Russians-Ukrainians take to Madonna's guru to spread Sanatan Dharma

By Staff
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Varanasi, Jan 22 (UNI) The Vedic scholar who reportedly gave Sanskrit lessons to pop diva Madonna in 1998, is now giving 'diksha' (initation) in Yoga and Tantra to spiritually minded youth from Russia and Ukraine, eager to spread 'Sanatan Dharma' in the former USSR.

On Makar Sankranti (January 14), it was Boris Bidichev, a Ukrainian Yoga teacher who took 'Bhairav Mantra Diksha' from Dr Vagish Shastri at his Kundalani Yog Pith in Shivala locality here.

Another yoga teacher and tantra practioner, Igor Danylov, rechristened as Ishwaranand Nath took 'diksha' of 'Panchakshar Mantra' from Dr Shastri -- famous for his telephonic lessons in Sanskrit to material girl Madonna -- at the same Yog Pith this morning.

''I have taken 'Panchakshar diksha' from Guruji to plunge into special Shiv Upasana, once I return to my country and I will consequently not only spread Yoga and Tantra in Ukraine and Russia, but also propagate Sanatan Dharma, the genesis of these spiritual activities,'' said saffron clad Igor, a post graduate in modern history turned Kul Chakreshwar of Tantriks in the industrially rich former USSR nation.

The young Tantra practioner was blessed with the 'Guru diksha' from Dr Shastri at a Vedic ceremony visualised among others by five other Russians and Ukrainians, including Matsyendranath Maxim, a Yoga-Tantra practioner, Gorlov Ilya, a Yoga teacher from Moscow, Semchenko Irina, Mitroshina Irina and Kirillina Veronika.

Igor, who had been practising Tantra since seven years in Ukraine, was brought to the Yog Pith of Dr Shastri by Matsyendranath Maxim, a Yoga and Tantra practioner from Russia, who secured 'Tantrik Diksha' from the same Vedic scholar three years ago.

''When Ukraine and Russia were integral parts of USSR, the Soviet Communist ideology reigned supreme. But after the implosion of Soviet Union, people started taking solace in various religions including Hinduism,'' maintained Matsyendranath, a painter who turned Yoga-Tantra practioner after coming in contact of Dr Shastri.

Population of Yoga learners in the two countries has grown substantially over the last five years, but majority of them are interested in its physical aspects and treat it as an alternative to aerobics, he said.

''Five of every ten Yoga learners are now shifting their focus towards the spiritual aspects of Yoga and once with spiritual Yoga they take to Tantra. Many Tantrik Chakras (Tantrik communions) are presently working in Ukraine and Russia,'' he added.

The young Yoga teacher further adds ''once we return to our country, we will not only teach Yoga and Tantra, but also use the twin spiritual branches of Vedas to propagate Sanatan Dharma not only in Ukraine and Russia, but also South East Asia particularly, South Korea,'' he maintained.

Concurring with the viewpoints of his two disciples, Dr Shastri, considered to be a master of Kundalani Yoga says '' during the last three years many students of Yoga and Tantra from former USSR have come to me for diksha, which reflects their inclination towards oriental knowledge and spiritualism. There is nothing wrong if these students now use the same knowledge for propagating Sanatan Dharma, which is the basis of both Yoga and Tantra.'' Dr Shastri catapulted into limelight in 1998, when he spotted mistakes in pronunciation of Shankaracharya's 'Yoga Taravali' in one of the songs sung by Madonna for her album 'Ray of Light.' Later, the 'Material Girl' with the help of BBC telephoned Dr Shastri and apologised for her mistakes and also reportedly took lessons in Sanskrit from him.

UNI

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