In yet another breakthrough in the practice of ancient forms of Indian medicine, it seems possible that man can rejuvenate himself, whenever he wants to do so! It was made possible at Ottappalam in Palakkad district of Kerala. A 92-year-old ascetic, Yugal Saran Maharaj, who underwent a special 45-day Kayakalpa treatment in seclusion, now has black strands sprouting in his otherwise grey beard and also confesses to feeling "youthful stirrings".

An Ayurveda practioner himself, Saran Maharaj came down from Mount Abu in Rajasthan to go through the rigorous Kayakalpa process. Saran Maharaj underwent the treatment in the three chambered Trigarbha Graham at Ottappalam in Palakkad district as part of an attempt to create a “miracle” of rejuvenation using Kayakalpa Rasayana which is extolled in Ayurveda texts. "I did this not to become younger but to prove a point ancient Ayurveda can do wonders. I was also associated with a similar treatment for renowned freedom fighter and social reformer Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1933," says Saran Maharaj.

Besides achieving a haemoglobin count of 15.5, uncharacteristic among people of his age, Saran Maharaj has also started experiencing "amorous feelings" that he abandoned 60 years ago. Now black strands have started sprouting in his otherwise grey beard. The swelling on his feet and hands vanished. Few shaking teeth have now become firmer and Saran Maharaj also confesses of feeling more youthful now.

But, Yugal Saran Maharaj cautions that, undergoing this treatment is not a mean task. As part of kayakalpa rasayana, one has to live in a three-chambered room or trigarbha gruham and will be confined to solitude for 45 days, cut off completely from the outside world. His diet will just comprise a combination of herbal medicines and a glass of milk daily.