Acharya Balkrishan is a scholar in Sanskrit as well as in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. After several years of penance and perseverance, he has evolved treatments for various chronic ailments, including high blood pressure. He has been providing succour to thousands of patients down with innumerable physical and mental illnesses. Under the benign and inspiring guidance of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishan and Muktanand established Patanjali Herbal Garden near Patanjali Yogapeeth at Maharshi Dayanand Gram, Bahadarabad, Haridwar. The garden has a collection of over 150 medicinal plants. Sunil Kumar of The Pioneer talked to Acharya Balkrishan in Haridwar. Here are some excerpts of the tete-a-tete.
Please tell us something about the research Patanjali is now engaged in to promote the cause of AyurvedaIJ
Currently, we are busy in preparing a world herbal encyclopedia, which would be a unique and detailed compendium of the scattered knowledge of all the medicinal plants and their widespread usages. The work has been compiled and authentically arranged, based on extensive research and data collection from various electronics resources, data bases, published, unpublished, hand- written materials, rare manuscripts and books available so far. This would be unique because around 150 scholars are busy in the compilation fot the past five to six years. It would run into around 80,000 to one lakh pages. It will be made available in 60-70 volumes.
There is a general perception that Patanjali outlets, which are meant for selling medicines, are now rather over-brimming with FMCG products like biscuits, flours, spices and shampoo. How do you take thisIJ
We founded Patanjali Chikitsalaya (hospital), hoping that we would treat the people afflicted with incurable diseases like Diabetes, Rheumatism, Osteo-arthritis, Gout, Migraine, Cervical Spondylitis, respiratory disorder, Asthma, Cancer, nervous disorder and heart disease. After treating millions of people, we felt that time had come to get into the root of such diseases. Against this perspective, we decided to launch food processing units and this would be the first in the country where 700-800 items are being manufactured in a premise.
Earlier, Patanjali turnover was around Rs1,000-1,200 crore per annum, but now, you have declared turnover of more than Rs2,000 crore. How have you made this possible and whom would you give the credit for this achievementIJ
As you know that during the Congress-led UPA regime-both UPA I and II- they literally waged crusade against Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali. They targeted me too by foisting several fabricated cases on me. During that period, all departments, including Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate, kept visiting our premises on one pretext or another. They kept targeting us because they were unable to sleep due to our consistent efforts to get out of all this. We believe in honesty. So, we maintained the quality of our products. This is the reason why they could not have us hooked with what is called clinching evidence. However, by attempting to hook us thus, they have helped us a lot.
People, who were watching us closely, were convinced in due course that we are churning out the best products in the world. This is why they did harass us, but could not punish us. We put all out efforts to come out of the bind. Finally, we came out because they failed to file chargesheet against us in any of the cases. It confirmed that we are on the right path. We suffered and also learnt a lot from such experiences. But we did one thing all through- maintaining the quality of all we produce.
For instance, a cabinet minister, who could not muster courage to use our products like tooth paste because of AICC president Sonia Gandhi remaining hostile to us found himself in a piquant plight. He did not get a substitute for our toothpaste. In a fit of desperation, he requested us to send toothpaste sans Patanjali wrapper. Understanding his situation, we sent whatever such people wanted. This incident motivated us a lot and we finally managed to get out of the vicious vortex of political vendetta.
Your turnover has crossed Rs2,000 crore. You have achieved this, using the land known as Deobhoomi as your base. What you are doing for the welfare of UttarakhandIJ Are you doing something for the State under the corporate social responsibility (CSR)IJ If yes, then what kind of work you are doing for the uplift of the locals hereIJ
Uttarakhand witnessed devastation in June 2013 disaster. Being a part of Uttarakhand, we rushed to the Guptkashi in Rudraprayag district and sent several trucks full of ready-to-eat rations immediately after the disaster. I myself remained stationed at Guptkashi, where a control- room was made functional. Those rescued were taken to the places where they wanted to go. We distributed relief materials round the clock for the destitute. Besides, when flood occurred in Bihar Patanjali opened 28 langers (community kitchens) from where cooked food was distributed among the starved. Seeing our food quality good and nutritious, someone commented that they did not get such high quality food even during the marriage feasts. Although we were not overflowing with money, we did not close our langers. It remained open until the last person staying at the relief camp left for his home.
You have said the demand of your medicines is growing fast. Please tell us more.
Since 1997, we have been trying to collect the valuable medicinal plants and to ensure that they grow in the gardens. Divya Vanaushadhi Vatika was established in the Ashram at Kankhal, Haridwar. later, to explore more possibilities of a large number of wide collections, exposition and research of medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants, Patanjali herbal garden was established. A team of scientists specialising in Botany and agriculture along with a number of volunteers are now engaged in research.
Modern systems of medicine have been struggling for years on to find cures for a number of diseases afflicting the people now with the texture of life having seen a sea-change. Despite intensive research on their part, some diseases like Diabetes, Rheumatism, Osteo- Arthritis and Gout are still incurable. Indian sages, from ancient times, have, however, prescribed successful treatment to many of such diseases. Based on their principles and the classic scriptures, works related to research and development in the realm of Ayurveda have been undertaken intensively by Ayurveda Chikitsalaya which is being run by Divya Yog Mandir Trust at Haridwar.
