3 Clear Messages from Kanniyakumari as PM Narendra Modi Meditates There 131 Years after His Namesake

The day was exactly 131 years ago — May 31, 1893 — when Swami Vivekananda, originally named Narendra Dutta, left for Chicago to deliver his iconic address at the World Parliament of Religions where he surprised many by calling the delegates, “My fellow brothers and sisters”. Narendra Modi, ever since his 2023 Independence Day speech, has often used the phrase “Mere parivarjan”.

131 years ago, Swami Vivekananda, meditated at the rock memorial that is now named after the saint. Modi too is meditating for two days, at the end of a long election campaign, as if trying to get ready for something bigger, grander. Though the similarities are uncanny and there are many, we will focus on the three strong images that have come out of Kanniyakumari and the embedded messages.

Saffron Symbolism

PM Narendra Modi is known to be unapologetic when it comes to wearing his beliefs. Be it participation in religious activities before the new Parliament House’s inauguration or the Ram Mandir consecration. He has often taken a dip in a holy river and worn the saffron colour. This time, in Kanniyakumari, saffron is the only colour for two days. With his kurta and dhoti both dark saffron, he has also draped himself in a saffron shawl to underline his comfort with the colour.

While this is not a political event, the message is loud and clear — the Prime Minister will work for “sab ka vikas”, but in his personal capacity, he will remain a staunch Hindu, regardless of his opponents’ liking or otherwise.

PM Modi considers this colour to be the colour of sacrifice. In 2010, when he was the Gujarat chief minister and the then UPA government at the Centre coined the term “saffron terrorism”, Modi had hit out saying, “The saffron-attired young sanyasi Vivekananda had enhanced the prestige of India in the comity of nations. Is this sacrifice of tapasvis like Vivekananda part of saffron terror tradition for the Congress government?”

Meditation, Om, And Venue

By meditating for two days and in front of a large Om sign, the Prime Minister is sending out a message about his deep-rooted beliefs in the power of ancient Indic traditions, something that made him insist the United Nations announce a day dedicated to yoga.

The Prime Minister can be seen clad in a saffron dhoti-kurta doing meditation amid Om chants. PM Modi will engage in a continuous meditation session from the evening of May 30 to the evening of June 1 at the Dhyan Mandapam.

The choice of the venue is considered to be a message of national unity as well given the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal converging at this spot.

Rudraksh Count

In several photos, PM Modi is seen holding a Rudraksh Mala that he is counting on while walking around. The Isha Foundation says, “In the yogic tradition, Rudraksha is considered as the ‘Tears of Shiva’ and not just an accessory or a piece of jewellery. It is seen as an instrument for inner transformation.”

It is very supportive in maintaining physical and mental balance. For spiritual seekers, it helps to enhance one’s spiritual growth. When counting mantras or names of deities on a mala, 108 repetitions are usually completed.

While it is unclear which deity’s name if any, PM Modi chanted, the message was clear — personally, he remains a devout Hindu and no amount of political pressure or criticism can take it away from his persona.

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