Not only naive people but even great scholars have emphasized the necessity for good health and valued it as a precious treasure of life. Bhatrahari, in his book ‘Nitishatak,’ gives first place to good health out of four rare boons to a man – good health, chaste spouse, obedient son, and a faithful friend.
Various erudite people have emphasized good health as an indispensable feature in life. Several books on Ayurvedic therapy signifying the importance of good health and maintaining it have been written in the past, and this process is continuing. Still, the health situation of people is deteriorating against the unprecedented increase in medical facilities and resources. So, this is urgently required to focus on why human health is deteriorating. Its first reason seems to be that we are fast moving away from nature. We are so closely surrounded by non-natural means of comfort that they have created an unfathomable gap between us and nature.
Our physical body and the entire universe are composed of five basic constituents – earth, water, air, fire, and sky. This is an indisputable fact that anything would need the same constituent for the survival of which it is made. Our body requires all five elements to remain healthy. We need earth element in the form of grain and vegetables, sufficient pure air for breathing, sunlight as a representative of heat and fire, and sky-element in the form of freedom. Our health is jeopardized to the extent that we move away from the natural ambiance. We have become accustomed to eating contaminated food, breathing foul odors in closely crowded areas, and living mostly in closed buildings permitting little light to pass through because of the compactness of living areas.
In addition, we have become so undisciplined in our daily routine that our actions are haphazard and contrary to the natural course. Nature performs all its acts at an appropriate time and in order. Sun rises and sets in time, clouds surge and rain at the appropriate time, flowers bloom and wilt when their season arrives, fruits ripe at the right moment, crops cannot be cultivated against their season, stars shine and disappear at the appropriate time, all the planets are moving as per cosmic rules. On the other hand, man, a visible epitome of consciousness, has no prescribed direction of conduct even in performing his daily chores. Sometimes he rises early and sometimes late, sometimes takes food when he feels hungry, and sometimes without desire. The crux is that neither he is consistent in his actions nor understands their importance. For this reason, nature is immortal, and man is short-lived.
In comparison to humans, even cattle and birds look healthier, which is because they are close to nature and follow natural principles. They awake at sunrise and eat only what nature has assigned for them. They copulate only in a specific season and engage themselves in pleasantries under the open sky. Except for man, every sentient creature survives on its earned food; none of them depends on others.
Every person longs to live a long and pleasant life, but there is a dichotomy between his precepts and practice. In earlier times, the average age of Indians was 100 years compared to the present age of 60-70. Good health is the basic element to achieving long life. One who is not healthy can neither achieve long life nor live happily. An unhealthy person is a burden not only for himself but also for others. So, the primary duty of every person is to ensure good health. Living a healthy life is an art governed by some rules. They are summarized below.
The foremost principle is about what to eat and how to eat. This is advisable to eat only those items which can be taken in their natural forms, like fruits and vegetables. Food should not be overcooked and should be taken only two times as per requirement. Our eatables should be digestive and tasty also. Because our digestive system has to work harder to digest rich food, which weakens the digestive system, and in the later stage of life, it ruins the system so much that even light food is not digested. As a result, the stomach remains upset, and many diseases begin to develop.
Along with taking care of the viability of food, physical work or exercise is also equally necessary to keep the digestive system in order. Those who earn their sustenance by doing physical labor need not perform any exercise except those who sit in one place for prolonged hours.
Exercise should be performed as per your circumstances. For example, students should play outdoor games. Those who have to sit for long hours should go for a morning walk. Those who are obese should opt for a brisk walk and do some Asanas like Surya Namaskar or Pranayama.
Now comes lifestyle. Make it a habit of going to bed early and rising early. Do all your chores at an appropriate time. Clothing should be according to the environment and climate. India is not cold, so people here need not wear tight clothes. Excessively tight clothes block skin pores, and air passage through skin pores is obstructed. Body waste coming out with sweat settles on the body, which gives rise to various skin diseases. During summer, one should wear loose clothes, non-transparent ones in the rainy season, and dense clothes in winter. But tight clothes are not advisable in any season because they obstruct the body’s normal functioning. Excessive garments should not be put on even in winter as they give the feeling of burden on the body and deprive you feel the essence of the season which is more or less necessary to experience because every season brings healthy gifts for a man. Do not get scared of the climate in any season because it never gives anything injurious to people at large. Man is afflicted by nature only when he is found guilty of violating the natural laws of that season. Had it not been so, life would have been a burden for farmers or others who work all day under sunlight.
Always use such places, which are properly lit and ventilated in all seasons. Use minimal clothes to reduce your expenditure and minimize the inconvenience of maintaining them. Practicing celibacy is one more important principle to living a healthy life. As mandatory as it is for scholars, students, and sadhakas, it is necessary for those who earn money through hard work because celibacy enhances the well-being of the physical body and the subtle body. Following all the principles of good health but not practicing abstinence is like watering the leaves of a tree instead of watering its roots.
Health and hygiene are closely related. Practicing good hygiene is one of the traits without which good health shall remain a distant dream. Suppose you take nutritious food that is stale; it will invite trouble. You should not expect good health if you use attractive clothing but keep them dirty. You can imagine the result if you live in a large, ventilated room but it is full of garbage and junk. You are fond of physical exercise and yoga, but if you keep your body dirty, you will be vulnerable to various diseases. This is, therefore, necessary to keep all your belongings and an environment free from dirt or impurities; your body must remain clean, always wash your clothes before they get too dirty, sweep your home every day and take a bath at least once in a day in winters and twice in summers.
As external efforts are necessary for maintaining good health, so are internal efforts. Always remain happy and full of joy. Keep away from anxiety and evil thoughts. Always think positively. Be centered on your present, forget about the past and be optimistic about the future. Make reading good books a habit, join Satsang congregations, and contemplate the mystery of God from time to time. Stay away from wicked thoughts of deceit, fraud, envy, anger, etc. Relinquish thoughts of laziness and make efforts to promote virtuous tendencies. Always be ready to help others and always inclined to perform kind and charitable acts.
Start fellowship with people nearby and enjoy your leisure time at beautiful places. Keep away from excessive showbiz. Make veracity and modesty part of your life. Oppose injustice and mal-practices. Introspect yourself and try to discipline your life.
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2022 Nov-Dec
