Integral and Hol (Y) Istic Approach To Human Ailments: Vitamin G, Food and Yoga For Physical and Spiritual Health

AN INTEGRAL AND
HOL(Y)STIC APPROACH
TO HUMAN AILMENTS
Vitamin G, Food and Yoga for Physical and

Spiritual Health
Compiled by
Tumuluru Krishna Murty
Edited by
Dr. Satyaprabha Tumuluru
AN INTEGRAL AND
HOL(Y)STIC APPROACH
TO HUMAN AILMENTS:
VITAMIN G, FOOD AND YOGA FOR
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL
HEALTH
Compiled by
Edited by

Ansuya
C-66 Durgabai Deshmukh Colony
Hyderabad - 500 007
Mobile: +91 9391087255
E-mail:mrtumuluruk@gmail.com
You know that first you have to plough the land, feed
it with water; then, sow the seed, pluck out the weeds,
guard the crop by a fence, from cattle and goats, and
wait patiently for harvest time.
So also, the heart has to be ploughed by means of
virtues fed with the water of Divine love, before the
seeds of Divine Name are sown,' later, the field has to
be watched and weeds have to be destroyed; it is best
to prevent the cattle of unsteadiness and doubt, by
putting up the fence of Discipline; then, the Name of
the Lord will flower into Meditation and the rich
harvest of Knowledge can be reaped.
-
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD ......................................................................................... 13
EDITORIAL .......................................................................................... 15
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 19
HEALTH AND HUMAN VALVES ..................................................... 29
Health is Wealth .................................................................................. 31
Cultivate Healthy Habits ................................................................. 33
Well or ill ......................................................................................... 35
Human Raft ..................................................................................... 36
Realise the human values first ......................................................... 37
DISEASES AND DIVINITY ................................................................ 39
Value of Health.................................................................................... 40
Excessive activity in any field is harmful to health ......................... 42
Close nexus between the mind and Parana......................................... 43
Mind is the root of bodily afflictions ............................................... 44
Minds role in health and disease .................................................... 45
How to bring about mental transformation? .................................... 46
Diseases of the senses .......................................................................... 48
Give no room for envy..................................................................... 49
Delusions lead to dangerous situations ............................................ 50
7
Cardiac ailments .................................................................................. 51

The three root causes of cardiac ailments ........................................ 51
The efficacy of cardiac surgery ....................................................... 52
Prevention is better than cure .......................................................... 53
Way to maintain heart in a good condition ...................................... 54
Fluorosis .............................................................................................. 55
The ill-effects of polluted drinking water ........................................ 56
Ways and means to combat fluorosis .............................................. 57
Bhavaroga ............................................................................................ 58
Drug and regimen are both supplementary ...................................... 59
Health, diet and Divinity: Methods of avoiding illness ....................... 60
Welcome inspiration from any quarter ............................................ 62
Fix responsibility for your health on Him ....................................... 65
Man is ill, but he is resorting to remedies that cannot cure. ............ 65
Vitamin G ........................................................................................ 66
FOOD, THE HEART AND THE MIND ............................................. 67
Forms of food ...................................................................................... 68
The three types of 'food' eaten by man ............................................ 69
Food and health ................................................................................... 74
Light meal is the surest guarantee of health .................................... 74
Food for a Healthy Body and Mind ................................................. 75
Importance of food in maintaining health ....................................... 77
Avoid Rajasic and Tamasic food ..................................................... 79
Moderation in food is always to be welcomed ................................ 79

Food and Disease ............................................................................. 81
Food and character .............................................................................. 82
Food prevents or promotes emotions and passions ......................... 83
Sadhakas have to be careful about food consumed ......................... 84
Food, head and God are inter-related .............................................. 84
Role of food in maintaining thoughts .............................................. 86
Offer the food to God first and take it as Prasad ................................. 93
Fasting ............................................................................................. 99
CLEANLINESS: THE BEST TONIC ............................................... 101
Be clothed in divine qualities to approach God ............................. 101
Purity of mind and body bestows Balam ....................................... 102
Sanctify the body ........................................................................... 104
View the body as a Temple ........................................................... 105
Kshetra and Kshetrajna .................................................................. 105
Five types of bath prescribed in the scriptures .............................. 106
Uncleanliness has become a popular cult ...................................... 108
The body will shine if the character is fine.................................... 109
Five gates for the temple of body .................................................. 110
Eschew all bad company ............................................................... 111
Ensure proper use of the body ....................................................... 112
Realise that the body is not permanent .......................................... 113
Purity of the mind : Role of the senses .......................................... 114
Nagarasankeerthan is the greatest disinfectant ............................. 116

MEDITATION, YOGA AND EXERCISE: PRESCRIPTION FOR
PEACE AND CONTENTMENT ....................................................... 119
Meditation.......................................................................................... 119
Stick to the Name and Form you like the most.............................. 119
The best sadhana for the beginners ................................................ 120
Use the body as an instrument for spiritual practice ...................... 121
Engage yourself in good thoughts and deeds................................. 122
You will know the truth when you experience .............................. 123
Yoga marga ....................................................................................... 127
Yoga is mergence of the individual into the Universal .................. 128
The various chakras in the body.................................................... 129
Essential qualifications for the aspirant of Yoga ........................... 131
HEALTH SERVICES: DOCTORS, HOSPITALS, PATIENTS AND
SOCIETY ............................................................................................. 133
ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE ............................................................... 133
Ancient Practices ........................................................................... 134
Ayurveda vs. Allopathy ................................................................. 136
Doctors have to practise with devotion ......................................... 140
Service to Man Is Service To God..................................................... 141
This Body Is For Serving Others ................................................... 141
Service Alone Brings Eternal Joy .................................................. 142
Offer service and receive the love of God ..................................... 145
10
The Art of Living........................................................................... 146

Everyone has some illness or other ............................................... 147
Vyasa is the greatest of spiritual doctors ....................................... 148
The prayers to be offered daily ...................................................... 148
Do everything with a spirit of dedication ...................................... 150
You are all certain to win .............................................................. 150
The Doctor's profession ..................................................................... 151
God works through a doctor full of love ....................................... 152
Have the goal of putting into practice what you read .................... 156
Treat patients with love ................................................................. 157
Recognise the relationship between time and action ..................... 158
Duty of doctors today .................................................................... 160
Good thoughts are more efficacious than drugs ............................ 161
You can work wonders with purity of heart .................................. 161
Doctors sweet words are more effective than drugs ...................... 163
With smiling faces and talk to the patients sweetly: ...................... 163
Doctors should inspire confidence in patients ............................... 164
Triple qualities that a doctor should reflect ................................... 164
Doctors should be grateful to the society ...................................... 165
Aim at a disease-free human society ............................................. 167
Hospitals ............................................................................................ 167
Why Hospital? ............................................................................... 167
Most hospitals indulge in profiteering ........................................... 170
Cleanliness ..................................................................................... 171
11
Free medical aid............................................................................. 171

"Old is Gold" ................................................................................. 172
Medical Education and Training: ...................................................... 173
Medical education should lay stress on quality ............................. 173
Educate Laymen-Remove the cause of fear: ................................. 175
Educate the villagers on the value of nutrient foods ...................... 175
Educate enceinte women about pre-natal care of children in the
womb: ............................................................................................ 176
Training Of Nurses of Sai Maha Vaidhyalaya............................... 177
Need for nurses with pure hearts ............................................... 178
SRI SATHYA SAI SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL .................. 181
What the Super-Speciality hospital signifies ................................. 181
Mission statement .......................................................................... 183
History ........................................................................................... 184
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram
....................................................................................................... 190
SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL-WHITEFIELD ......................... 198
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Whitefield .. 198
Ambiance ....................................................................................... 201
INDEX .................................................................................................. 203
BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................ 205
12
FOREWORD
Health is Wealth, said Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I have
been listening to this phrase as I grew up. Below is my
understanding of Health is Wealth.
A state of good health can be only achieved when the body and
mind are in good condition. Any imbalance can cause ill health.
Many components cause the body to be in good condition like good
food eaten in sufficient quantity and in a timely manner; clean
water to keep the body turgid and hydrated; and regular exercise to
keep fit and in good shape.
On the other hand, a mind with clean, pure thoughts and devotion
to God is a healthy mind.
Any person who has a healthy body and a healthy mind is truly
wealthy.
In a health system, there are mainly 2 facets: one that is the patient
and the other facet is the health system, which is the doctors. This
13
An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments
principle of any person who has a health body and a healthy mind
is applicable to both sides of the same coin.
This can be applicable to the common man, who needs to cultivate
good habits and discipline to keep physically healthy as well as
have a clear conscience and a pure mind to be in good mental
condition.
This is also applicable to doctors who need to incessantly pray to
be instruments of the Divine; so they think of what would benefit
their patients and how they could make their patients feel better
soon. This would not only mean giving them medicines but also
tender, loving care which most times works better than the
medicines. Doctors also need to practice what they preach and
strive to eat healthy food and exercise regularly.
The phrase Health is Wealth as Bhagawan has so aptly
announced, is so simple but yet is a profound philosophy. The
compilation of sayings of Bhagawan Integral and Hol(y)stic
approach to common ailments pertains to Health and Health
systems and is a rendition to remind devotees of this profound
philosophy. Each teaching has a simple truthful message that He
imparts to us. I hope that each one of us finds the message desired
by Him for us.
With Pranams at His Lotus Feet,
14
EDITORIAL
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living
being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind and
body, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain (as in
"good health" or "healthy"). The World Health Organization
(WHO) defined health in its broader sense in 1946 as "a state of
complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity." 1
Health means the extent of continuing physical, emotional, mental,
and social ability to cope with one's environment. Good health is
harder to define than bad health (which can be equated with
presence of disease) because it must convey a more positive
concept than mere absence of disease, and there is a variable area
between health and disease. A person may be in good physical
condition but have a cold or be mentally ill. Someone may appear
healthy but have a serious condition (e.g., cancer) that is detectable
only by physical examination or diagnostic tests or not even by
these2.
Health is a relative state in which one is able to function well
physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually in order to express the
1
2
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Concise Encyclopedia
15
full range of one's unique potentialities within the environment in

which one is living. In the words of Ren Dubos, health is
primarily a measure of each person's ability to do and become what
he wants to become.
Current views of health and illness recognize health as more than
the absence of disease. Realizing that humans are dynamic beings
whose state of health can change from day to day or even from
hour to hour, leaders in the health field suggest that it is better to
think of each person as being located on a graduated scale or
continuous spectrum (continuum) ranging from obvious dire illness
through the absence of discernible disease to a state of optimal
functioning in every aspect of one's life. High-level wellness is
described as a dynamic process in which the individual is actively
engaged in moving toward fulfilment of his or her potential3.
Holistic health: a concept that concern for health requires a
perception of the individual as an integrated system rather than one
or more separate parts including physical, mental, spiritual, and
emotional. Also spelled wholistic health4.
In this age of specialization, if we have a pain in the chest we go to
a chest and lung specialist, for a stomach pain we visit the
gastroenterologist. This is starting to change, with the increasing
popularity of alternative and holistic approaches to overall health
and well-being.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and

Allied Health, Seventh Edition. 2003
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. 2009, Elsevier.
16
Editorial
Holistic health is based on the idea that you should take care of
your whole body and mind, rather than just treating a part of the
body that is ill. It means having total wellness in your mind, body
and spirit.
Your mind, body and spirit work together to bring you health.
When one part of the system is healed, the other parts are positively
affected as well.
When one is not well, be it in any part of the body, the whole being
is affected. Our feeling of ill-heath affects our emotions and moods
and these lead to stress and our energy levels and efficiency levels
drop. Holistic health implies that the cause of an illness or pain
may not be just physical. Even if one has a physical symptom, the
root cause may be an emotional imbalance.
Health is the essential pre-requisite for success in all aspects of life.
There should be a harmonious blend of religion, philosophy and art
for man to live healthily in the world.
Holistic healing aims to restore any imbalances in the physical,
mental, emotional and spiritual systems. Since spirituality plays an
important role we have played with the word holistic and used the
term Hol(y)stic implying the it is derived from, or associated with
a divine power; its sacred5, its Holy.
Hol(y)stic Approach to health can be achieved when one develops
human values. One can be free from diseases and even enjoy good
health with God's Grace. Thought of Divine is essential to combat
5
The Free Dictionary by Farlex
17
disease. Bhagawan says, Illness is caused more by malnutrition of

the mind than of the body. Doctors speak of vitamin deficiency; I
will call it the deficiency of Vitamin G, and I will recommend the
repetition of the Name of God, with accompanying contemplation
of the glory and grace of God. That is the Vitamin G. That is the
medicine; regulated life and habits are two-thirds of the treatment,
while the medicine is just one-third only.
This book is an attempt to cull together the sayings of Bhagawan
on how we can achieve all-round wellbeing.
So let us all be aware of Him, all through life and offer all our
activity-breathing, talking, waking, earning and spending to Him,
for, it was by Him and through Him that we will able to do all these
things. Let the Lord be in every part of us, surrounding us,
enveloping us in his love and grace and blessing us with Hol(y)stic
health and well-being.
Pranams at His Lotus Feet
Sai Ram
-
18
Desaraju Sri Sai Lakshmi
INTRODUCTION
Shareeram Aadhyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam
(The body is the primary requisite for the achievement of
Dharma).
The body has to discharge a variety of functions for the sake of the
family, the society and the nation. (SSS Vol.28, p. 99)
In understanding and appreciating the integral and hol(y)stic
approach to human ailments we need to consider:
Body
Body is the gift of God. Body grows in four stages Balyam,
(childhood) Kaumaryam, (Youth) Yavvanam (Middle age) and
Vardhakhyam (Old age) When a body is born it is pure and
unblemished; it is not a victim of any of the six enemies of man,
desire, anger, greed infatuation, pride and jealousy. This grows
with food one takes. The body is given to us in order that we may
realise who we truly are, in order that we may recognize its indweller. Without a body we would not be able to know. Him; we
would not be able to perform any activity and follow any Karma.
The body is the chariot (ratha) of the individual (jeevi), who is the
Master. Human birth is the glorious and precious opportunity
amongst all living beings. The human body is the castle from which
19
one can fight successfully against the foes of attachment and

egoism. It is the boat by which one can cross the sea of change and
chance. The realization of the reality within oneself, through
relentless spiritual discipline is an arduous challenge as fraught
with dangers and calamity, like playing with fire or duelling with
wild animals. Scriptures (Upanishads) have compared the spiritual
aspirants path to that of a razors edge. One has to be alert, vigilant
and fully trained to meet all emergencies. The precious opportunity
of this human birth must be used to leverage ones intelligence,
discrimination and detachment that one is gifted with, to rise above
all, and realize the Ultimate Reality.
God has gifted each of us with the organs of our body for a specific
and particular purpose. It is only when we use the organs for the
right purpose, for the purpose for which they have been created, we
will be fulfilling the divine purpose and can merit His Grace. For
example, God has gifted us with a mouth and the tongue, in order
to take in sustaining and Sathwic i.e. pure food. But if we use the
mouth for swallowing unholy food and intoxicating drinks, the
sanctity and the purpose of the mouth are lost. Keeping this in
view, we should discriminate and reason out as to what purpose
and in which manner we have to use our different organs, and
should use them only in the right manner. We must understand that
Body is intended for the service of others, (Paropakarardham Idam
Sasheeram). Through the selfless service we realise Him.
Therefore, it is essential we keep the body in fit condition.
Healthy Body is essential for pursuit of Goals of Human Life:
Aarogyam Mahabhagyam (Health is Wealth). In this world,
everyone aspires for long life, prosperity and health. A healthy
20
Introduction
body is essential if one has to achieve the four goal of human life,
namely, Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Wealth), Kama (Desire)
and Moksha (liberation). (SSS Vol.26, p. 37)
A healthy body is the best container for a healthy mind; illness
makes the mind agitated and anxious. The material and the
spiritual are the two pans in the balance. (SSS Vol.6, p. 109).
Krishna told Arjuna "Child, the body has been given in order to
understand the Dehi, the In-dweller. Use it for the sacred purpose.
Animals and birds have not been given this discriminating power".
(DBG, p. 147)
The body is the temple of God; in everybody, God is installed,
whether the owner of the body recognizes it or not. It is God that
inspires you to good acts, that warns you against the bad. Listen to
that Voice. Obey that Voice and you will not come to any harm.
(SSS Vol.6, p. 28)
The body has to be treated as a wound that has to be washed,
bandaged, and treated with medicated ointment, three to four times
a day. That is the real purpose of food and drink and raiment. Thirst
is the disease; drink is the drug. Hunger the disease; food is the
medicine. Craving for pleasure is the disease for which detachment
is the medicine. (SSS Vol.6, p. 44)
Food
Keeping this in view, man has to has to take medicine for thirst and
hunger and preserve the body healthy to realise the four goals of
human life. Bhagavan has also prescribed the type of food one has
to take and discord other types of Food. Sathwic food is capable of
21
strengthening the mind as well as the body. Food which is too salty,
too hot, too bitter, too sweet, or too sour.and it should not be taken
while steaming hot. Food, which fans the flames of thirst, should be
avoided.Rajasic and Thamasic food is not condusive for the proper
development of mind for the pirpose of Spiritual Sadhana.
Practise moderation
You must practise moderation in food, drink, sleep and exercise.
Good food taken in moderate quantities at regular intervals, that is
the prescription. Sathwic food promotes self-control and
intelligence more than Rajasic and Thamasic. So, for spiritual
aspirants, Sathwic food is very necessary. One has to be very
careful about food, especially when one is proceeding Godward
through the steep path of Yoga. (SSS Vol.2, p. 76)
Ati Sarvatra Varjayet' avoid extremes in all cases. If we take
anything in excess, it will ruin our health. But again, if we restrict it
to too little, that will also cause harm, and will affect the health
adversely. You should therefore adopt "moderation" always.
(TTFFW, pp. 18-19)
Food Habits
It is best to preserve ones health by good thoughts and good deeds.
It is best to be vigilant about food habits. (LA, p. 169)
By offering food to `BRAHMAN' it becomes the `PRASAD'.
Whatever has been offered to `Brahman' will become the `Prasad,
which comes to us as a gift of Brahman. The meaning of the verse
is that God Himself, who is in a human form in you, is taking the
food. Therefore, this changes our food into food for God.
22
Introduction
Wherever you may go, when you take your food, you should
remember the following three verses, utter them while offering the
food to God and then take the food. Recite them and become
worthy citizens of Bharat.
Recite 24th Sloka in Chapter 4, 14th verse of the 15th Chapter of
Bhagavad Gita and
Asatoma Sadgamaya tamasoma jyotirgamaya
Mrityorma amritamgamaya
Om Shanti, Shanti, Santih.
Even if you are very hungry do not run to take food without first
offering to God. Remember if you sincerely and with faith in God
offer to the Lord the food becomes prasad Recite the above
Slokas.
Bhagawan gives the example of Meera:
The Rana developed hatred against Meera. He was angry that
Meera was freely moving about, ignoring the differences between a
male and a female and thus bringing down the reputation of the
royal family. Therefore, he arranged to mix poison in the milk and
asked her to drink.
Sarva
Karma
Bhagavat
PreethyathamKrishnarpanam Wholehearted offering to God Becomes
Prasadam- Impurities are removedMeera had a habit of offering everything to Lord Krishna before
she partook of the same. She used to carry out her daily routine in
the spirit of Sarva Karma Bhagavat Preethyatham (performing
all acts with a view to please God). Hence, she placed the vessel
containing milk at the altar of Krishna and prayed wholeheartedly
Krishnarpanam! (I offer this to Lord Krishna). That was a
23
genuine offering from the depth of her heart. The very next
moment, Lord Krishna partook a portion of the milk and changed
the rest into divine nectar. Mira partook of the left over milk
happily as Lord Krishnas prasadam (sanctified food). Her
brotherin-law was waiting eagerly and anxiously to hear the news
of her death. Man proposes, God disposes! In a few minutes, he
came to know that the poisoned milk did not have any effect on her
and felt deeply disappointed. Meera did not die as expected. She
was her normal self. The reason being, the milk along with the
poison became an offering to Lord Krishna! As a result, the idol of
Krishna made of pure white marble turned into blue! The Rana
arranged to get the small quantity of milk that was in the vessel
tested. It was proved it had no poison in it. Then, what had
happened to the poison that he himself had mixed in the milk - this
was the question that troubled the King. Lord Krishna partook of
the poison, since it was offered so lovingly by His devotee, Meera
in a spirit of Bhagavath Preethyartham (to please God). Hence,
the poisoned milk could not do any harm to Meera, the dear
devotee of Lord Krishna. Whatever one offers to God in a spirit of
Bhagavat Preethyartham, He removes the impurity in it and
sanctifies that offering. (BDW Part 2, p. 120)
Cleanliness is Godliness
All activities of man must result in cleansing his Chita, the levels
of awareness. When these are done as offerings to God, they
advance their cleaning process a great deal. The way he works
shapes the destiny of man. Work is sublimated into worship which
fructifies into wisdom. The flower is Work (Karma), the emerging
fruit is Worship (Bhakthi) and the ripe sweet fruit is Wisdom
(Jnana). It is one continuous and spontaneous process, this spiritual
fulfilment of Sadhaka, the sevaka. They are like Childhood, Youth
24
Introduction
and old age, each imperceptibly growing into succeeding stage.

(SSS Vol.11, p. 196)
Ill Heath or Ailments
The human body is subject to afflictions from three sources:
Vaatha (the wind element in the body), Pitha (bile) and Sleshma
(phlegm). 102 types of ailments arise from Vaatha. Forty two kinds
of diseases are caused by bile disorders. Phlegm disorders account
for as many as 242 different kinds of ailments. Altogether the body
is a sink for hundreds of ailments, says Bhagawan (D3 Vol.3, p. 95)
Illnesses are caused more by malnutrition of the mind than of the
body says Bhagawan. (SSS Vol.5, p. 55) Illness is due to the
neglect of some simple rules of healthy eating and drinking and due
to the damage caused to the system by evil habits and stupid
cravings. (SSS Vol.2, p. 74)
Man is ill, but he is resorting to remedies that cannot cure.
Diagnose yourself; discover the root cause; apply the proper
remedy that is the way of the wise. Do not run after quacks or
pseudo-panaceas. (SSS Vol.6, p. 189)
Treatment and Doctors
Today the concept of Family Doctor has disappeared. And there
is specialisation for every organ of the body. If one suffers some
illness then so many specialists treat. Each doctor treats for each
ailment and holistic treatment has disappeared. Unfortunately,
every house has become a mini hospital. For every ailment one
need to rush to a Corporate Hospital, most of them working for
profit. The treatment becomes extremely costly beyond the means
25
the capacity of a person and the illness makes any person

financially sick. Free treatment is not there even in Government
Hospitals. . Even if it is there it is merely a lip sympathy.
Government should take care of its subjects. Hefty taxes are being
collected. And the Government has not been able to address this
aspect of free treatment of the illness of its subjects. Charitable
hospitals do help but their capacities are limited. However, more
charitable hospitals should come and Corporates as part of their
Corporate Social Responsibility should help establish Hospitals
with Free or subsidized Treatment. So also rich people should start
hospitals for treatment of the poor.
There are Four types of temples - Devalayams, (temple for God),
Vaidyalayam (temple of Medicine), Vidyalayam (temple of
Learning) Bhojanalayam (temple for free Food). Unfortunately, all
these temples are now become commercial and money spinning
vehicles.
Be it as it may, Doctors should be kind enough to the patients and
with a smile and soft and sweet words re-assure the patient that he
would be cured. As an instrument of the Almighty, the Doctor must
treat the patient. Half the patients illness is cured by this. The
patient becomes comfortable that he will soon be cured as he
develops confidence in the doctor and the medicine.
The hospitals should be clean, spick and span. Most of the
Charitable Hospitals have in the Entrance Hall, the idol of Lord
Ganesh or Lord Dhanvantari or Vishnu. This creates confidence in
the patient that Lord would take care of him.
26
Introduction
Sri Sathya Sai Super Specialities Hospitals at Prasanthi Gram

Puttaparthi and Whitefield
The hospitals are architectural marvel, beauty and miracle and are
magnificent. Akella Chendrasekhar, a medical director of Wyckoff
Medical Centre in New York, said, "It actually makes me feel I am
entering a temple and not a hospital." The Hospitals are absolutely
clean. The doctors here are devout, dedicated and treat the patients
with the feeling that they are instruments in the hand of God and
have the faith that it is He who is treating the patients.
Bhagawan said that illness attacks not only rich but also poor. Rich
may afford a treatment but not poor. However all are treated in
these hospitals FREE of cost.
Sri Sathya Sai Super Specialities Hospitals are exemplars in Free
Service. These should be emulated.
The Governments, the Rich and the Corporates should start
hospitals on the lines of how Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has
started these Super Specialities Hospitals and emulate the Free
Treatment given to all.
We pray to Bhagawan to shower His Grace that the holistic
treatment is given to all in all hospitals free of cost.
Samastha Loka Sukhimobhanthu
27
The physical body, made of five elements, is weak and no

one knows when it would perish.
Though one hundred years of life span is prescribed, you
cannot take it for granted.
You may have to leave your body at any point of time either in childhood or in youth or in old age, either in town
or in forest or in deep sea.
Understand that death is certain.
Therefore, use your intellect to know your true nature
while you are alive.
(Telugu Poem)
-
28
HEALTH AND HUMAN

VALVES
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 Kali age. (SSS Vol.26, p. 37)
An empty iron box gets value when it contains jewels and
valuables; then it is carefully guarded.
The body too is honoured when it contains the jewel of
an awakened consciousness and the valuables called
virtues. (Thought for the day - as written at Prasanthi
Nilayam 2/11/2003)
Health is the essential pre-requisite for success in all aspects of life,
for realising the four ideals that should guide humans---namely,
moral living, prosperity, fulfilling beneficial desires and liberation
from grief. Everywhere man seeks to live happily and peacefully
but happiness and peace are not won from worldly activities. The
body that yearns to be happy and secure, is subject to disease,
29
decay and death. The Dweller, the self, within the body, is however
not born, nor does it die. It is the Atma, God. The body is the
temple of God. Hence it is the duty of man to keep the temple in
good condition.
Health is necessary for gaining this world and the next, for earning
worldly and other worldly progress, to realise the very purpose for
which the Self has embodied itself in this human form, namely, to
become aware of its source, the Paramatma. In order to attain this
goal, the ideals of righteousness, prosperity, moral desire and
release from grief have to be practised with the help of a sound
mind in a sound body. (SSS Vol.11, p. 148)
There should be a harmonious blend of religion, philosophy and art
for man to live healthily in the world. In this context religion means
the religion of love. This is the only religion in the world. There is
only one caste, the caste of humanity. One should cultivate human
values for healthy living. This calls for harmony in thought, word
and deed. When you cultivate this harmony you will be free from
desires and fear (SSS Vol.26, p. 43)
Man suffers from two types of ills, physical and mental; the one
caused by the dis-equilibrium of the three tempers of Vaatha, Pitta
and Sleshma (wind, bile and phlegm) and the other caused by the
dis-equilibrium of the three Gunas: sathwa6, rajas7 and thamas8
6
Sathwa (satthva): Purity, calmness, serenity, joy, strength, goodness.

