On the silver jubilee of Uttarakhand’s formation, Bharat Express News Network hosted a mega conclave titled ‘New India’s Talk, Uttarakhand’s Support’ in Dehradun on Friday. Patanjali Ayurveda’s Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishna, was a key speaker at the event, where he addressed various questions and discussed the role of Ayurveda in modern health.
Promoting Ayurveda Beyond Books
When asked about his book on Ayurveda, Acharya Balkrishna explained that Patanjali’s focus has always been on action rather than promotion. “Our work speaks for itself. What is visible to the world is the result of many invisible efforts,” he said.
Balkrishna further emphasized that while Ayurveda had long treated known diseases, Patanjali’s latest work includes over 500 new diseases, ensuring the ancient medical system stays relevant to modern challenges.
He also shared that Patanjali’s new book, “Saumitraya Nidanam,” was written in 18 verses to provide a modern understanding of diseases and their symptoms. This, he claimed, showed that Ayurveda is not behind in global medicine.
On Heart Disease and Modern Lifestyles
Balkrishna discussed the alarming rise of heart attacks among the young, attributing the problem to an unhealthy lifestyle. “We often feel fine, but we don’t know what the next moment holds. The key is following nature’s rules,” he said. He stressed that Ayurveda’s focus on routine, diet, and lifestyle is essential for maintaining health. “Correcting our daily habits can prevent diseases,” he added.
He also highlighted the importance of a diverse diet, something that Ayurveda advocates. “India’s dietary system is scientifically advanced. Unfortunately, we’ve become too reliant on wheat and rice,” Balkrishna said, noting the adverse effects of processed food like maida and polished rice on health.
Ayurveda vs. Traditional Chinese Medicine
Regarding the medical systems of India and China, Balkrishna praised Ayurveda as India’s leader, followed by systems like Unani and Siddha. He also discussed the rise of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), noting that before 1972, India and China had similar medical practices. “In 1972, China made a revolutionary change. They integrated Chinese medicine into the education system. Every medical student there must study Chinese medicine for three years,” he explained.
Balkrishna pointed out that many students who study MBBS in China must first learn Chinese medicine, highlighting the country’s dedication to its traditional system. He questioned why India cannot adopt a similar approach, suggesting that both modern medicine and traditional knowledge can coexist without conflict.
The Preventative Power of Ayurveda
He concluded by reaffirming Ayurveda’s preventative approach to health. “Ayurveda does not just treat illness; it teaches how to avoid it. No other system in the world focuses on prevention like Ayurveda,” he stated. Balkrishna emphasized that if people followed Ayurveda’s principles of healthy living and abstention from harmful habits, medicine might not be needed at all.
In his address, Acharya Balkrishna reinforced the relevance of Ayurveda in the modern world, urging a balance between tradition and modernity for better health outcomes.