Swami Ramdev’s USA Visit

By Manu Shah

HOUSTON: The evening of September 26, reflected the enormous appeal that Swami Ramdev has with the masses – in India and abroad.  And Houston was no exception.  Despite being a working day, more than 1000 people eagerly gathered to see and hear Swamiji’s electric talk on “Yoga and its benefits”, at VPSS Haveli jointly organized by Patanjali Yogpeeth(USA), Bharat Swabhiman Overseas and Hindus of Greater Houston.

Baba Ramdev, received a rousing reception when he entered the hall and greeted everyone humbly. The program started with lighting of the lamp after which Swamiji blessed the audience and observed a two-minute silence for the victims of the terrorist attack in Kenya.

Epitomizing calmness and discipline, Baba Ramdev addressed the gathering with his customary simplicity, childlike innocence and down to earth humor.  For two hours, he expounded on the Gita, truth (satya), courage, nonviolence (ahimsa), meditation and yoga. The audience listened in rapt attention and spellbound silence broken only by laughter and applause at his candid remarks and veiled references to the political scenario in India.

Baba Ramdev fleetingly referred to his experience of Heathrow Airport in London, where he was questioned by custom officials, declaring that, “truth has won and will always win.”  He brushed away all his troubles with the Indian government and stated that to be content, a person needs only two sets of clothes, two yards of land (do gaz zameen) and two meals a day!

The two hour talk interspersed with melodious soul stirring bhajans concluded with Baba Ramdev leading the gathering in singing the bhajan“Mere daata ke darbar me, sab logo ka khata”. He was accompanied by the Sangeet mandali of Smriti, Nupur, Rajani and Govind.  Swamiji also promised to teach more yoga techniques the following morning and appreciated the efforts of the board members, organizers and donors as well as Sanjay Jain who was the coordinator of the entire event. He summed up the evening by encouraging the gathering to “connect” to Aastha TV as it would improve “their connection with the Supreme Being,” and assured the gathering that he would visit Houston more often.

A booth set up by Patanjali Store displayed Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. brand products like Aloe Vera juice, Indian gooseberry (amla) juice, multi-grain biscuits, digestives and amla candy, herbal and dietary supplements, herbal cosmetics that garnered much interest and brisk sales.

The next morning Swamiji guided Patanjali members and yoga teachers through different yoga poses, pranayama and meditation for more than two hours, once again enumerating the benefits of yoga and its role in healing and slowing down the aging process.

Swami Ramdev also addressed huge crowds of eager followers in Chicago, New Jersey and Atlanta. On 28^th September, the history repeated itself as he deliver historic discourse from Fullerton hall, Art Institute Chicago. It’s same place from which Swami Vivekananda delivered the world famous speech to the World Congress of Religions 120 years ago.

He spoke at Jain temple to a 1700 strong crowd that like all great rishis and spiritual leaders, Swami Vivekananda never sought to convert people to Hinduism but to make them better human beings. Religious conversions only lead to religious wars and if Swami Vivekananda’s words had been heeded the world would have been better place. VHP of America organized this event. On the 29^th, Baba Ramdev was the keynote speaker at the “Dharma and Yoga Fest” in New Jersey where he explained the meaning of dharma (the laws of the universe), why it is the need of the hour and the importance of imbibing the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in one’s daily life. Over 2000 people attended this event.  The Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh organized this event. On the 30^th, Baba Ramdev spoke to a crowd of 1400 people at the Global Mall in Atlanta, an event that was organized by Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust and Bharat Swabhiman Overseas and also held a yoga camp (shivir) on October1st after which he left for India to continue his Bharat Yarta to inspire the people of India to fight against corruption, black money and injustice.