Addressing an extensive press briefing in Haridwar, Yoga guru Swami Ramdev shared his perspective on Indian scriptures, historical documentation, and the philosophical disagreements that persist across differing schools of thought. He asserted that a deliberate effort has been underway to malign Sanatan Dharma and project falsehoods against Hindu beliefs. Emphasizing the fundamental ethos of the tradition, Ramdev stated that Sanatan Dharma regards all individuals as equal, leaving no scope for systemic prejudice or segregation among human beings.
Misinterpretations During the Mughal and British Eras
Tracing the roots of contemporary misconceptions, Swami Ramdev highlighted that deliberate misunderstandings about Indian texts were systematically cultivated throughout the eras of Mughal governance and British colonial administration. He maintained that baseless and offensive allegations were leveled against ancient treatises with the specific intent of alienating subsequent generations from their own heritage. Supporting his observations, he cited multiple textual verses and highlighted the deliberate targeting of the Manusmriti, which he said had suffered severe reputational harm through skewed interpretations.
Ramdev clarified that genuine Sanatan philosophy contains no provisions aimed at the subjugation or disrespect of Shudras or women. Instead, he attributed deep social fissures to external forces seeking to sow internal division to serve imperial interests. In contrast to these manufactured fault lines, Sanatan thought has consistently functioned to advance social harmony, cohesion, and mutual coexistence across communities.
The Nature of Varna and Historical Alienation
Addressing historical social structures, Swami Ramdev reflected upon the traditional divisions of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. He argued that these categories were originally rooted entirely in individual karma, occupation, and conduct, but were later portrayed in a profoundly distorted manner. He noted that internal disharmony combined with systematic resource exploitation by foreign rulers dealt severe damage to the nation. Deriding Sanatan traditions constituted a profound cultural and spiritual transgression that frequently enjoyed patronage from political figures.
He further remarked that systematic stratagems were deployed to separate people from their native spiritual grounding, leading to transitions toward Christianity and Islam. Through these protracted historical processes, an estimated 30 to 40 crore individuals in the country were alienated from Sanatan moorings. Ramdev strongly criticized unqualified commentators who attempt to analyze or reinterpret the profound verses of the Vedas and Sanatan principles without possessing genuine scholarly understanding or spiritual insight.
Scientific Foundations and Worldwide Reach
Elaborating on the core tenets of the faith, the Yoga guru stated that truth and righteousness stand as the highest virtues in Sanatan doctrine. He emphasized that the underlying guidelines of Sanatan traditions are anchored in empirical and scientific rationales. Across the world today, individuals are increasingly adopting these timeless principles to improve their wellness and daily living, with international trust in Yoga and Ayurveda experiencing noticeable growth.
Ramdev observed with regret that even matters of divine devotion have recently been subjected to artificial divisions between the wealthy and the impoverished. He stressed that deceptive narratives and exploitative maneuvers cannot undermine a tradition embraced by more than 150 crore people across the globe. He also remarked that if one questions 99 percent of the Muslims residing in India, they would acknowledge that their lineage traces back to ancient Vedic sages and seers. Concluding his remarks, Ramdev described Sanatan Dharma as the primordial fountainhead and ancestral father of all faiths.
