Practitioner of Ancient Healing Arts & Doctor to the Dalai Lama

An interview with Dr. Pankaj Naram

By:
Liz Thompson

Dr. Pankaj Naram is anaccomplished Ayurvedic physician. His father was a

staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi and is now a famous doctor of naturopathy, his
wife Dr.Smita Naram, is an incredible Ayurvedic physician as well. From
homelessorphans in the streets of Mumbai, India, and rescue workers in New
YorkCity after 9-11, to Mother Theresa and the Dalai Lama, they have cared
for hundreds of thousands of patients from all walks of life. As a young
man, Pankaj studied Ayurveda extensively and spent many years in
intense study with a Tibetan monk whose specialty was thediagnosis of subtle pulses
– yes the kind you have in your wrist. Thismaster physician imparted all his
knowledge to Dr. Naram, as well as2000-year-old documents he says have been
passed down in an unbrokenline from teacher to student originating from the
physician of the Buddha.These documents contain authentic and potent
Ayurvedic herbalformulations that still work in today's world.Dr. Naram is
highly intuitive. By feeling your pulse, he’s able to ascertainyour entire medical history
in just a few seconds. In fact he was sounbelievably accurate with my diagnosis, if I hadn’t
know better, I wouldhave thought he’d been talking to my mother before the
session!I walked into the room, he placed his fingers on my wrist, and withinseconds
he was telling me that for the past two to three years I had beenunder a great deal of
stress. The stress combined with the fact that Ihaven’t been able to digest the food
I’ve been eating has resulted in mysuffering from very dry skin and weight gain. He
also told me that I hadbeen suffering from chronic pain in the lower back.I sat there
dumbfounded as he told me the stress had to do with a worksituation that was over now
(for those of you who know me you’ll know hewas referring to one of our other
companies that Ric and I had just divestedourselves of – he knew nothing about the history,
or that I had even runanother company!).He told me I needed to make adjustments to
the types of food I was eatingand that my symptoms would start to go away. I conducted the
interviewwith Dr. Naram on April 6th. As I write this less than 6 weeks later, I’vemade
some of the recommended adjustments to my diet – I’ve lost weightand inches, have
no more back pain, and am feeling much better overall! While I was at his clinic I saw
things much more amazing than the loss of alittle back pain, though. One man came
in who was so thin he looked like a good breeze wouldcarry him away. He told the doctor
that he was never hungry, he ate onlybecause he was afraid if he didn’t he would die. Dr.
Naram detected an imbalance in the man’s digestive system. As itturned out the there
was over an inch and a half difference in the distancebetween either side of his chest
and his navel – each side is supposed tobe equidistant. With a few Marma
movements and a quick intonation theman had been brought back into balance. The
chest was equidistant. If Ihadn’t seen it with my own eyes I probably wouldn’t have
believed it. In the waiting room I heard countless stories of people Dr. Naram
hadhelped and was continuing to help. There was one woman who had
evencome from the UK to see the doctor and to work as a volunteer in the clinicfor the
New York tour.The staff showed me letters and stories of others Dr. Naram has helped
–some that were just incredible.
where you started from... in thepersonal development doldrums.It doesn’t have to
be this way.It’s not your fault.If you’re worried because you’vemade a few mistakes
and you’re upto your eyeballs in debt and youhave no idea how you’ll get out…Or
you’re overweight and tried everydiet under the sun…Your relationships are in
desperateneed of a makeover…You’re apprehensive about thedawning of a new day
only to trudgeto a job you desperately want toleave…Its not your fault your life
is a mess.Here’s why...
L e a r n m or e . . . >>