Associated with colour white.
Sathwa-guna (satthva-guna): Quality of purity, calmness, serenity, joy,
goodness, strength. Associated with colour white. (Glossary for the
Vahinis)
30
Health and Human Values
(qualities of serenity, passion and inertia). One peculiar fact about

these two types of illnesses is that the cultivation of virtue cures
both. Physical health is a pre-requisite for mental health and mental
health ensures physical health! An attitude of generosity, of
fortitude in the presence of sorrow and loss, a spirit of enthusiasm
to do good, to be of service to the best of one's capacitythese
build up the mind as well as the body. The very joy derived from
service reacts on the body and makes you free from disease. The
body and the mind are closely interrelated. (SSS Vol.1, p. 135)
What are the main causes of ill-health? Millions of living beings
grouped as species dwell on the earth; they sustain themselves by
means of food secured from Nature, as provided by Nature. It is
only man that is an exception. In order to cater to his palate and
other senses, he changes the composition and characteristics of the
things provided by nature and prepares, through the process of
boiling, frying and mixing, concoctions which have no vitality in
them. Birds and beasts do not adopt such destructive methods.
They eat things raw and consume the strength giving vital essence.
So, they do not fall victim to the many ills that man brings on
himself. (SSS Vol.11, pp. 148-149)
Health is Wealth
Do realize that man has no contentment
Despite acquiring plenty of riches and luxuries
7
Rajas: Passion, activity, restlessness, aggressiveness. Associated with

colour red. (ibid)
Thamas: Dullness, ignorance, delusion, inactivity, passivity, inertia, sloth.
Associated with colour black. (ibid)
31
Peace and contentment will accrue to man

Only when he attains consciousness (Atma tatwa)
For man health is the greatest wealth. From time immemorial,
many countries have been delving into the ways to preserve good
health and disseminating the knowledge among all. In the absence
of sound health, human aspirations become futile. Unable to realize
this truth, man is losing his wealth by wrong habits. Right from
ancient times, Indians and Romans have been espousing the cause
of good health and endeavouring to achieve it. Of course, several
other nations have also been conscious of the importance of health.
Realising that health was indeed the greatest wealth, they went on
to treat each limb of the body like the head, the mouth, the nose,
the eyes, etc., as a separate unit in itself. Thus, focusing on each
part, they adopted specific modes of nurture for each. Such wellnurtured state of health among mankind has gradually deteriorated
now. In France, for one, discipline in respect of food was practised
meticulously. Not because they thought that body was all-important
to man, but because they had visualized that soul resided within the
body. And when the house is safe, the resident will be peaceful and
comfortable.
So, you may be thinking that this body would anyway perish, today
or tomorrow. It may indeed be a water bubble. But many are the
legendary persons who used this water bubble to lead an ideal life,
accomplishing monumental deeds and studying profound theories.
Here deha, the body, became essential means for Desha, the nation,
to reveal sacred ideals. Principles of perfect life were propagated to
other countries through the virtuous lives and meritorious deeds of
the individuals in the nation.
32
Cultivate Healthy Habits

Todays youth do not understand this secret of life. Dawn to dusk
they adopt unhealthy ways of living and face miserable
consequences. Scholars, noble men and many such intelligent
people carried out a variety of experiments and discovered ways to
free this body from disease and illness. When body is ridden with
diseases, health wanes and one is afflicted by all kinds of miseries.
In the modern times in particular, Romans evolved a perfect model
for health, aiming to mould each limb of the body into a strong and
well-nurtured part. Besides, the youth strove to develop the three
important qualities of character, courtesy and gentleness.
Consequently, they continued to have long lasting strong bodies
and remained self-reliant. Even at the age of ninety years, they
were independent and looked after themselves without anybodys
help. They also gave importance to beauty along with health. The
body possessed charm and good looks only when it was healthy.
So, to retain beauty we should pay great attention to health.
Nowadays, why does a teenager of 16 years look like a decrepit of
60 years? The unhealthy practices that they are used to in their
daily lives are the actual reason for this. As soon as we wake up in
the morning, we should cleanse our mouth. The inner and outer
sides of teeth should be brushed well. Surface of the tongue should
be cleaned thoroughly. For, mouth is the front entrance, the
gateway for all diseases. While talking to each other we should be
cautious of unpleasant odour. Health should thus be protected
through hygiene. Not only this, each working part of the body
should be fit and robust. We should always be aware of the truth
that divinity is inherent in each limb and organ of the body. That is
why Vedas extol God as Angeerasa, the essential fluid in the
33
limbs. Each part of the body has its intrinsic characteristic

goodness.
You should learn from Mahabharata, how strong were the Indians
who protected their health in this manner. At the time of the great
war, Bhishmas age was 115 years and he was Commander-inChief. Similarly, Krishna was eighty-six and Arjuna was eightyfour. Such were the mighty warriors of those days who lived with
health and happiness. Thus by preserving health, the men and
women of those times were able to be exemplars for many ideals to
the nation. They ate and slept in time. Ate lightly; never partook of
anything out of schedule. The other day I told you a poem:
From the time you wake up till you go to bed
You spend your life, irresponsibly,
for eking out livelihood
Having forgotten God, and mis-utilising your
learning
What heights of happiness have you reached? Do
think honestly, O man! (Telugu Poem)
(Swami then sang a Telugu rhyme on good habits for
students)
As the cock crows, get out of bed;
Brush your teeth and relieve yourself,
Bathe, dress up and breakfast.
Its good to eat light and chew well
As you relish your favourite dish.
Off to school for serious studies;
And the good remarks of being a humble child.
34
Dont get wet and dont play in dirty puddles.

When its play time sprint, jump or dribble the ball.
If you follow the above directions
You will enjoy the wealth of health.
(SSB 2002, pp. 179-183)
Well or ill
The Aarogya-nilayam (hospital) is superfluous if the Anandanilayam (the abode of bliss) is efficiently utilised by you, for when
the mind is immersed in Ananda, the body will not suffer from
illness. The body is the vehicle which you have to use for attaining
the state of bliss and so, it has to be kept safe and strong for that
high purpose. It is an instrument for spiritual effort, which has been
earned by the merit of previous births. Every moment, it is
proceeding towards dissolution and so time should not be wasted in
vain pursuits. It is even better to think of the body as mean and low,
rather than raise it to the level of the be-all and end-all of life. Treat
it as a wound, which has to be covered by bandage (clothes),
treated with drugs (food) and washed (drink); you can get rid of
this inordinate attachment, only by that method.
You can get real urge and inspiration to serve others only when you
get rid of the identification with the body. When a man suffers
from acute stomach pain, his eyes water. Why? Because, the
various organs---eye, stomach, etc.---are all of the same body. So
too, when one man suffers, your eyes must shed tears and you must
be urged to alleviate it. This will happen if you know that you and
he are limbs of the self-same Divine Body. The idea of difference
(bheda bhaava), arises on account of the ignorance of the Truth.
When people get angry, they gnash their teeth, but, they take care
not to bite the tongue, for the tongue is theirs; if by chance, the
35
tongue is bit, they do not knock the teeth out, for the teeth is theirs.
So too, the sick man, the poor man, the suffering man, the illiterate
man, the wicked man, are all limbs of the same body, of which we
too are parts. The same current activates all. To realise this and to
merge in that Unity is the purpose of this life in the human body.
(SSS Vol.5, pp. 44-45)
Human Raft
Man is the victim of many a pain; to those who identify themselves
with body, life is a series of trouble and misery. But to those who
know that the body is but a vehicle, these cannot cause anxiety.
Bodily health is important, for ill-health affects mental poise and
concentration. When the body is fit, mental functions too run
smooth; when the body suffers, the mind too gets unsettled. So, this
raft called body which is the only means of getting across the sea of
samsara (worldly life), has to be kept in good trim.
Untruth, injustice, anxiety---all cause leaks and loosen the knots of
the raft. With such a poor raft, it is foolish to attempt the crossing.
The raft has to be cast aside when the crossing has been affected;
there is no more use for it. The human raft is the most efficient, for
it is built out of viveka, vichakshana and vairaagya (discrimination,
ability and non-attachment), hard timber that can stand the beat of
wave and the sway of current. If one does not make the best use of
this chance, it may not come again for a long, long time.
Devotion and morality are as important for physical health as they
are for mental health. They free the mind from agitation, they feed
it with joy and contentment; they quieten the nerves and help even
bodily processes. The flowers of this garland were buds yesterday;
they bloomed this morning; they have started to fade now and
36
tomorrow they will rot and dry. But, the string that holds them
together interpenetrating them is not subject to such change; it was
string yesterday, it is string now and it will be string tomorrow. The
unchanging Atma and the changing body---analyse them thus and
be convinced of the eternal universal core of your being. As
thinking, discriminating human being, it is your responsibility to
discharge this duty to yourself. And also to your country! For, India
deserved the honour of the "World Teacher" because her people
always insisted on this great responsibility and tried to discharge it.
But, when Indians neglected this and attached value to physical
comfort and social status, the land fell into the morass of
competitive struggle. (SSS Vol.4, p. 144)
Realise the human values first

Today man is forgetting his essential humanness. The first requisite
is for man to realise human values: Truth, Righteousness, Peace
and Love. For a bulb to burn, you need a connecting wire, a switch
and electric current. For man, that current is Truth or God. It is
energy. This divine energy has to flow through the wire of Dharma
(Righteousness) reach the bulb of Shanti (Peace) and produce the
light of' Prema (Love). Love is God. Live in Love. Love is
everything. Without love, life is a living death' for man.
Love expresses itself in many forms in relation to different persons,
but is essentially one. Today love is tainted by selfishness, whether
in relation to the mother, the spouse or the children or others. Man's
selfishness is polluting the entire society. Attachment to others is
natural. But there should be a limit to it. When this limit is
exceeded, it becomes a disease. This is true in every case. Because
of man's excessive desires, he is prone to diseases of every kind.
37
The most common source of illness among people today is tension.

What is the cause of tension? It is indulgence in excesses of various
kinds. Men must learn to moderate the hectic pace of living. Hurry
causes worry and worry causes disease. "Hurry, worry and curry
(fatty food)" are the causes of heart diseases. Therefore the first
requirement is control of food and head (the mind). When you
control these two, there will be no room for illness. (SSS Vol.28,
pp. 184-185)
38
DISEASES AND DIVINITY

You can purchase drugs, but you cannot purchase
health.
You can purchase a bed but you cannot purchase sleep.
You might employ even the most expert doctors, but you
cannot ward off health.
So, realise the goal of life, without delay.
All the diseases that afflict mankind are caused by four factors:
heredity, infection, actions and reactions, and evil forces. (L.S. - p.
96)
Disease is the absence of ease, Dis-ease. (SS Mar '98, p. 82)
Disease does not distinguish between the poor and the rich. (SSSm
Vol.7, pp. 311-312)
The human body is subject to afflictions from three sources:
Vaatha (the wind element in the body), Pitta (bile) and Sleshma
(phlegm). Hundred and two types of ailments arise from Vaatha.
Forty two kinds of diseases are caused by bile disorders. Phlegm
disorders account for as many as 242 different kinds of ailments.
Altogether the body is a sink for hundreds of ailments. In his
attachment to the body and the fleeting pleasures derived from the
39
senses, man is forgetting the lasting bliss that can be got from the
Atma within him.
Just as the body is subject to ills arising from vaatha, pitta and
Sleshma, the mind also is liable to ailments from three sources:
mala, vikshepa and aavarana. It is because of these ailments that
man is unable to develop his spiritual nature and acquire
knowledge of the Atma. On account of ignorance of his spiritual
nature, he regards his mundane existence as the only reality. (SSS
Vol.22, pp. 217-218)
Value of Health
Health is an essential requisite of man. The man afflicted with illhealth is powerless to execute even the least burdensome
assignment. The scriptures proclaim that health is the very root of
all endeavour in the four fields of human achievement---Dharma,
Artha, Kama and Moksha (righteousness, wealth, desire and
liberation). Without health man cannot brave temptations, earn a
decent living, fulfil his basic needs or succeed in spiritual sadhana.
Man can engage himself in obligatory and optional functions only
if he is healthy.
Food and recreational habits are the two main causes for ill-health.
Great care has to be bestowed to ensure that injurious tendencies do
not affect these two. At present, though drugs have multiplied and
hospitals have been established in every nook and corner, ill-health
is also widespread. This situation is attributable to the spread of
deleterious food habits and pastimes. (SSS Vol.10, p. 55)
40
Disease and Divinity
The secret of perfect health lies in keeping the mind always

cheerful! Never worried, never hurried, and never borne down by
any fear, thought or anxiety. (MBI, p. 246)
Anger is another enemy of good health. It injects poison into the
blood stream and brings about profound transformation that
damage. (SSS Vol.11, p. 150)
Punar viththam punar mithram
Punar bharya punar mahi,
Ethath sarvam punar labhyam
Na sareeram punah punah.
Wealth once lost can be regained by one way or the other. If a
friend is lost, one can make many more through good feelings. If a
wife is lost, one can marry again. If land is lost, it can be reacquired
through some means. But once the body is lost. it can never be
regained.
Sareeramadyam khalu dharma sadhanam (the body is gifted to
man to undertake righteous actions.) So, it has to be sanctified by
performing sacred deeds. Health is very essential in order to do so.
In fact, health is the very foundation on which human life rests. If
health is lost, you have to suffer in many ways. There is no greater
wealth than health.
The body is a combination of different limbs. So, only when all
limbs are utilised for sacred purposes can one have pushti and
santushti (good health and happiness). For a healthy mind, one
should have a healthy body. The Atma sustains human life on the
41
basis of health of the body and the mind. A healthy human body is
the very foundation for all virtuous and good actions.
Excessive activity in any field is harmful to health

We have to investigate why we lose our health. Excessive thinking,
worrying, and studying is the main cause for mans illness. Some
students are absorbed in studies all the time, because of which they
lose their health. There a limit to everything.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle conducted extensive research on
the digestive system of man, and as a result of too much of
thinking, his health deteriorated, and ultimately he died of digestive
problems. Constant investigations into cardiac ailments made the
heart specialist, Dr. Herin a heart patient and ultimately led to his
death. Excessive activity in any field is harmful to health. Bear in
mind the limitations of the body and act accordingly.
The main cause for your illness is psychological. This is nothing
but illusion and delusion. We start imagining that a disease that is
present in another person may also be present in us. 80% of the
diseases are psychological. If you check your pulse rate under
anxiety, you will find it abnormal. Do not bestow undue attention
on your health. Discharge your duties peacefully and happily, and
then everything will be all right.
We are propagating principles of human values among the students.
You should be aware of the capabilities of each student. Weak
students should be equipped adequately both physically and
mentally before they are taught higher values. The truth that health
is wealth should be imprinted in their hearts. (SSS Vol.31, pp. 416418)
42
It is true that health is wealth. Dharmarthakamamokshanam

arogyam moolamutthamam. Health is the fundamental requirement
to achieve the four goals of human life, namely, dharma
(righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha
(liberation). However, once you attain the state of bliss, you can
always enjoy good health. Man is deluded with the feeling that he
can lead a blissful life by acquiring wealth and position of
authority. Neither wealth nor position of authority can confer bliss
on you. Bliss can be experienced only when you visualise unity in
diversity. If you do not understand the principle of unity and attain
bliss, all the service activities like construction of hospitals will be
of little consequence. (SSS Vol.35, p. 22)
Close nexus between the mind and Parana

What are the causes of diseases? All diseases are a reflection of
Pravritti9, 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. "Bhikshaannam
Dheharakshaartham, Vasthram Seetha nivaraaranam" (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 Parana (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
9
Pravritti (pravritthi). Worldly activity, attachment. (Glossary for the

Vahinis)
43
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 Jataragni, 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. (SSS Vol.26, pp. 51-52)
Mind is the root of bodily afflictions

The human body is a prey to many ailments. Man regards all of
them as bodily ailments. But not all of them are entirely related to
the body. Purely bodily ailments can be treated by medicines. But
most ailments in the world today have their origin in the mind. The
aberrations of the mind set up reactions in the body and cause
various diseases. The main cause of many human ailments is rooted
in the mind.
The mind and the body are interrelated. The influence of the mind
on the body is of a negative character. This negativity is
antagonistic to the experience of bliss. Bad thoughts and bad
feelings arise in the mind. At the same time, there are also good
thoughts and good feelings. It is only when bad thoughts and
feelings are weeded out that man can have good health. Many
44
diseases have their origin in the thoughts that fill the mind. Bad
thoughts cause indigestion, affect the heart, bring about variations
in the blood pressure; worries are the cause of many mental
diseases. Diabetes and pulmonary diseases are traceable to mental
causes. (SSS Vol.31, pp. 39-40)
Minds role in health and disease

What are the causes of the maladies afflicting people today?
Impure air, polluted water, adulterated foodstuffs, etc. Nor is that
all. Even the minds are polluted. These mental ailments are the
cause of man's degradation. Most of the diseases are caused by
aberrations of the mind. Ninety per cent of the diseases are
psychological. Constant thinking about ones health is also the
cause of many diseases. A heart specialist, who was constantly
examining heart patients, was worried about this own heart.
Ultimately he died of heart attack. Another doctor, who specialized
in treating digestion disorders, ultimately died of gastric troubles by
worrying about his own digestion!
The mind has thus a vital role in ones health or illness. That was
why the sages declared, The mind is the cause of mens bondage
or liberation. When the mind is directed toward sacred things,
everything in a ones life becomes sacred. In such a state, all that
you think, see or hear becomes pure and sacred.
The heart is like a lock with the mind as the key. Turn the key
toward God, you develop detachment. Turn the mind toward the
world, you get attachment. Our minds should not be immersed in
mundane concerns. Deem everything in the world as divine. (SSS
Vol.31, pp. 225-226)
45
What are the main causes of ill health? Millions of living beings
grouped as species dwell on the earth; they sustain themselves by
means of food secured from Nature, as provided by Nature. It is
only man that is an exception. In order to cater to his palate and
other senses, he changes the composition and characteristics of the
things provided by nature and prepares, through the process of
boiling, frying and mixing, concoctions which have no vitality in
them. Birds and beasts do not adopt such destructive methods.
They eat things raw and consume the strength-giving vital essence.
So, they do not fall victim to the many ills that man brings on
himself. Plant a boiled pulse in the soil; it won't sprout. How, then,
can it contribute life to the living? The vitamins and proteins that
are valuable ingredients are destroyed while it is cooked to please
the palate! The billions of cells in the body are so interdependent
that when one is weakened or damaged, all of them suffer. There is
a limit and a balance which every limb and organ has to maintain.
Insufficient or improper food will endeavour this balance. An
occasional cough helps to strengthen the lungs and to clear them of
extraneous matter, but fits of coughing are signs of positive illness.
Evil thoughts cause ill health. Anxiety, fear and tension also
contribute their share. All these result from greed, greed to have
more things, of power and of fame. Greed results in sorrow and
despair. Contentment can come only from spiritual outlook. The
desire for worldly goods has to be given up. (SSS Vol.11, pp. 148149)
How to bring about mental transformation?

The progress of the universe is bound up with the progress of man.
Any amount of development in the areas of scientific, economic
and social spheres will not be of much use without mental
transformation. How can we bring about this transformation? It is
46
by restraining passions and emotions. Since mental tension is most

detrimental to man's health, man should learn the art of controlling
his passions and emotions, which cause stresses and strains. It is
also essential to keep our mind serene and peaceful while eating
food. We should not indulge in discussion of topics which will
cause agitation and excitement and disturb our mental peace while
we are taking food. Mental tension is responsible for ill health. We
should also avoid viewing TV, video, etc., while eating food, as
they may cause mental disturbances.
Today there is pollution in everything such as the air we breathe,

the water we drink, the sounds that are jarring to the cars and the
food we consume. Because of this all round pollution, man's health
is affected. Apart from this, man's mind is also polluted making
him susceptible to diseases. Man should make an earnest endeavour
to lead a serene and pure life. He should realise the truth that
troubles and turmoil are temporary, like passing clouds. There is no
scope for agitation to arise if one realises this truth. One who
realises this truth will not allow his mind to be swayed by the
passions of anger, cruelty, etc. Passions yield only temporary
satisfaction, but cause serious emotional disturbances. Hence, it is
imperative on the part of man not to yield to any unbecoming
passions while taking food. The observance of the three P's,
namely, purity, patience, and perseverance, vouchsafes permanent
happiness and good health free from diseases. (SSS Vol.27, pp. 2728)
47
Diseases of the senses

What are the types of illness to which the senses are liable? The
senses never function in their fullness to perceive totally things as
they are. They tend to behave according to the circumstances.
This may be illustrated by a story. In a village there were two
farmers, one the village headman, the big landlord of the village,
and the other a small farmer. One day, the bulls of the two farmers
were involved in a fight as a result of which the head man's bull
died. The small farmer was deeply worried about the incident and
was at a loss how to explain the matter to the village chief. In his
nervousness and fear, while relating the incident to the big
landlord, he stated by mistake that his bull had been killed by the
headman's bull in a fight. Immediately the landlord started
consoling him, saying, "Even intelligent human beings kill each
other. When unintelligent animals do so, you should not make
much about their conduct."
Meanwhile the small farmer realised the mistake he had committed.
He hastened to inform the big landlord that it was the latter's bull
that had died in the encounter between the two animals.
Immediately the landlord got enraged and asked: "What nonsense
is this? It is a serious matter if your bull has killed my bull. You
must be very arrogant indeed to let your bull commit such an
outrage. You have to pay a penalty of .500." The big landlord
considered it a natural occurrence if his bull had killed another's
bull. But he considered it a crime for another's bull to kill his
animal. It is because the senses are prone to such varying responses
according to circumstances that they tend to view right as wrong
and wrong as right.
48
The senses lose their natural capacities when they are ailing. For
instance, when a man suffers from malaria, the tongue loses its
natural capacity and finds everything bitter including sweets. When
one suffers from jaundice the eye fails to distinguish colours in
their true hue and sees everything as yellowish. Karanaaapaatana
refers to the ailment the mind suffers from on account of afflictions
affecting the senses. (SSS Vol.23) 25-5-1990.
Give no room for envy

Vipralipsa refers to jealousy. It is a very bad quality in a man. He
cannot endure the happiness or prosperity of another. There is no
cure for this disease.
Feel happy when you see someone who is happy. Do not give room
for envy. Develop fraternal feelings towards your fellow-students.
Rejoice in their achievement, without any feeling of envy. All that
you have to do to achieve purity in thought, word and deed is to
follow these five injunctions:
See no evil; see what is good.
Think no evil; think what is good.
Hear no evil; hear what is good.
Talk no evil; talk what is good.
Do no evil; do what is good.
When you adhere to these five prescriptions as the very breath of
your life, you will achieve purity of mind and experience ineffable
bliss. From this moment, you have to cultivate control of the body,
the mind and the senses, when you have the vigour and strength of
youth. Acquire God's grace in abundance now, when the time is
opportune. Your future will then be bright and secure.
49
Remember, God never forgets devotees; it is the devotees who

forget God. God never gives up the devotee; only the devotee
leaves God. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 111-112)
Delusions lead to dangerous situations

Bhranthi is the deluded state of mind in which one mistakes a rope
for a snake and a snake for a rope, regards the unreal as real and the
real as unreal, the temporary as permanent and the permanent as
temporary.
These delusions lead to Pramaadam (dangerous situations). If you
hold on to a snake, thinking it is a rope, you are bound to have
trouble. Man today regards the body as real. This is not correct.
The body is like a water bubble. It will perish some time or other,
somewhere, somehow. It is a bag of bones. Treating the body as
real, people are forgetting the power that can use the body on right
lines. If it is the sense organs that enable one to see, hear, and so
on, how does it happen that even when all the organs are there a
dead man is unable to see, or hear? This is because the power
which enables the organs to function is not there.
The body may be compared to a torch-light. The eyes are like the
bulbs. The intelligence is the switch. If with all these, there is no
light, what may be the reason? There are no battery cells inside.
The blood cells in our body are like those battery cells. They carry
a divine energy in them. There may be cells, but if the divine power
has left them, we cannot make the senses function. It is only as
long as that divine power remains in the body that it can do many
wonders.
50
But to regard the body as real by itself is fraught with danger. You
attach value to various relationships. All these are temporary and
passing. No doubt you have a duty to do by your parents. But this
applies to every relationship, which carries its own specific
obligations. All relationships arise in course of time and end in due
course. They have nothing permanent about them. Hence they are
not Sathya (unchanging truth), but Mithya (momentary).
The third defect is Karana-aapaatana. Karana means instrument.
Aapaatana means weakness. The weakness of the organs is the
third defect. The senses are prone to certain kinds of afflictions.
These afflictions affect the mind and cause mental illnesses. (SSS
Vol.23, pp. 109-110)
Cardiac ailments
The three root causes of cardiac ailments
It is not only unbridled passion which damages the health of man.
Living on ill-gotten money also causes ill-health to some extent.
Living on earnings got by unjust means causes many unknown
diseases to take root in us.
Man today is a victim of worry. What is the cause of this worry?
Lack of contentment is the cause. The rich man is not contented is
spire of the accumulation of wealth. Worry causes hurry and both
together bring about ill-health. So, Worry, Hurry and Curry (fatty
foods) are the root causes of cardiac ailments.
The consumption of large quantities of fat is the cause of
cardiovascular diseases. Doctors advise against the consumption of
51
fatty food stuffs which cause increase in weight resulting in

susceptibility to cardiac diseases The presence of toxins also
inflicts equal damage. So one should eat in moderate quantity the
right type of food and avoid intoxicating drinks to safeguard his
health. The intake of food should be gradually reduced after
crossing 50 years.
Some people consume food indiscriminately unmindful of the
caloric content of the food taken. For example, people eat pappads
(thin circular flour preparations) fried in oil which have high
calorie content. People also consume ghee which is also a high
calorie food. A single pappad has 100-150 calories of energy. A
single spoon of ghee has 100 calories of energy. Even when the
quantity of food intake is reduced, reductions in the calorie content
is not ensured.
There are some doctors who advise their patients against smoking
and addiction to alcohol, but they themselves smoke and drink!
This gap between precept and practice raises doubts in the minds of
patients about the value of the medical advice given by them. Such
doctors, who do not observe harmony in speech and practice,
mislead the patients. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 28-29)
The efficacy of cardiac surgery

Questions are raised about the efficacy of Cardiac Surgery and its
related effects. There are discussion about the preventive aspects of
diseases as well as the treatment and cure of heart diseases.
The heart is a special organ in the human system. It is pulsating
ceaselessly unlike the other organs. Heart surgery is a highly
complex operation, as the surgery has to be performed without
52
arresting the heartbeat. At the same rime the functioning of the

lungs has also to be kept up.
Medical men of genius invented the heart-lung machine in 1956 to
carry on the activities of the heart as well as the lung during cardiac
operations. The machine rakes upon itself the function of the heart
and the lung ensuring purification of the blood and keeping up
circulation of the blood.
The details of the functioning of this heart-lung machine are well
known to the doctors. The tube which is fitted connecting the heart
and the machine should be airtight and should be fixed with great
care, for any lapse in the fitting of the tube may cause air bubbles
which will endanger the patient's life. Unfailing power supply is
most crucial for the success of the operation as any interruption in
power supply will stall the operation. Therefore we have to depend
on generators for ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the
course of the operation. (SSS Vol.27, p. 25)
Prevention is better than cure

Questions are posed whether heart surgery ensures a permanent
cure. Cardiac surgery is helpful in so far as it enables the patient to
carry on his daily activities and lead a normal life. But, it is wrong
to conclude that surgery is the only way of curing heart diseases.
Some of the diseases can be cured even by medicine. In my
opinion, it is the primary responsibility of every individual to
prevent becoming a victim of heart disease by regulating his food
and other habits. Prevention is better than cure. There will be little
room for cardiac ailments if one's food habits are properly
controlled and regulated.
53
Research has revealed that non-vegetarian and alcoholic addicts are

more prone to heart ailments than vegetarians. If the vegetarian
food that is consumed should be a balanced and wholesome, it
should contain liberal doses of vitamin C and vitamin E, which are
available in vegetables like carrots. The presence of these vitamins
prevents heart ailments in a large measure. Every effort should be
made to keep the human body healthy. Health is wealth. Wealth
cannot be enjoyed by a person with poor health. Health is more
important because it gives physical and mental strength to a person.
Birds and beasts do not suffer from cardiac and digestive ailments
to which man is prone. The cause can be traced to the natural food
which the animals consume, unlike human beings who consume all
sorts of fried and cooked items of food being slaves to the palate.
Modern man consumes many artificial foodstuffs and a variety of
alcoholic drinks, which are injurious to health. Birds and beasts
lead natural lives, while the artificial life styles of man today takes
a heavy toll of his health. When man observes moderation in diet
he can be saved from most diseases. In the entire range of God's
creation man alone is endowed with the faculty of discrimination. It
is this faculty which sets him apart from animals. Man should
exercise his discretion and discrimination in regard to food habits.
(SSS Vol.27, pp. 26-27)
Way to maintain heart in a good condition

