(http://nirmukta.com) Self appointed National Saint Baba Ramdev
Swamiji is all over the media space following the interruption of his so called
crusade against corruption and black money. The legacies of Mahatma Gandhi,
Shivaji and the Jalianwala bagh massacre have been invoked by the self
proclaimed Swami himself to justify his actions. Is Ramdev a Saint? Here are
some of his claims, debunked.
Claim 1:
Baba
Ramdev claims that he suffered from paralysis of the left side of his body
during childhood and that his life changed after he read Rishi Dayanand and
autobiographies of many great people [See]. Great!
Have
a close look at his video.
His
right forehead has no wrinkles and his right eye does not wink as much as the
left side. (Another video of the same problem is also provided here
for comparison)
These
findings are suggestive of lower motor neurone paralysis of the right facial
nerve, also called Bell’s palsy. It varies in severity and in many, it
recoveres spontaneously, fully or partly. The lower motor neurone paralysis of
the facial nerve is an isolated,. local problem, not associated with paralysis
of the other parts of the body. (Paralysis of one half of the body, called
hemiplegia, is associated with an upper motor neurone type of facial palsy,
wherein the forehead wrinkling and closure of eyelids remain unaffected). In
Ramdev’s case, the right LMN facial palsy appears to have recovered partially.
He DOES NOT have any evidence of left sided paralysis. His claim of a left
sided paralysis is a lie and it also shows his total ignorance of simple
medical facts.
Claim 2:
Ramdev
claims that he luckily met Ācārya Balkrishna, ‘a kindred soul and a
schoolmate’, at the Gangotri caves of lofty Himalayas, where both were on a
‘similar quest’. [See1,2]
Balakrishna
instead is alleged to be a criminal on the run from Nepal and is being
investigated for procuring a fake Indian passport and for violating the Arms
Act. [See1,2]
Claim 3:
While
Ramdev claims that he has earned a postgraduate (Ācārya) degree with
specialization in Sanskrit Vyākarana, Yoga, Darśana, Vedas and Upanisads,
Balakrishna goes further by claiming to be a simple and unassuming versatile
genius who is a great scholar of Āyurveda, sanskrit language and grammar, and
the Vedas with a postgraduate (Ācārya) degree from Sampurnanand Sanskrit
Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi. [See1,2]
In
India, formal education in Ayurveda involves four and a half years of training
followed by one year of internship, leading to the award of BAMS degree.
Neither Ramdev nor Balakrishna have any such qualification. Yet they have been
allowed to prescribe treatments for various ailments and also to manufacture,
market and dispense several products which they claim are based on Ayurveda.
The Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi does not offer any post
graduate courses in Ayurveda [Sources:SSVand my discussion with the PIO, SSV
at+91-9415201031]. It is not clear as to what post graduation did the ‘great
scholar’ Balakrishna do at this institute.
Claim 4:
Ramdev
and Balakrishna duo claim of post graduation and such expertise in yoga that
they have taken upon themselves the ‘onerous responsibility of demystifying and
popularizing Patañjali’s yoga and ayurveda’ through television channels and
camps that are attended by thousands. [See]
But
the self proclaimed scholar appears to be clumsy in perfoming even a simple
asana as is evident in this video grab of Vakrasana. [See]
Compare
it with another video, showing the correct method of performing the same
Vakrasana.[See]
So
much for the Gurus’ Yoga Vidya Parinati!
Claim 5:
With
their self proclaimed genius and scholarly knowledge in Yoga and Ayurveda, they
claim to have cured lacs of patients [See Balakrishna's claim]
(or crores?See Ramdev’s claim) of a
‘number of stubborn, chronic and incurable diseases like diabetes, rheumatism,
osteo-arthritis, gout (rheumatism and arthritis), migraine, cervical
spondylitis, respiratory disorders, asthma, cancer, nervous disorder, heart
disease, brain diseases, etc!’ It is also claimed that ‘these successful
treatments have been documented by Ācāryaji in his renowned book: Yoga In
Synergy With Medicial Science.’[See] The duo also claim
that whatever experiments they have done so far prove that yoga can be a
solution for all the problems of the world and that there will be heaven on
earth. [See]
But
where is the evidence? No where in the above mentioned book or in the lists of
the so called research publications of the duo one would find any evidence
supporting such grandiose claims..[See1,2] And the duo have no
respect for numbers: lacs or crores simply do not matter!
Claim 6:
Baba
Ramdev claims to have ‘a vision to make a disease free world through a scientific
approach to Yoga and Ayurveda, to establish a new World Health Organisation, to
fulfill the resolution of making a new world order free from disease and
medicine, to propagate Pranayam as a “free” medicine for the treatment of
diseases round the globe, making the world a peaceful and tranquil place by
using Yogic techniques to eradicate fatal effects of medicines’ etc. [See]
But
his Divya Pharmacy manufactures and sells about 285 drugs and other products at
nooks and corners of the country! [See] The total turnover
from these sales, as per his own admission, is about 1100 crores! [See] And there have been
reports of immense suffering and even deaths following the use of his drugs and
remedies. [See1,2]
Claim 7:
Baba
Ramdev claims to tread a path of transparency! [See].
But
several allegations of amassing assets worth thousands of crores and grabbing
land have been levelled against him. [See1,2,3,4] and the enforcement
directorate and income tax dept. are now probing these issues.[See1,2]
Claim 8:
Baba
Ramdev claims that non-political life is one of the norms of good conduct.[See].
Claim 9:
Baba
Ramdev claims that always staying calm and being devoid of an arrogance as his
Work Philosophy[See] and that daily
practice of yoga not only gives good health but also develops healthy thoughts,
attitude, positive mind and develops good qualities and that a healthy and
sensitive mind and body will be free from all kinds of violence, casteism,
regionalism, communal differences and gradually there shall be more of harmony,
love, peace, humanism, sense of service, empathy and tolerance in this world. [See] Moreover, as a Yoga
Guru he is expected to have attained Chittha Vritthi Nirodha as well.
But
he has now warned of violence and threatened to train an army of 11,000
followers! [See1,2,3] And his demand for
death penalty for offenders of corruption is also indicative of his violent
mindset. [See1,2]
Claim 10:
Chittha
Vritthi Nirodha with yoga?
Both
Ramdev and Balakrishna broke down after being shunted out of Ramlila maidan.
[See1,2]
r for ramdev and r for rasputin
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