New Delhi: Acharya Balkrishna, chief executive officer of Patanjali Yogpeeth, addressed the ‘World Book Fair,’ organized in Delhi under the National Book Trust, India (Ministry of Education, Government of India). In his keynote speech, Acharya Balkrishna emphasized the importance of events like World Book Fair for bringing together global literary knowledge, highlighting the contributions of India’s traditional knowledge systems—particularly Yoga and Ayurveda.
Acharya Balkrishna began by acknowledging the worldwide recognition Yoga has gained, emphasizing that its benefits are now accepted universally. He said that the meaning of Yoga is understood in the same way by people across different languages and cultures, making it a universally accepted practice.
He also spoke about Ayurveda, stressing that while there have been efforts to establish it globally, much more work remains. He described Ayurveda as a complete science that complements modern medicine, which he compared to emergency services, while Ayurveda offers a holistic way of life. He called for a broader approach to integrate Ayurveda into daily life, rather than viewing it solely as a medical science.
During his address, Acharya Balkrishna also shared some of Patanjali’s significant contributions to the field of traditional knowledge. He mentioned the publication of the World Herbal Encyclopedia, which documents 32,000 medicinal plants—an expansion from the previous knowledge of 12,000 plants.
Additionally, he introduced the book Swasthya Samhita, which provides a detailed understanding of new diseases, discoveries, and preventive measures based on Ayurveda. This comprehensive work categorizes the human body into 14 sections and includes 6,821 remedies and detailed information on nearly 500 diseases, with insights into over 2,500 clinical conditions.
Acharya Balkrishna also announced Patanjali’s publication of Saumitreya Nidanam, a book based on Ayurveda that addresses emerging diseases, disorders, and ailments in alignment with modern medical practices. The book, which includes 6,821 shlokas and focuses on approximately 500 diseases, presents over 2,500 clinical conditions for the first time in the Ayurveda tradition.
He further emphasized Patanjali’s commitment to producing products that families can trust, meeting high standards of quality and purity. He encouraged manufacturers to keep the well-being of families in mind when producing goods, urging them to prioritize long-term benefits over business-driven goals.
Addressing the youth, Acharya Balkrishna advised them to think beyond the present and consider the long-term impact of their actions. He stressed the importance of building a future-oriented mindset for the well-being of society and the environment.
Acharya Balkrishna highlighted Patanjali’s contributions to education and research. He mentioned that Patanjali has published books on Yoga, Ayurveda, Education, Medicine, Ancient Manuscripts, and Nutrition. The company is also working on developing curriculum books for classes 1 to 10 under the Indian Education Board, aligning them with international education standards.
The event was attended by a diverse group of scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts of Ayurveda and Yoga. Acharya Balkrishna’s address was well-received, with many praising his dedication to preserving and promoting India’s traditional knowledge systems. He concluded by stressing the significance of events like World Book Fair in fostering awareness and appreciation of India’s rich intellectual heritage.