Health is essential for the body. A healthy mind can exist only in a
healthy body. Only a man with a healthy mind will take part in
joyous activities.
Many consider the heart as the most important organ. There is a
way to maintain the heart in good condition. Most of the organs in
54
the body are in an immobile state. But the heart is continually

active. It is difficult to perform an operation on an organ which is
ceaselessly at work. If the heart has to be stopped beating for
performing an operation, this cannot be done for more than two or
three minutes. No operation can be done in such a short time.
Hence heart specialists investigated the methods by which the heart
could be kept inactive for a few hours so that cardiac operations
could be performed. The heart-lung machine was designed to
enable heart operation to be done.
The heart is the primary organ for keeping the body well. Only
when the heart is sound there can be proper blood supply to the
whole body. Who invented the heart-lung machine? It is a product
of human, intelligence. This shows that intelligence is even
superior to the heart. It is this intelligence that has been responsible
for the discovery of numerous devices. (SSS Vol.28, pp. 364-365)
Fluorosis
Man's own welfare is bound with that of society
When the village is in the grip of an epidemic like cholera or
plague, the person comes forward to do his best to combat the
spread of the disease, because this may affect his own family too as
they are part and parcel of the village. Thus man is born in society
and grows in society. It is the bounden duty of every one to feel
that his own welfare is bound up with the welfare of all others in
society.
Today we are faced with the menace of fluorosis. If you enquire
into this, we come to know that the problem of fluorosis is not only
55
prevalent in India but in many other countries of the world such as

Indonesia, Germany, China, USA, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Libya.
Because of their affluence, people in countries like U.S.A, are able
to take steps to overcome the evil effects of this disease to a great
extent. (SSS Vol.27, pp. 41-42)
The ill-effects of polluted drinking water

Many diseases are caused by drinking water that is polluted. If
there is only one milligram of fluoride in a litre of water, it is safe.
The presence of more than one mg in a litre may cause sickness. If
there is 4 or 5 mg of fluoride in a litre, it affects the teeth and is
positively injurious to health. In several States in India such as
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
this disease is widely prevalent. In Andhra Pradesh, it is rampant in
Srikakulm, Guntur, Medak, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar districts.
Recently it has been found to be prevalent in Kadapa, Kurnool,
Ananthapur and other places. It is found on investigation that the
fluoride content in water varies from 15 mg to 10.5 mg in these
areas.
The fluoride that is contained in underground water sources varies
from 1 mg to 300 mg per litre. In many areas they have established
Aluminium factories. Fluoride is made use of to a large extent in
these factories. This mixes with air and the polluted air affects the
people. It enters the stronger portions of the body such as bones
and teeth. A portion of this fluoride is excreted through urine. The
ignorant are not aware of the serious damage caused by this
fluoride to their health. Fluorosis causes pain in the joints and
affects the bones at the back, etc. The affected persons stiffer from
severe pain in joints. Some germs such as bacteria also enter the
system and cause a lot of damage to the human body. Viruses also
56
cause diseases. Polluted food also accounts for the spread of these
disease carrying germs. Meat, fish, black and red salt, black coffee
and tea also cause spread of fluorosis and aggravate it further. To
the extent possible you should change your food habits. Chewing
betel leaves also causes tooth decay. Certain drugs sold in the
market also aggravate this disease. (SSS Vol.27, pp. 42-43)
Ways and means to combat fluorosis

There are some types of antidotes that can be consumed with food
to prevent fluorosis. You should take sour things like lime, orange
and tamarind in greater quantity. You can also take more of
tomatoes, potatoes and vegetables with Vitamin C. You should also
take more of carrots to build the bones. Intake of such food items in
a liberal measure will help to combat the incidence of fluorosis.
Besides these, consuming of green leaves which contain a lot of
calcium will also help in keeping off fluorosis. Food is the main
factor in maintaining good health or causing diseases.
In these days, though there is plenty of milk, curd and other dairy
products available with the villagers in their houses, they are in the
habit of selling these products and buying some useless and
harmful things that affect their health adversely. Consuming of
curd will help one to a great extent to combat the onset of this
disease. Modern youth take black tea and coffee (without milk
though milk is available) thereby inviting the disease. Some take
black and brownish salt which contains more fluoride. They should
avoid this and take only white purified salt. It is only by
propagating such practical preventive steps that Government can
play its role in checking the spread of this disease. (SSS Vol.27, pp.
42-43)
57
Bhavaroga
For some aliments, medicines are prescribed for external
application while for others; they are given for internal use. But, for
this universal ailment of Bhavaroga, the cycle of birth and death,
Sravana and Kirtana and other medicines are prescribed, for
external and internal use. One has to utter as well as hear the Lord's
name. An aspirant might win God's grace and the Guru's grace and
the grace of the devotees of the Lord. 'But all this grace would be
of no avail if he does not secure also another grace, the grace of his
own inner consciousness. (Prema Vahini, p. 19)
Once you cultivate devotion, you develop the capacity to sacrifice
yourself. You expand in love. Then everything that is necessary
will be added on to you. Love is the very life breath of a human
being. Without love you cannot live. Truly, you love only for the
sake of the Atma, your very self, not for the sake of others. But this
sacred love for the self has been diverted towards the body.
Everywhere in the world we find this disease of Bhavaroga, the
disease of identification with the body. (DBG, p. 28)
Students are afflicted by Bhavaroga today, i.e. they are exceedingly
attached to this physical world. There are three categories of
diseased people. They are:
A. People who take the medicine for the disease but do not observe
the necessary diet prescribed for it.
B. People who follow the diet control but avoid taking medicine.
C. People who take medicine and also follow diet control.
Once you cultivate devotion, you develop the capacity to sacrifice
yourself. You expand in Love. Then everything that is necessary
58
will be added on to you. Love is the very life breath of a human

being. Without love you cannot live. Truly, you love only for the
sake of the Atma your very self-not for the sake of others. But this
sacred love for the self has been diverted towards the body.
Everywhere in the world we find this disease of Bhavaroga, the
disease of identification with the body. I am the medicine, and My
command is the diet control. (M-P, pp. 266-267)
Drug and regimen are both supplementary

In a hospital, the doctors care for the disease, not for the size of the
bank deposits the patients have. Disease is the important thing. So
too, in the case of every one suffering from Bhavaroga (the disease
of birth and death) and, the dual buffets of good and bad, has a
right for the care and consideration of the Doctor. The doctor
prescribes the drug and the regimen; both are supplementary. When
you get a relapse of doubt and distress, take the drug a greater
number of times and in larger doses. Join Satsang (the company of
the godly); just as the tame elephants surround the wild tusker and
rope him and bind him hand and foot and immobilise him
preliminary to taming him, the spiritually minded will bring the
doubter round.
The current flows always along the wire. You have only to take a
connection and switch on. If the connection is loose, then the flow
of Grace will be disturbed and might even stop. It is you that
connects and disconnects. You switch on and off and. you get day
and night. Study the Geetha; you know Geetha draws a line which
you should not cross. I do not ask for your vows; why should I
force you to make them and cause you to break them? If you do so,
your life becomes a tom cloth, stitched loose; it may tear again at
the slightest pull. Let me tell you one thing in the end: However
59
you are, you are Mine. I will not give you up. Wherever you are,
you are near Me; you cannot go beyond My reach. (SSS Vol.2, p.
198)
The world is full of people who suffer from insanity, but who are
still outside the asylums! When hatred envelopes a country, even
ordinary sane people go mad and behave like savages. But in the
Mental Hospital, you will find sometimes one type of "mad man."
He sits in a corner, resting without a break, watching the pranks
and the wildness of the other inmates. The doctors will be thankful
to him, for he needs no care; he causes no trouble. His madness
may be melancholia or he may be a jnaani (realised soul). The
God-bound man is like that. He is the only sane man in this mad
world. Whatever happens to you, take it as a lesson to harden your
character and toughen your nerves and heighten your vairaagya
(non-attachment). That will give Peace and Joy. (SSS Vol.2, p.
208)
Health, diet and Divinity: Methods of avoiding illness

Not by penance, nor by baths in sacred waters,
Nor by studying of Scriptures, nor by Japa
Can the Ocean of worldly existence.
The cycle of birth and death--be crossed.
It can be done only by service to good people.
(Sanskrit Shloka)
Man seeks to cross the ocean of Samsara by penance, pilgrimages
to sacred shrines, scriptural studies and exercises in meditation. But
all these are of no avail without service to good people. All these
spiritual exercise are comprehended by seva (service).
60
For the achievement of the four Purusharthas (main goals of life)-Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha (Righteousness, wealth, desire
and Liberation), health is essential. Without good health a man
cannot accomplish even the most trivial thing. Hence, health is
wealth. However, because of the influence of the present Kali
(evil). Age, man is a prey to all kinds of ailments and has no peace
of mind despite the possession of every conceivable kind of wealth
and comforts. There is no dearth of doctors. In spite of the
availability of so many amenities, why is man afflicted with
disease? Indeed, more than physical ailments, mental diseases are
growing limitlessly. Mental sickness caused by tension and worry
gives us so many bodily ailments. Man today is afflicted with
discontent. As one set of desires are satisfied, other desires go on
cropping up. If desires are reduced, contentment will grow.
Moreover, because of the perversions of the Kali Age, the five
basic elements--ether, air, fire, water and earth--are polluted. The
water we drink is impure. The air we breathe is polluted. The food
we consume is polluted. As a consequence the mind gets polluted.
(SSS Vol.28, pp. 181-182)
Thought of Divine essential to combat disease
Apart from the exercise of such care in the food consumed there
should be also Dhaiva chinthana (contemplation of the Divine).
Because people don't think of God they are subjected to a lot of
misery. Without divine thought, man is harbouring two bad
qualities. One is he hides many defects and evil qualities within
himself. The other is he magnifies even minor faults in others.
Because of such evil qualities among human beings diseases are
also on the increase. Apart from these, man's mind is also polluted.
To purify the mind, one should nurture noble and sacred thoughts
61
of service to others. One who does not hurt anybody and has
feelings of love and compassion to fellow beings is the greatest of
men. That is why sage Vyasa gave the essence of the Eighteen
Puranas he composed in the aphorism; "Help ever, hurt never."
You should make every effort to avoid harming others in any
circumstance. You are only hurting yourself when you hurt others.
You should not use harsh words. When you develop human values,
you can be free from diseases and even enjoy good health with
God's Grace. (SSS Vol.27, p. 44)
God is the In-dweller in this physical frame. Be aware of Him, all
through life and offer all your activity-breathing, talking, waking,
earning and spending to Him, for, it was by Him and through Him
that you were able to do all these things. To fall ill, and to call in a
doctor - this is something unnatural, debasing. Once you have
offered yourself to God, it must be well with you. There can be
nothing ill. (SSS Vol.6, p. 22)
Welcome inspiration from any quarter

Give the body the attention it deserves, but not more. Some people
advise that you should cultivate disgust towards it; but, that is not
beneficial. Tend it as an instrument; use it as a boat, as a raft.
Disgust is not a desirable attitude towards anything in creation.
Everything is God's handiwork, an example of His Glory, His
Majesty. Consider the crow, for example. You dislike its cawing
but, what does its cry "Kaav, Kaav!" mean? Kaav in Telugu, means
"Save, protect". It is reminding you to pray to God. It is praying so,
itself, all the while. What a great lesson it teaches!
62
You know the Ramayana story, of the crow that teased Sita, that
drew upon itself the ire of Rama that flew in terror all round the
world to escape His arrow, that finally fell before both Ramaa and
Sita in total surrender (Kaav, Kaav); it was saved thereby. The
story says that its eye was damaged by the anger of Rama but it
was granted enough compensation. They both, Rama and Sita,
fondled it and blessed it, pardoning it for its impudence. The cow
too when it voices forth "Ambaa! Ambaa!" is calling on the
Mother, the Jagadamba---the Mother of the Universe as well as its
own Mother. Welcome inspiration from any quarter, for your own
improvement.
When you cultivate the attitude that you are the body, the body will
demand from you more food, more variety in food, more attention
to appearance and physical comfort. A large portion of the food
now consumed is superfluous; man can live healthily on much less.
A good deal of effort and expenditure now spent to cater to taste
and to social pomp can be given up, and health too will improve
thereby. "Mitha thindi, athi haayi"---"Moderate food gives
excellent health". Gourmets only reveal their Tamo guna (quality
of inertia and indolence). Eat to live; do not believe that you live in
order to eat. (SSS Vol.5, pp. 48-49)
Another method of avoiding illness is to diminish mental worry.
The radio, the newspaper and other means of communication or
information cause so much fear and discontent, that worry and
anxiety are increased and the mind of man gets weakened. Parents
talk about their anxiety before their children and so, they start
worrying. There was a six-year old boy who came to Me the other
day, weeping, because his father was involved in debt and was
63
being pestered by his creditors. His father must have lamented

before the boy, "Poor fellow! How am I to feed you and clothe you
and pay your fees and buy books for you? I am sunk in debt". The
boy said that even in the class room, he was worried about the
father and his debts. You must not allow the boys to know about all
this; their tender minds will be harmed by fear and anxiety. Their
health also will be affected.
Fear is the biggest cause for illness. When you have slight
temperature, you start imagining that it is the beginning of some
serious fever. You say to yourself someone whom you knew had
also a slight increase of temperature, which later became serious
and led to complications and so, you become more prone to illness
than formerly. Think rather of the instances where fever was
prevented or overcome; think of the Grace of the Lord that restores
and saves.
Resolve that relying on His Grace, you shall be free from illness
from this moment. Transfer the faith that you have in drugs to God;
put your trust, not in medicine, but in Madhava. I am astounded at
the number of people resorting to tablets and tonics. Resort to
prayer, to sadhana, japam and dhyanam. They are the vitamins you
need; they will restore you. No tablet is as efficacious as
Ramanaam. I shall give you Vibhuthi (sacred ash) and that will
cure you. Now, you are in two minds, like the man who had to
leave his shoes outside the temple. He stood before the shrine with
folded hands, muttering a sthothra, but his mind was filled with
anxiety about the safety of the shoes he had to place outside. The
hospital is for those who have faith in drugs and doctors. But, what
can drugs and doctors do without the Grace of God? The day will
64
surely come when the hospital will be superfluous, since all will be
healthy and free from illness, accepting the Sadhana way, the
Ananda way, to peace and happiness. (SSS Vol.5, pp. 49-51)
Fix responsibility for your health on Him

A few minutes of quiet thought will convince you of this. But you
are too busy with trivialities to pay attention to the vital needs.
Plant the seed of the name of the Lord, any one of His thousand
names that appeals to you, in the well-prepared soil of your heart
and let it sprout in the silence there; water it with love and service
to fellowmen; guard it against pests and cattle, the outward
dragging emotions and passions, by putting up the fence of japa
and dhyana, then you will get the harvest of Ananda. If you have
sincere devotion you will fix the responsibility for your health on
Him and He will also accept that responsibility. Your mind will be
so full of happiness that your body will be fit instrument for
Sadhana. (SSS Vol.4, pp. 76-77)
Man is ill, but he is resorting to remedies that cannot cure.

Diagnose yourself; discover the root cause; apply the proper
remedy that is the way of the wise. Do not run after quacks or
pseudo-panaceas. Sow the seeds of prema, after preparing the soil
of your heart, removing the weeds. Let them grow, watered by
faith; and yield the blossoms of sahana (fortitude); later, you are
assured of the fruit; shanti. This is the task; this has to be the vow.
(SSS Vol.7, p. 189)
Illnesses are caused not so much by the food people eat or the
conditions in which they live, but by mental weakness and mental
attitudes, prejudices and predilections. Desires, disappointments,
despair-- -these also cause diseases. For many illnesses, filling the
65
mind with the thought of God is the curative drug. For the rest,
regimented diet, sleep, pastimes and activities are effective cures.
The Shastras (scriptures) taught this regimen and the proper mental
attitudes and their teachings are invaluable at the present time.
(SSS Vol.5, p. 48)
Vitamin G
Man is now mistaking his illness and running after wrong drugs. Or
rather, he is mistaking the very nature of his health. He is quite well
but he is deluded into the belief that he is unwell and that he must
quickly acquire the panacea recommended by the most readily
available quack, who flatters you by giving you just the drug that
you desire most. Discovering that there is nothing the matter with
one, is the illumination one gets, with the dawn of Jnana (spiritual
knowledge.)
When the mind of man is unattached to the ups and downs of life,
but is able to maintain equanimity under all circumstances, then
even physical health can be assured. The mental firmament must be
like the sky, which bears no mark of the passage through it of birds
or planes or clouds. Illness is caused more by malnutrition of the
mind than of the body. Doctors speak of vitamin deficiency; I will
call it the deficiency of Vitamin G, and I will recommend the
repetition of the Name of God, with accompanying contemplation
of the glory and grace of God. That is the Vitamin G. That is the
medicine; regulated life and habits are two-thirds of the treatment,
while the medicine is just one-third only. (SSS Vol.5, pp. 52-55)
66
FOOD, THE HEART AND

THE MIND
Anam Parabrahma Swaroopam
All living beings exist because of food. According to the scriptures

(Shastras), food is of three kindsSatwic (promoting peace and
harmony), Rajasic (promoting passions and emotions, activities
and adventures) and Tamasic (promoting sloth and dullness). One
has to choose ones food with discrimination and control and limit
its intake. Then, food will be health-giving medicine. If, on the
other hand, food is consumed indiscriminately and beyond limit, it
produces illness and causes grief and pain. It assumes a fearful role.
This fact is made clear in the Vedas by the probe into the word
Anna.
The word Anna has as its root, Ad, which means eating. That
which is eaten by living beings and at the same time, it eats the
person who eats; food is both beneficent and maleficent. (LKV, pp.
26-27)
67
Forms of food
THE mind of man is not an organ that can be identified
physiologically; it cannot be touched or operated on by doctors or
surgeons. It is an intangible bundle of resolutions and hesitations;
of wishes and wants; to pros and cons. It has as warp and woof of
the wishes that man entertains with reference to outward objects
and sensations. It easily rushes out after external pleasures and
assumes the shapes of the things it seeks. It can also be turned back
into searching for inner contentment and inner joy. That is why the
mind is said to be the instrument for both bondage and liberation.
Allow the senses to lead it outward; it binds. Allow the intelligence
to prevail upon it to look inward for bliss; it liberates. (SSS Vol.7,
p. 414)
The scriptures classify food as Sathwic, Rajasic and Tamasic and
relate these types to the three mental modes (gunas) of the same
names. (SSS Vol.14, p. 195)
The mind is the puppet of the food that is consumed by man. It is
prompted one way or the other by the subtle pull of the food it is
fed on. The quality of the food determines the direction of the
desire that diverts the mental flow. That is why in the Geetha as
well as in all scriptural texts, Sathwic (pure) food is recommended
for the upward seeking individual. Mind means desire, sankalpa
(resolve), something sought for. When the Formless desired Form,
the Universe arose; so, mind is the creative principle, the maya
(illusion) that desired the very first desire, to be many. When it is
now fed on rajas---passion and emotion, activity and adventure---it
gallops into the world with the plunge of desire! It brings man
deeper into the morass. When it is fed on tamasic (impure) food,
68
Food, the Heart and the Mind
which dulls inebriates, blunts reason, and induces sloth, the mind is
callous, inert and useless for uplifting man. (SSS Vol.7, p. 414)
The three types of 'food' eaten by man

What exactly is Sathwic food? Food that confers Ananda to the
body, mind and heart is Sathwic, that which sustains holy living;
that which keeps one light, even at the end of the meal. (SSS
Vol.16, p. 107)
The prevalent view is that fruits and milk constitute Sathwic food.
This is not all. What is consumed by the mouth is not the only thing
that goes into the body. The other sense organs like the eyes, the
ears, the nose and the hands also "consume" objects from the
outside world. Through the eyes you have to see only what is pure.
To see all kinds of things indiscriminately is fraught with dangers.
The power of sight should be used only for sacred purposes.
Unfortunately the vision of youth today is getting increasingly
perverted (Keechaka Drishti). The result is they meet with the same
fate as Keechaka (in the Mahabharata) who was destroyed by
Bhima. Students should be particularly careful in this regard. It is
only when they use the eyes in a pure and godly way will they be
receiving Sathwic impressions through the eyes.
The ears also need pure food. This means that you should listen
only to sacred speech and hear only matters about the Divine.
Always hear good and pleasant things about others. In this way you
must safeguard the ears from pollution. Only then will you be
"consuming" Sathwic food through the ears.
Only fragrant and sweet smelling scents should be absorbed
through the nose. When foul smell is inhaled disease sets in. If you
69
inhale foul air, you are likely to breathe in disease-producing

germs. You must inhale pure air in a clean open space. Even the
hands must "consume" pure food. This means that you must
perform good acts with your hands. That is the way to treat the
body as a temple. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 71-72)
Sathwic food, according to some, consists in milk and fruits. But, it
is much more; it; may not even be these. For, the calories that one
takes in through the mouth are but a small part of the intake of
man. The intake by the senses are part of the food that builds the
individual. The sounds heard, the sights seen, the tactile
impressions sought or suffered, the air breathed, the environment
that presses for attention, appreciation and adoption---all these are
'food.' They have considerable impact on the character and career
of the individual.
The quality of the food is determined by the vibrations that it is
charged with, through the thought processes of the persons who
handle it, prepare it and serve it. The 17th chapter of the Geetha
clearly defines the nature and tastes of the three types of 'food'
eaten by man: the food that promotes love, virtue, strength,
happiness, and cordiality is Sathwic; that which inflames, arouses,
intoxicates and heightens hunger and thirst is Rajasic; the food that
depresses, disrupts, and causes disease is Tamasic. (SSS Vol.7, p.
415)
Krishna told Arjuna: There are three types of Gunas: Sathwic,
Rajasic and Tamasic. They are based on the Antah Karana10, the
10
The constitution of Antahkarana

The mind, the intelligence, the Chitta (memory or will) and the Ahamkara
(ego) together constitute the Antahkarana (the Inner Activator). What is the
70
Inner Consciousness. That too is dependent on the intake of food.

You are what you feed on: your activities shape your nature. So at
least in this birth, by regulating food and activity (aahara and
vihara), man can overcome the Aasuric tendencies that tend to
prevail upon him. He can promote Sathwic tendencies through
planned self-effort.
This advice was tendered lovingly by the Lord to the eager
inquirer, Arjuna. Arjuna was thrilled with joy when he heard that
man has the means of saving himself. He longed to inform himself
further. Krishna showered Grace through His enchanting smile and
condescended to reply. Arjuna! food is the chief formative force.
The soiled mind dulls the brilliance of moral excellence. How can a
muddy lake reflect clearly? The Divine cannot be reflected in the
wicked or vicious mind. Food makes man strong in body. The body
Antahkarana? Karana means an instrument. Antahkarana means the inner
instrument. There is no need to get bogged over the meaning of
Antahkarana. For instance, the eyes see the external objects. The ears hear
sounds from outside.
The mouth speaks to those outside. The nose recognises smell coming from
outside. The hands are engaged in external actions. All these organs have a
form. But the mind, the Buddhi (intelligence), the Chitta and Ahamkara
(ego) have no form. The Antahkarana is the formless combination of these
four.
The Antahkarana is subject to four kinds of defects. One is Bhraanthi
(delusion). The second is Pramaadam. The third is Karanaapaatana. The
fourth is Vipralipsa. These four defects sully the Antahkarana. (SSS
Vol.23, pp. 108-109)
71
is intimately connected with the mind. Strength of mind depends

upon strength of body, too. Moral conduct, good habits, spiritual
effortall depend upon the quality of the food. Disease, mental
weakness, spiritual slacknessall are produced by faulty food.
Krishna! asked Arjuna, Pray tell me the constituents of Sathwic,
Rajasic and Tamasic food.
Arjuna! food to be Sathwic should be capable of strengthening the
mind as well as the body. It should not be too salty, too hot, too
bitter, too sweet or too sour. It should not be taken while steaming
hot. Food which fans the flames of thirst should be avoided. The
general principle is that there should be a limit, a restraint. food
cooked in water should not be used the next day. It becomes
harmful. Even fried articles should be consumed before they
develop unpleasant odours. Rajasic food is the opposite of the
Sathwic. It is too salty, too sweet, too hot, too sour, too odorous.
Such food excites and intoxicates. (GV, pp. 249-250)
The company in which food is consumed, the place, the vessels in
which it is cooked, the emotions that agitate the mind of the person
who cooks it and serves it---all these have subtle influences on the
nature and emotions of the persons who takes the final product in!11
11
Krishna told Arjuna: Listen, there are three purities to be observed: purity
of the provisions, purity of the vessels in which food is prepared and purity
of the persons who serve the prepared food.
cc No unfair, unjust, untrue earnings should be used for ones maintenance.
These are fouled at the very source. The source as well as the course and
the goal must all be equally pure. The vessel must be clean, free from
tarnish. The person who serves must not only be clean in dress, but clean in
habits, character and conduct. He should be free from hate, anger, worry
72
It is because the sages of India realised this that they laid down
many do's and don'ts for the process of eating, as-for the different
stages of spiritual progress. Our thoughts trail off in directions
determined by the sounds that fall upon the ear. When the sounds
convey rebuke or praise, flattery or challenge, the thoughts too
react correspondingly. When the sounds instil ideas of truth, beauty
or goodness, the mind too seeks the silence of truth, the sweetness
of beauty and harmony, the strength of goodness. (SSS Vol.7, p.
415)
and indifference while serving the dishes. He should be cheerful and fresh.
And he must be humble and full of love. While attending on those who are
dining, he should not allow his mind to dwell on wicked or vicious ideas.
Mere physical cleanliness or charm is no compensation for evil thoughts
and habits. The Sadhaka who has to secure concentration has to be careful
about these restrictions. Otherwise, during Dhyanam, the subtle influences
of the wicked thoughts of the cook and the servers will haunt the Sadhaka.
Care should be taken to have only virtuous individuals around. Outer
charm, professional excellence, reduced wagesthese should not be
allowed to prejudice you in favour of dangerous cooks and attendants.
Examine carefully their habits and their character. The food you eat is such
an important constituent of the physical and mental stuff with which you
have to struggle in the spiritual field. The purity of the mind can be and has
to be supplemented by the purity of the body as well as purity in its
important function, speech. That is the real Thapas; physical, mental and
vocal. The mind should be free from anxiety and worry, hate and fear,
greed and pride. It should be saturated with love for all beings. It has to
dwell in God. It has to be restrained from pursuing objective pleasures. No
lower thought should be allowed to creep in. All thoughts must be directed
towards the elevation of the individual to higher planes. This is the proper
Thapas of the mind or manas. (GV, pp. 251-252)
73
Food and health

Every activity of man is dependent on the energy he derives from
the intake of food. The spiritual sadhana he ventures upon depend
for their success on the quantity and quality of the food taken by
the sadhaka (spiritual aspirant), even during the preliminary
preparations recommended by Pathanjali. The most external of the
five sheaths that enclose the Atmic core, namely the Annamaya
kosha (physical sheath), has impact on all the remaining four---the
Praanamaya, the Manomaya, the Vijnaanamaya and the Ananda
maya (the vital, mental, wisdom and bliss sheaths or coverings).
The Annamaya Kosha is the sheath, consisting of the material, flesh
and bone, built by the food that is consumed by the individual.
Food is generally looked down upon by ascetically minded
sadhakas and seekers and treated as something which does not
deserve attention. But, since the body and the mind are mightily
interdependent, no one can afford to neglect it. As the food, so the
mind; as the mind so the thought; as the thought, so the act. Food is
an important factor which determines the alertness and sloth, the
worry and calm, the brightness and dullness. (SSS Vol.14, pp. 194195)
Light meal is the surest guarantee of health

It is essential to observe the principle of moderation in food habits,
work and sleep. Buddha preached the same principle of moderation
to his disciples. "Be always moderate, never indulge in excess,"
proclaimed the Buddha. In fact, moderation is the royal road to
happiness.
74
The modern man, who flouts the principle of moderation in every

aspect of life, endangers his health and well-being. The food
consumed by man should be proper, pure and wholesome. But
nowadays people eat whatever they get and wherever they get it,
and thereby spoil their health.
Food plays a major role in the preservation of health. Care should
be taken to see that the food consumed does not have much fat
content, for the fats consumed in large quantity are detrimental not
only to one's physical health but also to one's mental health. Meat
and alcoholic drinks take a heavy toll on man's health, causing
many a disease in him (SSS Vol.27, pp. 24-25)
Food for a Healthy Body and Mind

Right food most essentially contains Sathwic food. It means that
the food must not contain mutton, fish, onions and the like.
However, the onion also has its advantages. It improves your
digestion power and also acts as a preservative. Therefore, the
popular saying in Telugu, The good done by the onion (ulli) is not
done by your own mother (thalli)!
Excess of spice, chilli and salt also should not be used. Many
people think that Sathwic means fruits and milk. These can also
be tamasic! For example, eating two bananas is correct. If you eat
four bananas, it becomes tamasic. Do not take a cup of thick milk.
Comparatively, it is hence said, One cup of wine is better than a
cup of milk. Thick milk contains plenty of fat and calcium. It is
also liberally laced with glucose. When the blood is saturated with
too much of glucose, it turns the residual glucose into acid. The
result is that you develop boils. This acid and the blood combine to
form stones in the gall bladder. Ensure that you take at least seven
75
to eight cups of water daily. Water cleanses your internals. This

also ensures that stones do not form inside your kidneys because
water goes to the kidneys and constantly keeps it flushed.
Eat rice and vegetables well. Green leafy vegetables are the best of
the lot. This is because under the skin lies a very light secondary
layer. It is this layer that protects the skin. Green leaves strengthen
this layer. Apart from this, it is very good for heart patients too
because green leaves are totally free of oils. Vegetables contribute
to the cholesterol to some extent.
What must you do when you have excess cholesterol? Cholesterol
is essential to some extent. The limit prescribed is about 10%. But
if it crosses to 20% or 30%, your nerves and veins harden like
rusted pipes. This consequently thickens the blood making the heart
pump lesser and lesser blood. The heart pumps the blood and sends
it to the lungs, which purify the blood and distribute it to the entire
body. When the heart pumps fewer times, more and more
cholesterol accumulates there, which is dangerous for the heart.
Hence, it is advisable to take a white onion daily. Garlic pills can
also be taken. A daily intake of one pill after lunch will rid of the
cholesterol problem. Green leafy vegetables and drumsticks are
very healthy for the body. Drumsticks are good for the brain. Do
not take too many of potatoes. Potatoes contain 80% starch that
will only make you slightly fat, but give you very little in terms of
health.
Tomatoes are also good. The seeds of the tomatoes may be
removed and a curry made of the tomato. This is because the seeds
of tomato do not get digested easily. They remain in the digestive
76
canal and gradually become stones by combining with glucose.