You said you have treated several patients suffering from incurable diseases so far. It means you have given direct challenge to the reign of Allopath. Yet, Allopath has a separate section called veterinary meant for animals. Is Ayurveda, in general and Patanjali, in particular, working on this fieldIJ
It is true that we have treated millions of patients suffering from incurable diseases and states, including coma, under which a patient is considered half-dead. Now, we are working on animal diseases too. As I said earlier, we are inclined to get to the root of the diseases. So, we are about to launch a project involving fodder for animals to ensure that the animals are inherently healthy. We are for developing immunity in them so that they themselves fight the diseases. Besides, we are now working on how to increase milk production. We are going to do such works in conjunction with the cottage industry.
We have heard you had intensively searched for the mythical Sanjivani, which is mentioned in our holy scriptures like Ramayana. You once claimed that Sanjivani would prove the panacea. But now you are exercising a studied silence on this elixir. WhyIJ
let me tell you one thing. There was a delusion (bharnti) that Sanjivani is a single medicine or it is a particular medicinal plant. It is mentioned only in Balmiki’s Ramayana. You will not find Sanjivani as such in any scripture other than Ramayana. We know that it has some qualities- detoxification of the effects of drugs, healing power that is extensively used in plastic surgery and optimum effectiveness during the night hours.
For instance, lord Hanuman was asked to fetch the medicine before the sun rises. This means it loses its medicinal attributes once the sun comes up or its active component acts best during the nocturnal hours. Moreover, lord Hanuman was asked to bring the Sanjivani plant alive. This prodded him to bring it with its root and branch together. In a nut shell, the plant is supposed to rejuvenate the brain. We have not yet reached up to level of its clinical trial though. We, however, found the place where lord Hanuman had brought the plant.
In course of my research, I find that Sanjivani is Saussurea Gossypiphora. Now, researches and development works on the matter are going on in full swing. However, it will take time to bear fruition. Meanwhile, we have done genome sequencing of Saussurea Gossypiphora in a US-based laboratory, the first in the country.
You said you are doing a lot of research. However, the mass of the people is yet to get attached to Ayurveda principally because of its exorbitant costs. There is a perception that Ayurveda medicines cost more than the allopathic ones. What are your plans to make Ayurveda reach out to the common peopleIJ
This is a completely wrong perception. Here in Patanjali, Cancer treatment involves around Rs1,000-Rs2,000 per month. We know how expensive its Allopathic counterpart is. Here, it costs around Rs1,200 per day, including treatment, lodging and others. There is perception that Patanjali has increased prices of its medicines. For instance, earlier, Triphala powder was sold @ Rs15 per 100 grams, but now, it is being sold @ Rs25 per 100 grams. It means Patanjali has started making money at the people’s expense.
Rather, the reverse is true. We have been maintaining our quality. Earlier, we used to sell the product for Rs5 per 100 grams-the price was much less than the production cost. Now, with the cost having gone up further, we raised its price. As far as prices are concerned, we have forced other Ayurveda medicine manufacturing companies to reduce prices. For instance, earlier, Aloe Vera was sold @ Rs1,300 per litre by the foreign companies. When we started selling Aloe Vera @ Rs200 per litre, they brought it down to Rs300 per litre. In short, we have helped in reducing the prices. The people are now understading that this has happened due to our efforts.
We know Patanjali has treated millions of people. The process is on. But the question is - how are you helping the people in areas other than medicines and medical treatmentIJ
Uttarakhand was ravaged in 2013 calamity. Thousands of people died or got crippled. Hundreds of children, who saw their parents drowning, turned orphan. To wipe off their tears and to help them come back to life, we have over 100 such orphans enrolled in a private school at Guptkashi. Patanjali is paying all expenses-educational and others. Now, the locals say the anathema of the disaster has proved a boon for them. True, they lost their parents. This loss is irreparable. But, at the same time, it has paved ways for their bright future.
We have heard that Patanjali is now collecting cow urine. People are curious. Please give us details.
Currently, the mission is in progress. Collection of cow urine is a part of the education we are imparting to the children. We have placed drums in a few schools in Uttarkashi, where children are getting free education. We make it a point that they bring cow fluid in polythene or other containers when they come to the school. They are attending schools regularly and getting quality education, free of cost. It means we are helping the poor children through our cow urine mission.
What is the philosophy that Patanjali envisionsIJ
Our philosophy is Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. Here, we are serving the people, irrespective of synthetic barriers like class, creed, colour and country. We do not discriminate between the rich and the poor either. If they have money they can have their food in the hotels. If they do not, they can visit our Ashram and have food along with us. We are running community kitchens to provide food to all, who visit us.
How has Patanjali reached this stageIJ
Our yoga, Ayurveda, philosophy of service and everything we stand for are complimentary to one another. For instance, way back in 2006, one day some locals from Haridwar approached Baba Ramdev. I was with him too. They said they would do away with their Awla orchards as the price of the wood had slumped to an abysmal low of Rs3 to Rs4 per kg. We decided to buy their produce (Awla). We sent them to a factory located in Punjab. There, we squeezed juice from Awla. We brought it to our factory, packed in tetra.
Then Baba Ramdev elucidated on the positive qualities of Awla. People then started consuming it as normal juice. This is how we have grown over time, taking sustenance right from the roots, taking the common people on board, serving them with unflinching care, expanding our frontiers, embracing all, disowning none.