Like the woman who had a stroke while watching the events of 9-11 unfold.The
stroke had left her right side completely paralyzed. No longer able tospeak, for six
weeks, she lay in the hospital without being able to move her arms or legs. Despite
rehabilitation efforts, there was little improvement.Dr. Naram used Marma to help her
and within six days, she began movingher leg, feeling sensation in her arm and
interacting with her loved ones. Hetouched her neck and shoulder at a particular
Marma point that alloweddirect contact with the center of communication in the brain.
Other thanthose moments, she was unable to respond. When he did this, she
wasimmediately aware of him, responsive to his instructions, and made noisesto
indicate that she understood. The light came into her eyes once again.Her body
came alive in dramatic ways, bringing her hope, encouragementand happiness.On
the next visit, Dr. Naram again saw her at her home. By doing more,and
different Marmas, he helped her to walk with a cane and even to beginspeaking! Her
progress out of a totally debilitating situation was amazing,and moving to witness. At
one point, Dr. Naram teased her saying hehoped she would be there to meet him at
the airport on his next US visit,and cook him a good meal. Giving her a goal to work
towards helped thewoman pass over more hurdles towards once again leading a
useful andactive life. There’s also the story of the Ms. Shelby told here in her own
words. Two summers ago, I had what I thought was an ulcer that hadbeen very
troublesome off and on for a year. At that time, itflared up very badly and I was so
uncomfortable. One of myfriends mentioned to me that this fabulous doctor from
India, Dr.Pankaj Naram was in town and I should go see
him. After taking my pulse, he asked if I had been to India
or Mexico. Actually, I had spent time in these
places. Then, Dr. Naram saidmy stomach problems were due to parasites and
that thiscondition would go away after I took the herbs that herecommended. I had
been in so much pain, I did as hesuggested and within a month, the problem was
gone. It justleft! The medical system Dr. Naram practices is based on imbalances in
themain constituents or doshas of the body ie. vata, pitta, kapha. He “reads”the count,
rhythms, speed, and beat of your pulse to determine the precisearea of imbalance in
your body.The process seems to be
part art, part science, and part magic
. Before we go into our interview I’m going to giveyou a little crash course in
Ayurveda.