These stones go down to the stomach and remain as a mass, giving
frequent trouble. We must also ensure that eating must always be in
a limited quantity. You must be able to get up from your plate with
the same ease and lightness with which you sat down to eat. This is
the correct limit. You come quite easily to eat. But, when you get
up, you require a support! Many people develop a pouch like that.
Proportion is very important because it confers health to the body.
Never take meat, cigarettes and other intoxicants and drugs.
Habitual cigarette smokers develop cancer. You can perform this
test on the smokers. Take a white cloth and put it across the mouth
after the person has smoked. You will see bright red dots on the
cloth. When the external clothe itself has been so noticeably spoilt,
you could well imagine how much destruction it would be causing
to the veins and the lungs. The two fingers that hold the cigarette
together will develop a yellow colouration. White spots develop on
the lips. The skin around the lips turn dark. You must also avoid
taking curds. It is better to take two cups of buttermilk. Curds have
too much of protein. (M-P, pp. 212-213)
The food that we eat contains many metals like gold, copper, iron,
etc. Iron content is more in leafy vegetables. Tamarind and lemon
reparations develop amla, which is the basic constituent in the
formation of cells. In this manner, food strengthens our body. (DD
on 13-10-2002 , p. 5)
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,
77
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
seems to outnumber physical ailments. The Vedanta 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. (SSS
Vol.26, pp. 52-53)
Non-vegetarian food is the cause of several diseases like cancer.
You might have read in journals and newspapers that many people
in Singapore and Bharat get infested by harmful bacteria because
they eat fish. It is because of unhealthy food that people suffer from
several diseases. Many are under mistaken notion that non
vegetarian food gives them strength, but in reality it ruins their
health. Once you lose your health by partaking of nonvegetarian
food, you will never be able to regain it even if you spend the rest
of your life in forests eating fruits and tubers. (SS July '05, p. 202)
Uncooked food, nuts and fruits, germinating pulses are the best.
Use these at least at one meal, say, for the dinner at night; this will
ensure long life. And, long life is to be striven for in order that the
years may be utilised for serving one's fellow-beings. (SSS Vol.15,
pp. 115-116)
78
It is best to preserve ones health by good thoughts and good deeds.

It is best to be vigilant about food habits. Coconut kernel, coconut
water, sprouting pulses, uncooked or half-cooked vegetables, and
greens are good for health. (LA, p. 169)
Avoid Rajasic and Tamasic food

Man is the only living being which dislikes raw food found in the
natural state. All other animals eat things as they are---grain, grass,
leaves, shoots, fruits. Man boils, fries, melts, mixes and adopts
various methods of cooking in order to satisfy the cravings of the
tongue, the eye and the nose. As a consequence, the food value of
these articles are either reduced or destroyed. When the seeds are
fried, they do not sprout; that is clear proof that the 'life-force' is
eliminated. Therefore, uncooked raw pulses just sprouting are to be
preferred. Also nuts and fruits. The coconut, offered to the Gods, is
a good Sathwic (pure) food, having good percentage of protein
besides fat, starch and minerals. Food having too much salt or
pepper is Rajasic (passion rousing) and should be avoided; so also
too much fat and starch, which is Tamasic (disposed to inactivity)
in their effects on the body, should be avoided. (SSS Vol.14, p.
195)
Moderation in food is always to be welcomed

'Eat in moderation and live long.' This is the advice handed down
through the ages by the seers of the past. This advice is seldom
heeded. People fill themselves with such large quantities of food
that they find it hard to rise from the eating plate. Ruining their
digestive system by consuming heavy, rich foods, the affluent are
proud when they host costly banquets. Those who know that
physical health is the greatest treasure take great care to eat only
Sathwic food. (SSS Vol.15, p. 115)
79
An intake of too much food is also harmful. Simply because tasty

food is available and is being offered, one is tempted to overeat.
We have air all around us but we do not breathe in more than we
need. The lake is full but we drink only as much as the thirst craves
for. But overeating has become a social evil, fashionable habit. The
stomach cries out, 'Enough,' but the tongue insists on more, and
man becomes the helpless target of disease. He suffers from
corpulence, high blood pressure and diabetes. Moderate food is the
best medicine to avoid bodily life. Do not rush to the hospital for
every little upset. Too much drugging is also bad. Allow nature full
scope to fight the disease and set you right. Adopt more and more
the principles of naturopathy, and give up running around for
doctors.
The type of food that you consume decides the degree of
concentration you can command; its quality and quantity decide
how much your self-control is lessened or heightened. Polluted air
and water are full of maleficent viruses and germs and have to be
avoided at all costs. There are four pollutions against which man
has to be vigilant---of the body (removable by water); of the mind
(removable by truthfulness), of reason (removable by correct
knowledge) and of the self (removable by yearning for God). (SSS
Vol.14, pp. 195-196)
By regulating your diet and avoiding certain bad habits, you can
preserve health. Moderate food, and food of the Sathwic type, will
promote mental poise and also physical happiness. Mitha-ahaara
(moderation in food) is always to be welcomed. Many people
consume more than the necessary quantity of rich food and such
80
have to practise moderation. So too, if you do not smoke, you

escape a number of illnesses that follow that Rajasic (passionate)
practice. Any intoxicant or stimulant, because it disturbs nature's
even trend, is harmful. Moderation in food, moderation in talk, and
in desires and pursuits; contentment with what little can be got by
honest labour, eagerness to serve others and to impart joy to all--these are the most powerful of all the tonics and health-preserves
known to the science of health, the Sanathana Ayur-Veda, the Veda
of the full life. (SSS Vol.1, pp. 168-169)
Food and Disease

Doctors agree that illness is caused through faulty food habits and
foolish ways of spending leisure. But, they do not seem to know
that food is a Word that connotes a wider variety of 'intakes.' Every
experience that is drawn through any of the senses in 'food' has an
effect on one's health We say food for thought; whatever we see
or hear or smell or touch has an effect on the body; good or bad.
The sight of blood makes some people faint; or, it may be some bad
news, that administers a shock. Allergy is produced by unpleasant
smells, or when something intrinsically unwelcome is contacted or
tasted. A sound mind ensures a sound body; a sound body ensures a
sound mind. The two are interdependent. Health is essential for
happiness; happiness or a capacity to be happy; whatever may
happen is essential for physical health, too.
The food we consume should be tasty, sustaining and pleasant. It
should not be too 'hot' or too saltish; there must be a balance and
equilibrium maintained. It should not arouse or deaden. Rajasic
food enrages the emotions; tamasic food induces sloth and sleep.
Sathwic food satisfies but does not inflame the passions or sharpen
the emotions. (SSS Vol.12, pp. 280-281)
81
Food and character

All men everywhere are of one species. Yet, man hates man; one
religion is opposed to another; one race feels superior to another;
one country avoids contact with another. How does this conflict
arise? When one delves deep into this question, the answer
becomes clear.
Everything in creation has five properties. The first three are SathChith-Ananda (Being, Awareness, Bliss) and the last two are Rupa
and Naama (Form and Name), which are lent to the thing only
temporarily. They are subject to modification but the first three
Being, Awareness, Bliss are inherent, unchanging characteristics.
In the language of Vedaantha, the three are named Asthi, Bhaathi,
and Priya (existence, shining or expressing and loving). They are
the innate qualities of every manifestation of the Divine. The last of
the three is Ananda (Divine Bliss). Every human being is an
embodiment, repository and vehicle of Ananda .
The awareness of this Ananda (Bliss) is the goal of man, the
consummation of human life. But, man seeks pleasure and
happiness from objects through the senses and attains the low
material Ananda, not the supreme Ananda he ought to win. It must
be said that the Ananda attained through the objective world or
through subjective means is only a fractional expression of the
Ananda which mergence in Brahman (Supreme Reality) grants. We
speak of hot water, though heat is not a quality of water, fire has
given it the heat. So, too, objective Ananda or subjective Ananda
are rendered so, through the grace of Brahma-Ananda (Supreme
Divine Bliss). (SSS Vol.16, pp. 104-105)
82
Food prevents or promotes emotions and passions

Man prides himself that he has earned Ananda himself by his
effort. It is sugar that makes the bland globules of flour into sweet
Laddu. The grace of the Ground of all Being can alone confer
sweetness or Ananda. The stars are proud that they shed light on a
darkened world but the bright moonlight renders starlight too faint
to be noticed. The moon's pride, too, is humbled when the sun
illumines the sky. Brahma-Ananda is the Sun. This does not mean
that one should ignore starlight and moonlight or Vishaya Ananda
and Vidhya Ananda ---Ananda derived from Nature and from
spiritual experiential knowledge. They are steps, stages, samples.
While valuing them as such, the goal of Brahma-Ananda has to be
relentlessly pursued. How, then, can man earn that Awareness, that
Ananda? What Sadhana (spiritual discipline) has he to adopt?
Though men are all equally subject to birth, life and death, though
all are of one kind, why do they allow the Ananda which is the
right of each to slip away through hatred and conflict? Why is the
demon prevailing over the Divine in man? The answer has been
deluding man for ages.
Well! Aham (ego) is the cause. The narrow limited self, the ego, is
at the root of the evil. Probing the problem a little deeper, I would
say that the nature of the food relished is primarily responsible.
Food is of three qualities Sathwic, Rajasic, and Tamasic (leading to
purity, passion and inertia). Some consume Sathwic-Rajasic or
Tamasc-Rajasic food, or they change from one type to another, for
better or worse. Since food alleviates or arouses, prevents or
promotes emotions and passions, it moulds the behaviour, conduct
and attitudes of men. (SSS Vol.16, pp. 105-106)
83
Sadhakas have to be careful about food consumed

Ravana and Vibhishana, two brothers born of the same parents, had
diametrically opposite natures because of the food they grew upon.
Ravana relished Rajasic food while Vibhishana stuck to Sathwic.
Fellow-feeling is difficult when the same quality of food is not
preferred.
When both live on Rajasic food, though they may have the same
nature, friendship cannot last. Envy and hatred will soon break the
bond. The Sathwic nature will free man from these evils and purify
his mind, preparing him for the journey to God. For, God is Sathwa
(pure).
Many slide from the Sathwic nature into the Rajasic where the ego
predominates. They slide away from God too, for where the ego
swells in pomp and pride, God cannot reside. They may .parade
other reasons for their losing hold of God but the' fault lies in their
own self.
The Sathwic are satisfied with one meal a day. Rajasic nature
demands continuous feeding on hot stuff tasting sour, salty or
pungent. Tamasic appreciates cold, stale, acrid tastes. The grosser
parts of the food consumed are eliminated. The less gross parts
build up muscles and bones. The subtle parts make up the nerves
and the mind. Therefore, Sadhakas have to be extra careful about
the quality of food they consume. (SSS Vol.16, pp. 106-107)
Food, head and God are inter-related

It is only man that is endowed with the capacity to discover his
Divinity (SSS Vol.23, pp. 80-81). In this context food habits play
84
an important role. Out of 84,00,000 species of living beings on

earth, 83,99,999 species of creatures like insects, birds, animals and
beasts etc. live on what is provided by God in Nature and hence
they do not generally suffer from any disease. Man is the sole
exception in this regard. By becoming a slave to his palate, he
relishes only cooked and spicy food of various kinds, without
realising to what extent such foods are curtailing his own longevity.
It is significant that those who live on vegetarian food are less
prone to diseases while meat-eaters are subject to various diseases.
Man should consume what is in accord with the needs of the human
body. Doctors speak about proteins. Are there not proteins in
vegetables, milk and curds and pulses? Non-vegetarian food not
only affects the body but also the mind. Food, Head, God--these
three are inter-related. By consuming animal food, animal
tendencies are aroused. As is your food, so are your thoughts.
Men today are behaving in a manner worse than that of wild
animals in the forest. They have become cruel, pitiless and hardhearted. There is no sympathy or understanding between man and
man. The main reason for this condition is the kind of food that is
consumed. Be careful about the food you eat. See that it is
conducive to your health and happiness.
Young people should be satisfied with 2000 calories of food per
day. This is enough to sustain them. Anything in excess will cause
indigestion and sleeplessness. Loss of sleep gives rise to many
ailments. Don't worry about sleep. If you go to bed without any
worry, you will get sound sleep. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 81-82)
85
The dreams that you experience are actually reactions of your food
and habits. There is an intricate and inseparable relationship
between food, head and God. Food plays a vital role in the spiritual
path. When we consume right kind of food, it helps us in our effort
to understand Divinity.
As is the food, so is the mind. Only one with pure mind can
understand Divinity. In order to cultivate purity of mind, you
should partake of pure and Sathwic food. You should consider food
as God. It is said, Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati (as you think so you
become). If you consider food as mere Padartha (matter), it will
remain so. Depending on the feeling, it undergoes change. Take for
instance, the magnetic power in the body. It gets transformed into
electric power. It gives rise to sound energy and develops Tejas
(effulgence). Jewellery shines with added brilliance when it is
polished. Tejas, which is known as Chaitanya Shakti (power of
consciousness).
Today man is wasting his energy by entertaining bad thoughts and
feelings. To keep bad thoughts in check, one has to develop divine
thoughts. What are divine thoughts? You should consider
everything a divine. Every drop of blood in your body is suffused
with Divinity. Food generates blood and energy in the body. This
divine energy has to properly utilised by entertaining divine
thoughts. (DD on 13-10-2002 , p. 5)
Role of food in maintaining thoughts

Those who wish to use the body properly and see that they have
good thoughts and perform good acts, have to take note of two
factors--regulation of diet and regulation of their environments.
86
You must seek to know what kind of food you should eat. You
should not consume any kind of food merely to appease hunger.
You must take only Satwic food. Our thoughts are determined by
the kind of food we consume. The body is cleansed by water. The
mind is purified by Truth. It is only when what is conducive to
truth is taken that you can pursue the path of Truth.
As the body is a sacred shrine you should not take in any
intoxicating substances. Articles of food which promote Rajasic
qualities (like anger) should be eschewed. (SSS Vol.23, p. 71)
Mental purity is related to purity of food
Man commits many offences, knowingly or unknowingly, not only
in this life, but also in previous lives. The imprint of these actions
is carried by the Chitta (the associative memory) over many lives.
When the mirror of the mind is soiled by these relics, the mind
cannot perceive anything in its true state. This is the reason why
man is unable to recognise his own true nature.
Hence, it is necessary to cleanse the mirror of impurities on it. How
is this to be done? By regulating one's food and recreational habits.
It is important to ensure that the food that is eaten is obtained by
righteous means. Many of the ills which men suffer today are due
to the fact that the things they consume have been got by
unrighteous means.
Hence, to purify the mind the first prerequisite is pure food. But it
is not always possible to ensure such purity in every respect at all
times. To get over this difficulty, the way out is to make an offering
of the food to the Divine and regard it as a gift from God. To the
question, "Who is God?" the answer is given in the Geetha sloka
87
which declares that the Lord dwells in everyone as Vaisvanara and

digests the food that is consumed. When before eating, the food is
offered to God, it becomes Prasad (a gift from God). All the
impurities in the food are thereby removed.
This helps the process of cleansing the mind. This practice has to
be kept up continuously. Vikshepa is a defect in the mind caused by
wavering and lack of steadiness. Arjuna confesses that he is unable
to control the mind, which is restless and ever-changing like the
wind. Various practices like meditation, concentration and prayer
have been recommended for steadying the mind. Students are not
trying to cleanse their minds by the proper methods. Instead they
are polluting their minds in all possible ways. It is only when you
have the body, the senses and the mind under your control, that you
will be master of yourself. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 106-107)
You have to partake of Sathwic food. By partaking of Sathwic
food, you will be able to cultivate Sathwic thoughts. And, by
cultivating Sathwic thoughts, you will be able to undertake Sathwic
karmas. It is absolutely necessary that one should have Sathwic
friends in youth and constantly move about in their company. It is
said,
Good company leads to detachment;
Detachment makes one free from delusion;
Freedom from delusion leads to steadiness of mind;
Steadiness of mind confers liberation. (Sanskrit Shloka)
Hence, you have to partake of Sathwic food keeping your goal of
liberation in the mind. You may at times have a doubt that you may
88
not get such Sathwic food. I do not at all agree with this view.
Dont you get vegetables and edible green leaves in plenty? In fact,
the moment you are born out of your mothers womb, you are
surviving and thriving on your mothers milk or cows milk. Is this
not Sathwic food? Can you not live upon vegetarian diet consisting
of vegetables, green leaves and cows milk? Why should you cater
to dictates of your palate adding chillies, salt, tamarind and spices?
It is only when you gradually reduce these ingredients for taste you
will be able to cultivate sathwa guna. Parents have a great
responsibility in teaching the children about the efficacy of Sathwic
food and getting them accustomed to it from their childhood. On
the other hand, if the parents themselves prepare and serve rajasic
and tamasic food consisting of meat, fish, etc., in their homes, how
can they expect the children to develop sathwa guna? I am of the
view that the children at least should abstain from such rajasic and
tamasic food and demand from their parents only the Sathwic food.
One has to consciously cultivate the habit of partaking of only
Sathwic food. Only then will one will be able to develop sathwa
guna.
All our senses conditioned by tri-gunas and the gunas, in turn, are
conditioned by the food we consume. Hence if we start eating
Sathwic food, undertake Sathwic karmas and move about in the
company of Sathwic friends, I am sure that we can transform
ourselves into Sathwic individuals. It is the bad company that is
responsible for evil qualities. If you want to cultivate good
qualities, you have to eat Sathwic food. In fact, it is the food that
we consume is responsible for all the evil qualities.
89
If you develop bad qualities like anger, passion, envy, jealousy,

etc., right from this early age, your entire life will be spoiled. You
are poisoning your young minds with these evil qualities. My
advice to the youngsters and students is eat Sathwic food.; cultivate
Sathwic behaviour and keep the company of Sathwic people right
from the early age. I often observe that youngsters today join bad
company the moment they enter the school or college and continue
to move about in the company of bad people. With the result, they
cultivate bad qualities, resulting in bad behaviour. Frequently they
are not even aware of the subtle changes taking place in their
behaviour towards elders, parents, teachers and society. They think
that they are on the right track, since they are pursuing education in
a good educational institution. Several bad thoughts emanate in
their mind even at a young age.
People often think that it is a natural phenomenon due to young
age. It is not a natural phenomenon at all! It is most unnatural.
Since, you are partaking bad food, you are having bad thoughts.
Hence, first and foremost, give up bad food. People, who are
devoted to Swami, must join satang. But, you are joining bad
company and, as a result, are developing bad thoughts. Once bad
thoughts enter your mind, none can drive these away. Hence, you
have to cultivate good thoughts, even before bad thoughts enter
your mind.
There are several parents who are not concerned about the future of
their children. Either they are too busy pursuing their vocations or
they are helpless in supervising your behaviour. But, if you tread
the right path they will be most happy. On the other hand, if you
are moving in bad company cultivating bad habits, resulting in bad
90
behaviour, they will be very sad and will be unable to share their
distress or anguish with anybody. Hence, it is your foremost duty to
keep your parents happy. If you want to keep your parents happy,
you must tread the right path and keep your parents happy. Only
then will you be able to cultivate good behaviour. There are three
aspects in human life, which are interlinked the thoughts,
behaviour and the end result. As are the thoughts, so will be
behaviour, so will be the result. Teachers expect good behaviour
from their pupils. How is it possible, when the students move about
in bad company, eat wrong kind of food and entertain bad
thoughts? The end result is always bad in such a situation. While
taking bitter food, how can you experience sweetness? In short, the
rajasic and tamasic food that you consume is the root cause for the
bad thoughts that are entering your mind.
All of you must tread the right path. Even if your parents for any
reason offer you rajasic and tamasic food prepared in the home,
you must explain and convince them of the ill-effects of such food,
saying, and Mother! If you serve rajasic and tamasic food to me
thus, I will only get bad thoughts. This is not conducive to good
behaviour on my part. You must also convince them of the need to
prepare and serve Sathwic food to all members of the family. Not
only you should eat Sathwic food, you should also read good
books. Your entire life is dependent upon good food, good thoughts
and good company.
You should not read all sorts of trash like cheap novels, stories, etc.
Such trash will generate bad thoughts in you and pollute your mind.
When you go to a library, you should read the biographies of great
and noble people which will help to cultivate good qualities and
good thoughts in you. One reason for the pollution of young minds
91
and proliferation of bad thoughts in them is reading all sorts of

cheap literature. In fact, it is only the mind that is responsible for
good or bad thoughts. That is why it is said, Manaeva
manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoh (Mind alone is the
root cause for either bondage or liberation). Unfortunately, in these
days it is only cheap books that have become popular and acquired
great attraction. Good books have become a rare commodity. A
question may arise as to where one would get such good books.
You go to good libraries of institutions committed to the moral and
spiritual uplift of humanity. Frequently we come across people
travelling in trains and buses purchasing worthless books available
in the railway platforms and bus stands and reading them with
absorbing interest. They may say that they are reading them for
whiling away the time. They do not realise how harmful those
books are in generating bad thoughts and polluting their minds.
Hence, you must always select books that contribute to your
intellectual, moral and spiritual development.
If you wish to cultivate good thoughts and good behaviour, you
must read good books. Several students today consider it a fashion
to read cheap literature that is available for a low price. With the
result cheap thoughts and cheap behaviour are generated in them.
They look for cheap books and trash distributed free of cost. They
woefully lack a sense of discrimination to judge whether such
writing is conducive to their moral, spiritual and character
development. They will, however, realise the consequences of their
action after their minds are totally polluted. Then it will be too late
for them to retrace their steps. It is only through good books that
good thoughts and good behaviour can be cultivated. (DD on 2210-2005, pp. 4-8)
92
Offer the food to God first and take it as Prasad

Many eminent modern scientists are not aware of the magnetic
power and the electric power that are present in the human body,
which is verily a small generator. The jataragni (digestive fire) is
the source of heat energy in the body. (SSS Vol.32 Part II, p. 56)
Human body may be compared to a tender plantain leaf. The five
senses of man are like the delicious items served on the leaf. One
should offer the food to God before partaking of it. But man in his
foolishness is offering the delicious items to the demons of desire,
anger, greed, pride and jealousy. After the demons consume the
delicious items and spoil the leaf, the leftover is offered to God!
First and foremost, these delicious items should be offered to God
who is present within in the form of Vaishvanara. (SSS Vol.33, pp.
313-314)
Whenever you take food, do namasmarana before partaking of the
food. By doing so, the food will be sanctified and will become
prasadam (gift) of God. Your heart also will be purified. That is
why, our ancestors prayed thus before partaking of food (SSS
Vol.37, p. 182):
Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir
Brahmagnou Brahmana Hutham
Brahmaiva Thena Ganthavyam
Brahmakarma Samadhina.
Sanskrit

93
Telugu
|
||
You say that the food is an offering to Brahman. Then where is
Brahman? He is within. So, immediately God replies from within:
Aham Vaishvanaro Bhoothva
Praninam Dehamasritha
Pranapana Samayukta
Pachamyannam Chathurvidham.
Sanskrit

Telugu
- |
||
God says "My dear one, I am in you in the form of Vaishvanara. I
receive and digest the four types of food that you partake of. You
don't need to send any special invitation to Me nor extol Me. I am
yours and you are Mine. I am with you, in you, above you, below
you, around you." God has given you such a great assurance. He
has promised that He will be always with you. But you are not able
to understand this. (SSS Vol.36, p. 71)
94
Harir Daatha Harir Bhoktha

