SPIRITUAL SOUL OF NaMo

Navratri brings out another side of Modi

As Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi has a tough and busy daily routine through which he serves the nation. It is well known that he dedicates his 24 hours, 365 days a year, to the welfare and development of the country. His dedication and commitment towards his duties for the nation is unwavering and unprecedented.

But there is a also a strong spiritual side to the personality of Narendra Modi, which comes out in true spirit during the nine days of Navratri. During these nine days of festivities, which are celebrated in a big way in Gujarat, Modi ji strictly observes complete fast, wherein he lives only on water. This has been his unflinching practice for decades, which he still observes diligently, no matter in which part of the world he is or how busy his schedule might be.

He makes sure that his pious observation of spiritual cleansing during this nine holy days remains undeterred by external circumstances, come what may. Even when he was managing the famous Rath Yatra from Gujarat’s Somnath for the Ram Mandir movement in the 90s, he remained without food for all the nine days of Navratri which fell during that time. This was an onerous task as he was managing the whole show. Yet he didn’t touch a grain of food. In 2014, he was making his first visit to the US after becoming India’s PM and incidentally it was Navratri time. Surprisingly, on all the days of his 5-day tour, Narendra Modi remained without food and survived just on water. This dedication towards his spiritual belief and Indian religious traditions, surprised and impressed all in the States. Then US president Barack Obama had hosted a private dinner for Modi ji and a special Indian menu was prepared for him. But Modi ji came and only had water. This was unbelievable control and determination. He was giving his famous speeches in Madison Square, Central Park etc., which the whole world was revelling at, and during all those event days, he was keeping his fast religiously, without any fail or deviation. Only an occasional glass of warm water or his stock nimbu-paani (lemon water) was keeping his buoyant and charged. Even in the evening, after his day’s super busy engagement, Modi proffered to meet at least 700 guests during dinner and even clicked numerous photos with them on their request. There was not a hint of fatigue in him even at the end of the day. The organisers were initially apprehensive and wanted to ration the number of guests, lest Modi ji, after all his day’s travails, should feel stressed. But Modi was as enthusiastic as ever to connect with as many people as possible and eventually became the star of the evening.

He has learnt his strict spiritual discipline and religious devotion from his RSS days of childhood. It is from then that Modi has adhered to that rigour and it continues for five decades. He does all his works with enthusiasm and freshness despite remaining on fast. No one can say that he has been without food for so many days, such is his spiritual strength and inner grace that comes out of deep devotion and continued sincerity in his work and beliefs. After the Gujarat earthquake, when rehabilitation work was taken up on a war footing, then state CM Modi himself led various field trips to expedite work. He had a very tight schedule from early morning till late evening as rehabilitation was his govt’s priority. Yet, he maintained his vow of fast as Navratri fell in between and always carried some drinking water in his vehicle. His field officers had lunch as usual but he kept away and remained alone with his glass of water wherever he was. When he was offered juice once or twice, instead of water, he politely declined and stuck to his practice.

Modi’s spiritual commitment is not just a source of strength to him but this also sends out a message that no matter how busy one’s life is, one must never forget his spiritual duties & waver from his beliefs, traditions. Through his example he symbolises his dedication towards India’s traditions and his spiritual service to the nation. Being leader of the nation, his living example also sends out the message that if mind and soul are in right balance of consonance & peace, no work is difficult, no task impossible. If a PM of country, despite his hectic daily routine and temptations of good food, can stick to his religious and spiritual commitments, there is no person who can’t if he has right approach and attitude.

Only a leader who can dedicate his life to spirituality and dharma can truly dedicate his life to service of the nation and Narendra Modi is the example before us of this dedication and commitment. Even when he is on his trips abroad, he carries with him his true Indianness in its spiritual grandeur that enhances the aura of India’s traditions and religious heritage on diverse global stages.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA