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Swami Ramdev, also known as Baba Ramdev, is an Indian Hindu swami (saint).

Early life

Ramdev was born as Ramkishan at Alipur, in Mahendragarh district of Haryana; he studied up to Class 8 in Shahjadpur and then joined a gurukul in Khanpur village to learn Sanskrit. From there he went to Jind district and joined the Kalva gurukul and later imparted free Yoga training to villagers across Haryana.It is said that he travelled the Himalayas for several years before he settled in Haridwar. He discovered several medicinal plants in the Himalayas which he uses in treating his patients. Swami Ramdev started relentless efforts to popularise Yoga in 1995 with the establishment of Divya Yoga Mandir Trust, along with Acharya Karamveer and Acharya Balkrishna.

Swami

- In 1995, Swamiji joined the order of ancient-monks.

- Swami Ramdev was initiated into the ascetic order by Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj. - In the course of pursuing his ascetic endeavors, Swamiji spent many years undertaking a thorough study of ancient Indian scriptures. At the same time, he also practiced intense self-discipline and meditation. - He teaches that God resides in every human being and that the body is God's temple. He is a firm believer in the concept of Vasudaiv Kutambakam (the whole World is one family) and decries practices that discriminate on the basis of caste, creed or gender. His fundamental belief is that expressions of love, affection and compassion towards all living things are the true worship of the Creator. - Swamiji has taught several aspects of traditional Indian scriptures such as Ashtadhyayee, Mahabhashya and Upanishads along with six systems of Indian Philosophy in various Gurukuls (traditional Indian systems of education). He has helped establish Gurukuls in Kishangarh, Ghashera, and Mahendragarh in India. Swamiji has also founded the Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust which has built several institutions. In addition to helping people learn about Yoga and spirituality, these institutions also provide a comprehensive facility that promotes the practice of Ayurveda - the traditional system of holistic medicine developed in India. - Swamiji's unique contribution has been in helping ordinary people lead a healthy life through the practice of Pranayama. In very simple terms, Pranayama can be thought of as a series of techniques for breath control that were developed as a part of the ancient Indian system of Yoga. Heretofore, these techniques were often thought of as being esoteric and complex and portrayed as being unsuitable for lay people. Consequently, their use was often limited to advanced practitioners of Yoga and undertaken only under the strict supervision of an experienced teacher. Swamiji has worked diligently to break these barriers and help make the practice of Pranayama achievable by the ordinary layperson. - - He has devised a set of six simple Pranayama breathing exercises as listed in the section below. These techniques have been readily embraced by the general public as evidenced by the following facts: -
- Swamiji's educational show is broadcast on Indian national TV (AASTHA channel)from morning 6-8 am and evening 8-9 pm (IST) several times a week and he also has dedicated shows such as Total Tandurusti airing on Zee network, a show on Sahara One at 9:00 am, Yoga Science on IndiaTV at 7:30 am & 1:30 pm. Total viewership is in millions. According to the synopsis that is available to Sky Digital viewers, Swami Ramdev "claims that he was a paralytic" prior to taking up yoga, but this claim has yet to be completely verified. -
- Swamiji has been invited to hold monthly training camps in cities all over India. Total attendance in these camps exceeds tens of thousands. - -
Viewers of the TV show and attendees at the camp have reported significant improvements in their health - citing relief from many illnesses such as Diabetes, Heart Disease, Arthritis, Thyroid Problems, Hypertension, Stomach ailments and different types of cancer without the use of any medicines. But it should also be noted that most of these 'patients' speak on television for the first time and are over awed by the situation. Like most human beings in such situations, these patients are suceptible to exageration, which may explain the so called miracles he is rumored to perform.

Pranayama

The Pranayam program as taught by Swami Ramdev consists of the following six key breathing exercises (in sequence):

1. Bhastrika Pranayam
2. Kapal Bhati Pranayam
3. Baahya Pranayam
4. Anulom Vilom Pranayam
5. Bhramri Pranayam
6. Udgeeth Pranayam

Controversy

In the month of March 2005, about 113 workers employed by the Divya Yog Mandir Trust, Kankhal, Haridwar, owned by Ramdev started an agitation for minimum wages and for coverage under the Provident Fund and Employees' State Insurance schemes. At a tripartite meeting, an agreement was reached between the workers, management and the district administration. But, some agitating workers were dismissed by the Trust after being charged for alleged sabotage. Their case was taken up by a trade union controlled by Communist Party of India (Marxist), they are yet to be reinstated.

As part of their agitation, Brinda Karat, a CPI(M) leader, and prominent anti-Swami propagandist, called a press conference alleging un-healthy manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical company. She also accused the pharmacy of using animal and human parts in the manufacture of their ayurvedic medicines which were marketed as ayurvedic medicines. Though Ayurvedic texts allow the uses of such substances in the manufacture of some of the ayurvedic medicines, this violated, according to Brinda Karat, the laws related to proper labeling of medicines.

The controversy reached a flash-point in January 2006, when Brinda Karat produced a laboratory report supporting her claim that Divya Yog Pharmacy, owned by Ramdev, was using human and animal bones in his medicines. She claimed that a sample of the medicine (Kuliya Bhasm and Yauvanamrit Bati, purchased from Brahmakalp Chikitsalay, which is the Trust's hospital at Haridwar) was tested at government labs which later confirmed the presence of animal materials in the sample. She exhibited the prescription and cash receipt obtained from the medicine counter in support of her claim.

In a subsequent press conference Brinda Karat presented some of the expelled workers who claimed to have used Human skulls in preparing medicine. According to supporters of Swami Ramdev, this incident reeked of foulplay as the worker's were clearly seen being led and coerced into making statements by Ms.Karat in front of press. Brinda Karat was also known to make anti-Hindu statements in public.

The charges were denied by Ramdev and his followers who accused Brinda Karat and CPI(M) as anti-nationals and as agents of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Four samples sent to the government-recognized research center (Shriram Institute of Industrial Research, Delhi) confirmed that the medicines contained no objectionable ingredients and were purely herbal. Uttaranchal state Health Minister Tilak Raj Behad announced this to BBC in March 2006. This refuted Karat's claims that Ramdev was part of any wrongdoing. Ancient Ayurvedic texts do, at times, proscribe the use of animal materials.
For additional perspectives on this issue please follow the links below.,,,

Many poliricians, including those usually supportive of the left like Sharad Pawar, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Ambika Soni came out in support of Baba Ramdev (http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=113&page=2). VHP and RSS spokesmen strongly condemned this attack on Ramdev, while Narayan Dutt Tiwari, CM of Uttaranchal, praised Ramdev for popularizing Uttaranchal and Haridwar.

Notes

1. In the Name of Ayurveda (Frontline : Volume 23;Issue 02, Jan. 28 - February 10, 2006)
2. See the editorial in The Hindu dated 10th January 2006
3. International Council of Ayurveda - January 5, 2006 (you will need to page down to the article - MORE SUPPORT FOR SWAMI RAMDEV)
4. The Telegraph - January 08, 2006
5. Asia Times - Jan 28, 2006
6. Newsweek International - Jan. 23, 2006
7. BBC News - Yogi cleared of animal parts row - March 8th, 2006

External links

• The Hindu editorial on the controversy
• The republic and the wayward rationalist - Essay by P. Sainath

• Yogis