Race between Health and Wealth

Author: Rekha Gupta

” Health is Wealth” was literally taken it seems, and we ended up creating more wealth and less health.

Pharmaceutical Industry was the top most industry until just a few years back,and is still somewhere on top. However that is not the point here . My main point is that it really is our business to create health and not money. There are several other arenas where countries can create wealth . People‘s health and lives is serious business . Without getting into the grim side of this industry and how it managed to reach the top spot , I want this post to talk only about Bharat (India) and its contribution to medicine. How we treated Medicine as a noble profession always and how the doctors were considered next only to God. C@Rg

India was not recognized by the world, as being a developing country, they perhaps thought we did not have our sciences in place. However the actual reason was something else. We as a country were way ahead in medicine except that our nobility interfered with the concept of profitability. For the uninitiated, India knew Medicine and Surgery when most countries were not even born.

Despite of so much knowledge on health and healthy foods from all around, following different diets like , all protein diet, less carbohydrate diet etc. or elimination of certain foods from ones diet, like Ghee,Sugar,Gluten,dairy,deep fried etc, leaves one irritated . In times of abundance and supposedly advanced medicine, mankind is still suffering from innumerable health issues like never before. Every step in advancement of medicine has been a step backwards in Ethics. It leaves us confused, wondering and wanting to go back to the healthy life style that our wise parents , grand parents and perhaps what our ancestors followed without a fuss, Life of Ayurved. Doesn’t it surprise you sometimes that there is still a huge percentage of population in our country unaffected by new age diseases like BP, Cholesterol, diabetes- there are households that follow simple diets and age old home remedies– it is to keep these diseases at bay. And as people around the world are becoming aware that they cannot be stuck to medication lifelong they are looking for options., in fact the world is looking upon India for solutions and I as a proud Bhartiya dream of India healing the world and making medicine a noble profession again and to bring back the ethics and nobility that it so deserves. C@Rg

Very recently , about three weeks ago, WHO executive director, Miachael Ryan said that India led world in eradicating small pox and polio completely and could do a lot to control Corona. Thats a huge thing. However little did we know at that time that India would not only be one of the few nations succeeding in attempting to control the epidemic but will also be the single largest provider to the world, of the medicine required for this deadly virus. I sure am a proud Indian today.

It is India that can change the face of pharma industry and its time to re-introduce the ancient VEDIC SCIENCES not only in our country but to the world and lets do that vehemently and proudly . However until we know the history of our medicine, how will be believe in it and how will we take it ahead…so lets read this together.

India is one of the oldest civilisations that has the oldest Sacred text on medicine that is ‘AYURVED’ which is the Sub Ved of Sacred ATHARVED. The four Sacred VEDAS are the worlds oldest texts . It is believed that the ancient Indian Rishis/Sage received these Sacred Veds from GOD. C@Rg

PRANA’S /AATMA HAS THE POWERS TO HEAL THE BODY ON ITS OWN, THAT IS FURTHER SUPPORTED BY AN ANCIENT SCIENCE, AYURVED, SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL.

Ayurved when translated is ‘Life Knowledge or Life Science. Ayurved is an ancient science of holistic healing, traditional health care, both PREVENTIVE as well as CURATIVE that is widely practiced in India till date.

We Indians believe that when GOD created living beings ,HE created everything that was needed to sustain life. eg. is SANJEEVNI BUTI -a life giving medicinal herb that is mentioned in our SACRED RAMAYAN.

India’s ancient Rishis were meditating Rishis,who knew precisely as to which plant has what medicinal properties and in which corner of this vast vast country was it available and is to be used for which specific ailment, such is the Power of a Meditating Soul, who can see wherever and whatever he chooses to see. ….. C@Rg

One such ancient rishi was SUSHRUTA, who is the first surgeon of the world. Although the practice of Surgery was already long established in India as the first Sacred text ‘CHARAK SAMIHTA’ on medicine suggests, but rishi Sushruta developed several surgical techniques and he was the first to perform Plastic Surgery and many more without anesthesia.. The surgical instruments that he designed are in use till date. ‘SUSHRUTA SAMHITA’ the oldest sanskrit text on medicine and surgery written by him, is referred by doctors all over the world ,as of today.Rishi Sushruta is known as the Father of Medicine and Sugery. In Melbourne, there is a statue of the first surgeon of the world, Rishi Sushruta.

