the first night of the devastation

7/23/2019 The First Night of the Devastation

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From Peace to Chaos: A First-Person Account of the

Devastation in Nepal

Acharya Balkrishna

The actual day

The atrocious tragedy of the earthquake in Nepal claimed thousands of lives.

This life-changing event was witnessed by many pilgrims and tourists who were

enthusiastically visiting the historic sites of Nepal. Millions of people saw that

terrible and terrifying scene with their own eyes. Swami Ramdevji and I were also

destined to see this fearful incident of Nature. Fortunately Swamiji and I

miraculously escaped.

We were in Nepal to conduct one of our usual yoga camps intended to

promote positive health and help those with varied illnesses. The camp was well

attended with around ten thousand people. We would practice yoga in the morning

and have spiritual discourses during the day.



On the fateful day, Saturday April 25, 2015, there was discussion on

meditation, discipline, and stability in the midst of Life’s highs and lows.

Approximately four to five thousand people were deeply absorbed in the

discussion. We were participating as well. After Swami Ramdevji’s discourse on

the spiritual dimensions of yoga and meditation, the well-known Jain SaintMahashramanji also gave his views on meditation. The program was running a

little late. At the time, that did not seem very important. Later on we realized how

it was of great significance.

As the program ended, I sat in the car. Swami Ramdevji was talking to the

people who had surrounded him. As Swamiji left the tent, most of the people came

out along with him. All of a sudden we heard loud noises. Brother Shaligram

started the car, but then the car started rocking violently. I thought that perhaps

someone was moving it from below. Then I looked up and saw many people

running around. I came out from the car and after that everything happened very

suddenly. Before I could realize, what was happening I saw Swamiji and others

holding onto a tree near the car. Then we were skimming in the air. We could not

keep our feet on the ground. All around the place, there were loud noises. I saw the

Bal Mandir (one of the well-known ancient temples of Kathmandu) had half

crumpled down. Some volunteers of our organization (Patanjali Yogpeeth) caught

hold of me and pulled me to a safe place. I was deeply moved. What selflessness!

Though their own lives were in danger they saw their beloved guru first. This

touched me very deeply. I have never thought of myself as a Guru. Their

selflessness and fearlessness can move me to tears even now.



The next few seconds were even more appalling. Iron poles used to erect a

waterproof tent collapsed in front of my eyes. Then half of the building right in

front of us melted to the ground. Part of the tent in front of us was ripped from the

pegs and collapsed with a noise as if something was bursting. A tall tree wasuprooted and fell and I thought how grateful I was to the Almighty that the tree

which Swamiji had clasped was safe. We had seen Death in three forms; the

collapse of the tent, falling trees and crumbling buildings. However even these

terrible events had a positive side: another tree shielded us, the tent was fortunately

empty, and though the collapsed building scared us, we were all safe. If at that time

any of us were inside the tent, many people would have lost their lives and we also

would have been among them. If the program had ended even 10 minutes earlier,

many people would have gone to the dining hall and they would also have losttheir lives as the building of the dining hall also collapsed within those few

seconds. Everything seemed to be just like a dream or perhaps a nightmare; a few

life-altering seconds which will affect millions of people for centuries.

As the earthquake ceased, we came out of the strange dream-like feeling to

an altered world of mourning and pain as people faced the consequences.

The after-shocks continued to cause people to be anxious. The first after-

shock was severe enough to be like a second earthquake; large trees were uprooted,and tall buildings crumpled. We shook off the feelings of unreality and of shock

and we tried to help those around us. While we had a near escape ourselves, we

tried to channelize our shock and grief by assisting injured people and reducing

their fear while providing relief to those who were buried under collapsed

buildings.



We saw with our own eyes how millions of lives were ruined by this terrible

calamity. Nepal’s glorious cultural, traditional and historical heritage was also

destroyed. The historical traditions and heritage of several centuries was reduced to

mere rubble and debris.

Restoring balance and starting relief work

We were grateful to the Almighty that all attending our camp, our

volunteers and we were safe too. We decided to move to our center (Patanjali

Yogpeeth) in Nepal. As soon as we reached Patanjali Yogpeeth Mandikhatar, we

started a Hawan and prayed according to the Vedic tradition to protect all from this

calamity and to make all free from fear. This had a soothing effect on all around.

