Yoga guru Baba Ramdev is very busy these days. Instead of his usual yoga camps and globe-trotting trips, he is now spending a lot of time at Disha, the giant auditorium of Patanjali Yogapeeth, which he set up last year for imparting yoga education at Bahadarabad in Haridwar district.
From early morning to late in the evening, he — along with a group of musicians — is rehearsing and recording songs. While some songs are bhajans, others are hit patriotic film songs like Ai Vatan Ai Vatan Tujhko Meri Kasam, Tufan Se Hum Layen Hain Kashti Nikal Ke and Hai Reet Jahan Ki Preet Sada.
As he took a pause from his hectic rendition of desh bhakti songs, the yoga guru in a confab with Shishir Prashant of Deccan Herald spoke on wide-ranging issues including the highly contentious sex education and Ram Sethu. Excerpts:
What is the reason behind singing patriotic songs along with yoga?
Spirituality and patriotism are the same. These two cannot be separated. We have to be spiritual as well as patriotic. This is the true way of life in our culture.
My songs and bhajans will be released in seven volumes — in cassette, audio CD, VCD and DVD forms. The first two volumes “Rashtra Chetna” will have patriotic songs while the rest of the five will be available under the title “Bhakti Gitanjaili”. By the end of this month, all seven volumes are expected to hit the market.
What is the aim of your new cartoon series on yoga?
Only yoga can stop the diversion of the youth away from our rich culture. By learning yoga, the children, who are our future citizens, can grow healthy and intelligent with good character. The practice of yoga will help them maintain an arm’s distance from drug addiction and lust.
The work on the cartoon strips is going on for the past one year. Patna-based artist Suman Prasad Mehta has been roped in to prepare the cartoon strips. Initially, the cartoons series will be in five parts — Pranayam-I, Pranayam-II, Yogasan, Pranayam-Sahyogi Asan and Samanya Khanpaan aur Pranayam.
First, these cartoons will be available in book form and later, they will also be televised.
What is your opinion on sex education in schools?
I do not agree that sex education will be able to check the spread of AIDS. India wants yoga, not sex. Will education on violence stop violence. Only the message of brotherhood can stop violence. It is very illogical that by giving sex education, sex-related diseases can be stopped.
Only yoga can teach self-control and discipline. Free sex is against Indian civilisation, Indian philosophy, Indian tradition and Indian culture. Sex before marriage and outside marriage are considered a sin and crime in our culture.
The youth should follow the western nations in work attitude, probity, self-discipline and scientific approach. When I went to western nations, I found that people there also do not condone ill-culture. Indian culture, civilisation, spiritualism and family values are the best in the world. So don’t give them up.
What is your stand about having yoga in schools?
Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Haryana have already included yoga as a subject in their school syllabi. Ninety per cent of chief ministers in the country have agreed to my proposal of implementing yoga education in their respective states. In this regard the Patanjali Yogpeeth has prepared syllabus for classes up to 12th standard.
Yoga education is very important for the country since India is spending Rs 5 lakh crore on health. The expenditure is increasing by 10 to 20 per cent every year, which is a threat to the national economy.
What do you think of the Ram Sethu issue?
Lord Ram is part of our ethos and tradition and politicians cannot decide our history, religion, culture and faith. The Archaeological Society of India could not get any proof of the existence of Lord Ram. Proof may not be physical but it is emotive. I take pity on all those who are questioning the existence of Lord Ram.