Harir Annam Prajaapatih
Harir Vipra Shareerastu
Bhoonkte Bhojayathe Harih.
God, who is present in you in the form of Vaishvanara, digests the
four types of food that you eat. Jataragni, like a generator, is
responsible for the electric power in the body. Human body is a
conglomeration of different powers heat, light, sound, electricity,
etc. (SSS Vol.32 Part II, pp. 56-57)
Before partaking of food, chant the sacred mantra. Then no
unsacredness would enter your heart. Annam Brahma; Raso
Vishnuhu; Bhokta devo Maheswarah (food is Brahma; the essence
is Vishnu; the one who partakes it is Maheswara). These three
correspond to body, mind and action, respectively. Purity of
thought, word and deed is true wisdom. You dont need to
undertake any other spiritual practice. People undertake various
sadhana. But they confer only temporary satisfaction. On the other
hand, when you have purity of thought, word and deed, you
experience eternal happiness. (SSS Vol.35, p. 348)
In the old days, one of the kings was performing a yagna and he
assembled a number of pundits during that yagna. Amongst pundits
assembled by the king, there were two people who were
accustomed to observing certain traditions. In the ancient days, the
traditions were such that while travelling they would not agree to
take their food in some house or other.
95
In the early hours of the morning, they used to collect some food
and used to carry the same in a bundle, and they would eat this
food during the journey. When it became midday during their
journey, they reached a river and found out a tree with a good
shade. They sat under the tree for their afternoon meal. It was their
habit that every day they would think of God and they would offer
the food to God and then, only, partake of the food. On that day,
too, they started reading the twenty-fifth verse in the Fourth
Chapter of the Gita which commences by saying,
Brahmarpanam, (I offer this food to Brahma). When this verse
was repeated by them, they heard some noise from the Banyan tree
under which they were sitting. They thought that on account of the
breeze, one branch may have rubbed against another branch and
noise may thus have been produced. They were not disturbed by
the noise. They were continuing their prayer. They started
repeating the 14th verse in the 15th Chapter of the Gita. While
repeating that verse, they were totally lost and completely absorbed
in the thought of God and they were thus repeating their prayer.
When this verse was repeated in that manner, they found that a
Mahapurusha, (a great saint) came and stood in their presence.
They got up and paid homage to that great saintly personality and
asked him who he was. He revealed his identity and said that he
was a Gandharva and that he was subjected to a curse by a rishi
several years ago and he was living on that Banyan tree.
He was now liberated from that curse by the prayers uttered under
the tree. This Gandharva then paid homage to these two pundits
and said, I know where you are going and I am fully aware of
your mission. You are going to participate in a meeting which the
king is convening. I have to repay my debt to you for having
96
relieved me of my curse. I will enter into the mind of the king and I
will see that you are benefited in many ways.
The scholars entered the congregation arranged by the king, but
they found that the place was packed with many people, and they
could not reach the king. So they were sitting in some corner and
were looking at the king. The words uttered by great saints can
never become untrue. Because of the promise made by the
Gandharva, the king, of his own accord, looked at these two
scholars. The king came to them and made obeisance to them and
requested them to come to the front row and be seated. He also
asked them to exhibit their scholarship. The congregation came to a
close on that day and the king was immensely pleased with the
scholarship exhibited by them and gifted them with several villages
and saw to it that they lived happily for the rest of their lives. Here
we notice that this great saint taught these two persons how to get
over many worldly troubles and obstacles which they came across
and also showed them how to acquire spiritual blessings. Thus, if
one wants to take the path of spirituality, one will find that many
worldly troubles and obstacles come in the way. It is only when we
can overcome these worldly obstacles that are in our way, can we
take the opportunity to benefit from the spiritual path.
Because the pundits could get over the troubles and take to the
spiritual path, they returned to their own village and were
experiencing happiness through the gifts they received.
The purpose of our thinking of this particular verse in the 15th
Chapter of the Gita is to get success in worldly matters and to get
over the obstacles in the matter of pursuing a spiritual path. Here,
97
the food we eat determines in many ways what we are going to get
in future for ourselves. The food we eat will determine the type of
ideas that sprout in us.
While taking our food, if we use exciting words, such ideas which
are related to these exciting words will sprout in us also. The lesson
that we should learn is that when we take our bath, when we sit for
dhyana or when we take our food, we should not think of other
activities and other ideas. Too much talk, while we take our food,
will also cause harm to us. We should not give room to any kind of
talk when we take our food. With a happy heart and with a sacred
word, we must undertake to utter this particular verse and then take
our food. In this way, whatever has been offered to Brahman will
become the prasad which comes to us as a gift of Brahman.
The meaning of the verse is that God Himself, who is in a human
form in you, is taking the food. Therefore, changes our food into
food for God. While taking food, we should not be excited, and we
should not get into passion, but we should eat very peacefully.
Even if we cannot perform japa, thapa or yagas, at least if we take
care to see that we eat in this manner, we will develop good ideas.
The nature of the fire will determine the type of smoke that comes
out. The kind of smoke that comes out will determine the type of
cloud that it forms. The type of cloud that is formed will determine
the type of rain which the cloud yields. The type of rain determines
the harvest. The kind of harvest determines the food that we get out
of it. The kind of food we eat will determine our ideas. For all our
ideas, it is our food that is responsible. If we eat Sathwic food,
sitting in a clean place, we will have clean ideas by eating that
98
food. There will thus be a good possibility of our getting spiritual

ideas. (SSB 1977, pp. 170-173)
Fasting
Fasting promotes health for the physical body, in the mental realm,
it gives joy and bliss. Unlimited and unregulated food is very
harmful for devotee. Indulging in a variety of tasty food is likely to
lead the devotee into the torpidity and inertia of Tamo-guna. To
think that you can go on enjoying all the tasty dishes to please God
and enjoy the nearness of God, are not compatible. Therefore, right
from the beginning, you must make a determined effort to keep the
tongue under control. Once you gain mastery over the tongue, the
other sense organs will also come under control, automatically.
(DBG, p. 39)
It is wise to prevent disease than run after remedies after it has
happened or grown beyond control. Man does not attend to
precautionary measures; he allows things to worsen and then the
disease is aggravated by fear, uncertainty and anxiety. There is an
axiom believed in by men of old, which says: 'One meal a day
makes a Yogi, two meals a day make a Bhogi and three meals a day
makes a Rogi. Yogi is the contented God-centred man. Bhogi is the
man revelling in sensual pleasure. Rogi is the man ridden by
illness. Yes. The quantity of food intake by the well-to-do is now
much beyond essential requirements. Over-eating has become a
fashion. (SSS Vol.7, p. 101) Today people go on consuming food
at all times, not to mention drinks and snacks in between. With the
result that indigestion sets in. (SSS Vol.23, p. 81)
Man needs food, which supplies him energy equivalent to about
one calorie for minute. Young people should be satisfied with 2000
calories of food per day; for healthy life, man needs only 1500
99
calories per day. But now-a- days the food intake has increased
upto 5000 calories. As a result, people suffer from indigestion and
sleeplessness. Loss of sleep gives rise to many ailments. Don't
worry about sleep. If you go to bed without worry, you will get
sound sleep automatically. We suffer from ill-health due to
psychological reasons also. (ICS , pp. 34-35)
The breakfast does not serve to break any fast, for; there has been
no fasting at all! It is as good as a full meal. Lunch is pressed in
and consists of many dishes, chosen for the palate rather than to
assuage hunger. Tea is tea only in name; it includes rather heavy
fare, out of all proportion to the needs of the body. Dinner at night
is the heaviest meal and includes the largest variety and so one goes
to bed, weighted with unwanted stuff, to roll from side to side, in a
vain effort to get a few minutes of sleep. The shortage of food
grains is mainly due to bad and wasteful eating habits; it can be set
right, and people can live longer and more healthily, if only they
eat the minimum, rather than fill themselves with maximum. (SSS
Vol.7, pp. 101-102)
Periodical fasting is prescribed in order to help the system overhaul
itself and to give much needed rest to the processes. (SSS Vol.6, p.
10)
100
CLEANLINESS: THE BEST

TONIC
A healthy body is the best container for a healthy mind; a healthy
heart is the temple of God. (FDD, 1990, pp. A-4)
Be clothed in divine qualities to approach God

Pungency in food heightens feelings of pugnacity, aggression and
vindictiveness in men, against those who oppose, disagree with or
disappoint them. Such men are worse than scorpions and snakes,
sharp swords or serrated saws. It is tragic that factional conflicts
arise even among persons claiming to be devotees of God. Often,
such men behave as if they are desecrating God by deserting Him.
When their desires do not fructify as and when they arise, when
their faults and failings are laid down before them in order to warn
them, or when they are directed to give up the wrongs they are
fascinated by, they turn away from God in a fit of fury! There are
two types of men--the Amaraas (the godly) and the Asuras (the
demonic). The Rajasic persons are Asuras. The Geetha directs us to
adopt, as the very first Sadhana, the rule: Adhweshtaa Sarva
bhoothaanaam ("Do not hate any single being"). To approach God,
101
one must be clothed in divine qualities. When it is sinful to hate a

fellow-being, what shall we say about' hating God?
Live in the love of God--Sthithi-Mathi-Bhakthi (stability,
awareness-communion). Devotion arises in the constant mind, not
in the agitated, kaleidoscopic mind. Allah showers Grace only on
those who surrender wholly. The purification of the senses of
perception and the senses of action, the mind and the intellect and
the sublimation of the ego-consciousness will happen
spontaneously, once the attitude of total surrender is strengthened.
That which we consume through the mouth is food. We consume
also through the eye, the ear, the nose and the skin. That food too
has to be Sathwic, purifying and not pungent or stale and corrupt.
(SSS Vol.16, pp. 107-108)
Purity of mind and body bestows Balam

Our ancients wished to live long for the sake of a Godly life and for
that purpose preserved their health in body and mind. Today people
look aged by the time they are 60 or 70. You may have read in the
Mahabharata that Krishna was 86 years old and Arjuna was 84 at
the time of the Kurukshethra war. They were in the vigour of youth
and fought great battles. Bhishma, who was the Commander-inchief of the Kaurava armies, was 116 years of age. Today very few
survive up to that age and many are decrepit long before they reach
that age. Bhishma was engaged in fierce battle for nine days. What
was the source of his strength? Strength of mind, strength derived
from food and, above all, Atma Balam (strength of Spirit).
Today spiritual strength is totally lacking among the people. Selfconfidence is constantly going up and down. There is no steadiness
of mind. When the will is weak from moment to moment, how can
102
Cleanliness: The Best Tonic
there be any firmness in life? Everyone must endeavour to develop

the courage to face the vicissitudes of life, joys or sorrows, gains or
losses, with equanimity.
There are many today in the country who claims to be believers in
God. Because these believers do not conduct themselves properly,
many are turning atheists. They talk about bhakti (devotion), but in
their actions they are Bhukti (epicures). Devotion is what the sage
Narada expounded after churning the Upanishads and gathering the
nectarine cream out of them. It is only when devotion is constant
and unchanging that its fruits can be realised.
The body, the sense organs, the mind, the Buddhi (intellect) and the
Atma are the five vital elements constituting man. Students should
learn the secrets about each of them. Once they have understood
the truth about them, they need no other spiritual discipline. This
Summer Course has been organised to give you an insight into the
mysteries of these five entities.
Once an old woman came to me and said that her mind was causing
her endless trouble by its restless wandering. I asked her, "Where is
your mind? Show it to me, I shall destroy it". She said: "I don't
know where it is." I told her "If you do not know where the mind
is, how do you say it is troubling you? Is it the mind that is
troubling you or are you troubling yourself? When you do not
know the cause of your trouble, to blame the mind is meaningless."
You have to understand how the mind and the senses function. All
are valuable, as the Divine never creates anything that is valueless.
(SSS Vol.23, pp. 82-83)
103
Sanctify the body

The body, the senses, the mind and the intellect are vestures worn
by man. Only when you understand the significance and purpose of
these activities can you make proper use of them. You wear
trousers, coat, banian, shirt etc. Only when you know how to use
each of these items can you use them in the right way and get the
benefit thereof. Otherwise you may make bizarre use of them, like
putting on the banian over the shirt. Hence, you see to it that the
clothes are worn properly. Likewise, your body is a garment. It is
only when you know how it should be worn and how it should be
used that you can make good use of it and get the best out of it.
"Dahyati iti dehah" (The body is that which is burnt). This is the
derived meaning of the word deha (the body). It is well known that
the body is burnt after death. But the body experiences burning
even when it is alive. This is because of worries. "The body is inert.
It is contaminated and riddled with disease. It is a bundle of bones.
It will not save you from the ocean of birth and death. Therefore,
cling to the lotus feet of Hari, Oh mind!" This was the prayer of the
sages. The body is made up of the five elements and is
impermanent. Only the Indwelling Spirit is eternal and unchanging.
You may accept the body that you have assumed and even enjoy it.
But you should know how to guard it and enjoy it.
Another name for the body is Sarira. The word is derived from the
term, "Siryathi iti sariraha" (That which is liable to decay). At
birth the body is a lump of flesh and blood. As it grows it acquires
beauty of form in youth. Then it is overtaken by the ravages of old
age. The body is thus subject to many changes. (SSS Vol.23, pp.
68-69)
104
View the body as a Temple

A third name for the body is Mandir (temple or shrine). It is
described as a temple enshrining the eternal divine Atma
(individual soul). Viewed as a temple, it has to be regarded as the
sacred and pure abode of the Divine. As such it should not be
misused. This implies that the body is intended to be used for
having good thoughts and good deeds.
Because the body is given for performing right actions, it has to be
maintained in a fit condition. It is the instrument for all activity and
therefore should be maintained well. Every time before you do
anything, you have to put to yourself this question: "I am the
indwelling divine Atma in this body. As such, is it proper for me to
do this action or not?" You have also to determine whether the
particular action is proper or improper. Only then you will be using
the body in the right way. You dare not use the body according to
your whims just because you have got it. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 69-70)
Kshetra and Kshetrajna

The body has also been called Kshetra. The Geetha enjoins that one
should know what kshetra is, and who is the Kshetrajna? You are
the Knower of the field dwelling within the kshetra (body). You
have to remain as a witness and see that the body is properly used.
We describe Kasi (Varanasi), Badrinath, Tirupathi as Kshetras,
because they are associated with the Divine and enjoy a holy
atmosphere. Sacred actions like worship are performed in these
places. Similarly, in the kshetra of the body, good thoughts and
good actions should prevail. This is the inner meaning of the
appellation kshetra (holy place).
105
The other meaning of the term kshetra is field. In this field of the
body, the fruits we reap are dependent on the seeds we sow. If you
sow good thoughts, you reap the fruit of good actions.
Evil thoughts will yield only bad results. The body is thus a field in
which the seeds of merit and sin are sown. In cultivating a field for
growing crops, we wait for the right season and the appropriate
conditions to sow particular seeds. The suitability of a land for
growing a particular crop has to be decided. Sowing cannot be done
indiscriminately. However, for this body, considered as a field,
there are no such constraints. It can be cultivated in all conditions
and at all times. It can be utilised night and day. When you sow
seeds on cultivable land, you may get a good crop or a poor crop.
You may not realise your expectations.
But in the case of the human body, you are bound to reap the fruits
of the good or the bad thoughts you sow as seeds. You will have
cent percent return. As you sow, so will you reap. The crop
depends on your thoughts and the harvest will be determined by
your actions. You must therefore ensure that only seeds in the form
of good thoughts are sown. You should not misuse the body as you
like. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 70-71)
Five types of bath prescribed in the scriptures

Nature has many mysteries in its make-up. Man is able to unravel
only those that are cognisable through his five senses; he does not
realise that there is a vast unknown beyond the purview of the five
faulty instruments of perception that he has. For example, from
every being and thing, constantly, without intermission, millions of
minute particles and millions of vibrations are issuing forth. Certain
substances like camphor emanate so much of these that a lump
106
disappears in a few days. The bodies of others affect us by these

emanations and we too affect them in the same way. For good or
bad, we are interacting in this manner, inescapably. Naturally, the
growth of the body is affected, as well as its health and strength, by
the contact or company we develop.
These emanations are intensified when dirt accumulates, or sewage
collects, or drains are choked. Sanitation rules are framed to reduce
the possibility of disease spreading from such areas.
Five types of bath are prescribed in the Hindu scriptures, in order to
maintain physical immunity from the emanations of others.
First, we have the 'mud bath,' wherein fine mud is applied over
the body and kept on for some time before being washed away.
Second, the 'Sun bath' is recommended, because the rays of the
Sun are powerful disinfectants; they feed as well as freshen.
Third: bath in water. If the water is a flowing river, considered
holy, and if the bath is taken after propitiatory hymns etc., the
bath will cleanse the body and, at the same time, elevate the
spirit.
The fourth type is the 'air-bath,' when the body is, exposed to
the cool breeze, and its salutary effect.
The fifth and last type is the 'ash bath,' where the body is given
a coating of fine ash or Vibhuthi (sacred ash), revered as the
mark of Shiva. The ash guards the body from evil contacts and
the deleterious effects of the vibrations proceeding from others;
it also sanctifies and purifies the vibrations of the individual
wearing the ash, for, it reminds him always of the inevitable
end of all that one feels as one's own, except the Lord who is
the very person himself. (SSS Vol.12, pp. 281-282)
107
Uncleanliness has become a popular cult

Untouchability as a social practice must have had its origin in the
realisation of this truth. But, practices like avoiding contact with
demeaning or defiling men or things later became a ritual, a hollow
round of negations. Those who are ridiculed for observing such
restrictions and taboos are finding it difficult to explain the inner
significance of their behaviour. These observances originated from
the anxiety to earn length of life and strength of body, so that the
seeker might gain the goal. The Geetha speaks of yukthaahaara
vihaarasya---"habits of feeding and recreation which are controlled
and regulated." The gross part of food is discarded as faeces, the
subtle part is transformed into muscle, blood, etc. and the more
subtle of the subtle aspects are transmuted into the mind and its
activities. That is why the sages have prescribed certain limits and
levels of food, in order to promote the spiritual urges and prevent
contrary tendencies.
But, nowadays, as a result of the downgraded time-spirit, food that
damages the spiritual urge is being increasingly favoured! The
elementary rules of personal cleanliness are neglected in the name
of 'novelty and neo-spiritualism.' Bath is given the go-by. Oral
hygiene is not cared for. Damaging habits are cultivated and
tolerated. The mouth is the gateway of the physical mansion; if the
gateway is foul, what can we say of the residence and the inmates!
Uncleanliness has become a popular cult; it is necessary to keep
away from its votaries, for, cleanliness is next to Godliness.
Unkempt, dishevelled, dirty heads and bodies denote unkempt,
dishevelled intellects and minds. (SSS Vol.12, pp. 282-283)
108
The body will shine if the character is fine

Of course, it is true that many sages and saints paid little attention
to personal cleanliness, since they were always on the higher plane
of nearness to Reality. Imitating them without the inner conviction
that one is not the body but that one is the Universal Indweller .can
only be hypocrisy and exhibitionism. Eeshwara swallowed the
poison that emerged from the Ocean; but, mortals cannot do the
same, even to remove the minor poisons of the world. Develop
equanimity, install in the mind the faith in the Divine and then you
get the authority to neglect the claims of the body, with impunity.
You cannot challenge the wisdom of the sages and ask, what harm
is there if I too behave likewise! Great harm will certainly ensue,
when you venture into these realms of the spirit with the ego
bloated big.
The body has to be carefully and tenderly fostered; it is a precious
gift, a very complicated but well-co-ordinated machine, given for
achieving a laudable task. Its exterior too must be clean and full of
the charm of goodness. The skin of the fruit of Ananda (divine
bliss) is the physical body; the succulent flesh is the muscle, bone
and nerve; the hard uneatable seed is the evil that gets mixed up in
life; the juice which the fruit offers, for which the tree was planted
and nourished is the Bliss it shares with all. The body will shine if
the character is fine; service of man and worship of God will
preserve its charm. The Lord will be watching with a thousand eyes
the least activity of man to discover any slight trace of selfless
Love sweetening it. In the past, illnesses were cured by the simple
remedies that nature herself provided,--roots, tubers, fruits, leaves
etc., rest, change of residence, regulation of diet, sadhana (spiritual
discipline) etc. But, now man lives in an age of tablets and
109
injections. Do not believe that health is retained or maintained

through doctors; nor can drugs alone guarantee it. Were that So, the
dead should all be alive now. Well, examine whether the doctors
themselves follow the advice they offer to others. They are victims
of the very habits which they advise against! They condemn
smoking and drinking intoxicants as dangerous to health, but, they
indulge in both, and thereby, encourage the very evils they
condemn!
This is the type of health-advisers that we have! In every field--spiritual, moral, .economic, political, and literary---absence of
proper leaders is the root cause of all the distress, anxiety and fear
that torment the world. You are embodiments of the Divine Atma.
Do not crave for recognition and respect from others; crave rather
for winning Grace from the Lord. In the pursuit of that aim, do not
be misled by the emergence of obstacles and obstructions. (SSS
Vol.12, pp. 283-284)
Five gates for the temple of body

When you get rid of the evils associated with pollution of speech,
hearing, sight, thought and action (arising from the misuse of the
five sense organs), you will be able to become the Paramatma
(Divinise yourself). If the senses are fed with polluted stuff, you
cannot become pure merely by taking milk and fruit. You must take
in pure Sathwic food through all the five sense organs.
There are many doors to a temple. They are intended to let in
devotees who seek to worship God. Gateways in temples are
intended only for devotees to enter. Similarly there are for this
temple of the body five gates. What is the purpose of these
doorways? If we build a house and erect doors in it, they are for the
110
use of our kith and kin and not for all stray animals to walk in. If
such animals enter, the doors are shut against them. Likewise, the
doors in this sacred body should be kept open only for sacred and
Divine entrants. Only then it deserves the name Kshetra (shrine). It
ceases to be a temple if unholy objects are allowed to enter it. (SSS
Vol.23, pp. 72-73)
Eschew all bad company

Next comes Vihara (moving in different places). You will have to
consider seriously what sort of places you should visit, what kind
of environment in which you should live and what type of persons
with whom you should associate yourselves. You should eschew all
bad company, because your thoughts are related to the company
you keep. Young people today are cultivating bad company. They
take easily to bad ways. This is an affront to the human body. The
sages of yore chose to live in solitude for directing their thoughts
towards God. But even this is a sign of weakness. For instance, if
you want to subdue anger, can you do it by any amount of penance
in a forest? As your anger arises in the midst of people, it has to be
conquered only in the same milieu and not in an unpeopled forest.
You may remain tranquil as long as you are in the forest but when
you come back to a crowd, you will be the same old irate person. If
you want to control your senses, it is a delusion to imagine that this
can be done by some kind of rigorous penance. It can be achieved
easily if you understand the subtle workings of the body. ou can
utilise your new car well, for instance, only if you know all about
its working and how it should be run. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 73-74)
111
Ensure proper use of the body

All the troubles of man are due to the fact that he does not know
how to make proper use of his body. Hence, he is a prey to sorrow
and disease. One thing should be remembered: No one can go
against the Divine Will. No one can alter the Lord's law. It should
be realised that the body functions because of the chaitanya
(consciousness) within it. Just as the lights, the horn and the engine
in a car, though inert in themselves, begin to function when the
power is supplied to them from the battery, likewise the organs in
the vehicle that is the human body (the eyes, the ears, etc.,) can
function well only if the Atmic consciousness animates and
activates them. Just as a magnet attracts iron filings by its magnetic
power, the Atma is responsible for the operation of all the organs
which are inert by themselves.
Man is prone to three kinds of mistaken ideas. One is to consider
what does not belong to him as his own. Another is to regard
persons who do not belong to him as his own. The third is to regard
the evanescent as the eternal. Man considers the body as his real
self. If that is the case, why should he say, "This is my body." The
statement dearly implies that he is different from the body. (The
owner is different from what he owns). When a man says, "This is
my kerchief," he is apart from the kerchief, which he can cast away
Hence, how can one say that he is the body? This is the first
mistake.
Secondly, in worldly affairs man is misled by the belief that he is
the owner of properties of various kinds--houses, vehicles, etc. You
build a house and call it yours. You sell it and it is no longer yours.
Likewise, you buy a car and call it "Mine." When you sell it, it
112
ceases to be yours. So, it is yours as long as you use it. Forgetting

that all these possessions are temporary, you develop attachments
for them. Nothing is yours. How can those which belong to the
body be yours? All these are caused by Maya (delusion), the sense
of possessiveness and the aberrations of the mind. All of them are
passing clouds. Before marriage, no one can say who is the
husband and who is the wife. Before birth, no one can say who is
the mother and who is the child. Only after birth, you declare, "He
is my son." Only after marriage, you say, "This is my wife." All
these relationships are associated with the body. The same person
is called in different ways according to various relationships. (SSS
Vol.23, pp. 73-74)
Realise that the body is not permanent

You have to do your duty to your kith and kin. But while
discharging your duties, you have to keep the Supreme always in
mind. The worldly life has to be led, with spiritual relation as the
goal. As long as you live in the world, you have to conform to the
ways of the world. But the ideal must be based on the recognition
that nothing belongs to you--neither mother, nor father, kinsmen or
wealth. All these are related to the changing body, which is the
basis for all mental aberrations. It is wrong to regard the body as
permanent. But it is essential to keep the body in good health as
long as there is life, just as you must ensure that your boat does not
spring a leak till you cross the river. The body has to be kept clean
and for this purpose you have to practise chanting the Lord's name
and doing japa. The Divine cleanses the heart, when you offer it to
God.
Besides the body, you have to reckon with the sense organs, the
mind and the Buddhi. It is only when their nature is properly
113
understood will one be able to lead a full human life. In the absence
of such understandings, man becomes a prey to many difficulties.
There is constant talk about Sadhana but no special sadhana is
needed if one gets at the Truth. All sadhana is aimed at perceiving
the Truth.
During the ensuing fortnight, if you are able to grasp the nature of
the body, the senses, the mind, the Buddhi, and the Atma, which is
the Supreme Witness presiding over all of them, you will be able to
master the mystery of the cosmos (which is made up of the five
basic elements, the Pancha Bhutas). As God is the basis of
everything, you have to develop faith in God. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 7576)
Purity of the mind : Role of the senses

What man has to achieve are not the four Purusharthas--Dharma,
Artha, Kama and Moksha (Righteousness, Wealth, Fulfilment of
desires and Liberation). The primary goal of man should be the
purification of the Antahkarana (The Inner Activator) and subduing
it. The world is based on the mind. All that happens in the world-joy or sorrow, sin or virtue, truth or untruth--has its origin in the
mind.
The mind is like a mirror; it has no inherent power of its own. It is
dependent on the indhriyas (sense organs). It sees through the eyes.
It cannot see by itself. It hears through the ears and has no inherent
hearing capacity. Likewise it functions with the aid of the sense
organs.
114
Consequently, the offences committed by the senses are reflected in

the mind. The senses are associated with the mind's various
processes. If anything goes wrong, who is to blamethe senses or
the mind? No blame attaches to the mind by itself. It is the
association with the senses which pollutes the mind.
The scriptures have declared that there are three defects relating to
the mind' Mala, Vikshepa and Aavarna. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 105-106)
Four types of purity
Among the qualities a man has to develop if he is to realise his
divinity, the foremost is Kshama---forbearance or forgiveness. It is
essential for every human being. It is supreme among virtues.
Kshama is Truth, Righteousness, Sympathy, Non-violence and all
else. Kshama comprehends every quality.
How is Kshama to be acquired? It is acquired by practising four
kinds of purity:
1. Dravya Soucham (purity of materials); 2. Maanasika Soucham
(purity of mind); 3. Vaak Soucham (purity in speech); 4. Kriya
Soucham (purity in action or purity of body).
Dravya Soucham (Purity of materials): This covers all things used
by a person--from clothes, food and cooking utensils to houses-and all the varied things used by a person. Everything that is in
daily use should be completely pure.
Maanasika Soucham (Purity of the mind): This calls for total
elimination of attachments and aversions from the mind.
115
Vaak Soucham (Purity of speech): This means that one must speak
the truth. He must be sweet and pleasant in speech and avoid using
harsh words. Excessive talking should be avoided. Purity in speech
implies avoidance of falsehood, garrulousness, abusive language,
slanderous gossip and speech which causes pain to others. Today
there is very little purity of speech. Bad thoughts and bad words are
the order of the day. A vile tongue fouls the mind and dehumanises
man.
Sareera Soucham (Purity of the body): The body has to be purified
by performing Aachamana with water (this ritual involves uttering
the names of the Lord thrice and drinking three spoonfuls of water
from the palm).
When these four kinds of purity are practised, the quality of
Kshama develops to some extent. (SSS Vol.21)
Nagarasankeerthan is the greatest disinfectant