Before I went to meet Pankaj I had heard the term“Ayurveda” but that’s about as far
as my knowledgewent. When we decided to do a story on him for themagazine I
decided I had better give myself a“crash course.” For those of you who are
familiar with Ayurveda you might want to just skip down tothe interview, for the rest of us
– here’s a littlebackground from one of Dr. Naram’s support sites
atwww.amritaveda.com. Ayurveda has
6 fundamental principles
 that are key.
Pure Herbal Formulas
Amrita Veda Herbal Products, are formulated according to
ancientscriptures, and are all created under the attentive eye of Dr. Smita
Naram.The Narams are renowned for their commitment to the quality
andeffectiveness of their herbal remedies and food supplements and greatcare is
given to the identification and gathering of wild herbs in their mostpotent
condition.Twice a year the Narams go to the mountain regions of India and Nepal
tocollect and cultivate the plants in the pure air and water of their naturalhabitat. If fact
part of the funding from the Dr. Pankaj Naram Foundationgoes to donating
hundreds of thousands of seedlings to the native peoplesto keep the ancient art
alive.
Accurate Pulse Reading
This is the subtle and holistic diagnostic approach that distinguishes Ayurveda
from western medical systems.Physicians – or Vaidya - are trained to listen to
what the patient's body,mind and emotions are saying through the pulse. He
discovers what’shappening in the body and how the whole body mind spirit system
isoperating and interacting within itself and with the environment. There are350
different pulse combinations that give very specific information about apatient’s
condition and the true causes of a given condition.With this accurate and individually
tailored diagnosis, the Vaidya canprescribe not only herbs but also give guidance on
lifestyle, including diet.He can recommend from The Six Instruments of Ayurveda
a completeprogram of treatment that will be of long-term benefit.
A Balancing Diet for Your Constitution
If you feel stressed and tired, or just plain burned out, it may be that you arenot eating
the right food for your constitution or dosha. In Ayurveda, thereare three main constitutional
body types - vata, pitta and kapha.
Everyone has all three doshas, but each person has a unique combinationof these
qualities. As you grow and develop over the years, many factorsinfluence how
close you stay to your original doshas or how far you moveaway from them.When you
eat the foods that push your constitution out of balance, you mayexperience aching joints,
digestive problems, mental instability, respiratorytrouble, allergies, skin rashes, and a
general feeling of being out of sorts.Left untreated, these conditions can lead to
various diseases.The body and the mind are tremendously pressured with our
modernlifestyle. Generally, as a result of this lifestyle and environmental pollution,there is
too much heat (pitta) in the body and an accumulation of toxins that Ayurveda calls
aam.One way you can begin to nourish yourself, is by eating well and
avoidingspecific foods and drinks, or certain food textures and temperatures thatare
not conducive to your own good health and energy.
Safe for Family and Pets
It’s Dr. Naram's mission in life to serve humanity and the health of our planet,
including all of its natural beauty - plants, birds and animals.The Herbal Formulas are
not drugs or chemicals but food supplements thatwork naturally in the body and can
be taken safely by people of any age.Dr. Naram treats plants and animals with these
herbs, as well as uses themto help children with a number of health-related and
attention-relatedconditions.
Compatible with Conventional Medicine
Ayurveda can be used in conjunction withmore traditional healing modalities,
and“Integrative Medicine Programs” are now agrowing part of health care in the
UnitedStates.Under a grant from the NIH (NationalInstitute of Health) research sites have
beenset up at major hospitals to begin the vitallyimportant work of investigating the ten
mostpromising alternative approaches to some of society's more pressing
anddepressing health problems. At New York Presbyterian Hospital, one of the
NIH sites, Ayurveda is beingstudied as a health care system that can be safely
used in conjunction withconventional western medical treatments, such as surgery
and drugsprescribed for cancer, heart disease and other conditions.It is
recognized by health care consumers that stress, diet and lifestyle maybe major
factors in the cardiovascular conditions that are the leading causeof death in our
society. Ayurveda directly addresses these issues through the six instruments: herbs,
diet that supports your constitution, marma,panchakarma (a cleansing and
rejuvenation program), lifestyle guidanceincluding meditation instruction, and home
remedies. Alternative approaches such as Ayurveda are often more effective
intreating many chronic conditions, having been tried and tested throughcenturies of
use in other cultures.

Authenticated by Ancient Scriptures

 Ayur-Veda (pronounced iye-or-vay-dah) is the "Science of Life"
describedin the ancient texts or Vedas of India that go back thousands of years
andare considered to be divine in origin. Ayurveda forms an integral part of
the great tradition of personaldevelopment and mastery that is at the heart of
India's spiritual heritage. Itcan be thought of as the healing and dietary side of
Yoga and is acomplete lifestyle.Siddha Ved is a body of ancient Sanskrit and Tibetan
texts that wereentrusted to Dr. Naram by his 125-year-old Tibetan teacher. Siddha
Ved is2000 years old and contains stories and herbal formulas created by therishis or
holy men generations ago.Currently, Dr. Naram is working on an original translation of
Siddha Vedinto English.The Amrita Veda herbal products created by the Drs. Naram
are based onpowerful and effective formulas found in these ancient medical
texts.Though formulated hundreds of years ago, they are able to get at the rootof
many modern health conditions. Armed with this knowledge,
when I met with Dr. Naram, I wanted for explorehis reasons for practicing
Ayurveda and see how we, as members of Healthy Wealthy nWise could apply the
principals to our lives, to help bringus into balanced abundance.
Liz Thompson:
Pankaj, What originally attracted you to Ayurveda?
Pankaj Naram:
Well I was a journalist when I was young – to make myspending money. When I was in
college asked myself, ”How can I enjoy mylife and still have some pocket
money?”I wanted to understand whether to get married or not to get married. So
Idecided to find people who were married and ask if they were happy, andpeople who
were not married and find if they were happy. I startedinterviewing people, and while I
was doing this work I found one great Ayurvedic physician who was around 85
years old at that time – in 1970-71.Now I was a very young man at the time, but I was
losing my hair – I wasbecoming bald. After taking his interview I was very impressed with
him. I told him what a genius he was and asked if he could help me grow backmy

hair?

