Doctors, patients and society

7 February 1993, Valedictory session of the Cardiac Speciality Symposium, Prasanthi Nilayam

Published English.

1

Charity is the ornament for the hand. Truth is the adornment for the tongue. The scriptures are the ornaments for the ears. Of what avail are other ornaments? EMBODIMENTS of the Divine Practioners of Modern Medicine! It is (charity) that lends adornment to the hand. Only Truth lends beauty to speech. The scriptures serve to adorn the ears. Man needs no more beautiful ornaments than these. The glory of Divinity consists in sanctifying human existence by these ornaments. The human body is a thing of marvellous beauty. Men cannot easily comprehend the secret of God's creation. No one can explain how the eyes have acquired the power of seeing this phenomenal world.

2

3

Human life is based on six constituents in the (five basic elements) and the . To recognise this fact, three paths have to be pursued. One is to recognise within one's self the presence of Nature and the Divine. A second path is to recognise in God the cosmic creation and one's self. The third path is to see in Nature the presence of God and one's self. It is only when knowledge is acquired by these three paths that (Knowledge of the Self) arises. This three-fold path is termed (Integrated Awareness). Every man should try to understand this three-fold path. This can be done at all times in all places. It has universal application. It has permanent validity everywhere. But, man gets involved in what is impermanent and ever-changing.

4

Treat the patient; not the disease There are in the world today highly intelligent and experienced doctors of great renown. They are, however, concerned only with the cure of diseases and not the redemption of the patient. It is more important to cure the mental condition of the patient than to relieve his physical illness. Doctors treat the disease and not the patient. During the past two days, the doctors have been discussing how to cure diseases. They have presented statistics as to the number of cases handled, the number of cures effected and the incidence of mortality. The doctors have had some doubts about how all diseases are cured in our Hospital. How does this happen? There is a good answer for this doubt. In regard to any action, if it is done with a pure heart and good intentions, it is bound to be successful. Man today regards self-interest as a way of life. This has become the philosophy of the modern world. But, we should consider (sacrifice) alone as the true philosophy for the world. When you approach the patient in a spirit of sacrifice, the patient's feelings get purified.

5

6

There are two important organs for man. One is the heart and the other is the hand. The head is preoccupied with enquiring into mundane phenomena. It is concerned with the external. Its focus is on objects outside. The heart looks at what is within. The concern with the external has been termed (the path of externals)... All man's actions today, including the knowledge he acquires and the wealth he gets, are all related to the . The six vices of (lust), (anger), (infatuation), (greed), (pride) and (jealousy) are related to the . These undergo constant changes. Because the body is associated with these qualities, it is also subject to change. But the heart remains unchanging. It is associated with the (the Inward path). What are the qualities associated with the heart? Truth, compassion, love, forbearance, sympathy and sacrifice: These human qualities emanate from the heart. So, in human life, the head and the heart play crucial roles. These two are kept in balance by the hand. Thus, the heart, the head and the hand are the three H's which are important in studying the human predicament.

7

Close nexus between the mind and What are the causes of diseases of the heart? All diseases are a reflection of , the disposition of the mind: Hence, in worldly matters, man should follow the right path. In this context, two elements among the five basic elements are important. "" (Food is essential for protecting the body; raiment is necessary for protection against cold). Associated with food is water. These two occupy pride of place in human life. Life is the subtle form of the water consumed by man. The mind is the subtle form of the food taken by man. Hence a close nexus should' be established between the mind and (life force). As is the food, so is the head. Man's thoughts, desires and aspirations are related to the kind of food he consumes. For instance, you may discern from practical experience how food affects the mind. The cyclic process which starts with the formation of clouds and ends in the harvest of grain, determines the kind of food one can have. Heat (or fire) is the basis of this process. This fire is present within man as , the digestive fire, which accounts for the conversion of the food consumed by man into various forms of energy. This fire has to be in proper balance. When the balance is upset, you have illness. The state of man's body depends on the maintenance of this balance. Man's entire life depends on preserving this balance. When is the balance upset? When there is no mental steadiness. Men today develop all kinds of intellectual abilities, but they have not learnt how to keep the mind steady. When serenity of mind is achieved, there will be no disease. Illness will not approach you at all.

8

Importance of food in maintaining health There should be some regulations with regard to food. Many doctors emphasize the value of proteins and recommend meat, eggs, etc. But proteins got in this form serve only to build the body, but do considerable harm to the mind. Doctors are primarily concerned with the gross physical body. They pay little attention to the subtle form of the mental makeup. Most of the diseases that are prevalent in the world today are related to the mind. Mental illness seem to outnumber physical ailments. The has declared that the mind is the cause of man's bondage or liberation. This means that the mind has to be used properly and turned godwards. Equally the mind is responsible for health or sickness. In this context, food is all important. Proteins are present in milk, curds and vegetables as much as in meat. If in the matter of diet, the doctors give the right prescription, diseases can be averted.