Start the day with Nagarasankeerthan (street singing of spiritual
hymns), for, it is the greatest disinfectant of the atmosphere of the
individual, as well as the community. The puja (ritualistic worship)
in the domestic shrine, the recitation of hymns, the bhajan (group
singing of devotional songs) that you do, all send forth vibrations
that purify and cleanse the atmosphere, and so, disinfect the 'food'
that you consume.
Pareekshit listened to stories of Divine Glory and so, he was
hastened on the path of liberation, during the seven fateful days. So
too the sight of temples, churches, mosques and houses surcharged
116
with Divinity, of idols and sculptures depicting the mystery and

majesty of God in His various Forms, of scenes that instil in your
mind the littleness of man before the vastness of God's handiwork-these have a salutary effect on the formation of character, and the
direction of habits and attitudes.
The senses have to be controlled, primarily because they pursue
deleterious influences that harass man and lead him into ruin. Inner
peace is lost when the senses feed man on inflaming wants and
infructuous desires. For the sadhaka (spiritual aspirant)---and, who
can escape being a sadhaka?---the intake must always be pure and
blameless, Sathwic. The sounds, the sights, the impressions, the
ideas, the lessons, the contacts, the impacts---all must promote
reverence, humility, balance, equanimity and simplicity. If the
impressions are rajasic, the mind will get agitated, vengeful,
fanatic and fearsome. If they are tamasic, the mind will not even be
aroused into the awareness of its own innate handicaps. It is only
the Sathwic 'food' that will keep the mind on an even keel, fully
concentrated on the Atma on which one must contemplate in order
to attain peace. (SSS Vol.7, p. 416)
117
Rise from bed, in the Bhrahma-muhurtham (the auspicious

period, dedicated to Brahman meditation, (from 4.30 to 5.15
a.m.), recite the Pranava (Aum), even if you have no group
around you, repeat the Suprabhatham (awakening hymn), sit
for some time immersed in dhyana (meditation), go through
the yoga exercises, the Suryanamskars (obeisance to Sun
God); sing bhajans (devotional songs) when the hour reminds
you that bhajan has started at Prasanthi Nilayam. Then, you
will be carrying the sacred atmosphere of the Prasanthi
Nilayam with you; your parents will be elated; the elders will
learn from you the discipline which confers concord and
courage.
Do not complain against food; whatever the parents give, eat
with pleasure. Do not protest against any errand that they may
assign you. Run gladly, to fulfil it. When they want you to
nurse them, nurse happily, intelligently, glad that you got the
chance. So live here and everywhere, now and always, that I
who see you and know all thoughts, words and deeds, can
pour My Grace on you, more and more.
-
MEDITATION, YOGA AND

EXERCISE: PRESCRIPTION
FOR PEACE AND
CONTENTMENT
Most illnesses can be cured by simple living, simple exercises and
by intelligent control of the tongue. (SSS Vol.11, p. 151)
Meditation
Stick to the Name and Form you like the most
The secret is: you should 'be', but not be as in sleep, when you are
aware deep down within you, that you are. Only, sleep is enveloped
in Maya (Delusion). Awake from that delusion, but immerse
yourself in this sleep that is real Samadhi (Super-conscious state of
Bliss). Japam and Dhyanam are means by which you can compel
even the concretisation of the Divine Grace, in the Form and with
the Name you yearn for. The Lord has to assume the Form you
choose, the Name you fancy; in fact, you shape Him so. Therefore,
119
do not change these two, but stick to the ones that please you most,
whatever the delay or the difficulty.
Do not get discouraged that you are not able to concentrate for long
from the very beginning. When you learn to ride a bicycle, you do
not get the skill of keeping the balance immediately. You push the
cycle along to an open maidan and hop and skip, leaning now to
one side and now to the other and even fall with the cycle upon you
on many an attempt before you are able to ride with skill and never
again to worry about the balance. Automatically, you are able to
make the necessary adjustments to correct the balance, is it not?
After getting this skill, you can ride through the narrow streets and
lanes and you do not need an open maidan; you can negotiate your
vehicle through the most crowded thoroughfares. So too practice
will equip you with a concentration that will sustain you in the
densest of surroundings and the most difficult situations. (SSS
Vol.1, pp. 33-34)
The best sadhana for the beginners

Do not be under the impression that I will be angry with you if you
do not accept Me as the Dhyana rupam (Form for meditation)! I am
not concerned at all; you have perfect freedom to select the Name
and Form that give you necessary encouragement.
When you meditate, the mind often runs after something else, it
takes another road. You have then to plug that outlet by means of
the Name and the Form and see that the even flow of your thoughts
towards the Lord is not interrupted; if it happens again, use the
Name and the Form again, quickly. Do not allow the mind to go
beyond the twin bunds, this side Naama and that side Rupam! Then
it will not stray into a third place.
120
Meditation, Yoga And Exercise: Prescription For Peace And Contentment
First, when you sit for meditation, recite a few shlokas on the glory
of God, so that the thoughts that are scattered could be collected.
Then gradually, while doing japam, draw before the mind's eye the
Form which that Name represents. When your mind wanders away
from the recital of the Name, take it on to the picture of the Form.
When it wanders away from the picture, lead it on to the Name. Let
it dwell either on that sweetness or this. Treated thus it can be
easily tamed. The imaginary picture you have drawn will get
transmuted into the Bhaava chithram (emotional picture), dear to
the heart and fixed in the memory; gradually it will become the
Saakshaathkaara chitram---when the Lord assumes that Form in
order to fulfil your desire. (SSS Vol.1, p. 35)
Use the body as an instrument for spiritual practice

This sadhana (spiritual practice) is called japa sahitha dhyana
(meditation on the Lord's Name and Form) and I advise you all to
take it up, for it is the best for beginners. Within a few days, you
will fall in line and you will taste the joy of concentration.
After about ten or fifteen minutes in the initial stages and longer
after some time of this Dhyana, have some manana (inward
contemplation) on the shanti and the sowkhya (peace and
contentment) you had during the dhyana; that is to say, bring back
into your memory the joy you experienced. This will help your
faith and earnestness. Then, do not get up suddenly and start
moving about, resuming your avocations. Loosen the limbs slowly,
deliberately and gradually, and then enter upon your usual duties.
Taste the fruits of dhyana and learn to relish them; that is what I
mean by this process of manana (repeated reflection).
121
Be careful about your physical health also. Satisfy the demands of

nature; the car must be given the petrol which it needs. Otherwise,
your head might reel and your eyes might get blurred through sheer
exhaustion; how can thoughts of the Lord be stabilised in a weak
frame? Only, do not forget the purpose of this body when you are
tending it. A road-roller is fed with oil and coal and other types of
fuel. But why is it kept in good trim? In order to mend the road, is
it not? Similarly, remember that you have come embodied, so that
you might realise the end of this cycle of birth and death. For that
sake, use the body as an instrument.
Flying hither and thither, higher and higher, the bird has at last to
perch on a tree for rest. So too, even the richest and the most
powerful man seeks rest, shanti. Peace can be got only in one shop,
in inner reality. The senses will drag you along into a mire, which
submerges you deeper and deeper in alternate joy and grief, that is
to say, prolonged discontent. Only the contemplation of unity can
remove fear, rivalry, envy, greed, desire---all the feelings that
prompt discontent. Every other avenue can give only pseudocontentment; a day will come when you will throw away all these
play-things and toys and cry, "Lord! Grant Me unruffled peace."
The dacoit Valmiki prayed so; the confirmed atheist too has one
day to pray for peace and rest. (SSS Vol.1, pp. 35-36)
Engage yourself in good thoughts and deeds

People hug brass pots and take them to be gold, but they have to
polish them so that they may appear bright. One day, they will get
disgusted with this constant polishing and scrubbing; they will
pray, "Release me from this scrubbing, this birth, this suffering and
this agony." Life is short; time is fleeting: your sadhana is creeping
at tortoise speed. When will you decide to proceed a little faster?
122
Your sadhana is like the answers you write at the examination. If

you get only 5 or 6 marks, then the examiner will strike out even
that, saying, "What is the use of these few marks: it will take him
neither here nor there." If you get somewhere near the passing
marks, then Grace will give you just a little more so that you may
pass, provided you have been a diligent well behaved student.
Engage yourselves in good deeds, good company and good
thoughts. Fix your attention on the goal. You have not realised yet
the secret of this Advent. You are indeed lucky, more fortunate
than many others. It is only when Yasodha found every length of
rope a little short to go round His belly that she discovered He was
the Lord. So to, you will realise every description of My Mahima
(Divine Glory) a little too short of the actuality; and then you will
get convinced. Meanwhile if you study the Sastras and know the
characteristics of the Avatar of the Lord, you might get a glimpse
of the Truth regarding Me. (SSS Vol.1, pp. 36-37)
You will know the truth when you experience

There is no use arguing and quarrelling among yourselves;
examine, experience; then you will know the truth. Do not proclaim
before you are convinced; be silent while you are still undecided or
engaged in evaluating. Of course, you must discard all evil in you
before you can attempt to evaluate the mystery. And, when faith
dawns, fence it around with discipline and self-control, so that the
tender shoot might be guarded against the goats and cattle, the
motley crowd of cynics and unbelievers. When your faith grows
into a big tree, those very cattle can lie down in the shade that it
will spread. (SSS Vol.1, pp. 37-38)
123
For meditation, Krishna lays down two important injunctions; a

moderate diet and a regulated conduct of life. Yuktahara
viharasya, said Krishna. Here, yuktahara does not denote
complete abstinence from food, as this would lead to physical
emaciation and mental fatigue. The Buddhas experience illustrates
this very well. While doing penance, the Buddha had, in the
beginning, given up food for several days. This resulted in a
dissipation of his physical and mental energies. Realising that a
healthy body and a sound mind are necessary prerequisites for
effective penance, he went to a nearby village and partook of curds
and appeased his hunger. From that day, he continued taking food
in small quantities every day. He was thereby able to meditate with
great ease and realise the Truth.
Thus, food in the right quantities and of the proper type is
necessary if an individual is to meditate effectively. Excessive
eating that leads to drowsiness, should, however, be avoided. The
correct thing would be to divide the stomach into four equal parts
and fill two parts with solid food and one part with liquid food
leaving the fourth part empty. Filling the stomach with solid food
completely promotes Tamo guna, which is positively an
impediment to meditation. Sleeplessness is also detrimental to
meditation.
Lack of sleep promotes rajo guna and fills one with unhealthy
thoughts and emotions. The food man partakes of these days is
essentially rajasic and tamasic. This is the reason why there is
cruelty and unrest in the minds of men. Their physical health, too,
is poor. Today, a boy of sixteen would have passed through all the
physical experiences that a man of sixty would have gone through.
124
Such is the deplorable condition of our youth. How then can they
experience the bliss of dhyana (meditation)?
It is imperative, therefore, for everyone to introspect and find out
how much of his time is being spent in the mad race for fleeting
material pleasures and how much is devoted to the thought of God.
The hedonistic man of the present day can spare no time for the
contemplation of Divinity. The gates of Heaven shall be open for
him only if he can think of God now and then. However, everyone
seems to be totally preoccupied with the thoughts of ones children,
friends, relations, money and material possessions. Man is thus
denying himself the bliss of spiritual experience, engaged as he is
in the pursuit of the transient pleasures of the world. Man must,
therefore, divert his vision from the world of temporal joys to the
Bliss of the Atma within.
In the eight fold path of yoga suggested by Patanjali in his Yoga
Sutras, the last three stages are dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.
Dharana thus precedes dhyana. It denotes the fixation of the mind
on the goal of dhyana and involves the preliminary preparations
necessary for dhyana.
One should adopt a comfortable posture for dhyana. The common
practice is to sit, with the hands in chinmudra and with the legs
crossed, on a wooden plank covered with a soft skin or cloth. These
are all, however, part of dharana. Dhyana begins with the process
of gradual identification with the Lord and leads to Samadhi.
Samadhi is the state in which dhyana attains fulfilment. In this
state, the individual rises beyond the objective world of relative
125
reality, the subjective identity of himself and even the very activity
that he is engaged in (dhyana). Samadhi is not a state of
unconsciousness; neither does it mean frisking about in emotional
excitement. The word samadhi itself is indicative of its
significance. Sama is equipoise; dhi is intelligence. Samadhi is that
state of intellectual equipoise where the individual transcends the
world of duality and experiences the bliss of divine communion.
Raman Maharishi also conditioned his mind by objective
experience. Every night he used to look at a particular star with
one-pointed attention for several long hours. This strengthened his
dharana and equipped him to undertake dhyana.
Just as mental purity is a necessary precondition for meditation,
mental tranquillity is also equally essential. A restless mind
impedes the processes of both dharana and dhyana. The mind
needs to be given through sleep. Sankaracharya compared sleep to
samadhi, though samadhi confers much greater joy and inner
harmony. Sufficient sleep is needed by an individual to keep his
mind alert and poised for meditation.
There are three direct roads to Godhead. The first consists in the
performance of all actions in a spirit of dedication to God for His
pleasure. The second, in the renunciation of the desire for the fruits
of action. The third, in the identification of oneself with God
through the process of dhyana. Dedication of all actions to God
confers wisdom on the doer. Renunciation of the desire for the
fruits of action bestows mental tranquillity. Dhyana too ensures
inner peace. Dhyana can be practised by allthe old, the young,
the ignorant, the wise, the healthy and the weak. For those who do
126
not possess the necessary physical and mental abilities to do

dhyana, the cultivation of universal love would be as efficacious as
dhyana. All these three paths, however, lead to the same goal. (SSB
1979, pp. 86-90)
Yoga marga
Can thirst be quenched by water droplets or hunger appeased by
grains of rice? The realisation of the Truth of Creation and the
Creator involves hard discipline and steady faith in the paths
prescribed by the sages. These paths lead man to the goal through
inquiry, devotion, dedicated work, meditation, worship and other
such disciplines.
There is also the process of Yoga (divine communion) which is
widely advocated now-a-days as a means for self-realisation
available to practitioners. It is being taught and propagated as a
sure and simple means of Liberation. Novices and common folk are
misled by the high promises, and they have to be warned in time of
the limits and possibilities of Yoga as now taught and propounded.
The very first axiom of Yoga as a spiritual discipline is to 'conquer
the agitations of the mind.' However, this is more easily said than
done, for the mind has to be dead, not dormant. Of course there are
persons who have achieved this victory, but none of them will be
available to you for guidance in mind-control or mind-conquest.
They would be so sunk in aanandha (divine bliss) that the demands
of the body, the time, the causal chain, etc. can never reach them.
(SSS Vol.13, pp. 218-219)
127
Yoga is mergence of the individual into the Universal

What can be expected from a teacher of Yoga is only a diluted,
limited, pseudo type of Yogadharshan (Yogic Vision or realisation),
for only those who have stopped half-way in the path ofYoga will
come forward as instructors and guides. When one has gone the
entire length of the road, one has perforce to leave the world and its
needs behind.
Yoga means union or yoking, and the jeevAtma (The Individual
Soul) has to be yoked with the ParamAtman (Supreme Soul); one
has to find its fulfilment in the Whole, of which it is a part. As the
rivers carry the waters of the sea back into the sea itself happy to
lose the limitations of their names, their size etc In that
consummation, so the individual merges Into the Universal.
That is Yoga. It is Yoga that happens to the salt doll that is dropped
into the depths of the sea to calculate the depth of the water. The
salt too comes from the sea and becomes one with the sea. Man has
five koshas (sheaths) covering his individuality---the annamaya
(material), praanamaya (vital), manomaya (mental), vijnaanamaya
(intellectual) and the aanandhamaya (blissful). When man turns
from the objective world to the subjective world within him, he can
unsheath his Individuality and reach his Bliss Nature. But most
men revel in the very first sheath---the material sheath---and
remain engrossed and entangled In material pursuits and pleasures.
Man does not realise that he sees only what he wants to see; he
cannot see beyond his need. Therefore unless his desires are
purified and clarified, he cannot penetrate it into the inner realms of
delight. (SSS Vol.13, pp. 219-220)
128
The various chakras in the body

If you ask any one where the words he utters come from, he will
reply that they do so from the vocal chords. No. The vocal chords
can produce sound, but not words. The spinal column, from the
muulaadhaara chakra to the ajnaa chakra (the energy centre at
lowest point of the column to the energy centre at mid-brow spot)
is like the veena, the strings of which when drawn and played
upon, produce resonance. The vital and the mental sheaths are
Involved in these regions.
When the playing fingers halt and press on frets fixed on the veena
at irregular intervals, different notes are created and delight ensues.
When the mind decides upon an idea that is to be communicated,
the praana (life force) plays upon the strings and words emanate.
The muulaadhaara, the lowest of the chakras (energy centres) at
the lower end of the spinal passage, is the embodiment of the
Prakrithi (Nature) principle. Therefore it is related to the annamaya
kosha, the material facet of man. It is the prithvi thathwa (the earthprinciple.) The swaadhistaana chakra at the point of the navel, is
the guardian of the praanamaya kosha, the vital facet of the person.
It is the agni principle, the spring and source of warmth in the
body, that maintains the processes of digestion and protection from
environmental change.
The manlpuuraka chakra is the next highest on the spinal scale. It
is the jala thathwa (waterprinciple), that helps the circulation of
blood both Into the heart and out of it, from all parts of the body.
129
The anahatha chakra is in the region of the heart. It embodies the

vaayu (wind) principle which is in charge of the breathing process,
inhalation and exhalation, so vital for life and activity. It also
vitalises the spinal force, and passes over the frets of the inner
veena.
The visuddha chakra is in the pit of the throat, near the pituitary
gland. It represents the aakaasha (space or ether)principle and
promotes sabdha (sound).
The aajnaa chakra on the mid-brow spot is the embodiment of
vijnaana---the Splendour of Aware-ness---for when this chakra is
reached, man glimpses the Truth, gets transformed and becomes
translucent. It is only a step away from the final realisation, when
the Sahasraara chakara (the thousand petalled energy centre) on
the crown of the head is attained. That is the consummation of all
saadhana (spiritual effort), of all search.
The stage of desire operates in the first two chakras, the stage of
endeavour (kriyaa Shakti) In the next two and the stage of
awareness (Jnaana Shakti), is most evident in the last two. The
awareness is there, latent in every one, ready to surface when the
veils of ignorance are removed.
The individual life-force or jeevathathwam, resides like a lightning
flash in the womb of a blue cloud between the ninth and the twelfth
rings of the spinal column. It will be alert and awake only when
saadhana of any type is done after the cleansing of character and
habits (SSS Vol.13, pp. 219-222)
130
Essential qualifications for the aspirant of Yoga

If, however, the Yoga path is undertaken when the senses are still
potent and overbearing, the effects on one's emotions and passions
will be disastrous. One will become insane and talk and write
absurd and ribald things about oneself and others. I have known
many cases of such sadhakas (spiritual aspirants) who have gone
astray. That is why shama (control of the outer senses), dhama
(control of the inner passions and emotions), uparaathi (withdrawal
of the mind from external pursuits), thithiksha (acquisition of the
power to bear heat and cold, grief and joy, profit and loss etc., with
equanimity), shradhdha (faith in the scriptures and in the
experience of sages) and samaadhana (equal-mindedness and
fortitude), have been emphasised as qualifications for the aspirant.
Yoga as taught and learned at present is, at best, only a system of
physical exercises, a means to acquire health and a sense of
physical well-being. It cannot be spiritual discipline leading to selfrealisation.
The body which is composed of the five elements can be affected
by these Yoga practices. The mind has no illumining power of its
own and, like the Moon, it can only reflect the light of the Sun or
the Atman (Divinity) within. The Atman can be known only
through Love; all claims to the contrary are spurious and missing
the mark. Through the kundalini Shakti (Serpent Power) and its
ascent through the chakras, it is well-nigh impossible to realise the
Universal Atman. Even when realised, the experience is not
communicable through lessons.
131
The vision attained must be of the One without a second; only then
can it be genuine. The core of every being must be recognised as
One.
There was once a Guru (preceptor) who initiated his pupil in the
Naaraayana manthra: Om namo Naaraayana. When the pupil left
his presence, he called him back and gave an additional direction
saying, "Have the form of Narayan (Lord Vishnu) before your
mental eye when you repeat the mantra (sacred formula)." The
pupil left, but the Guru called him back again and told him, "But be
careful that you do not think of a monkey when you are reciting the
Name and contemplating the Form." The pupil agreed, but
whenever he Sat down to meditate, the monkey could not be
pushed aside. He kept telling himself that he should not think of the
monkey but the monkey insisted on peeping into his consciousness.
So he complained to the Guru and asked for his advice.
The Guru said that Narayan is Omnipresent and immanent in every
being and so he can meditate on Narayan as the reality of every
being that appears in his vision. How can you separate some things
as not God and others as God? They are all labs, organs and cells of
His body. If you separate all such limbs, organs and cells, what Is
left of the body?
Therefore do not be led into the yoga marga. It is fraught with
danger since there can be no efficient teachers. But yogaasanas can
always be practised for better health under proper guidance. (SSS
Vol.13, pp. 222-223)
132
HEALTH SERVICES:
DOCTORS, HOSPITALS,
PATIENTS AND SOCIETY
ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE
It is meaningless to compare the knowledge of the ancient sages
with that of modern scientists. How many sages performed arduous
penances to acquire divine potencies? Todays doctors perform
surgical operations. They acquire this skill after long training here
and abroad and after many successes and failures. They use
sophisticated instruments. But in ancient times, there was a highly
skilled master of medicine and surgery, the sage Bharadwaja. He
taught surgery to the world. He was the author of the science of
Ayurveda-the Science of Life. People consider that Ayurvedic
medicines do not yield quick results. People today have a craze for
quick results. Quickness may operate both ways. Today antibiotics
are used. A few drops of the medicine bring down the fever, but
later fever goes up, there are also adverse reactions. In the
treatment employed by the ancient sages as a result of their
penances, there were no such reactions. Because of their penance,
133
their vision transcended the barriers of distance. They could

directly converse with the power of Nature. Today crores are spent
on telecommunications, radio and television. In those days there
was no expense at all of this kind. When the mind was purified and
divinized, they could acquire super human powers. (SSS Vol.14,
pp. 83-84)
Ancient Practices
One needs self-confidence which is the foundation and this leads to
self-satisfaction, which are the walls. It should be protected by the
roof called self-sacrifice. Previously there were no tents or such
shelters. There were only houses, which had small doors. There is a
reason to build small doors. Whoever comes to our house should be
humble and respectful: while entering the house, everyone has to
bend and come, which signifies humility. For all the relatives who
come for marriage, small houses were built and decorated with
green leaves. Even Rich used to cover and decorate the house with
green leaves. But now they use plastic leaves. There is a reason
why they used green leaves in the olden days. Because of the huge
crowds during the marriage, a lot of carbon dioxide is exhaled
which is absorbed by the green leaves. In addition to this, they used
to sprinkle cow dung water in front of the house, and decorate the
floor with rice flour with different designs. Modern people criticize
such practices as uncultured, but this is not true. The rice flour
patterns and designs on the floor in front of the house besides being
decorative also serves, as food for ants and such other insects and
the cow dung water mix spray will keep away poisonous insects
from the premises of the house.
All the ancient practices contain such implicit meaning and uses.
At this juncture one important aspect has to be mentioned. When a
134
Health Services: Doctors, Hospitals, Patients And Society
woman was pregnant, she used to be brought back to her mothers

house. They used to send her to her husband, 5-9 months after the
delivery. At the mother-in-laws house, she will be burdened with
household chores that are not good for her. Whereas in her
mothers house, she will not be required to work and will be
provided with whatever she likes. In the ninth month, they do
Seemantham. Why do they do all these things? The intention is
that she should not have any confusion or depression. The mothers
confusion and depression may result in the childs confusion or
depression because of internal physiological relations. If the mother
is happy, the child will also be happy. After 5 or 9 months, the
child will get used to the new environment. But now, it is not
happening so. The woman will be in her husbands house and she
will become pregnant again even before the first child is two or
three months old.
Nowadays ladies go to see movies when they are pregnant. On
seeing movies, they get loving thoughts and subsequently the child
also thinks so. So cinematic children are generated. Previously it
was not so. The pregnant women used to listen to Ramayana,
Markandeya Charitra or Prahlada Charitra. By listening to such
good things, the child also becomes good. This theory was rejected
by scientists. Voltman did research in this area. In the
Mahabharata, Subhadras child (in the womb) listened to Padma
vyuha as told by Arjuna who was unaware that the child was
listening. Voltman took a pregnant woman and started giving her
apple juice injections daily. After the baby was born, the baby
drank only apple juice. He took another pregnant woman who was
poor and started telling her all bad things like polyandry and all.
Finally she gave birth to a girl child.
135
This girl started flirting with boys all the time. Hence our Indian
culture is very sacred and its traditions are proven with
experiments. For instance children are born due to the flirting
nature of women in England. After the child is born, the mother
sells it to a medical college for dissection. Is it a mothers heart?
Society is becoming valueless. Only in Indian culture is a mothers
heart existing.
Now boys and girls are educated. What is the meaning of education
and what is the essence of it, and what is its aim? What you are
studying is not true education. Since all of you are going to get
married next year I will tell you something. As soon as you know
that your wife is pregnant, send her to her mothers house. Dont
hold her back. Otherwise both mother and child will become sick
and unhealthy. So be careful and everything will be fine. There are
secrets of nature. Students should incline towards spirituality even
if they do not get proper education. Divinity is present everywhere.
It is there in small things as well as in big things. (M-P, pp. 171172)
Ayurveda vs. Allopathy

Ayurveda affirms that purity of mind is more essential for ones
health while Allopathic doctors do not consider the mind as so
important. They give importance to the eradication of diseasecausing 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 Ayurveda 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
136
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.
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. Ayurveda, therefore, lays
emphasis on mental peace and aims at the elimination of the root
cause of disease.
There are three basic factors, which are responsible for health or
disease in the human body according to Ayurveda. They are Vaatha
(vital air), pitta (bile) and Sleshma (phlegm). Vaatha accounts for
36 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 Vaatha, pitta and
Sleshma, gingely oil, ghee and honey respectively are prescribed as
remedies. These should be taken in moderation. The body is a gift
137
of God and cannot be made by doctors. The human heartbeats

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.
God is the preceptor of Prakrithi (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.
What is the cause of heart ailments? Many doctors say that they are
due to smoking, consumption of fatty foods, overeating and other
habits. The relationship between food and habits should be properly
understood. We should see that proper balance is maintained
between the physical body and inner feelings (Spirit). Modern man
is continuously in a hurry. Hurry causes worry, which affects the
physical health. The main cause of heart troubles may be said to be
hurry, worry and curry. Curry means fatty foods. Many doctors
have made investigations in this field but the results have not been
made known widely. Heart diseases are found to be more rampant
among non-vegetarians while vegetarians are not prone to heart
ailments to the same extent. This is because of higher percentage of
fats in non-vegetarian food, which increases the cholesterol in the
blood. Worry causes high blood pressure and hurry causes diabetes.
Both of them are like twins, one acting on the heart inside and the
other externally on the blood.
138
Everyone should know how to control these causes. Some people

do not do any physical exercises and lead a sedentary life. My
advice to office-goers and students is that it is good for them to
commute by cycle at least 5 or 6 kilometres a day. This cycling
exercise is very useful not only for maintaining health but also for
reducing the expenditure incurred on accidents. Moreover, it serves
to reduce atmospheric pollution caused by the release of harmful
fumes from automobiles. The carbon-dioxide smoke from motor
vehicles and factories is already polluting the air in cities and is
affecting the ozone layer above the earth.
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
Ayurvedic 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 Vanaspati (herbs) employed in Ayurveda. (SSS
Vol.16, pp. 38-41)
When the doctor treats the patient with a pure mind, sweet words
and loving care and concern, possibility of the disease getting cured
139
quickly is great. Therefore, if you want the patient to be cured of

his disease quickly, employ the principle 50% medicine and 50%
love. This is why; the ancient system of medicine in India was
termed as AYURVEDA which means the Veda that confers
AYUSH (long life). In this context, the term Veda refers to the
performance of ones duty in accordance with the Vedic
injunctions. Falling sick and going to a doctor for cure is natural for
human condition. However, it is better not to fall sick than to try to
get cured afterwards. (M&M, p. 16)
Doctors have to practise with devotion