AYURVED is about a disciplined life style,a combination of many principles and it is both Curative and Preventive. Preventive Ayurved is about a disciplined life style,with detailed principles laid out for ‘daily routine’, from the time one wakes up to the time one goes to sleep, and how to be during the day. The principle of the human body’s cycle is connected to Nature,that is connected to a day’s cycle of Sun and Moon, so follows the daily routine in accordance to the Sun and Moons cycle and of Nature. Daily routine’s principles are to maintain and promote health and prevention of diseases via diet and a healthy life style,prevention is better than cure. C@Rg

AYURVED is a very detailed and deep text, but I am writing this post based on a few simple observations, and whatever told and practiced by my Grand Parents and Parents , just to get you familiar to this powerful,healing way of life,life style of Ayurved, and maybe for you to start practising.

Life is sustained and balanced by Mental,Physical and Spiritual factors,.thus Ayurved gives equal importance to all three for optimum well being….The world is already acquainted to a few principles of Ayurved that are -PRANAYAM, YOG AND MEDITATION.

AyurVed guides you into the very core of a problem to find the root cause of an ailment, whether it originates, from improper diet, an undisciplined lifestyle or emotional imbalance that triggers negative thinking. Ayurved does not focus only on the symptoms but psychosomatic imbalance,which is core reason of all ailments.Symptoms are a warning to treat that’s wrong at an early stage. C@Rg

Over thousands of years , gradually we too just remembered a few lines of Ayurved’s principles,.. like- You are what you eat-Chew your food 32 times,- to eat in silence and to be seated while eating, Early to bed,early to rise,makes a man healthy wealthy and wise- All work and no play makes a man dull, ‘mota khao aur sukhi raho’ and a few more. We hear from our parents and repeat it to our children, but without realising the deep and healing powers of these lines,when followed.

Ayurved’s principles are substantiated scientifically and logically.First is to understand the human body, to understand science of Ayurved. As human body is made of five elements earth, water,fire,air and space, hence it is connected to nature. Balancing of ‘tridoshas’ known as Vat ,Pitt and Kapha [ wind,bile and phlegm ] ,are of utmost importance and when not balanced then there arises a problem in the functioning of body ,known as a disease .To understand Assimilation and Elimination. To know creation, maintenance and destruction of the body’s cells and tissues. C@Rg

Important principles are –

To wake up with a prayer, 2 hours before Sun rise, at pratah-kala (before Sun rise),the most auspicious time as it is BRAMHA MUHURAT. To start the day with a glass of water to activate Metabolism. Further early morning is to take a cold water bath, to purify externally and internally as it gives strength, sensitivity, longevity and revitalises the subtle body, removing the influence of sleep and dreams as well as of negative thoughts.

Now purified, on an empty stomach,to do PRANAYAM, YOG and MEDITATION to be done in the open early morning, as the oxygen content is at its highest and the mind is at its lightest,clear of thoughts. Pranayam-literally means to Recharge Energy or Life Pranayam– is to regulate breath scientifically . Breath regulated in a certain way fills every blocked vein with oxygen thus enhancing blood circulation, Breath regulated another way detoxs the body, eliminating the harmful toxins. YOG- YOG ASANS (pose) are many and each specific Asan is for each specific body part and a specific purpose, to keep the body flexible and healthy. Breathing while at a certain pose/asan ensures oxygen supply to the remotest of body parts.Once one ensures that there is adequate supply of oxygen to every body part, you are ready to take on the day.

