Pune. World-renowned yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar passed away at 3.15 am. on Wednesday, August 20. Mr. Iyengar was undergoing treatment at a Pune-based hospital. The nonagenarian yoga guru was admitted last Tuesday after complaining of breathlessness.
On conducting tests, doctors last week had ascertained that Mr. Iyengar’s heart was weak and that his kidneys were not functioning normally, a condition further aggravated by complications owing to advanced age. However, at the time, they assured that Mr. Iyengar was fully conscious, sending out hopes of an early recovery.
“He did not want to be admitted to hospital even though he was unwell at home for almost three weeks. Iyengar had a cardiac (ailment) history. His condition subsequently worsened leading to renal failure after which he was put on dialysis,” Dr Deepali Mande, who attended on him, told PTI.
The yoga guru has had a history of heart disease and even suffered a couple of heart attacks in the past.
Mr. Iyengar, a sickly youth in his teens, is credited with integrating the eight aspects of astanga yoga known as ‘Iyengar’s Yoga’, and having thought such luminaries as English writer Aldous Huxley (who authored Brave New World and Eyeless in Gaza), philosopher and spiritualist J. Krishnamurti and violin titan Yehudi Menuhin.
He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan during the Republic Day celebrations earlier this year. PM Naendra Modi, has tweeted, “ Generations will remember Shri BKS Iyengar as a fine Guru, scholar & a stalwart who brought Yoga into the lives of many across the world.”
Shri Suresh (Bhayyaji) Joshi), Sarkaryavah Of Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh has expressed his grief and said, ” Death is imminent for who is born. But when one who is near and dear, or who has committed himself to a great public cause certainly leads to profound sorrow. In the passing away of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar we have lost a great exponent of Yoga, Bharat has gifted to the world in the modern times. It is indescribable in words our grief and the sense of loss. We pray The Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed soul and enough strength to his family, disciples and well wishers worldwide to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity. On behalf of all swayamsevaks of Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh I offer my humble pranams to the great soul.”