9

Prevention is better than cure In my view, instead of treating people after the onset of illness, it is better to ensure that they do not fall ill at all. Both doctors and the authorities should educate enceinte women about pre-natal care of children in the womb. It is distressing to find that new-born babes suffer from congenital heart diseases. Dr. showed the picture of a smiling child that had grown up after a heart operation shortly after birth. While one rejoices at such a sight, it is frightening to think of the operation that had to be done on a ten day old infant. In the case of congenital heart diseases, neither the parents nor the child can be happy. Nor can society be happy with such a situation. Something must be done to prevent heart troubles developing during pregnancy. There are medicines for preventing congenital heart ailments. For instance, if the mother is given various vitamins, the child's heart can be strengthened. The mother should be taught all about pre-natal care and given the necessary medicines. Pregnant women should be periodically checked in the hospital. It is better to take all preventive measures before the birth of a child than to carry the burden of bringing up a weak and crippled child all his life. Doctors alone cannot impart this message to all women. They can only advise those who come to them. But doctors can bring home to the authorities their responsibility in the area of preventive measures. What is the use of spending on curative measures without promoting health? It is a waste of money. There are many hazards in the use of antibiotics in the treatment of certain diseases like tuberculosis and the use of pesticides in agriculture.

10

11

Lessons from the human cell Few can realise the limitless potentialities of each cell in the human body. It is one of the great secrets of creation. The cells teach man the lesson of (sacrifice). For the progress of human life, sacrifice is essential. The scripture, declares that immortality can be attained only through sacrifice. Immortality means the removal of immorality. The various' cells in the body account for the performance of various functions by the senses and other limbs of the body. The power of the cells comes from the Divine. No one can explain it. Modern scientists term it as a "law of Nature." But wherefrom has this "law" emerged? There should be some one who lays down the law? For every product, like this silver tumbler, there is a maker. Silver is God's creation. The tumbler has been made by a goldsmith. It has not come as a ready-made tumbler. You have on the earth water and clay. They are God's creation. By mixing them both, the potter makes pots out of them. The creator for the pot is the potter. God is the Creator for the five elements - space, air, fire, water and earth. No one else can create these elements. But man makes use of these natural elements for making objects for his enjoyment. One man produces an aeroplane for flying. Another makes a parachute for safety if something happens to the plane. Scientists should be concerned with producing things that ensure safety.

12

How the Divine works In this connection, I should like to tell you something whether you believe it or not. I do not have any worry. When I embarked on the construction of such a big hospital (the Super Speciality Hospital), used to say: "We are drawing up such gigantic plans. We don't have enough money. How are we going to construct this hospital?" He was highly apprehensive. I told him: "What we are undertaking is good work for the welfare of others. There is no selfishness in Me. We are doing everything for the well-being of the world. Do not give room for these depressing thoughts. It is bound to come up. Have this confidence." When does such confidence arise? When you know you are engaged in a good cause. There is a difference between an optimist and a pessimist when they view a glass half-full of water. The optimist is glad that the tumbler is half-full, while the pessimist is sorry that the tumbler is halfempty. You should not give way to pessimism. You must feel content with whatever you have. With contentment, anything can be achieved.

13

Medical education should lay stress on quality The plight of doctors (in India) deserves sympathy. Many of them have to spend large sums to get seats in medical colleges and to complete their education. The doctor is worried how to recover the money that has been spent on his education. Something must be done to solve this problem. For instance, no one should be admitted in a medical college merely because he is able to pay a large capitation fee (of ). Only those who have the talents and aptitude for medical studies should be admitted. Such students will immensely benefit from medical education and will be of use to society. Today you must have either plenty of money or influential backing to get into a medical college. Students who get admitted this way take even twelve years to complete the five year medical course. Of what use are such men? The stress should be on quality and not quantity in the sphere of medical studies. In earlier years, medical students used to work hard spending even 18 hours a day. Without such hard work, no one would get his degree. Alas! today things are otherwise. Students pass without much study. Such ill-educated doctors are a calamity to the nation. Not all doctors are of this kind. There are quite a few competent doctors. It is the duty of the medical profession to rectify this situation. They should contact the authorities to bring about reforms. Only then will the nation progress. We do not need many hospitals. Patients can be treated easily. In my view, there is no need for you to worry about money and resources. Treat your patients with love, Duty is God. This love should be mutual give and take. You may charge fees for your services, but do it with love. This is the right course for you. When you render service in this spirit, you will be successful in all cases. When you treat the patient with love, you will win the patient's love. Hence, your motto should be: "Start the day with love, fill the. day with love and end the day with love." This is the way to God.

14

15

16

Highly experienced professional men have come here. No conference could have taken place in such a peaceful atmosphere as here with such pure hearted participants. In most conferences there are heated debates. Here everything was peaceful and calm. It was a sacred exercise. As Dr. said, we have here a temple, where proper prayers should be offered. What should be this prayer? It is' All patients should get well. "!" (Let all people be happy).

17