Integral approach to human ailments

6 February 1993, International gathering of Cardiac specialists present at a symposium held in University Auditorium, Prasanthi Nilayam

Published English.

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One whose heart is filled with compassion, Whose words spell truth, And who works for the welfare of others Will never suffer from difficulties Or diseases even in the age.

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IN THIS wide world, everyone aspires for long life, prosperity and health. A healthy body is essential if one has to achieve the four goals of human life, namely, (righteousness), (wealth), (desire) and (liberation). Science and technology have made great strides in contributing to the progress of human society. But man has deteriorated morally and spiritually.

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Among the four , the is the one that has given the science relating to longevity, known as . transcends time and space and is valid for all places, at all times. It relates to the spirit, mind and the body and has an integrated approach. The Allopathic system came much later. It is based on an objective, external approach while is subjective. Both have to be coordinated for better results. Since is subjective it is more efficacious than the Allopathic system. There is a superior artistic sense in .

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Doctors have to realise the distinction between subjective and objective approaches. The latter has an external outlook while the former has an inner view. The object is a reflection of the subject. Without realising this relationship between and Allopathy, doctors are wasting their time in arguments.

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Basic difference between and Allopathy affirms that purity of mind is more essential for one's health while Allopathic doctors do not consider the mind as so important. They give importance to the eradication of disease causing germs and consider this as the only means to cure diseases. This does not take into account the role of the mind and the Spirit in the eradication of disease. Allopathy is based on external knowledge and experimentation, while is based on inner knowledge and experience. There is gulf of difference between experiment and experience. Because of the difference between the subjective and objective approaches, in course of time, Allopathy resorted to the use of antibiotics to deal with various diseases. The antibiotics act powerfully and yield quick results in curing a disease. But, in the process of curing a disease they give rise to adverse side-effects.

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The role of the mind in causing sickness Allopathic doctors experiment only with matter. They do not take the inner consciousness (Self) into account. In spite of the prodigious technological developments in the world, man is not able to enjoy peace. Peace cannot be achieved by knowledge of the physical. Peace should come from inner feeling or the Spirit within. It is only when the body, the mind and the Spirit are in harmony that peace will prevail. Medical science should recognise the role of the mind in causing sickness. Good health confers mental peace. Mental worry impairs physical health. , therefore, lays emphasis on mental peace and aims at the elimination of the root cause of disease.

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There are three basic factors which are responsible for health or disease in the human body according to . They are (vital air), (bile) and (phlegm). accounts for 36 diseases, accounts for 98 and for 96 diseases. These three factors are essential for the human body but they should be in proper balance without exceeding their respective limits. When they are in balance, there will be no disease. Moderation is the golden rule for good health. For the treatment of disease arising out of , and , gingely oil, and honey respectively are prescribed as remedies. These should be taken in moderation. The body is a gift of God and cannot be made by doctors. The human heart beats 1,03,000 times a day. The blood circulation in the body is computed to cover 1,68,000 miles per day. Man breathes 21,600 times and consumes 438 cubic feet of air every day. These are based on Divine Will and are regarded as a Law of Nature.

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God is the preceptor of (Nature). The body is unclean in many ways and is subject to various diseases. But in such an inherently unattractive abode dwells the most valuable divinity. Man should always act in harmony with Nature, which is reflection of Divinity.

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Purifying the environment is the primary task The primary task is to purify the environment which is affected by pollution of air, water and food. All the five elements are affected by pollution. People should, therefore, try to reduce the use of automobiles and control the emission of harmful industrial effluents. In the ancient times, sages and scientists commended the Ayurvedhic system of treatment as it was considered a natural system for curing disease. Trees play a vital role in helping mankind to receive oxygen from the atmosphere while they absorb the carbon dioxide exhaled by human beings. Hence, the ancients favoured the growing of trees to control atmospheric pollution. But nowadays trees are cut down indiscriminately and pollution is on the increase. The relationship between man and trees is indicated by the term " " (herbs) employed in . Man is leading an artificial life today. One should understand that he is not merely the body but a combination of body, mind and Spirit.

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In the , " " is the first line. In this refers to matter, that is the body, refers to the (Life Principle) which animates the body, and refers to (Awareness or Conscience) which acts through radiation. Hence man is made up of (awareness), (the vital force) and the body (the material substance). The doctors should not consider only the body (matter), but should take into consideration the (Life Force) and (Integrated Awareness). is the radiation energy that promotes wisdom. Vibration is the expression of the (Vital Force). In every action, there is a vibration which is in between the consciousness and the physical body. We should see that the mind is not influenced by any external 'force' but by the internal 'source,' which is or integrated awareness.

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The essence of the Eighteen of was given by him in the motto Help ever, hurt never.

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This hospital is not 's. It belongs to all of you. This hospital was established with the noble aim of serving suffering humanity. Besides excellent equipment of the highest quality, we have here the most modern facilities for medical and surgical treatment and, above all, a team of dedicated doctors and other staff who render selfless service with a smile. The construction of the hospital was completed in an incredibly short period of five months. The construction of a hospital of this magnitude might have taken even ten years if the Government had taken up the work. When I announced on 23rd November 1990, that this hospital will function from 22nd November 1991, many eyebrows were raised, doubting the possibility of the date being kept up. But it became an accomplished fact as willed by .

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Devotion and selfless service of doctors Dr. came from to conduct the operations on 22nd November, 1991. Ever since he took up the work; it has been a saga of success. It has not been mentioned in the public before that he is a doctor in government service working in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. He used to start from on a Saturday; arrive here and perform operations on Sunday and return to for work on Monday. He has not taken any remuneration for his work and has defrayed even the travelling expense himself. I am mentioning these facts only to highlight his devotion and sense of selfless service. His entire team is of the same type. They are very happy to have the opportunity to serve here. Their purity of heart and selfless service, have helped the hospital to achieve such splendid results. Most of the nurses and technicians are our college students. They were sent to for technical training in the operation of highly sophisticated equipment. They have often been working smilingly from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight. They serve here only out of devotion to and not for money.

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To cite an example of the spirit of dedication of the staff, yesterday while was returning from the hospital, nurses who had done hard and strenuous work for more than three days were found walking on the road and on enquiry it was learnt that their bus broke down and they decided to trek the long distance back to the on foot. asked them to wait there and arranged for a relief bus to pick them up. The relationship between and. devotees is heart to heart based on love.

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A word of advice to the doctors Not a single is collected from patients for anything, right from diagnostic tests to surgery and after-care. Even nutritious food is supplied free to the patents. In the beginning, the innocent and simple village folk did not know how to use the hospital beds. Some of them slept under the cot saying in utter simplicity that they were not worthy enough to sleep on such expensive beds. Patients do not show any sign of worry in this hospital. I wish to give a word of advice to the doctors. While you are examining the patients you should have smiling faces and talk to the patients sweetly. If you check the pulse with a grim face the patients may collapse fearing that there is something radically wrong. Some patients even dread the very sight of a doctor when he approaches to examine. This is not good. Doctors should infuse courage in the patents and speak soothingly radiating compassion and love. The kind approach of the doctor will have greater healing effect on the patients than the medicine itself. Doctors must instill courage in the patients. wants more hospitals to render free treatment to the poor. Doctors should cooperate and work with unity.

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