Note that the science of medicine, practised by doctors in India is
known by the sacred name of Ayurveda---the science of healthy
longevity Its source too is as divine as the source of the Vedas! It
has to be studied with as much awe and veneration as the Vedas are
learnt, at the feet of the guru. It has to be practised with as much
devotion and dedication as Vedic ceremonies and recitations are
fulfilled. The Veda or knowledge that confers Aayu (longevity) is
Aayur-veda. It can prolong life, preserve and protect life from
hazards.
The Ayurveda deals not only with the curing of illness but it also
deals with the prevention of disease. Absence of mental ease and
equanimity leads to what we correctly call disease. One sacred duty
of the doctor is to advise persons on how to preserve health and
prevent disease. He has to be vigilant in society to discover and
suppress every tendency in Aahaar and Vihaar (food habits and
recreational activities) by which diseases are developed. The dress
worn by humans, the houses where they live and the areas where
they are situated, have to be tidy and clean. The food that is taken
has to supply all elements needed to keep the body strong enough
140
to resist illness. Even if it falls short a little in this respect, health

can be maintained if it is unpolluted, pure and holy. The
atmosphere breathed in, the water taken in, the ground lived on, the
animals and plants that surround---all have maleficent microbes
that may cause illness, if the mind and body are not equipped with
powerful resistance armour. Exercise, bathing, washing, cleaning,
etc., are prescribed for this purpose. The body is the boat on which
we voyage across the ocean of samsara (worldly life) and it has to
be kept trim and sea-worthy. The voyager too has to be strong,
confident and courageous.
The current belief is that medicine is to be valued for its validity
during illness. Its use ends with the cure. But this point of view has
to change. Medicine is used to see that one does not fall ill, not so
much as to raise him up when he falls, just as the purpose of truth is
to so live that one is not subjected to birth again. (SSS Vol.14, pp.
336-337)
Service to Man Is Service To God

None can escape the consequences of their actions. It is not
possible to sow a particular type of seed and reap a different fruit.
You reap what you sow. At the time of birth you are born with an
invisible garland, made up of the consequences of your actions, be
it good or bad.
This Body Is For Serving Others

Everything in this objective world is impermanent and unreal.
Hence, we have to contemplate on the eternal truth and reality. We
should not waste our time brooding over the past or anticipating the
future. It is great foolishness to worry about the future or the past,
141
forgetting the present. The present is only real. Past is past, you
cannot get it back however much you may pray for it. The future is
hidden in the womb of time. It is not possible to visualise it.
Therefore, only the present is important. Unable to realise this
truth, people are worried about the past and future. The foremost
activity man should engage in is service to fellow human beings.
Instead, people are wasting their precious time worrying about
either the past or the future. You should always engage yourselves
in service to fellow human beings. There is no greater sadhana than
such service. Considering the nine paths of devotion, namely,
sravanam (listening), kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam
(contemplating on Vishnu), padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet),
vandanam (salutation), archanam (worship), dasyam (servitude),
sneham (friendship), atmanivedanam (self-surrender) as the only
important means for salvation, people are engrossed in these
activities. They totally forget the importance of service. Only the
fruits of service will be eternal. We must constantly engage
ourselves in service to others. God has given us this body for that
purpose only. This body is not meant to be engaged in mere eating
and drinking and thus wasting our valuable time. We must realise
the truth that God has given us this body for serving others and thus
help others. There is nothing greater than service to humanity. (SSS
Vol.37, pp. 2-3)
Service Alone Brings Eternal Joy

What, according to you is service? You consider helping people in
difficulties is service. No. It is not as simple as that. Your body
should be constantly engaged in serving others. The human body
consists of several limbs. All these limbs are meant to be engaged
in serving your fellowmen and not for other activities.
142
Unfortunately, we are forgetting this basic fact. Every limb in the

human body has been granted by God for karmopasana
(worshipping God through service).
Karmopasana is the only means by which the human life can be
sanctified. We are building several temples. We are undertaking
various sadhanas. But, all these sadhana can give us only
temporary satisfaction, not eternal joy.
Our ancient Rishis have been able to achieve eternal joy through a
conscious effort. Therefore, you must develop firm faith in the truth
that nothing can provide eternal joy, except service to humanity.
Undertake service to the suffering humanity. Service is not merely
confined to health services. Service encompasses every possible
help to fellow human beings. The ancient culture of Bharat is still
preserved in the villages and not in towns and cities. In fact, our
culture is defiled in all possible ways in the cities.
Therefore, go to the villages, find out their necessities and
undertake such types of services that will alleviate their sufferings.
Today, several people shift to the towns and cities in pursuit of
comfort and luxuries. In the process, they end up in sorrows and
difficulties.
This is their own making. Na sukhat labhyathe sukham (happiness
cannot be obtained out of happiness). It is only through suffering,
that happiness is achieved. You should undertake service. In fact,
the hands are given to you to serve humanity. The hands that serve
are holier than the lips that pray. Therefore, undertake selfless
service and attain glory. When you undertake good work, you
143
enjoy peace in your life. Today, the boys who sang bhajans are
former students of the Institute.
They have undertaken several service activities to please Swami.
God is not interested in worship and other sadhanas. He is
interested only in service. Hence, undertake service and more and
more service. The best way to love God is to Love all and Serve all.
God is interested only in love and service. If you can recognise the
importance of these two and conduct yourself accordingly, there
can be no greater sadhana. You need not spend a lot of money in
service. Sanctify your life by undertaking loving service. Today,
the old students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
brought a cheque for Rs.48 lakhs for presenting to Swami as a
token of their love and service. This amount has been saved by
them from their salaries, by undergoing lot of difficulties. But, to
whom should the amount belong really? This amount is meant to
be utilised for service in the villages. It is for serving the poorest of
the poor.
Therefore, I told them, My dear ones! You deposit the money in
the bank and undertake service activities with the interest accrued
on the amount. Money is of no help in developing good qualities.
Sacrifice alone can develop noble qualities. It is only in sacrifice,
there is real yoga. That is why it is said Thyagenaike
amrutatthwamanasu (it is only by sacrifice that man can attain
immortality).
Today, however, people want bhoga (enjoy material comforts). By
such bhoga, only roga (disease) will be contracted. They cannot
144
attain yoga. Hence, you try to attain yoga by thyaga. Only then can
you attain eternal joy. (SSS Vol.37, pp. 3-5)
It is the duty of each and every individual to participate in social
service activities, be it in the village or city. The epic Ramayana
has stressed the need for service at the individual, family, and
society levels. Do not be satisfied by merely serving your parents.
Your life will be sanctified only when you serve society also. When
you obey the divine command and serve Him, not only your life
but also those of your parents and relations will be redeemed.
Before your birth, where is the child-parent relationship; before
marriage, where is the question of wife and husband relationship?
All the worldly relations are like passing clouds, only God is with
you always.
You will be wasting your life, if you do not dedicate yourselves to
the service of mankind. Body is gifted to serve the creator and the
creation. Service to man is service to God. Render service to
society with the feeling that God is present in one and all.
Your education will be in vain if it is not utilized for the service of
the society. O man, why do you feel proud of your education,
which is but a mere waste if you do not worship God and serve
society? Worldly education cannot confer divine grace unless it is
dedicated for the welfare of society. The education you have
received from society must be dedicated to the service of society.
Offer service and receive the love of God

True service has twin benefits: it makes you blissful and gives
happiness to others. What is the use of education if it does not
confer joy on others and bliss on you? Service is the life breath.
145
Remember the truth that you are born to serve society. Make no
distinction whatsoever in rendering service. Serve your parents,
brothers, friends, and even beggars alike. Divine grace will flow in
abundance only when you serve with the spirit of humility and
equality.
Service is the easiest path to attain divine grace. Offer service and
receive the love of God. Love and service are like two wings by
which man can soar to higher levels of consciousness. If you have
the spirit of love and service, divine grace will follow you like a
shadow wherever you may be, be it in the forest or in the sky,
village or city, river or mountain cliff.
God has created man in His own image so that his conduct should
be in consonance with His command. You should not cause harm
to anyone, for God exists in all. Always speak with a smile on your
lips. You cannot always oblige, but you can always speak
obligingly. (SSS Vol.32 Part II, pp. 94-95)
The Art of Living

Many a person skilled in other fields is a failure in so far as this art
is concerned. He lives miserably, without a trace of joy or
contentment or peace. He knows only pain and he gives others only
pain.
If the sense of beauty and the sense of harmony are not translated
into the daily life of men and women and children, then that life is
a waste, a burden, a hoax.
Man has to lift himself from the animal level through his own
sadhana. There are three types of men: the Paashavi or the Animal
146
type, the Sahaja or the Human type and the Divya or the Divine
type. Man has evolved from the stone through plant and tree, worm
and insect, bird and mammal; but some are still grovelling in the
early stages though they have achieved the human form. (SSS
Vol.2, pp. 68-69)
Everyone has some illness or other

What does a sculptor do when he sees a good boulder? He pictures
in his mind the lovely idol of God that is sleeping inside it. He
becomes possessed with idea of liberating the idol from the hard
clasp of the stone. He takes up his chisel and removes the extra
stone that lies around the beautiful figure; at last, he liberates the
image. The boulder has to suffer all that hard chiselling in order to
become the Image of God; so too, you should cast off all the
impediments, all the encumbrances that drag you down and make
you a boulder instead of a Bhaktha (devotee) and a Paramahamsa
(ascetic of the highest order), or even ParamAtma (the Supreme
Being).
The world is a huge hospital and humanity is bedridden. Some are
writhing in the pain of envy, some are bloated with pride, some are
losing sleep through hate, some have become blind through
miserliness, some are struck down by selfishness; everyone has
some illness or other.
You have to render gratitude to the doctors who diagnose your
diseases and prescribe remedies, and the nurses who tend you back
to health. You should also resolve today to follow the treatment
recommended and the regimen ordered; it is not enough if you
learn the prescription by heart or read the label on the bottle three
times a day; or visit the hospital every day. Praising the doctor or
147
worshipping him might induce him to take pity on you, but your
illness can be cured only by your taking the drug and obeying the
restrictions on food and drink and on your habit. (SSS Vol.2, pp.
69-70)
Vyasa is the greatest of spiritual doctors

Guru Poornima is a day when mankind pays homage to the greatest
of spiritual doctors, Sage Vyasa. Vyasa is the greatest of such
doctor; for he put together the Vedas and composed the Puranas
and the Mahabharata and gave humanity the Bhagavatham. He is
the primal Guru for all who walk in the Path of God. He planted
the seed of theism and nurtured it, through Sruthi, Smrthi, Sastra
and the Mahabharata. He gave the world the Geetha and the
Brahma Sutras, the idea of the immanent Atma, the story of the
Divine Leela, the secret of this changeful Creation. He belonged to
about 3800 B.C.; he was the great-grandson of the sage Vasishta,
the son of Paraasara and the father of that celebrated gem among
rishis, Suka. His life-story is a series of miracles, a Divine saga. He
came from Vaasudeva, announced the Leela of Vaasudeva to all
and finally, got merged in Vaasudeva. He established the era of
Naamapaaraayana (repeating and discoursing, on Lord's Name)
and made all aware of the sweetness of the Name of the Lord,
which evokes His Form and His Grace. (SSS Vol.2, pp. 70-71)
The prayers to be offered daily

Vyasa first revealed to man the secret of making the mind as clear
and as full of cool rays as the moon on a full moon night; that is
why this Poornima is associated with him and with all Gurus.
Today every Aasthika (who believer in God) must refuse to be
content with a feast and a lecture. He should try to plant today the
Naamabija (seed of Lord's Name) in his well-prepared heart,
148
devoid of the thorns of egoism; and water it with prema (love),

fence the sprout with shraddha (faith), feed it with the fertiliser,
smarana (remembering the Name); and from the grown-up tree of
the mantra (holy letters), pluck the fruit of ananda (bliss) and relish
the sweetness. A person may boast of the vast treasures in the
vaults of his bank, but he will get credit only for that which he has
actually earned and deposited therein. Do not fritter away the time
allotted to you; offer it to Keshava, who is Kaalaswaruupa (Time
personified).
Know that waking from sleep is but birth and going into sleep is
death. On waking, pray every morning of your life, "Oh Lord, I am
born now from the womb of sleep. I am determined to carry out all
tasks this day as offerings to Thee, with Thee ever present before
my mind's eye. Make my words, thoughts and deeds sacred and
pure; let me not inflict pain on any one; let no one inflict pain on
me; direct me, guide me, this day."
And when you enter the portals of sleep at night, pray, "Oh Lord!
the tasks of this day, whose burden I placed on you this morning,
are over. It was You who made me walk and talk and think and act;
I therefore place at Thy Feet all my words, thoughts and deeds. My
task is done. Receive me, I am coming back to you." Adopt these
as your daily prayers. The best thing is to have your own Self as the
source of Light, as the Guru. The Inner Intelligence, the Inner Guru
will reveal the Truth. This prayerful attitude will so educate your
impulses that the Inner intelligence will be fully revealed. (SSS
Vol.2, pp. 71-72)
149
Do everything with a spirit of dedication

Above all, do every act as an offering to the Lord, without being
elated by success or dejected by defeat; this gives the poise and
equanimity needed for sailing through the waters of the ocean of
life.
It is the mind that builds up the body, strong and shiny or wastes it
to skin and bone. For manushya (human) to be strong the manas
(mind) has to be strong. Live always as the servant of the Lord
within you, then you will not be tempted into sin or fall into evil.
Get into the habit of living in the light of God. It is the habit that
rehabilitates the fallen. Have the attitude of Sharanaagathi (seeking
refuge at the feet of the Lord), or else your destiny will be Sharagathi (movement of an arrow). That is why Krishna said,
"Manmanaabhaava!"---"Let your mind be absorbed in Me."
You may ride in a smart car of your own; but you are entrusting
daily, without a second thought, the car and yourself and your
family to the skill and presence of mind' of your chauffeur.
However, when advised to entrust your affairs to the Lord,
MaayaaShakti (power of world illusion) hesitates and declines! It
refuses to surrender to MahaaShakti (Divine Power). What are we
to say about such absurd conceit! If you have sharanaagathi, you
will be ever content and ever so happy and healthy. (SSS Vol.2, p.
77)
You are all certain to win

All that you eat, all that you see, all that you hear, all that you take
in through the senses, make a dent on your health. There are three
150
types of reactions you usually have from the outer world and three
types of men in whom one or the other predominates: the cotton,
which gets soaked in whatever it gets immersed; the stone, which
escapes from getting affected; and the butter, which is changed by
whatever it comes across, even a little warmth. The "butter" men
are moved by instant sympathy, either at another's joy or at his
grief. Do not, like some mental patients, be always worrying about
some little ailment or another. Have courage that is the best tonic;
do not give up, before you have to. It is not long life that counts; if
you live on and on, a time may come when you have to pray to the
Lord to take you away, to release you from travail. You may even
start blaming Him for ignoring you and blessing other luckier
people with death! By all means, worry about success or failure in
achieving the real purpose of life. And then you will get as many
years as are needed to fulfil that desire. Yearn, yearn, yearn hard;
and success is yours. Remember, you are all certain to win; that is
why you have been called and you have responded to the call to
Me. (SSS Vol.2, p. 78)
The Doctor's profession

Health and happiness go together. Happiness is a vain dream if
health is absent. The Sruthis (holy scriptures) declare that health is
very basic quality for man, since without it he cannot realise any of
the four goals of life, right doing, right desiring, right earning and
final release. A sound mind needs a sound body; the one reacts on
the other. The world is supposed to be only the projection of the
mind, when the mind is inoperative during deep sleep, the world
too is inoperative and non-existent. The mind too has to be healthy.
It should not be clogged by greed, envy, hate or pride. It should not
be polluted and poisoned by antisocial inhuman plans and projects.
151
It should be calm and dear, so that thought can see into its depths
and get rid of the evil feelings and tendencies it evokes.
Virtue is the panacea for both body and mind. The virtuous person
can be both healthy and happy. How is virtue to be cultivated?
How can it express itself in daily practice? Through service to
living beings, through seva (voluntary selfless service). Virtue must
flow through the triple channel of love, mercy and detachment, in
order to feed the roots of seva. In order to urge humans into the
path of mutual sympathy, continuous compassion and concrete
service, they have been endowed with the instinct of
gregariousness. Man is a social animal. Humans find solitary
living, unnatural and miserable. The Ashrams (monasteries) of
ancient times were academics where mutual cooperation and loving
service were encouraged. The pupils worked as a group, tended
cattle, served the household of the Guru and helped one another in
all respects. (SSS Vol.14, p. 335)
God works through a doctor full of love

Doctors are, really speaking, the most important class of sevaks,
under present conditions. Theirs is indeed a noble calling. When
seva is rendered with love, intelligence and earnestness, it leads
persons nearer and nearer to Divinity, for it draws unto itself the
Grace of God. This is the reason why the scriptures elevate the
vaidhya (doctor) to the status of God. "Vaidhyo Naaraayano
Harih"---"The doctor is Naaraayana (God), He is Hari." He is
Hari, the remover or destroyer, since he destroys hurdle on the path
of man to saadhana (spiritual discipline). If the doctor is full of
love and compassion, God works through him. The doctor is no
longer he but it is Naaraayana who manipulates his fingers and
dispenses through him.
152
Doctors, therefore, have to endeavour to become the receptacles of

Divine Power during their healing process. How can they heal,
when they are themselves ill, either in body or mind? When their
minds are innocent and contented, a smile will spontaneously shine
in their faces and their words will be soft, sweet and tender---softer
than any pharmaceutical balm. The manner and mien of the
physician are more effective in drawing out the latent sources of
strength in the patient, than the most powerful drug. A prayerful
atmosphere of humility and veneration will go a long way to help
the cure. We may. say that the behaviour, the voice, the mien of the
doctor count for fifty per cent of the cure, the drugs and their
efficacy manage the other half. (SSS Vol.14, pp. 335-336)
Perform acts of sympathy without fanfare
The doctors among you can serve the poor by treating them without
insisting on payment; give the poor all the attention and care that
you lavish on the rich, paying patients. Do it for the sake of God;
feel that it is the Puja you are offering Him. The lawyers among
you can help those, who for want of a skilled advocate, have to go
un-fended or have to suffer at the hands of unscrupulous men. Do
not publish these acts of sympathy; do them spontaneously without
fanfare. That is more precious than demonstrating your service with
the help of headlines and photographs. These reduce the worth of
deeds of compassion. You must be uncomfortable, when those
around you are unhappy; when you ease their discomfort, you are
making them happy and making yourself happy, isn't it? Similarly,
you must be happy, when those around you are happy. This is more
difficult than the previous one; but it is the sign of the truly good.
(SSS Vol.6, p. 107)
153
Service done to the disabled is a sadhana

It is your duty to recognise all men as your kin and to share your
skill with others, so that the maximum benefits accrue therefrom.
The skill is a trust, which must rescue all. Service done in homes
for the disabled, the defectives, the feeble minded, the delinquents,
the orphans, the refugees---is indeed very beneficial and a good
Sadhana. So too, in jails and hospitals. Visit these places often,
give solace and strength; light lamp of devotion in the inmates. Do
Bhajan; help them to write to their homes, give them books for
reading or read books for them, be the kith and kin of those who
have none whom they can call their own. Your smile will be a
lighted candle in their darkness.
Women devotees, if they have the enthusiasm and support, can start
Mahila Sathsangs not only for Bhajans and study of sacred texts
and books, but for service of women. Go among the poor in the
slums and spread light and joy therein. Gather the helpless girls and
try to provide them with some means of honourable livelihood.
Sweeten their lives with bhajan and the Sadhana of japa and
dhyana. Women too have a right to know that they are the Atma,
encased in human form, and they too can tap the strength, the joy
and the peace that the Atma holds. Inculcate in them the prayer
habit; that will cleanse the mind of all impurities, and make God
shine in His full splendour. (SSS Vol.6, pp. 107-108)
Doctors among you who have been allotted the duty of going round
and discovering persons likely to need your attention, must be extra
cordial and considerate. Don't bark questions at the patients; have
patience while listening to their stories; half the cure is effected by
kindness, softness and sympathy. Vaidhyo Naaraayano Hari, the
154
Sastras say--"The doctor is God in human form." It is in that spirit

and with that awe and reverence that people come to you, and
receive the drugs you give. Live up to that estimate of your service!
Nowadays, doctors have lost the art of soft, sweet speech; learn to
speak with compassion; have in your bag the medicines necessary
for the treatment of all types of illness; do not delay or drift, for
want of the drug.
Volunteers must take sick persons to the doctors or bring the doctor
to them, if they cannot be taken. The crow sits on the back of the
buffalo and thrusts its beak into the raw wound! It has no
conception of the pain the beak causes! Doctors are not aware of
the distress they cause, by neglect or by short temper; volunteers
are not aware of the pain they cause by angry words, or even by a
gesture of contempt or resentment! Imagine what such a gesture
can do for you, if you were in that position---and so avoid it.
Always try to put yourselves in the position of the other and, judge
your action against that background. Then you will not be wrong.
(SSS Vol.7, p. 96)
Many worthy persons perform devoted service. It is indeed a
fortunate chance for them, for there can be no good work, higher
than this.
They say, "Money makes many things" but it is more correct to say
"Money makes many wrongs." Not all, are ruined by affluence.
They can help organisations to do more and better service. They
can supply medicines to those who render health service to the
poor. They can visit slums and offer help in various ways to the
dwellers. These are all laudable. But, collecting money and paying
155
others to do the service is not enough; we must assess what services

we ourselves are offering directly. And, we must not be content-the doctors, lawyers, the rich, the educated---with spurts of service,
off and on. It must be a continuous process; according to a settled
time table undertaken every week Doctors must proceed to slums
and villages and help the dwellers. There is urgent need for this
type of seva. Lawyers must take up the cases in which wrongs are
committed on the poor through their ignorance and plead on their
behalf for justice.
They could devote time for at least two or three such cases per
week. Their pleadings on behalf of the poor should not be cursory
and casual. They must be as earnest and as effective as the rest.
(SSS Vol.16, pp. 23-24)
Have the goal of putting into practice what you read

Every one of you is a pilgrim on that road proceeding at your own
pace, according to your qualification and the stage reached by its
means. The advice that appeals to one of you or applies to one of
you might not be appropriate to another, who has travelled less
distance or reached a more advanced state. When I tell one person
to follow one line of sadhana (spiritual discipline), it is specifically
for his benefit; do not take it as prescription for your benefit also,
saying, "Swami told him thus; let me also adopt it." Each has a
different make-up---mental, physical and spiritual. The doctor
directs one patient to drink curds and prohibits another from
drinking it. When a man is obese, he advises certain types of food;,
when he is lean, he advises other types. When doctors who treat
diseases of the body have to prescribe different remedies, how
much more specific and personal must be the remedies for the
156
complex and varied conditions of mental situations and spiritual

yearnings and aspirations? (SSS Vol.9, p. 53)
Doctors know that the body consists of cells, billions of them, alive
and alert, busy and active. Each cell is motivated by the Atma; it is
immanent, all over. The Atma is in each of them, as well as in
every spot of space. When we realise it as such, it is experienced as
effulgent, total splendrous light; endless, incomparable, unique
light. (SSS Vol.14, p. 208)
Treat patients with love

The first message conveyed by Bharatiya culture to the whole of
mankind is this "Let all people live happily, in good health and
cheer." It desired that no one should experience suffering or misery
in this world. Health is the English term for Aarogyam in Sanskrit.
The word health is derived from the Latin word "Healy."
Aarogyam has several meanings. One is sacredness. Another is
Paripuurnam (Wholeness). The term thus indicates that all the
organs of the body should be perfect and holy.
If any organ is afflicted, the body cannot be said to be Whole.
Hence men should aim at achieving perfect health and help others
to do so. "Karmaath Jayathe Narah Karmanyeva Prabodhathi."
(Every man takes birth as result of past actions. Karma is the cause
of death). Thus Karma is the cause of birth and death.
Every action has an effect. In any action done by man, its
consequence is present in a subtle form. Action thus is related to its
fruits. Moreover, time is also related to action. Action and time are
inextricably inter-related. (SSS Vol.28, pp. 362-363)
157
Recognise the relationship between time and action

Every action has its own Maarga (course). One object is separated
by space from another. Likewise, time is the measure of the
duration between one action and another. Here is a tumbler.
Beneath it is a plate. The space between the glass tumbler and the
plate is termed Dharma. There can be no separateness between one
object and another without this Dharma. Dharma defines the interrelationships between two objects.
Now regarding time, a doctor fixes 8 A.M as the time for
performing an operation. By 11 A.M, the operation is completed
with the stitching of sutures. The three-hour interval between the
commencement of the operation and its completion indicates the
time taken for the surgery. In reckoning time, action is also
involved. Action is the interval between two points of time. Thus
time and action go together. Hence everyone should recognise the
intimate relationship between action and time.
Every action, whether good or bad, has its consequence. There is
no action in the world which is devoid of consequences. This is law
of nature. For instance, a finger is cut by a knife. Immediately the
finger starts bleeding. The result of the cut is instantaneous. When
man slips on a step while walking, he sustains a fall and a limb is
fractured. Here again, the result of the fall is instantaneous. Take
another example. You had your breakfast this morning. It takes two
hours to digest the food you have consumed. In the two earlier
examples the results of the actions were instantaneous. But in the
case of digestion of food you have consumed, it has taken two
hours.
158
Another example: You sow a seed. It becomes a sapling after some

days. To bear fruit it takes some years. Thus every action has a
consequence, but the time interval between action and result varies
from case to case. Bharatiya culture recognized the truth about
action and consequence. Others have also got to realise this truth.
One who is aware of this truth is unlikely to commit any wrong
action; because he knows that good actions produce good results
and bad deeds have bad consequences. Recognition of the law of
Karma will make men lead proper lives. Man today takes to wrong
paths because they have not realised this truth. (SSS Vol.28, pp.
363-364)
It is by the use of intelligence for a practical purpose that doctors
have found the technique of carrying out heart operations. The
intelligence is as important as the heart. It is the combination of the
intelligence and the heart that helps to keep a person healthy. A
doctor may be extremely intelligent in performing operations. But
if during an operation his mind wanders, the operation will not be
successful. The combination of qualities required for success
should be properly understood.
The relationship between time and action should be recognized.
Modern man tends to ignore the consequences of his actions.
Purely for the sake of worldly pleasures, he considers wealth as the
most important thing. The Chinese were accustomed to a certain
traditional practice. Every morning on waking up they used to
remember the saying: "Difficulties are our friends; let us welcome
them." Today people regard difficulties as enemies. Without
difficulties you cannot obtain a comfort.
159
People consider wealth as, essential for physical comforts and

thereby become slaves, of wealth. As long as they remain slaves of
wealth, they will have no respite from troubles.
"Serve Bhavanthu Sukhinah. Sarve Santhu Niraamayaah"
(All should be happy. All should be free from sufferings).
If you are to pray in this manner, you must have these feelings in
you. You are not lacking in strength. God has endowed you with
strength, but you are not using it on right lines. Every human being
is endowed with a divine energy, which has to be used for proper
purposes. It has to be used righteously according to the dictates of
one's conscience. When the conscience is satisfied the energy gets
sanctified. Man today misuses the Divine energy for selfish
purposes. (SSS Vol.28, pp. 365-366)
Duty of doctors today

