Boipariguda: Yoga and spirituality make a huge difference in shaping up a healthy society. Keraput villagers under this block in Koraput district have imbibed and are practicing the very essence of this dictum to lead a life without tension and depression.
The number of such villages where that much progress in education and awareness has not taken place as yet is many in Koraput district. As a result, people in these villages often indulge in group clashes on trivial issues. Youths get addicted to liquor at an early age. Consequently, either they fall foul of law or become liquor addicts, leading to ruination of families.
But Keraput villagers have an edge over the others, thanks to their virtuous living style. Eight hundred or so villagers live in Keraput. Most of them belong to ‘Rana’ community. Villagers cannot think of anything without education. The number of youths employed across the country has been a cause of envy for the nearby villagers.
Asked about the reason for their wellbeing, they feel proud in ascribing it to their inclination towards ‘spiritualism’ or ‘Bhagavat Chetna’.
There is a Trinath temple and a ‘Bhagavat Tungi’ in the middle of the village. After completing their respective jobs, every evening both men and women congregate at the cottage, without fail. The congregation continues for two hours — from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Former Samiti member Daitari Disari recites Vedic chants and hymns from the Bhagavad Gita and elucidates them in simple language to help the villagers grasp the hidden meaning of the scriptures. The gathering concludes with ‘Nama Sankirtan’ (recital of God’s name).
Every Tuesday, there is an extra session of Hanuman Chalisa recital and villagers are found fully immersed in the recitation. Rabindra Nayak, a village youth and promoter of ‘Satsang’, recites the Hanuman Chalisa.
The villagers observe Chandan Yatra of Lord Trinath once a year. Besides, a yajna is also performed once a year starting from the 13th day of Odia month of ‘Baisakh’ to the full moon day.
“If spiritual thoughts are nectar to mind, Yoga is a panacea to all diseases in our bodies,” says Rabindra Nayak. Every morning, children and elders make it a point to attend Yoga classes conducted by Yoga guru Bipin Patra. He demonstrates ‘asanas’ and ‘pranayams’ explaining the villagers about their benefits.
A most striking aspect of the village is that all its residents are strict vegetarians and teetotalers. Non-vegetarian items are a big ‘no’ at feasts.
“By abstaining from alcoholism and practicing spiritualism, we are reaping their fruits. That is, peace of mind. This is the reason why none of us has ever indulged in any violent activities, and, for that matter, none of us has ever stepped even on the veranda of a court or a police station,” boasts Rabindra.
“What is seen today was started nine years ago when some youths of our village went to Jeypore to bring preacher Gupteswar Padhi to our village. After learning basic things from him, they are now running the ’Satsang’ camp. Similarly, if the present Yoga guru discontinues due to some reason, one who has become an expert among us will take charge of Yoga classes,” says Rabindra.
PNN