Liz Thompson:
Well you certainly have a full head of hair now, so it musthave worked!
Pankaj Naram:
Yes, it worked very well.Now this doctor was a very old man and he told me that he was
getting tooold to do the physical labor of making the formulas. So he told me that Iwas
to go to the forest, collect the herbs, mix everything together accordingto his direction
and eat it.I started doing it and then magic happened. My hair started growing andmy
relatives and friends started asking me to make the potions for themtoo.So I started
making the potions and giving them away. After a time theystarted giving me money. I
thought it was a great job! I had money, jobsatisfaction, I was happy, and was making
a contribution to people’s lives. I was a very good learner so he said why don’t you
study? He gave megreat books including some ancient scriptures of Ayurveda that
were manymany years old.So I started doing it.Then he said why don’t you take the
course for Ayurveda and become adoctor. And so I became a doctor.Now the
problems started in my life.Once I became a doctor I thought I was going to do great
things – changethe world. I had the goal, but I didn’t know anything. Unfortunately my
mentor died during this process and I was lost without any idea of whom
I shouldcontact, and who should be my role model. I was still seeing patients and I
came across this man who had severestomachaches. I said maybe its gas, maybe
too much acidity, maybe evena tumor. If nothing is there, maybe it’s a bad relationship
with food or your wife. Not the best diagnosis. You see I was not happy, my life was
not working and I was depressed. Inthat depression and anxiety I started eating and I
became very fat. I was185 –190 lbs. (Dr. Naram is a little over 5 feet tall)So I was
treating this person but then I didn’t see him for many months.One day I saw him on
the road and asked him how he was.He said, “Top of the world!”

I said, “Oh great my medicines are working…” He said, “No, they aren’t working.
I met a very old master who is 115 yearsold. He took my pulse and told me in one
minute what was happening withme.” Now I had been talking to him for half and hour every
month and not findingout anything, so I decided to go to that master. I went to him; he took
my pulse, and told me exactly what was happeningwith me. He said that I was in a transition
period with a lot of confusion,depression.He said, “Your life’s not working, you work
isn’t working, your relationshipsaren’t working, and you’re broke!” I said, “Yes, exactly –
what do I do?”I was amazed at what he had done and what he could tell from my pulse. Itold him
that I must learn this art that he must teach me. He said, fine, come tomorrow. I went
tomorrow, he said come tomorrow. Iwent tomorrow, he said come tomorrow. I went
tomorrow, he said cometomorrow.We did this for 100 days. After 100
days I was really depressed and very anxious. But during the 100days I
started observing people.I would sit outside talking to people as they came to see the
master. I wouldask them how they were and what their problems were. Some would
havecancer and say they were cured, they’d have had severe back pain and
itwent away, heart disease that they got rid of, diabetes, high bloodpressure, psoriasis
all cured, so I was getting excited even though I wasdepressed. I knew I had to
learn. After 100 days I was so frustrated I decided I would go in there and
tellthem that he
had
to teach me or I would not leave.I wouldn’t move, I wouldn’t leave, and I’d stand there like a
rock.He ignored me. Now after 4 hours I really had to go to the bathroom but I was
determined tohold my ground. He looked at me and said, “Do you have to go to the
bathroom? Just go.” I said, “No I will not,” and I just started to cry.He said OK I will start
teaching.

