Ranchi, Feb. 17: A few thousand people thronged the Morabadi grounds today to listen to the discourse of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Popularly known as Guruji, he first delivered a lecture followed by bhajans in his enchanting voice.

The Art of Living unit of Ranchi has arranged a four-day satsang that began this evening.

Dressed in simple white with a shawl slung on his shoulder, Ravi Shankar ascended the stage built for holding the satsang. Greeting people with his charismatic smile he started his discourse.

“Mind without anxiety and healthy body is birth right of every human being. One who manages to maintain this is able to achieve atma gyan (self-knowledge) that helps in connecting with god,” he said, amid silent admiration from the audience.

Seated on a finely decorated sofa, Ravi Shankar spoke at length about the importance of cleanliness. “Before I came here, I went to Patamda in East Singhbhum. The villagers keep their place very clean compared to cities. The city dwellers have to learn about cleanliness from them. Through cleanliness one can reach god,” said the guru.

Several VIPs like former Assembly speaker Inder Singh Namdhari, advisor to the Governor T.P. Sinha and several IAS officers were present today. For the remaining three days, the spiritual guru would impart lessons on art of living as well as hold yoga camps for the devotees that will start from 6 to 8am.

After the satsang, Ravi Shankar will leave for Hotwar jail tomorrow to meet the prisoners while a visit to Latehar jail is slated for the next day. His charter of plans also includes a foundation laying ceremony of Gyan Mandir at Boriya, some 10km from the city.