After that we got down to practical details. We took stock of the damage

around, despite the risk. We also met the Jain Saint Mahashramanji and other

people and then we went to the other known and accessible places in Kathmandu,

to assess the damage.

The earthquake of a few seconds had ended the lives of millions of people.All the telephone lines were non-functional and roads were blocked; we could hear

and feel the screams of the injured and the misery everywhere. Millions of people

connected with our Patanjali family knew that Swamiji and I were in Kathmandu

during the earthquake. As the media reported that there was no information about

Swamiji and myself after earthquake, millions of people from all over the world



were worried and moaning for us. We found this even more poignant as we were

part of that devastation and were saddened by the suffering all around us. We knew

that several millions of our Patanjali family would be anxious; and their anxiety

became our anxiety.

As evening came, frightened and injured people were coming to the Tundi

playground (which is one of the largest playgrounds of Kathmandu), where for the

last two days a yoga camp was being organized. Matting of almost 5 lakh square

feet (105) was spread there, for people to practice yoga. Now people gathered there

for shelter. Assuming reserved for them, people began to make shelter of that

matting. When Swamiji realized this he was glad that the matting could give the

people temporary shelter. In giving the yoga mat to the people we felt we were

doing our bit to help.

This was an example of Patanjali’s first service after the devastation. The

tent (which had cost around 50 lakhs (1 lakh = 105) Indian Rupees to erect) and

was intended, through yoga practice to spread health and peace was now being

used for shelter and survival. We arranged for ground lights in the tent. This was

within the first 3 hours of the earthquake. In seeing the people gathering and

feeling some relief, we felt that the yoga matting was put to the best possible

use.



Our next thought was to provide people with potable water and food. In

Kathmandu all shops and shopkeepers were still in shock. We knew a few

shopkeepers but they were pre-occupied and devastated. However even in that

state of tragedy and fear a few people showed great courage and only then were we

able to arrange some necessities.

In the evening hundreds of our volunteers visited many places in Kathmanduand made arrangements for the distribution of water, beaten paddy (chiwda), potato

curry, fruits and biscuits manufactured by Patanjali. There was comfort in knowing

that even in that terrible tragedy thousands of people were able to find shelter, with

electricity from a generator. Hundreds of people were able to charge their mobiles

and get in contact with people concerned about them. This was a huge relief to



them and hence to us. We felt some comfort as everyone was also getting water

and food within a short span of time on the very first day of that horrifying tragedy.

Thousands of people from Nepal, India and other countries were gathered in that

ground.

Helping people deal with fear through the night

As people’s basic needs were met, it was important to keep their spirits up.

Swamiji’s characteristic and positive charisma and energy found expression in

words which gave people courage and determination to serve beyond their

capacity, ignoring repeated aftershocks, showers of rain, cold weather in

Kathmandu, tragic cries of people, in-between clamor, and the ever-present fear of

death. During these moments, we were heartened to see the untiring efforts of

Patanjali volunteers, totally involved in the service of people. Hundreds of volunteers continued their service activities till 01:00 a.m.

Midnight had passed, but we could not realize it. In the Tundi playground, two to

three people wrapped themselves under one blanket, as there were not enough

blankets to go round. Everyone was in an altered state of consciousness, great

panic and at the same time in despair and tragic moaning. Electricity and water

supply were impaired. The very houses which people depended on for shelter and

protection were now a source of fear to them because of the repeated aftershocks.

People feared that if they went indoors the building could collapse and they woulddie. Empty buildings looked like ghost-houses. Everyone from the whole town was

now on the ground, beneath the open sky under tarpaulin, plastic foil or

indigenious roofs, otherwise they had to trust the Almighty and bear the cold and

rain. Everyone was miserable and seeking support from the Almighty. All were

helplessly praying for divine assistance. Through the long night the injured were

wounded and were being transported to hospitals. We still did not know how many

injured people were buried under the rubble and how many had actually died.

Imagining this added to the horror of the long night after the tragedy.

