Acarya Balkrishna, a great scholar of Ayurveda, sanskrit language and grammar, and the Vedas, was born to Smt. Sumitra Devi and Shri Jay Vallabh.
A simple and unassuming versatile genius, he is the chief architect of the visionary planning of Swami Ramdev. Equally well versed in Yoga and Ayurveda, he is an able and sincere collaborator in all the projects and ventures launched by Swami Ramdevji, ever since their chance meeting in the Gangotri caves.
Balkrishnaji studied Sankhya yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit language, Panini’s Astadhyayi, Vedas, Upanisads and Indian philosophy under the guidance of Acharya Shri Baldevji in the Gurukul at Kalwa (near Jind, Haryana) and obtained his postgraduate (Acharya) degree from, Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi.
During his journey and austere penance in the Himalayas he was able to explore four rare and extinct astavarga plants used as ingredients in the preparation of chyavanaprasa, an ayurvedic tonic. He is also credited with discovering the sanjivani bhuti of legendary fame. As the head of all the medical institutions and chikitsalayas (Hospitals and clinics) functioning under the aegis of Patanjali Yogpeeth he is mainly focused on the research and development of Ayurveda to make it complete successfully with the modern medical science. He has been able to cure lacs of patients at his Brahmakalpa Chikitsalaya of a number of stubborn, chronic and incurable diseases like diabetes, rheumatism, osteo-arthritis, gout (rheumatism and arthritis), migraine, cervical spondylitis, respiratory disorders, asthma, cancer, nervous disorder, heart disease, brain diseases, etc. Yoga and Ayurveda have combined wonderfully in the treatment of these diseases at a very nominal/ affordable price.These successful treatments have been documented by Acharyaji in his renowned book: Yoga In Synergy With Medicial Science. Another very popular book written by him is Aushadh Darshan, a handy pharmacopeia of ayurvedic and home remedies.
At the Department of Medical Science In Yoga & Ayurveda at Patanjali Yogpeeth, Hardwar , he has got a team of 70 physicians to assist him. Besides, more than a thousand vaidyas (ayurvedic physicians) in India and abroad are treating patients under his guidance. With a view to ensuring the efficacy of ayurvedic treatment it was necessary to make pure and high quality medicines available to patients at an affordable price.
Acaryaji took up the challenge and founded Divya Pharmacy where Ayurvedic medicines with national and international certifications are manufactured with modern packaging. To ensure that only genuine ingredients are used in the Divya Pharmacy medicines, Patanjali Herbal Park grows 450 medicinal plants (some of them very rare) under the overall supervision of Acharyaji. As a part of Swamiji’s Bharat Svabhiman Movement’s emphasis on using swadeshi goods, things of daily use like tooth powder, tooth paste, hair oil, soap, shampoo, beauty creams etc. are produced in Divya Pharmacy & Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. with Ayurvedic ingredients and Ayurvedic formulas.
Another aspect of his multi-faceted genius and personality is his knowledge and experience in the managerial, administrative and engineering fields, which has been admired by one and all in India and abroad. The awesomely impressive look and layout of Patanjali Yogpeeth buildings is a living testimony to his grand futuristic concepts.
His editorial skills can be seen in Yog Sandesh where as Chief Editor he is propagating yoga and ayurveda for the mental, physical and spiritual health of people. All his activities are inspired by this dictum of Bhagavad Gita :
“kamaye duhkhataptanam praninamartinasanam”.
Besides, he has edited/ collaborated/ authored books like Ayurved : Its Principles & Philosophies, Secrets Of Indian Herbs, Vitality Strengthening Astavarga Plants, Vaidika Nityakarma Vidhi, Yogadars’ana, Sant Darshan and Bhakti Gitanjali.
By devoting himself to the service of humanity in many ways, round the clock, he has become a true karmayogi.