The ‘Saga’ of a ‘Baba’

Breathing exercises have their own intrinsic physiological benefits. Nonetheless, they are not substitutes for the conventional medical treatments.

Sharad’s Sunday Sojourns (week # 476 | 30th May 2021):

“Many ask me whether pranayama … postpones old age. Why worry about it? Death is certain. Let it come when it comes. Just keep working. The soul has no age. It doesn’t die. Only the body decays. And yet, we must never forget the body, since it is the garden we must cherish and cultivate.” … B.K.S. Iyengar.

While Baba Ramdev and his endeavour: Patanjali Yogpeeth, have undoubtedly captured the attention of the masses and the critics alike, not everything can be perceived without concerns, unfortunately. Although he blames otherwise, the spotlight is back on him, this time more on an abysmal note. (Image source: Business Today)

While I have utmost faith on Yoga as a whole, and ‘pranayama’ as a significant subsidiary, I do have only a reserved sympathy and likeness towards its preachers.

While that may sound like concealed admiration, or denouncement, depending on the way you look at it (the glass is either half full or half empty), I can’t help it, considering effective preaching is often adulterated by cynical antipathy, as well as pseudo entrepreneurial traits, much of which lack substance!

Ramdev and Co. directed determinations to liberate India, via a colossal franchise, which engulfed a holistic approach towards alternate and complementary medicines, to achieve a healthy state and a healthy nation.

There is nothing wrong with that.

Even the resolute deniers of deep breathing exercises as well as yoga would accept their physiological benefits.

What actually brings the concerns and incredulities on the plate, are the commercial mannerisms associated with these simple practices.

Now, question may arise, what is wrong with that?

There is no dearth of everyday, common products from Patanjali that can be enticing for the consumers, especially with the super affordable price range. However, how effective are these? Can they overcome the placebo effect? Although a few have shown promise, it is too early to vouch for them, based on solid medical foundations. (Image source: Reviewsxp)

Anybody can build an organisation, or a franchise, and choose to highlight the pluses of a particular endeavour.

After all, every big company was once a tiny startup, wasn’t it?

That works pretty well within the ballpark of the Silicon Valley, you would admit.

But when it comes to a perpetual exertion to toss a pessimistic outburst directed solely towards the disadvantages of the conventional practice of medicine (read allopathy), I become suspicious.

Here are my concerns.

Let’s say that allopathy is marred with plethora of side effects, ultimately damaging the long-term health prospects of an individual.

Saying that, I have to then admit that alternative practices, including homeopathy, ayurveda, unani, must possess irrefutable testimonies via randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials to tackle a particular ailment.

Now, where are the conclusive evidence in favour of that?

Even in a country like Germany, serious concerns are progressively being raised over the uncompromising confirmations demonstrating the efficiency of complementary medicines.

Humour notwithstanding, baseless claims about the pseudo efficacy of a probable cure for COVID-19 have made the perpetrators a laughing stock in India and abroad. Is he that dumb not to comprehend the scale of absurdity? (Image source: The Print / Alok Nirantar | SAkal Media Group)

And I have to consider that only Ramdev & Co. are truthful, and allopathy is fabricated?

Sorry folks, I am not optimistically predisposed!

What actually really makes me uncomfortable, is that what initially commenced as a simple, but sincere attempt to raise awareness regarding an overall, holistic approach to attain physical benefits, sans conventional drugs, slowly metamorphosed into a colossal business franchise, with a sole aim to make money!

Money is at the centerstage, and all the associated acts are just a mere showcase of demonstrative courses.

This is not enough, Babaji!

I think we reach the pinnacle of wretchedness with this! If just covering yourself with cow dung or gobbling down cow urine was the cure for the pandemic, do you think the medical fraternity would have sat idle? I admit that we are not sufficiently cautious. But such abominable demonstrations prove our narrow-mindedness, irrational bend of mind, and above all, stupidity! (Image source: The Business Times / Reuters)

Allopathy is wrong!

‘Coronil’ cures corona!

Cow urine and cow dung shred off viruses from the body!

I mean, how long we have to bear all these bulls**t?

If Babaji keeps his focus solely on the practice of pranayama, I would gladly follow his course, without reservations.

But his childish tantrums, phenomenal illiteracy towards scientific conventions, baseless claims (drinking tea is equivalent to drinking alcohol), amongst many others, puts me at a crossroad junction with an ambiguous provocation:

Is he truly an emancipator, or just another ‘stone-thrower’, or even worse, an impostor?