Due to these concerns, through the dark and pouring night I was restless and

uneasy. I was physically lying in a tent and was watching the open sky at the

Patanjali Yogpeeth ground. Vividly remembering the whole day each and every

moment seemed more and more frightening and heartbreaking. As I was immersed

in my thoughts, I did not realize when the sun began to rise. I encourage myself to



get up from the ground, to complete my morning-routine, then to still the pain in

my heart and start to make plans to serve humanity.

Our gratitude to our Nepal Patanjali family

From the Patanjali Ayurveda center of Nepal, Rajuji and Babu Kazi provided 300-

400 cartons of biscuits. Uddhavji brought 200-300 boxes of apples. Om Bansalji

and Vinodji were ready to serve with 200-300 sacks of beaten paddy (chiwda).

Distribution of 200-400 boxes of water bottles was undertaken by Shaligramji,

Upendraji, Labdevji, Sister Archana and Sister Rita; while others were also

engaged in relief activities.

The next phase

As hours elapsed people from around the world were unable to even

estimate the destruction caused by the earthquake; they were sharing information

through Facebook and Twitter and other social media and no one was able to

understand what they could do at that moment. When a tragedy is so immense it is

often difficult to know what to do.



At Patanjali we began to make both short and long term plans.

Acknowledging the needs of people Swamiji said that everyone should continue

the relief activities with top priority even if the organization, Patanjali had to stop

other important work.

We had arranged all possible immediate relief supplies from what we could

get locally. However that was not at all sufficient. We were posed with the

question - what should be done next? First we talked to Bharatji in Haridwar

(India) about the quickest way for relief material to reach us. He suggested a

possible route through Lucknow (India). After this, we talked to O. P. Shrivastava

and Alakhji for the immediate arrangement of 7 trucks of relief material consistingof 3 trucks of potable water and 1 truck each of fruit, potatoes, biscuits and

tarpaulin.

A list of essential and necessary medicines was made by an expert team

known to Patanjali doctors and medicine worth approximately 1.0 Crore Indian

Rupees (1.0 Crore = 107) were ordered immediately. They could not reach on the

same day as paper-work had to be done. On the second day after a letter of

permission from the Indian Ambassador to Nepal along with a letter of guarantee

from a doctor, the medicines were dispatched.

Straight-away we constituted 30 teams for relief in the affected remote

districts to organize camps and continue these relief camps without any

interruption till life became better for the affected people. We also arranged food

and water, tents, blankets, mats, and other necessities in these camps. In this work,



the Nepal Government, the Police administration, especially D.I.G. Bhandari

helped us a great deal.

Amidst the devastation, we contacted the Red Cross to organize a blood donation

camp. We were informed that the Red Cross team had gone for blood donations

and after the tremors the team could not be contacted. Anyhow we had arrangedfor blood donation the very next day. Swamiji and I were heartened to be the first

donors. After donating blood Swamiji urged others to donate blood as well.

Little children orphaned by a calamity are terribly vulnerable. Swamiji

announced that our organization would adopt at least 500 orphaned children and

provide them with quality education and higher education, accommodation,

clothing and all necessities by Patanjali Yogpeeth.

For immediate relief, the building of the Ayurvedic College at Dhulikhel,

Kathmandu will be used for this purpose and the proposed program for opening a

medical college has obviously been postponed. I also decided to stay there to

supervise the relief work and activities, so that relief and rehabilitation work can bedone effectively.

Reflections

In this terrible situation thousands of people waited for someone to help

them. It appeared as if Nature itself was cruel, so what could they expect from



someone else? In the face of Nature’s wrath what can a human being do? However

it is our moral duty to save the people whom we can save with our best efforts.

The lives of people were saved wherever possible near the city. However

relief was not easy to reach to people who lived in distant, remote hilly regions.

Such Shailputra and Himalayaputra-putriya (children of the divine mountains),

who had made their homes by laboriously putting together each straw and were

contentedly and happily living their life, eating twice a day, with their innocent

children, living peacefully without harming others and bearing their sorrow. They

were not atheists, but with their own tradition and wisdom were trying to praise the

Almighty. Beyond all political conflicts, complications, hypocrisy and the futilities

of an artificial life, why were those peaceful peoples subjected to Nature’s fury?

