In today’s societal environment, despite people having access to all facilities, meditation practices and mental development yoga exercises are essential to alleviate the suffering surrounding them and to achieve liberation from it. This was stated by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vetanayahan, during his speech as the chief guest at an event held on Wednesday evening (15.10.2025) to mark the ninth anniversary of Arivu Thirukkovil, located on Brown Road, Jaffna.
The Governor further elaborated: Our epics and scriptures highlight that Hindu sages, through penance and meditation in the Himalayan foothills, attained divine blessings. In this regard, I commend the services of Arivu Thirukkovil Meditation Center, established in the eastern part of Kokkuvil, Jaffna, for providing these practices to our people. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the administrators of Arivu Thirukkovil Meditation Center for their dedicated efforts in ensuring these practices are accessible to all.
Generally, every person seeks health, peace, and happiness. Health can certainly be cultivated. If the quality of meditation becomes part of us, peace and happiness will naturally manifest. Meditation is not an action; it is a way of life. Our goal is to exist in a state of meditation. We speak of performing every action in a meditative state. This is the quality we all aspire to bring into our lives. When this happens, being healthy, peaceful, and joyful becomes effortless.
I would like to remind you of the words of the philosopher Aristotle, who said that if a person’s mind is not pure, neither wealth nor strength will bring them true benefit. In the context of meditation, mental purity is paramount. A calm mind, sharp focus, clarity of thought, improved communication, blossoming of skills and talents, unwavering inner strength, self-regulation, connection with inner peace, relaxation, and rejuvenation are the natural outcomes of consistent meditation practice. In a world where stress accumulates faster than the mind can perceive, we must harness the power of meditation to attain peace and joy.
Thinkers and scholars across all nations have contemplated the pervasive suffering in humanity and sought solutions. Through divine and disciplined thinking, sages worldwide identified lifestyle practices aligned with righteousness to address physical and mental imbalances and promote rejuvenation. These teachings and achievements have guided humanity toward elevated living. The lifestyle practices developed through the teachings and accomplishments of these great minds are what we now follow as the art of yoga.
Our esteemed guest speaker, Mr. Subramaniam Sathasivam, popularly known as ‘Suki Sivam,’ has established the ‘Hindu Dharma Vidya Peedam’ in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing Hindu principles. Through this organization, he has been diligently conducting programs on the art of living. Known for his popular television programme ‘Intha Naal Iniya Naal’ on Sun TV, he has earned widespread acclaim among Tamil audiences and the title of ‘Solvendhar’ (King of Oratory). His essays and speeches have been published in several books. I am delighted that such an eminent orator is participating in this event and sharing insightful thoughts with us.
It is noteworthy that Kalaimamani Solvendhar Suki Sivam was also present as a special guest at this event.