So he took me to the bathroom and said, “Clean the bathroom.” I said, “I’m a first
class doctor, what are you talking about?!” He said, “OK, don’t worry, come back
tomorrow.” So I started cleaning. When I was finished he came back, looked around
and said, “Very bad job.If you don’t even know how to clean a bathroom, how will you know
how toclean the toxins out of people’s bodies, people’s minds, and
people’semotions?” What he was doing was breaking my ego. It was then that
my 1000-daytraining program started. 1000 days, day in and day out. I learned
3 things from him.1. The great art and science of pulse reading2. The secrets of
Marma Shakti – the ancient precursor to Chiropractic3. And the lifestyle necessary to
live 100 years.I thought to myself I’m only in my 20s, but I’m already becoming old… howwill
I survive? By 60 I will disappear! So what does he do that I don’t do? And
what does he NOT do that I do? I started to make notes. I startedcompiling
the secrets of how to live 100 years with Energy, Enthusiasm,and Tranquility. So my
life’s work can be summed up in these 3. Pulse reading, what’s happening in the
body mind and emotions and howthey’re working, and to fix that - herbal preparation,
which my wife Smitadoes; Marma; and how to live 100 years. That is the whole focus of
my life. In the last 20 years of my work I startedwith half a dollar in my pocket, and we built it
from there. For pulse reading we are trained to help people though. We must
have100% focus, 100% awareness, and service to humanity. This is not tomake a
business this is to make a difference in the lives of people so thisworld is a better
place to live.
Liz Thompson:
So tell me about your latest projects. I know you’reworking on a book right now. Tell us a little
about that and what else you’reworking on.
Pankaj Naram:
Yes we’re in the process of writing a book, and we’re alsoputting together a seminar
on
How to Live 100 Years With Energy,Enthusiasm, and Tranquility
. The seminar is so powerful that people
justdon’t want to o home. It lasts 2 hours and eole literall ust won’t o

home, they don’t even get up to go to the bathroom!Now we’re writing the book
How to Live 100 Years With Energy,Enthusiasm, and Tranquility
, the second book will be on pulse reading,and the next will be
Secrets of Marma, One Minute Transformation
,and one will be on Panchakarma – the cleansing of toxins from the body,Diet,
Recipes, and the things from Smita’s work. We’re going to be writingall the books
together.
Liz Thompson:
Wonderful, once they are in print you can be assured wewill be making them
available to our readers! I can’t wait to see themmyself. Now to take things to a
different track; here at Healthy Wealthy nWise our goal is to help our readers lead a
more balanced life. That ideal is often atodds with life in the modern world. What kind
of advice and wisdom do youhave to share with people who may not be familiar with
Ayurveda and whodon’t have access to your clinics? What can the average person
do tobenefit from your work?
Pankaj Naram:
Well there are quite a few things people can do in terms of changing their lifestyle.
For example: Exercise is a MUST. EVERYBODYshould exercise. If they can’t
do strenuous exercises they should walk or run. Ghee is very important. Ghee is
clarified butter – it reduces cholesterol andis anti-aging. Plus there are special
recipes that people can prepare at home. These willhelp you live 100 years – I saw
my guru using these. When he woke up inthe morning he would have this recipe for
breakfast Dr. Naram’s Breakfast Drink Soak 6 almonds, 3 cardamom pods,
2 t. fennel seeds, and 3 dates inwater over night. In the morning remove the
pods and skins. Grindeverything, add a little more water and drink. This is a very
powerful tonic for vitality, energy, and enthusiasm. Also you need to avoid sour food and
fermented food. If you want to live 100 years you should eat more Mung Dal
(a bean soup),Khichadi (a rice and bean dish with coconut, lime and
cilantro), freshvegetables, and no wheat. Wheat creates blocks in the body. When a
person reaches about the ageof 40, the body can no longer flush out the toxins naturally, and if
you createmore blocks it will be even more difficult for people to flush their systemsout.
So wheat is out. Unless you are doing hard labor – 3 or more hours aday, your body
really can’t digest wheat.

