Sarve Bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramaya, sarve bhadrani pashyantu, ma kischid dukh bha bahwet!!!
Dear Friends!
I am asked by a friend of mine to clear some of your doubts regarding your concern for visiting Bihar in order to fulfil your yoga (spiritual) quest. He thought I may be able to help out.
First of all, probably you already know about Bihar School of Yoga though their yogavision dot net. But I would like to share information from my own experience as I attended a course there in mid 90s. It used to be eight and half month course a Ganga Darshan, Munger. I don’t know if they have that course any more. Now most common course are 4 months long - Usually two in Hindi and 1 or 2 in english every year. It is a great school no doubt. it is tough in the begining for everyone but once time progresses and rythm builds up, everyone does fine there. When i attended law and order was very bad in Bihar (that had virtually no effect on Ashram even then) because the government of Rabari Devi (then Premier of the state) and her husband and current Indian Railway minister Mr. Lalu Prasad yadav basically made all sorts of “Gunda Gardi” flourish in the state. Almost all honest police officers left the state and only corrupt officials were running the state administration. But three years ago, a new government came in power under the chief ministership of Mr. Nitish Kumar. He is able to restore the law and order. All the top Police officers who were known for their integrity and simply could not work with Lalu/Rabri like D. N Gautham, Nilmani etc. they are back in the state with top positions. And at this moment, Bihar , is probably one of the top 5 states in terms of law and order among all Indian states. Some people say that Bihar Administration is best run in last 50 years. It used to be kidnapping for ransom a daily thing one part of the state or the other. That has completely disappeared. Most of the criminals are either in Jail or left the province. I was talking to some of my relatives just couple of days ago and they mentioned that this new chief minister has not done much for the development yet people are happy for single reason - That is they are not living their lives under fear anymore. So I don’t think you should worry too much about your safety in Bihar. It is a different Bihar today than it was 5 years ago.
I was born and raised in Vaishali (about 100 Kilometer from Munger). Same Vaishali where Budhdha spent 10+ years out of his entire 80 years life span.
Bihar School of Yoga have some kind of affiliation with local university - Tilka Manjhi University, Bhagalpur. When i attended a large number of students came from Australia and Eastern Europe. I don’t know if that has changed.
All I can say, if you can make good effort, then you will get quite a lot out of attending BSY. Teachers are excellent. Swami Niranjana Nand Saraswati seem to help this Ashram in great deal and that why it attracts large number of seekers from abroad. I guess rest everything you can find on their website.
Once again on your safety concern in Bihar, no matter where you go in India, there will be a concern if you are not little careful. Bihar is no different. But I think this is one of the very best place to experience Yoga in its highest form - all practical stuff.
Let me know if you have any other concern. Hope this posting helps.
Hari OM
