today. But it was the venue itself that was most significant, a remote place in eastern Bihar, Munger. Satyananda was instrumental in attracting people from all over the world to this place. He founded the Bihar School of Yoga in 1964, in this historic, albeit backward place.
The Golden Jubilee celebration of Swamiji's tyag (renunciation) also coincided with this convention which proved a platform for knowing, rather, feeling the yoga. The scene was enough to get fascinated about this. On the decorated dais, many yoga experts, both from within the country as well as from foreign countries appeared during the four days to enlighten the people about many scientific and spiritual feats achieved through it. the gathering was all ears to them.
Of course, the convention also provided a chance to show the rich heritage of the country which compelled the people living even in most advanced countries to realize the depth in India's ancient scientific advancement, including yoga. It was becoming very popular in Europe, said Mr Jordan Ganesh, an engineer, who came all the way from Bulgaria to attend the meet. According to him he learnt yoga through books 23 years ago but
could not find any guru there. He came with an intention to meet a guru.
Swami Satyananda, who took tyag (renunciation) 50 years ago and is currently living in Rikhia at Deoghar, did not attend the meet. However, his young disciple Swami Niranjanananda, who heads the school now, handled the convention effortlessly since discipline, the basic instinct of yoga, was prevailing everywhere.
Each session stressed the scientific aspect of yoga. The most significant lecture was delivered by Swami Pragyamurti Saraswati, the director of the Satyananda Yoga Center in London, who claimed yoga could help AIDS patients. Likewise, many chronic diseases could be treated through yoga, claimed various experts.
The chief of the army, General B. C. Joshi; the famous film-maker, Ramanand Sagar; Dr. H. S. Wasir, a renowned cardiologist from Delhi; Dr. G. B.. Kar, Bhubaneshwar; Mr. George Tompkins, USA; Dr. Brian Thomson, Australia; Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Rishikesh; besides the Governor of Bihar, Dr. A. R. Kidwai, were prominent among those who attended. This world convention is organized every 20 years and it was first held in 1973.
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