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Monday, June 22, 2009

Holy Men and Fools



The story of two Sadhus, Uma and Vasisht Giri, one a Swedish woman I have met and traveled with, the other a 29 year old Indian. Together they go on a pilgrimage of self-discovery into the high Himalayas to the source of the River Ganges, searching out saints and mystics of Yoga. Filmed by British documentarian Michael Yorke, whose learning is also reflected in the film. 71 min run time. (Narration in English, with Hindi and subtitles)
 
The pilgrimage through the holy places of the Himalayas ends up at Gangotri in 2004, while exploring their motivations, devotion, philosophy and sadhana.

The life of a Hindu Sadhu. In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for an ascetic or practitioner of yoga (yogi). The sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life, moksha (liberation), through meditation and contemplation of Brahman. Sadhus often wear ochre-colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation.

'Sādhu!' is also a Sanskrit and Pali term used as an exclamation for something well done.

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