The heroic Gorkhali community people, have always defended the people oftheir own country, as well as Mother India and even (earlier on) the British people;

they are those who always stood up to protect, serve and lead their own lives to

protect others. Yet today, they are shedding tears bitterly and are in deep misery.

Their poignant Cry would melt a heart of stone.

Beautiful serene pristine mountain peaks, snowy mountain ranges, the best

essence of nature and natural herbs, the melody of mountain’s folk music, it has all

become a graveyard in a moment. Most familiar villages, home, family, fields anddomesticated animals, everything was lost. In a moment, all the relations,

traditions, love and harmony became a thing of the past. There was a deep silence

everywhere.

Moving ahead



In the face of this disaster, it is our moral duty to raise above all political and

geographical boundaries and come forward with humanity and feelings to serve

those who have suffered extensive devastation.

As a result of this terrible incident, thousands of people have lost their lives

and thousands of severely wounded peoples are hungry and thirsty. Thousands of

families have lost their hopes. The few moments of this calamity led to such

extensive devastation that it will take centuries to overcome. If we all come

together to serve, then we definitely can provide relief to whatever extent is

humanly possible.

Patanjali’s relief work

Rescue, relief and reconstruction work will take years to organize the lives

of people. Thousands of people from

nearby areas who are being treated in

Kathmandu, have no-one in their family

waiting for them and they have no home,

where will they go after being discharged

from the hospital?

For all such people Patanjali isarranging accommodation and food at

Kathmandu and Banepa of Kabhre district.

When they get well and are ready to go to

their villages, they would be provided

tents, food, essential materials, financial

aid and courage, to re-build their lives.

They may be thousands in number, but

Patanjali Yogpeeth will take theresponsibility of all of them.

An appeal

We request you to come forward in this tragedy to support the affected

people.



The immediate disaster relief and rescue efforts by the India’s Honorable

Prime Minister Modiji should be praised. Our NDRF personnel and doctors were

involved tirelessly in this service. Our hearty congratulations go to them. In

addition, all the governments of the countries who have extended a hand of co-

operation in this disaster and different countries social and spiritual institutions’

selfless cooperation and support in this work and of course the courageous people

of Nepal who are engaged in collaboration and service, we thank all them for their

humane feelings. The Government of Nepal, police administration, and those

police who attempted to save people in the middle of the rubble and continued

tirelessly in their efforts, we can never thank them enough. We hope that with the

grace of the Almighty, life will be easier soon in Nepal and that the people of

Nepal will proceed with their lives with peace and prosperity will return to Nepal

with the courage and hard-work of the people of Nepal.



Donate for Nepal Earthquake

If you have read the first-person account above you will know the human aspects of the Tragedy.

As Nepal grapples with one of the worst natural disasters in its history and as the magnitude of

tragedy continues to unfold. We issue an urgent appeal to the public for generous donations to

support the victims who have suffered extensive devastation. To support Nepal through Patanjali

Yogpeeth Kindly contact:

CONTACT NO. FOR DONORS IN NEPAL

Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited Laxmi Bank

Account No. 5201524403263019 Account No. 00051040010744

SWIFT Code: MBLNNPKAI SWIFT Code: LXBLNPKA

Sunrise Bank Everest Bank

Account No.002002008920c Account No.00300105200669 and

SWIFT Code: FRBLNPKA Account No 00300105200670

SWIFT Code: EVBLNPKA

Ph. Sh. Shaligram Ji 009779851049661, Sh. Lovedev Ji 009779841351731, Ms. Anita Ji

009779851077720

CONTACT NO. FOR DONORS FROM INDIA

NEPAL-BHUKAMP TRASADI “PATANJALI APDA RAHAT KOSH”,

Punjab National Bank

Branch: Ranipur, Haridwar

A/C number 1074000190263148

IFSC CODE PUNB0107400 E-

mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

Ph. 01334-240008

CONTACT NO. FOR DONORS FROM OVERSEAS

State Bank of India

Branch: B.H.E.L., Sec- 5, Ranipur, Haridwar

A/C holder: Patanjali Yogpeeth (Trust) Bank

Account No. 30523427810

SWIFT Code: SBININBB225 E-

mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

Ph. 01334-240008

the first night of the devastation

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