Unfortunate that some people link spirituality with religion: PM Narendra Modi

"India's spirituality is India's strength. But unfortunately some people link spirituality with religion," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

New Delhi: Hailing spirituality as India's strength, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lamented that some people tend to link it to religion and asserted that the two are very different.

Addressing a function here to commemorate the centenary celebrations of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), he said Yoga is the first step towards the journey of spirituality.

Modi said the world compares India on the basis of its population, GDP or employment rate, but it has neither known nor recognised India for its spirituality.

"India's spirituality is its strength. But, it is unfortunate that some people link spirituality to religion. But both spirituality and religion are very different," he said.

"The two are very different," he said after releasing a commemorative stamp on the centenary celebrations of YSS of India.

The YSS was founded 100 years ago with its headquarters in Ranchi by Paramahansa Yogananda to spread the message of Indian spirituality in foreign shores. 

Yogananda, who lived in the US from 1920 until his death in 1952, authored the "Autobiography of a Yogi", a spiritual classic that is credited with helping millions around the world to embrace spirituality.

The Prime Minister lamented that some people linked spirituality with religion. 

Describing yoga as the entry point to spirituality, Modi called upon the people to make it part of their life. 

"Once an individual develops an interest in yoga and starts diligently practising it, it will always remain a part of his or her life," he added.