After attempt on his life, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar advises shaken devotees to be brave and keep a smiling face

"Please continue to meditate and don't show that you are disturbed. The spiritual atmosphere will change the assailant's mind if he is still around, and he will be converted into a noble heart."

u00a0This is what spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar advised his devotees after an unidentified man opened fire at his convoy, narrowly missing him, and injuring a devotee yesterday at around 6 pm.
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A bomb squad inspects the ashram at Kanakapura Road, last night.

He was quoting from the Asthavakra Geetha, which is the spiritual conversation between Asthavakra and Janaka in mythology.

Quoting Yoga Vasistha, he added, "Ahimsa Prathisthayam Thath Sannidho Vaira Thyagaha" meaning that when people observe non-violence, enmity does not exist," said a devotee, who was on the spot when the incident happened on the ashram premises on Kanakapura road, a 45-minute drive from the city.

Ravishankar smilingly addressed the panicked devotees, "Please smile. If you can't make it, fake it, because that is the need of the hour."

Giri Govind, Ravi Shankar's personal secretary said, "Sundays are dedicated for locals, and he addresses the gathering in Kannada.

He was the same even after the incident calm, composed and smiling, which inspired the gathered people."



Soon after the incident, Ravi Shankar went to his Kuteeram, where he holds important discussions and meetings, and relaxed for while.

He came back to deliver Ashtavkra Geetha Pravachan, a 30-day discourse he started a week ago, at 7.30 pm which went on up to 9 pm.

"There was no change in his dinner timings, which is between 7 pm and 7 30 pm. He had the usual rice, rasam, roti and sabzi.

Nothing changed, except that he retired for the day at 10.30 pm, when his usual time is 11.30 pm," he added.

Before retiring, he went to the Kuteeram at 9.30 pm, to oversee the progress of some of the projects that the ashram has undertaken. He didn't utter a word about the incident during the discussion.

Gandhi Connection'

A devotee added that Ravishankar reminded him of Mahatma Gandhi, who had asked to continue the prayer at Birla Bhavan, when a bomb went off 17 days before he was shot dead in January 1948. Even the pistol used in the attack yesterday was a .32, which is similar to the Italian Beretta .32 ACP that Nathuram Godse used to kill Gandhi. How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story Sri Sri Ravi Shankar unhurt as gunman opens fire› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT