Rishi Prasad- A Spiritual Monthly Publication of Sant Sri Asharam Ji Ashram

How to prevent infectious diseases?

In Ayurveda, infectious diseases are included under the category Agantuk jvara (acquired fever) i.e. the variety of fever which arises from external factors. Why does it occur in some people and not others?

In Charaka Samhita (3.11-12), Acharya Punarvasu said, “Fever, disorder, disease, ailment and malady – are all synonymous terms and signify the same thing. The morbid humours, somatic and psychic, are considered to be the cause of fever. For fever, never assails a creature that is free from morbidity. Hence, the physical humours – Vata, Pitta and Kapha and psychic doshas – Rajas and Tamas are said to be the primary causes of fever.”

It implies that if any pathogen enters a body which is not morbid either mentally or physically then it will not cause a disease. It may show some mild symptoms and signs.

This does not mean that one should not be cautious. It is extremely necessary to prevent the entrance of pathogens into one’s body by vigilance and observance of rules, but here we want to alert the people to be vigilant and take preventive measures, if the pathogens happen to enter the body unknowingly, so that the pathogen cannot get the chance to cause a disease.

Causes of morbidity:

(1) Factors impairing gastric fire: According to Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 15.42-44: “By abstinence from food, indigestion, overeating, irregular eating, taking unwholesome, heavy, cold, excessively dry and putrid articles of food; by wrongful effects of purgation, emesis and oleation; by emaciation consequent upon disease or the incompatibility of country, clime or season, or by the suppression of the natural urges, the gastric fire gets vitiated and does not digest even the lightest of foods and the food being undigested turns sour and acts like poison.”

According to Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana 2.9: “Food eaten by one who is given to anxiety, grief, fear, anger, pain, sedentary habits or staying awake at night (up until 11.00-12.00 O clock), although the prescribed diet is eaten with strict regard to measure, it will fail to be digested properly.”

So those who desire to remain healthy, should follow the above precautions.

(2) Lack of appropriate diet, celibacy and enough sleep: Appropriate diet, enough sleep and the practice of celibacy have been considered as the three main pillars of the body in Ayurveda as they are responsible for ‘a healthy and disease-free state’ of the body by maintaining the balance of vata, pitta and kapha. So for excellent health, one must take care of these three.

(3) Lack of wholesome food, conduct and behaviour: ‘The rule of conduct is transcendent law among all dharmas.’ (Manu Smruti 1.108). By practicing this, human life becomes successful, otherwise it leads to destruction.

It is written in Charaka Samhita (Sutra Sthana: 7.60): “The wise man who seeks happiness both here and hereafter, should exercise the highest care in selecting what is wholesome in the matter of Ahara (food), conduct and behaviour.” Here the word Ahara does not just mean the gross food, it actually means, everything we take in through all our five sense organs – the organs of hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell. It is termed verily as ‘Ahara’ by our great men and scriptures. Carelessness in any of these, gives rise to disease and sickness.

It is of the utmost importance to protect ourselves from the causes of morbidity to prevent Agantuk Roga (exogenous diseases) and to attain excellent health.

Prophylactic measures for Agantuk Roga

Prevention is better than cure. ‘The utility of this science consists in the maintenance of health in the healthy and in the quieting of disorders in the ailing.’ स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्यरक्षणं... (Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana: 30.26)

It is written in Charaka Samhita (Sutra Sthana: 7.53-54) that: ‘Avoidance of “volitional transgression”, control of the senses, recollection, knowledge of the clime, season and self and observance of the rules of good conduct – These are laid down as the course of prevention of exogenous diseases. The wise man should observe, much before the onset of the disease (as a prophylactic measure) such things as he considers good for his well-being.’

Benefit of the application of authoritative instructions

The knowledge of authoritative instruction (from Self-realised great men) and its application are the two factors necessary for the prevention and cure of disease.

Charaka Samhita

(Sutra Sthana: 7.55)

The more the scriptural and authoritative instructions given by our great men are rejected by people, society and country; the worse are the consequences they have to bear; the more they apply this knowledge and principles respectfully, proportionately greater the benefit they get.

Boost your immunity

Medical science states that bacteria or viruses infect humans only when there is low immunity. If countrymen sincerely and earnestly follow the instructions to become healthy, disease-free, and enhance immunity, as advised by the Self-realized saints and scriptures, then that will be helpful in combating diseases and epidemics. (Read effective measures for boosting immunity advised by Pujya Bapuji on page 46)

What should be your diet and lifestyle?

Epidemics teach many lessons to society, like:

(1) Physical and social hygiene.

(2) Social distancing, while doing work to protect your aura and health.

(3) No handshaking; avoid touch and air exhaled by humans and pets.

(4) Eat pure, satwik and vegetarian diet while avoiding eggs, meat and addictions.

(5) Improve one’s faulty lifestyle.

Pay attention also to the following points:

(1) Boil water and use it for drinking after it is cooled down.

(2) Take neem or tulsi leaves early in the morning, if available and suitable. (Or take Tulsi Ark* or Neem Ark* mixed with water.)

(3) Consumption of refrigerated articles of food suppresses digestive fire and causes many other problems.

(4) Avoid bazaar foods and eating out.

(5) Do Pranayama, Yoga postures and Sun salutation as per your capacity.

(6) You can gargle 1-2 times with lukewarm water containing turmeric powder and rock salt.

Create a germ free environment

* Burning camphor* daily in the home destroys germs floating in the air and thereby protects the body against diseases.

* It is mentioned in Atharva Veda (Kanda 19, Sukta 38, mantra 1) that: “Disease stops him not, curses and imprecations touch him not, whom the aromatic fragrance of medicinal guggula (bdellium), reaches and fortifies.” Pujya Bapuji’s satsang discourses state: “The way rats flee on seeing a cat; wild animals run away on seeing a lion, similarly, germs flee the place where Guggula is fumigated. Spread fumes by burning dried cow dung cakes or Gau-chandan incense sticks* and put some incense material like drops of desi ghee, rice grains, camphor*, Guggula*, etc. on it or the fumes of Neem leaves can also be spread as an alternative.

Mix some cow’s urine with water to wipe the floors. The phenyl containing chemicals, kill microbes, but do not make the atmosphere holy. Gau-mutra phenyl not only makes the environment germ free, but also purifies and brings holiness to the atmosphere. [Gau shuddhi sugandh (phenyl)* prepared from sanctifying cow urine can also be used].”

Do not panic, be alert

Fear increases stress and stress lowers the immunity. So instead of becoming fearful in this current pandemic, become alert and take appropriate precautions and treatment. In this tragic time of corona pandemic in the world, give thanks to those people who are spreading true information given in the shastras and be cautious of those who are spreading misleading information.

[RP-328-329-APRIL-MAY-2020]