A good tonic we use for gas, acidity, or acid reflux isCumin Powder
(1t.)Coriander Power (1/2t.)Natural Sugar (1/2 t.)Water (1/2 c.)Mix it up and take it
2-3 times a day If you suffer from Allergies mix: Ginger Juice (1/2t.)7 Basil Leaves
(crushed)3 Black PeppercornsMix with honey and take it. When taken regularly
the allergies will start to subside as immunity startsincreasing. Also if you rub
ghee into your temples before bed it gives you very goodand sound sleep
especially if you are under a lot of stress. If people want more recipes they can
go tohttp://www.amritaveda.com/recipes.html.
Liz Thompson:
Great. Thank you for that. Now I have to ask you this. Youand Smita travel all over the world,
and are gone from India 6 months out of the year. You work 12-15 hour days regularly, and
you also have a 4-year-old son Krishna. How do you maintain balance in your own
lives?
Pankaj Naram:
Well it is difficult what we are trying to do. We believe inquality love, quality time.
When we are with our son we are 100% with him,playing with him, talking to him,
listening to him. Sometimes not even doinganything, just being with him. We do not ever
shout at him. He is very activeand if you just let him run out his energy he becomes calm
and quiet.
Liz Thompson:
Yes sometimes they just need to run around and get it outof their systems. I know my 6-
year-old son Chandler is that way.
Pankaj Naram:
It is true. And it is very important that children do it.Otherwise it gets suppressed, and
when things are suppressed then thereare problems. We also give him almonds and
ghee. We wanted our childto be tranquil, happy, and helping humanity, so we
created his diet tosupport that. I have never seen him agitated.
Liz Thompson:
That’s incredible. Maybe we should use some of that inour school lunches over here : )!
Pankaj Naram:
Yes, Yes. You know another thing that is very important tobalance is meditation. It can be
very simple. Just sitting by yourself listeningto your thoughts – that is awareness.
Second is focus – focusing on onethought and eliminating everything else – any
thought is OK here focus iswhat we want. We also use a lot of herbs.

People should also really take herbal supplements Chavanprash, Argyaprabha,

Suhruday for emotional balance, Sumedha for mental clarityand mind power.
But these herbs are not always easily available. (Some of Dr. Naram’s herbal
supplements are available throughamritaveda.com.)
Liz Thompson:
So tell me a little more about your practice. You work withpatients all over the world,
you’re writing books, conducting seminars… Are you also training others to help
you?
Pankaj Naram:
Yes, we are currently training about 60 Western medicaldoctors. Dr. Cary is an
American doctor working with us in India on our HIVproject. Dr. Tom Mitchell
works with us here in the United States. Like I said, we have roughly 60 western
doctors in training, some who nowno longer even practice western – allopathic
medicine – instead they favor Ayurveda. My target is to create more than 1000
doctors and more than1000 therapists in the next 5 years. We will make this world
a better placeto live.
Liz Thompson:
Tell me about the fundamental differences betweenWestern – Allopathic medicine
and Ayurveda.
Pankaj Naram:
In Western medicine the concentration is on the condition.It can go very
deep molecularly, but in doing so it also loses track of thebigger picture – the system
as a whole. Ayurveda looks at the wholesystem and finds the problem and imbalance
in the body through the pulse.
Liz Thompson:
So in Allopathic medicine we are treating the symptomsrather than the
“disease” because we don’t usually know what causes thedisease, right? So what
happens in Ayurveda when you don’t know thecause?
Pankaj Naram:
That is the beauty of reading the pulse. In Ayurveda, we
do
know the cause, and therefore can treat the actual problem.
Liz Thompson:
So are you saying that a disease can manifest in thesame way and have the same
symptoms, but be caused by 2 totallydifferent things?
Pankaj Naram:
Absolutely. Take 2 women – one from India, one fromGermany. The both suffer from
arthritis. The Indian woman has arthritis thatstems from being too emotional. The German
woman has suppressed her emotions and has arthritis as well. Both problems are
totally different, butthey have the same effect in the body. We can help both.You see
the whole world is beginning to embrace Ayurveda because it isvery holistic. It is not
symptomatic, it is not suppressing and it works.
Liz Thompson:
Wonderful!