MEDITATION- at a Conscious level is to connect to GOD as a prayer so as to prepare and calm the mind for the day’s activities ahead. Meditation- means to use Breath as a focal point for the Mind to be completely in the present,in this moment.and when you notice that mind is creating thoughts (as minds job is to create thoughts/and you should not bother about that), you simply return your attention to the movement of the breath again.This will happen time and again nonetheless let the thoughts go but keep coming back to the movement of your breath till you master it in few weeks or months,depending on your will-power. Slowly then one can learn to Meditate further at Sub-Conscious level , then further at a much deeper level to be one with the whole universe. (hope to post a detailed text on meditation soon) C@Rg

Then second major principle is- FOOD, AS IT IS LIFE GIVING and so, it is important to understand as to WHAT, HOW, WHERE, AND WHAT to eat as this is all defined scientifically so it becomes easy for us to implement.1 Never to Drink or Eat while Standing -as the body’s fluids are imbalanced, resulting in accumulation of fluids in body’s joints to cause Arthritis and also hampers functioning of the kidneys. 2 Never to gulp down a glass of Water or any liquid but to drink like you are eating it, that is to take it sip by sip and enjoying it in the mouth and that helps in a quick digestion. 3. Not to drink water with meals- because when one starts to eat,the body (agni) fire (digestive juices/acids) is activated to digest the food and Water extinguishes the activated Fire, thus leaving the food undigested. 4 Drink water 45 minutes before a meal , and two hours after a meal but never with a meal. Principles pertaining to Food -to inculcate healthy eating habits .WHAT TO EAT – Food that is cooked at home. To eat only thats seasonal,f or in summers the body needs food that is cooling and with more water content to keep the body hydrated, likewise in winters body needs food that maintain the body temperature.To eat all that is natural and organic.To eat only unrefined and raw cold pressed oils,what is locally grown according to the climate as that is ideal for body temperature besides many healing properties. To eat Cows Ghee as it has so many medicinal properties that it is used in Ayurved as preventive as well as curative medicine. To eat Raw unrefined Rock Salt only. To eat unrefined Raw sugar known as Gur/Shakkar/Jaggery in winters and Khand, Karara and Dhaga Mishri/ Rock Sugar which has medicinal properties besides all minerals and vitamins remain intact. To eat only freshly cooked food as food that is kept for more than 3 hours looses its nutritive,medicinal and healing properties. Freshly cooked food that is warm because it is in sync with body temperature. Cold foods are not digested by the body thus do more harm than any good, Similarly water and other home made drinks should be at room temp or water from an earthenware vessel is ideal. HOW TO EAT- To be seated cross legged on a wooden plank/mat on the floor as the body is in sync now with mother Earth and the posture and body’s movement of bending slightly forward to take a bite and then coming back to position aids in digestion, as well as tells us when we are full thus helping not to over eat. C@Rg To Eat in complete Silence, so as to be in gratitude to GOD. To focus only on the food that is on the plate so that the indiriyas [Senses ] are satiated too, and then only one feels content besides providing more nourishment. To Chew each bite 32 times as food when chewed properly (mixes with enzymes in your saliva), digests easily and quickly thus saving the liver from extra effort. WHEN TO EAT– First meal after Sun rise and the second and last meal to be eaten before Sunset because the Sun aids in quick and easy digestion of food as body’s cycle is connected to the cycle of the SUN and the MOON. The body requires food only during the day to energize a working body but if anything is eaten after Sun set, then its not digested properly thereby putting an extra load on the liver and the other organs, to somehow digest it, taking away from their resting time, when the organs need to rest and rejuvenate for the next day. Not to over eat for the simple reason that the body dose not require it and it is difficult to digest. An ancient Bhartiya tradition to fast once a week ,is to DETOX the body and to take the load off the organs ,to help them rejuvenate faster.C@Rg

If one was to observe carefully his surroundings he would realise that not only the human body cycle but all living beings body cycle is connected to the cycle of Sun and Moon, a bird does not eat after the Sun sets and the other animals rarely suffer any diseases as they are disciplined and follow rules of the nature. This should be motivating enough for us to adapt to a healthy life style and it doesn’t take long, to change over, but requires only will power to take that first step . C@Rg

My emphasis on Ayurved in no way defies modern medicine , on the contrary, I want us ( Indians and India) to take upon the reins of their health in their hands as much as possible. Just Imagine the enormous possibilities if we simply combine individual discipline, our history of Ayurved, advancement in medical science and of course our value system of ethics and nobility. We will definitely be a healthier planet.

Think Positive, Feel Happy, Stay Healthy

Author: Rekha Gupta