Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have been spotted visiting ashrams and talking to spiritual gurus many times. The cricketer who had once laughed and said, ‘Do I look like the pooja-path type to you?’, started walking on the spiritual path after getting married to the PK actress. Although the couple has kept their children away from the limelight, the family of four has travelled to Vrindavan many times to seek blessings.
After announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Vrindavan again to talk and get blessed by Shri Premanand Govind Sharnaji Maharaj. While engaging in deep conversation, the cricketer was seen holding a small device in his hands that aroused the curiosity of many netizens. Many thought that it was a unique digital ring. So, here is everything about the device that Virat Kohli was holding in his hand when he visited the Maharaj.
The device held by Virat Kohli is used for chanting and counting Japa
The ring-like device that Virat Kohli was spotted wearing at the ashram was a digital Japa counter. Japa is a religious practice of chanting a mantra or a god’s name repeatedly for a particular number of times. The digital counter helps people to keep a tally of how many times they have chanted. The machine has a digital screen and a small button. After each chanting, the button is clicked, which registers the tally and displays it on the screen. Earlier, people used prayer beads or mala to keep a tally, some people still use the beads even now. However, because of the convenience, a lot of devotees have started using the Japa machine instead.
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli asked the Maharaj if chanting is enough
The couple had visited the ashram to seek the blessing of Maharaj and to clear some of their doubts regarding a few spiritual practices. Hence, the actress asked Shri Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj if chanting God’s name was enough. The guru replied that chanting, or naam jap, was enough to indulge oneself in devotion. He attested to his advice by saying that he had personally attained Bhakti Yoga after going through Sankhya, Ashtanga and Karma Yoga. The Maharaj also advised Virat Kohli about his spiritual journey and said:
“Prosperity is not only God’s blessings, it is the result of virtue. Transformation of the inner self is said to be a movement towards the divine. Live exactly as the way you have been living, engaged in all the worldly matters, but your inner self should change. There should not be any desire for anymore fame within . Your inner thoughts should say, ‘Lord, I have spent a lot of life, now I only seek You’.”
Why do Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, and many other people practice Japa?
Japa is a meditative practice which is a part of many religions. The repetitive chanting of a mantra or a divine is said to help with spiritual growth. It is believed that chanting helps to keep the mind under control, dispels negative thoughts, and brings peace of mind. As per his teammates, Virat Kohli chants ‘Om Namah Shivay‘ before he faces each ball. It helped the cricketer to keep his mind clear of any doubts. Hence, with his Japa machine as well, many speculate that the cricketer chants this same mantra.
Virat Kohli has visited many temples with Anushka Sharma to seek blessings
Virat Kohli has shown a spiritual side of him since he got married to Anushka Sharma. During a press conference in 2016, the cricketer had laughed and said, ‘Do I look like the prayers and worship type?’ when an interviewer asked him if he prayed to keep himself calm during tense game situations. However, a change was visible after Kohli married long-time girlfriend and actress, Anushka Sharma. The couple have been spotted at many temples and ashrams around the country. On their last visit to the Maharaj , the couple had also brought their children, Vamika and Akaay.
Virat Kohli visited the spiritual guru after announcing his retirement from Test Cricket
Virat Kohli recently took to his social media and announced that he has retired from the longest format of cricket, which is Test matches. The cricketer had already retired from the T20 format since last year. He will still be playing in ODI matches, but such matches are very infrequent and not as regular as the other two formats. So, Virat Kohli will be playing very few matches after his Test retirement.
Virat Kohli has always been known to be passionate about the game. His drive to do better and better after each and every match was unstoppable. Hence, saying goodbye to one of the most challenging cricket formats would have been a difficult decision for him. Hence, after announcing this decision, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Vrindavan and met Shri Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj to get guidance and his blessing.
What are your thoughts on the Japa machine used by Virat Kohli? Let us know.
Also Read: Virat Kohli And Anushka Sharma Visit Premanand Ji Maharaj In Vrindavan, Ask, ‘Kya Naam Jap Se Ho…’