This book written by Swami Ramdev and compiled by Lakshmi Chand Nagar "Muni" is available in bookshops in
all Indian cities in many languages like Hindi, English, Gujarati, Punjabi, Nepali.
In the dedication of this significant yoga book of Baba Ramdev, he writes, "I dedicate my insignificant
effort in writing this yoga book to the national saint, Swami Shri Kripalu Dev Ji Maharaj who established in 1932,
Kripalu Bagh Ashram, in which the registered office of Divya Yog Mandir Trust is located. Kripalu Ji Maharaj
is described by Baba Ramdev as a great freedom fighter, the torch bearer of kranti who sacrificed everything for
service of the country, religion and culture.
Kripalu Ji Maharaj used the instrument of the monthly journal
VishwaGyan to give the clarion call to rid subjugated and humiliated India of bondage from British imperial
masters, and tried to bind diverse freedom fighters, martyrs and revolutionaries in one
chain. The prime accused
in the British Parliament bombing conspiracy,
Raas Behari Bose took shelter in Kripalu Ji Maharaj's ashram, in his moment
of crisis and anonymity. Kripalu Ji's entire life was devoted to serving Godhood, practice of Yoga, and in service
of the fiercely independent nationalistic spirit." Swami Ramdev dedicates this book to Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the saint
who resides in eternal cosmos and to his respectful memory.
In the book Swami Ramdev has expressed his deep thanks and unending gratitude to Acharya KaramVir, Acharya
Bal Krishna, Acharya Muktanand, Acharya Virendra.
The Hindi edition of this book has now seen multiple editions of the original book, all of them
proof read, edited and compiled by Shri Lakshmi Chand
Naagar "Muni", an educationist from Rajasthan. Shri Lakshmi Chand states in the first edition of the book, that Yog is a
traditional Indian philosophy and is the
foundation pillar of Indian epistemology and culture.
Yog is certainly not just a compilation of difficult, esoteric,
complex physical postures and excercises. It is a name for that simple life condition that should naturally be the
state of each and every human being. Human life has two trends, yog and bhog. Following the yogic life condition
leads humans to freedom from illness, towards health, inner beauty, purity, and the capable life path enables life long
happiness and freedom from fear. The life path of bhog paddhati leads humans to sickness, illness, and a life of
pain, sadness, conflict with internal and external environment.
The editor of this book expresses the amazement that despite achieving
unforessen material comforts of modern day life, mankind still remains distant from happiness and steeped in
sufferings, stress, wants and unending desires. He however points out that it would be a fallacy to assume that
only those who retire into seclusion from active and material life can avail of the yogic life condition. He stresses
that the supreme need for a yogic way of life is for the ordinary people who live domesticated and working lives
in active society. He says that Swami Ramdev has distilled many years of his own experiences in this book and the
path of problem resolution showed by Swami Ramdev through regular yogic practices enables conflict resolution
as well as holistic health for each individual, enabling him or her to live a life of unsurpassable potential
and achievements. The author hopes that apart from attending Swami Ramdev's yog shivirs, the knowledge and
excercises exhibited and explained in this book will enable many people to achieve physical, mental, spritual
excellence and thus enabling them to live out lives full of satisfaction, peace and happiness.
Shri Lakshmi Chand notes in the foreword to the second edition of the book that the first edition had numerous
publication related errors, moreover, the Pranayam related chapters have been moved out into another book with
attractive and colorful pictures. He expresses gratitude for Swami Ramdev and his companions who laboriously
rectified many errors in the first edition and gave their guidance in making the second edition much more illustrative
and useful. The Pranayam related book is now called "Pranayam Rahasya". Shri Lakshmi Chand expresses the deep
hope that the books will be well received in their new form by yoga students, monks, thinkers, philosphers,
practitioners as well as the lay person busy with his day to day life.
In 1995, Swamiji joined the order of ancient monks. Swami Ramdev was initiated into the
ascetic order by Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj, whom he accepted as his mentor / guru.
- In the course of pursuing his frugal
endeavors, Swamiji spent many years undertaking a thorough study of ancient Indian
scriptures. At the same time, he also practiced intense self-discipline and meditation.
He teaches that God resides in every human being and that the body is God's temple.
He is a firm believer in the concept of Vasudaiv Kutambakam (the whole World is one
family) and decries practices that discriminate on the basis of caste, creed or gender.
His fundamental belief is that expressions of love, affection and compassion towards all
living things are the true worship of the Creator.
In very simple terms, Pranayama can be thought of as a series of techniques for breath
control, that were developed as a part of the ancient Indian system of Yoga. Heretofore,
these techniques were often thought of as being esoteric and complex, and portrayed as
being unsuitable for lay people. Consequently, their use was often limited to advanced
practitioners of Yoga, and undertaken only under the strict supervision of an experienced
teacher. Swamiji has worked diligently to break these barriers and help make the practice
of Pranayama achievable by the ordinary layperson. -