Pranayama: Its Philosophy & Practice

by Swami Ramdev

Rev. Swami Ramdev, a celibate since childhood, is well-versed in Sanskrit Grammar, Ayurveda and Vedic Philosophy. A strong proponent of Indian Cultural values, his practical approach to Yoga, research in the field of Ayurveda and service in the field of cow-breeding, have won him several thousands of followers throughout India and made him a living symbol of Indian culture. His detachment from worldly happiness and devotion to social service has made him a phenomenal character in the saintly world.

Swamiji is a devout disciple of Acharya Shri Baldevji of Kalwa, who himself is an accomplished Yogi. He was initiated in the ascetic order on the banks of the sacred River Ganga. He has taught in Gurukuls (traditional Indian system of education) subjects such as Ashtadhyayi, Mahabhashya, Upanishads and the six systems of Indian Philosophy. Besides this, during his travels in the Himalayan mountains, he performed severe austerities in the caves of Gangotri for the realization of the SELF, and acquired and several extraordinary capabilities. In association with his learned companions, Shri Karmavirji Maharaj and Acharya Shri Balkrishnaji, a great scholar of Ayurveda and an Ayurvedic Physician, Swami Ramdevji established Divya Yog Mandir Trust in 1995 in Kankhal (Haridwar) and began activities in health and spiritual pursuits.

In the camps organized at his insistence for imparting practical lessons in the matters of health and Yoga, millions of people have taken advantage of his services and have gained immunity from various kinds of serious diseases, thus restoring good health. The instructions imparted by him in Yogic exercises and particularly in the Science of Pranayama, have cured several diseases declared incurable by the other systems of medicine. The Ashram Trust established by Swamiji manages the affairs of a great residential educational institution (Gurukul) located in Kishangarh, Ghaseda in the district of Rewari in Haryana State, where instructions are being imparted not only in Indian culture and Philosophy but also in modern subjects like Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science etc. Most amiable in nature and affectionate in attitude, Swami combines in himself, qualities of great learning. His extreme modesty and loving nature have won Swamiji a great multitude of followers.

In a short period of about 6 or 7 years, Swamiji has acquired phenomenal success in all the activities undertaken by him and has become a source of constant and unfailing inspiration for all of us who have the good fortune of knowing and associating with him.