Men should realise the sacredness of action and time. The presiding
deity of Karma is all powerful. Hence a prayer is addressed to the
deity requesting him to see that one's actions are good.
The human race is called Mankind, because sacred feelings,
thoughts and intentions are there in man. It means "humanness" is
synonymous with kindness. The sage Vyasa wrote eighteen
Puranas (sacred epics). Who has the time to read so many
Puranas? Therefore, ruminating on this point, sage Vyasa declared
the quintessence of these Puranas just in these words: "Help ever;
Hurt never." This is the duty of doctors today. They have acquired
valuable knowledge. This should be used for public good. The
more it is used this way, the more it will grow. Always be prepared
to serve a patient when he comes to you. It is a sign of weakness to
160
turn away a patient on a plea of inability. You have the God-given

power. Be conscious of your power.
Doctors should recognise the importance of the five human values:
Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence. Love is the
basis for all the other values. Doctors can infuse courage in patients
by the love they show towards the patients. If doctors carry out
their duties with love they will be crowned with success. (SSS
Vol.28, pp. 366-367)
Good thoughts are more efficacious than drugs

It is better to remedy the original heart of a patient than to try to
replace it with another heart of a person whose antecedents may not
be good. The heart is the most vital organ in the body. To keep it in
a healthy condition, one's thoughts should be healthy. Good
thoughts are more efficacious than drugs.
Make love the capsule you offer to your patients. When a weak
patient comes to you do not be content with offering him glucose or
some other thing. Give him the injection of love. That will give him
instant strength. Speak to him with love, offer medicines with love
and keep him in good humour. That is the way to make him happy.
Happiness is union with God. Anything you do with love will be
rewarding (SSS Vol.28, p. 368)
You can work wonders with purity of heart

Any work which is started with purity of heart is bound to succeed.
The foremost quality of a doctor is the spirit of sacrifice. Serve the
poor and needy. (SSS Vol.27, p. 32)
161
Fill your hearts with compassion and serve the poor and the needy.
Dont be stone-hearted and money-minded. It is your good fortune
that you have become doctors. Sacrifice is the hallmark of a true
doctor. Serve the poor with love. That alone can redeem you.
Service to the poor is service to God. Sacrifice your life for the
cause of the poor. Service should be your motto. Of what use is the
human life if it is not spent in the service of the poor? (SSS Vol.7,
pp. 305-306)
Money flows if your work is suffused with love and sacrifice.
People will provide munificent funds to support any noble
endeavour. The land of Bharat has been a Punya Bhoomi (Land of
sanctity), Thyaga Bhoomi (Land of Sacrifice), Yoga Bhoomi (Land
of spiritual austerities), and Karma Bhoomi (Land of righteous
action). In fact, there is no dearth of money in India. Doctors
should first and foremost have faith in spirituality. Faith in
spirituality alone can bring about transformation of humanity.
Spirituality is not the celebration of festivals, not even performance
of rituals. True spirituality calls for earnest endeavour to eradicate
all animal qualities. Today humanity has descended to such a
degrading level that men see evil in good, without trying to see
good in evil. (SSS Vol.27, pp. 32-33)
Doctors who are eminent experts in their fields have come to
participate in the symposium here. Sincere efforts should be made
to put your great talents and skill to good use. The climes and
countries from which you have come may be different. But all of
you have one thing in common noble feelings. These noble feelings
are God's gift to man and come by Divine grace.
162
Treat the patients as your own kith and kin. The help which you
extend in good faith to your patients will be rewarded in course of
time. (SSS Vol.27, pp. 32-33)
The essential mark of a hospital is its cleanliness. Clean toilets are
an index of the cleanliness of a hospital. A single flower cannot
make a garland. All the people--the patients, doctors, workers--work in a spirit of harmony and unity. It is this sense of unity
which contributes to purity and this purity of heart secures divinity.
Unity is most essential in all fields of activity-moral, scientific and
spiritual. Purity vanishes in the absence of unity. Divinity will be
absent when there is no purity and unity. Humanity will be
healthier if doctors resolve to offer two days of free treatment every
week. (SSS Vol.27, pp. 31-32)
Doctors sweet words are more effective than drugs

The serving doctors more than the drugs they prescribe, the sweet,
soft words they speak and the love and sympathy they evince can
cure better and quicker the illness of their patients. Look upon them
as your own kith and kin, as your special guests and as your closest
friends; and attend to them lovingly and with unflinching care.
(SSS Vol.13, p. 137)
With smiling faces and talk to the patients sweetly:

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 patients and speak soothingly radiating compassion
163
and love. The kind approach of the doctor will have greater healing
effect on the patients than the medicine itself. Doctors must instil
courage in the patients. Swami wants more hospitals to render free
treatment to the poor. Doctors should cooperate and work with
unity. (SSS Vol.26, pp. 46-47)
Doctors should inspire confidence in patients

Doctors are obsessed with salaries. They should be more concerned
about patients. When they concentrate on their patients, they will
develop into excellent doctors. Inspire confidence in the patients.
Then any medicine you give will work wonders. The doctor is
Divinity itself. Doctors should render service in this spirit. Service
is God. Doctors should look after the patients with the same care
they would show to their kith and kin. Then all would experience
equal happiness. (SSS Vol.28, p. 189)
Triple qualities that a doctor should reflect

You have high degrees such as MD, FRCS, MRCP, etc., as a result
of your sincere striving. But it is a mistake to think that these
degrees are yours. In fact these degrees have been conferred on you
for your study, skill, memory power and knowledge. These degrees
will truly belong to you on the day you apply this knowledge in
practice. Unfortunately, in this modern age all activities and
professions are tainted by a commercial outlook and greed for
earning money Even the sacred profession of a doctor has
degenerated into a business. A doctor should reflect the triple
qualities of sacrifice, love and compassion in treating his patients.
But some doctors do not have these virtues at all! They misuse their
divine and sacred knowledge for the sake of money. Money is
important, but we must exercise discretion in this regard. You can
charge the correct fees from the wealthy, but be kind and
164
considerate while dealing with the poor. Try to give free treatment
to the poor. You should not treat a millionaire and a pauper alike! It
is said, "Vaidhyo Naarayano Harihi" (The doctor is equal to God).
As the Lord has love and compassion, doctors too should have
these divine virtues of the Lord. A doctor devoid of these virtues is
not a doctor at all!
Doctors should win the hearts of the patients by talking to them
with compassion and concern. Diseases are half cured when the
doctors talk to the patients with love and consideration. The sick
and the diseased respond favourably to your treatment once you
start talking to them with love and with a smiling face. But, if you
wear a grim expression, the patient loses heart. Doctors should
administer the injection of courage and encouragement as calcium
administered to the weak. It is essential that doctors should have
the sterling virtues of love and compassion. Compassion is more
important than money. (SSS Vol.27, pp. 29-30)
Doctors should be grateful to the society

Doctors should realise what they owe to society, which has
preserved and imparted to them their knowledge of the medical
sciences. Medical knowledge has been enriched by the
contributions of dedicated investigators over centuries. Doctors
should be grateful to society for all the knowledge and skills they
have acquired from the dedicated labours of others. They should
realize their deep indebtedness to society for all they have received
from it. Only then, they will use their knowledge and skills in the
right way.
People today think in terms of only their personal interests. They
should develop a social consciousness, realising what all they' owe
165
to society. Men today have become so utterly selfish that they

behave in inhuman ways. They do not make proper use of their
talents and resources in the service of their fellowmen.
Doctors are embodiments of the Divine. As such, it is their duty to
see that people do not shed tears of grief. They may doubt how far
this is possible. Do as much as lies within your power. What
happens thereafter need not bother you. Treat Duty as God and
Work as Worship. If you carry on your work in this spirit, the
world will be a happier place for all.
I have to give a word of advice to the doctors present here. There is
a tendency to specialize in the treatment of heart diseases which
has gone to absurd lengths. I would advise the doctors to treat the
heart as a whole and not fragment every part of it for specialised
treatment.
Specialisation has grown to alarming proportions in the world
today. Doctors should be "generalists," who know how to treat
different ailments of a patient. The heart teaches an important
lesson to man. It appears to beat tirelessly without stopping. But, in
fact, it is able to rest in brief intervals between one beat and
another. The heart teaches you how to take rest even while at work.
I often tell the students that "change of work is rest." This is-the
way the heart functions when it pumps the blood from one chamber
to the other. (SSS Vol.26, pp. 54-55)
The doctors for the purpose of specialization divide even the body
into a number of sections. In order to make a lot of money one
doctor may be a specialist in orthopaedics, another in ENT, and yet
166
another in cardiology. If one comes and takes the heart, another the
ear, and so on what will be left? A doctor should have a holistic
view of the entire human body. (M-P, p. 24)
Aim at a disease-free human society

It is only by sense control and steadfastness that one can lead a
happy and healthy life. Along with control of the mind, one should
control the temper and avoid tension. Prevention of disease should
be the goal. We should aim at a human society free from diseases.
It will be a happy day when a hospital gets no patients at all. (SSS
Vol.26, p. 47)
Hospitals
Why Hospital?
Some of you may ask why there should be a Hospital at all, here!
Why should not Baba cure diseases by an exercise of His Will, that
is the question?
The Hospital serves to increase faith, to demonstrate Divinity and
to remove doubt. That is also necessary. Besides, you have to mark
time, in consonance with the song that is sung. There are many who
are hungry for medical treatment and they are satisfied only if
drugs are given and injections administered. Their faith in Grace is
not yet strong. So, a Hospital is required for such. (SSS Vol.3, p.
75)
I establish hospitals for such persons who get mental satisfaction
and peace only when they are treated in the hospitals, unaware that
167
faith in the ever-healthy ATMA is the best tonic and drug. When
they visit these hospitals, they will realise that divine grace is more
potent than all drugs; they will turn God ward and tread the path of
Self- realisation. When asked about secret of miraculous cures, He
answered, it is My experience that I am one with every sentient
being and inanimate object. My love flows out to everyone. I see
everyone as Myself. If a person reciprocates My love from the
depth of his heart, My love and his, meet in unison and he is cured
of his affliction. Where there is no reciprocity, there is no cure. Of
course there are cures which are effected by His mere will. When
Dr. Hislop asked Baba, Does Swami cure a person only when the
Karma is appropriate? He replied, No. If Swami is pleased with
the person, He heals that person at once. Karma cannot come in the
way. If the person has a pure heart, and is living Swamis
teachings, Swamis grace comes to him automatically. (SSS
Vol.5, p. 235)
The will becomes strong when you know that you are a child of
Immortality or a person who has earned the Grace of the Lord.
Medicine and hospitalisation are for those who doubt and hesitate
and argue about this doctor being more efficient than the other and
this drug being more powerful than the rest. For these who rely on
the Supreme Doctor, His Name is the drug that cures. (SV, p. 249)
Everyone working in a hospital, be they doctors, nurses,
paramedical staff or technicians, should have the spirit of unity.
This hospital demonstrates the ideal of unity. All the staff in this
hospital works with a feeling that they belong to one family. Our
hospital stands for unity in diversity. It does not crave for money
and fame. In olden days, education, health care, food and water
168
were provided free of cost. I have determined to provide them all

free.
Our hospital is not a business centre. Most hospitals have become
business centres. It is the worst of sins to run a hospital with the
sole purpose of earning money. You should understand that you
might fall ill some day. Hence, you should treat the patients with
love, without expecting anything in return. You should not aspire
for money from them. After I have started this hospital, many
doctors have become jealous of Me and have started putting
obstacles. Come what may, I will never give up this sacred task.
Their jealousy will only motivate Me further to carry on with
sacred activities. Their jealousy will ruin them ultimately. There
will be peace and security in the world only when people give up
hatred and violence, inculcate the feelings of love and realise the
unity of mankind. (Telugu Poem).
One should never be jealous of others prosperity. Jealousy is the
worst quality. Once I take up a sacred task, I will never go back on
it. There are many poor and downtrodden people who are suffering
for want of proper medical care. Nobody cares for them in big
hospitals, as they cannot afford costly treatments. In some
hospitals, they are not even permitted to enter the main gate. Can
there be a greater sin than this? My intention is to provide free
medical care to all such people and forlorn people.
For a happy and healthy life, apart from proper medical attention,
pure drinking water is also essential. My plan of action for the
welfare of humanity is stupendous. It is bound to succeed. If one
takes up a sacred task, one need not be concerned about the
169
resources. There is no dearth of resources in our country. But there

are very few who have the noble intention of doing good to society.
When you undertake a sacred task, even Nature will extend all its
help. The sacred epic Ramayana stands ample testimony to this.
When Rama, the embodiment of Dharma, was proceeding to Lanka
to rescue His consort Sita, Nature extended all its cooperation. He
was helped by monkeys and even by a small squirrel. (DD on 1901-2002, pp. 3-5)
Most hospitals indulge in profiteering

People of this village and villages that are in the surrounding area,
will resort to this hospital for medical relief and advice.
Unfortunately hospitals that treat patients with love and care, with
dedication and devotion, are a rarity. There are hospitals with
costly equipments and expert doctors, huge buildings and spickand-span interiors, but they indulge more in profiteering than
affording relief. Their services are for those who can pay large
sums of money. Villagers are not welcome there, who in turn do
not feel at ease to approach them. Therefore this hospital is being
started amidst the villages so that expert advice and treatment can
be rendered, to them in a loving atmosphere of reverence and
devotion. No charge will be levied here for any service. The
villages and others can come here, regain their health, and return
hale and hearty in order to carry out their tasks and fulfil their
responsibilities.
The doctors and volunteers who help in this hospitals must feel it a
part of their duty to advise the villagers about environmental
hygiene and preventive measures. The members of the Sathya Sai
Seva Dal have a special duty for this type of service. They have to
170
visit the villages, and after winning the confidence and love of the
people, advise them on good food habits and other means of
maintaining health. They must also exhort them to resort to this
hospital as soon as the first symptoms of ill-health are evident.
Early treatment will save the villagers from spending many days in
bed away from the fields. (SSS Vol.13, pp. 135-136)
Cleanliness
The essential mark of a hospital is its cleanliness. Clean toilets are
an index of the cleanliness of a hospital. Our hospital is as clean as
a mirror, as it is kept always clean by the team of dedicated seva
dal volunteers who relentlessly work hard with a spirit of service
and sacrifice. It is not the service of one, but the service of many,
which has contributed to the rapid development of our hospital! A
single flower cannot make a garland. All the people, the patients,
doctors, workers-work in a spirit of harmony and unity. It is this
sense of unity, which contributes to purity and this purity of heart,
secures divinity. This hospital is a direct proof of the presence of
purity, unity and divinity. It is our fond hope that such purity, unity
and divinity should prevail in other hospitals as well! Unity is most
essential in all fields of activity-moral, scientific and spiritual.
Purity vanishes in the absence of unity. Divinity will be absent
when there is no purity and unity. Humanity will be healthier if
doctors resolve to offer two days of free treatment every week.
(SSS Vol.27, pp. 31-32)
Free medical aid

The Whitefield hospital which began in a single room, has now
grown into a big complex. The doctors have to meet the growing
demands on their services, The numbers of patients coming to the
171
hospital are growing all the time. All services are totally free. Not a
paisa is collected from the patients. Such free medical treatment is
not given anywhere in the world. This applies to the Super
Speciality Hospital in Prashaanthigram. Elsewhere hospitals have
become big business. In fact, in every sphere commercialization is
rampant. Education is a business, music is a business, health is a
business. The whole world has become a market place. Welfare
services should be free for all. There are numerous people who
cannot afford the costs of medical treatment. Doctors should render
free service to such persons. My words should not be
misunderstood.
Even in the earning of incomes there should be a limit. Many
doctors lack determination. They join a hospital on a good salary.
But after a month or so, when another hospital offers a higher
salary they go over to the new hospital. How long are you likely to
stay in the other hospital?
When you go like this, you forfeit the confidence of hospital
managements. Even workers behave in this way. They shift from
place to place. The right thing is to stick to a job for three or four
years. Then your work will secure automatic recognition. (SSS
Vol.28, pp. 188-189)
"Old is Gold"
The older technique, though they may not produce quick results,
are slow and sure. The latest techniques appear successful
momentarily but their long term results are not always good. While
the latest technique should be employed where necessary, the
earlier techniques should not be rejected out of hand. "Old is Gold"
The old techniques have the merit of proven value.
172
A caveat should be said about heart transplant. The operation may

be easy, but how easy is it to get a heart for transplanting? A
transplanted heart may serve for a time, but cannot serve as long
and as well as the God-given heart. A word of caution has to be
uttered with regard to heart transplant or transplanting the cornea
for the eye. The character of the person from whom the
transplanted heart or cornea has been got should also be taken into
account. The practitioners of medicine in ancient times considered
these factors in treating patients.
The antecedents of families were fully examined in the past, before
marital alliances were concluded. But today these factors are
ignored. People are indifferent to family backgrounds, while they
are concerned about the pedigrees of dogs in dog show! This
indifference to lineage accounts for the breakup of many marriages
after a short time. This should not happen. Marriage should be a
life-long partnership. (SSS Vol.28, pp. 367-368)
Medical Education and Training:

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 lakhs). Only those who have the talents and
aptitude for medical studies should be admitted. Such students will
173
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.
174
Our American doctor, who addressed the valedictory session, said

that doctors should speak sweetly to patients. Whatever you do
should be filled with love. A patient feels reassured when he sees
the smiling face of a doctor (SSS Vol.26, pp. 57-58)
Educate Laymen-Remove the cause of fear:

Doctors should educate laymen about the various reasons for heart
ailments. Wherever people think of heart disease, the prospect of an
operation looms large before them as a bugbear. As far as possible
you should avoid surgery and try to cure the patients by drugs.
Doctors should treat operation as a last resort. As the word
operation creates fear in all types of people, whether rich or poor,
high or low, you should help them to develop self-confidence and
remove the cause of fear (SSS Vol.26, pp. 43-44)
Educate the villagers on the value of nutrient foods

The villager now lives on food that is deficient in. vitamins and
proteins, though he is growing vegetables and food that provide
these ingredients in plenty and selling them to city-dwellers. He has
to be told of the value of fruits and vegetables as a source of
nutrients that will promote and preserve his health, for healthy
parents mean healthy children, and sick parents pass on their illhealth to the coming generations. Members of the units of the
Sathya Sai Seva Organisation can also join the Seva Dhal in this
campaign of educating the villagers. This activity is as meritorious
as worship itself. Today is the Vighneshwara festival, the day on
which the entire country is worshipping the elephant-headed God
who helps man overcome all obstacles. Worshipping Vinayaka or
Vighneshwara or Ganapathi, as he is also called, endows man with
the courage and confidence needed to enter upon and carry
through-any undertaking in the world. The elephant is the largest
175
animal of the forest. It is very Intelligent and has a powerful

memory. When it marches through the thick jungle, it clears a path
for all other animals to pass. The elephant-headed God confers
intelligence and memory and the power to subdue evil and vice.
Thus he Is also a path- maker.
So it is only appropriate that every rite, ceremony or project should
be started with the worship of this God. Today we are Inaugurating
this hospital so that it will provide good and lasting service to the
people of this region. (SSS Vol.13, pp. 136-137)
Educate enceinte women about pre-natal care of children

in the womb:
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. Iyer 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 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 childs 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
176
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 crores 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.
Training Of Nurses of Sai Maha Vaidhyalaya

Bharat is not lacking in experienced doctors and specialists in every
field. Many of them have gone abroad, acquired the latest
knowledge in medicine and surgery and established a reputation for
themselves. Indeed, very few people possess the amount of
fortitude and determination which Bharatiyas are capable of. Our
doctors take a good deal of trouble for the care of the patients. Even
in foreign countries, a very large number of Indians are rendering
medical service. There is a very well-known saying in Andhra
Pradesh--"The jewels are ours; the display is yours." Much of the
medical service abroad is rendered by Indian doctors.
But, others get much of the credit. Likewise, in India also, there are
any numbers of highly capable doctors. But people do not value
what is very near to them. They are attracted by what is distant.
Those who are near to Swami all the twenty-four hours do not
recognise His value so much. The value is realised only when one
is away from Swami. For instance, there is a lighthouse. The light
is visible afar but not to those under it. (SSS Vol.25, p. 256/247)
177
Need for nurses with pure hearts
It is easy for doctors to perform operations. The real difficulty is in

taking care of the patients after the operations. It is easy to slice
vegetables. But, to prepare a tasty dish out of that is very difficult.
This task of "cooking" is done by the nurses. If there is no good
nursing, even the operation may be a failure. (SSS Vol.25, p. 258)
Therefore in order to train a good hard band of nursing personnel,
training facilities are being provided. All those who are purehearted and filled with a spirit of service, may approach Dr. Safaya
for undergoing training to serve in the hospital. They need not incur
any expense. The entire training is free. Elsewhere, if people want
to undergo such training, they have to pay all kinds of fees. Here
nothing will be charged. Everything will be provided free. Only,
we want persons with pure hearts to join the course.
Today we have quite a large number of people working in our
hospital. But, there is more work to be done because of the evergrowing number of patients seeking relief. Hence, we need many
more nursing personnel. We are asking for nurses not for Swami's
sake but for the sake of the nation. There is a Sanskrit saying:
"Jananee janmabhoomischa swargaadapi gareeyasi" (The mother
and the Motherland are greater than Heaven itself). Hence, such
sacred activities must be spread all over the country. It is not easy
to make available such facilities for people in remote and isolated
villages. Because in this village this magnificent hospital has been
established, it has been possible to provide relief to a very large
number of poor villagers.
178
Many are not aware of the genesis of this Institution. What counts
is only action and not advertisement. When a heart operation is
performed, the patient has generally to stay in the hospital for at
least a month. It is no exaggeration to state, with reference to our
hospital, that within a day after the operation, the patient starts
eating on his bed the very next morning. On the third day, he starts
moving about. On the fifth day, the sutures are removed. On the
seventh day, the patients are discharged fully recovered. (SSS
Vol.25, pp. 258-259)
179
VINAYAKA PRINCIPLE
There are some inner secrets that should be noted in the
worship of Ganesh. Bharatiyas make some special offerings to
Ganesh as food offerings. These preparations are made entirely
by using steam instead of heat from a burning stove.
Combining rice flour with jaggery and till seeds, balls are
prepared which are cooked in steam. In Ayurveda this edible
is accorded a high place for its curative properties. The jaggery
in the edible is a remedy for various ailments. The till seeds
serve to purify the arteries. It also helps to improve the vision.
The inner meaning of all this is that the food offerings to
Ganesh have health giving properties. It should be noted that
edibles cooked in steam are easy to digest. In the Super
Specialty Hospital, steam-cooked idlies are offered to heart
patients the very next day after surgery. Oily preparations are
not given. Idlies are given because they are easily digested.
The Vinayaka Principle, in short, symbolises health, bliss,
peace, wisdom, prosperity and many other things.
Unfortunately this truth is not recognised by most people and
they are content to offer some kind of mechanical worship to
any odd figure made of clay and add to the pollution around
them.
- Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
180
SRI SATHYA SAI SUPER

SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
What the Super-Speciality hospital signifies
Divine members of the medical fraternity! It is not my intention to
extol the excellence of our Hospital here. I wish to highlight the
fact that the people in these areas used to be mortally afraid of heart
disease because there was no facility for high-grade medical or
surgical treatment and they had to take the patients to far off places
entailing enormous expense. But, from 22nd November 1991, when
the Super-Speciality Hospital started functioning, even kids entered
the hospital smilingly without any sense of fear. Their courage and
faith ensure successful treatment.
This is the only hospital where you can see patients, doctors,
nurses, technicians and paramedical staff with smiling faces. Even
the relatives accompanying the patients are all smiles. Wherever
you move in the hospital, you can see smiling and cheerful workers
doing their duty with devotion and dedication.
How has this happiness come to the people who go to the hospital
for treatment of dreaded diseases? Happiness arises out of union
181
with God. Because there is lack of faith in God elsewhere, there is

grief. But in our hospital there is full faith in Divinity. Most people
who have all physical comforts do not have inner peace. We get
peace only from within us. If one acts in consonance with one's
conscience one gets peace. A spirit of sacrifice is essential for
securing peace.
This hospital is not Swami'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 Swami. (SSS
Vol.25, pp. 44-45)
The Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital is a tertiary health
care hospital created to provide patient care facilities to all, free of
cost. There are currently two super speciality hospitals, one in
Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh and another in Whitefield, (outside of
Bangalore), Karnataka, India:
182
Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital
SRI SATHYA SAI INSTITUTE OF HIGHER MEDICAL

SCIENCES (SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL, PUTTAPARTHI
(Inaugurated on 22/11/1991 by Prime Minister Sri P V Narasimha
Rao)
SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL, WHITEFIELD- (Inaugarated
by Prime Minister Sri Atal Bihari Vajapayee on19th January 2001)
Mission statement
"Sri Sathya Sai Medical Trust provides free medical care to the sick
and ailing with the dedication, commitment, love and the best of
skills, so that they will be cured in body, mind and spirit. Our
Mission is to provide high quality medical care free of charge to all
irrespective of caste, creed, religion, and financial status in an
atmosphere of love and care."
The super speciality hospitals (run by the Trust) follow the guiding
principles laid down by Sathya Sai Baba
Universal Healthcare: Healthcare should be available to all,
irrespective of caste, religion, nationality, or financial status
De-commercialized Healthcare: Healthcare should be
delivered free of charge
Human Values in Healthcare: Healthcare should be
administered with Love
Spiritualisation of Healthcare: The aim should be to heal the
patient in body, mind and spirit, not merely to cure disease.
Elaborating on the objectives of the hospital, Sathya Sai Baba said
in a discourse on November 23, 1991, "Many persons appealed to
me to set up the hospital in an urban centre. There are many
183
medical institutions run as a business in several cities. When any

educational or medical institution is established, the sole aim is to
make a business of it. There are few who are ready to set up such
institutions to provide free facilities for the poor. Therefore, from
the start we decided to set up a hundred-crore hospital near
Prasanthi Nilayam itself. Even as higher education is free here,
"Higher medicine" also will be free. People spend some lakhs to
get heart surgery done in the U.S. What is the plight of the poor?
Who looks after them? Recognising this fact, we have launched
this big hospital project. Whether it is heart bypass operation, or a
kidney transplant, or a lung operation or brain surgery, everything
will be done free."
History
Sathya Sai Baba's mother, Easwaramma, "had expressed her desire
that there should be a hospital for all the poor people of Puttaparthi.
Sai Baba had promised her that it would be done at the proper
time." "The foundation of the Prasanthi Nilayam hospital was laid
on 23 November 1954, and the hospital was inaugurated on 4
October 1956. Many devotees toiled to help build the hospital by
carrying stones, bricks, cement, and other articles on top of the
small hill on which it was constructed. The hospital initially had
twelve beds, six of them for confinements, according to the needs
of the time. The hospital catered mainly to the villagers and
devotees. The doctors and the paramedical staff were appointed by
Sathya Sai Baba. They worked voluntarily without any
remuneration. Treatment both for inpatients and outpatients is free.
Medicines, injections, operations, and deliveries are also free. As
the demands on the hospital built in 1954 increased ... the need was
felt for the construction of a new hospital building, equipped with
all medical facilities.
184
Figure 1: Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram
The Super Speciality Hospital (Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher

Medical Sciences) was setup at Prasanthi Gram (about 9 kms.
from Prasanthi Nilayam) under the auspices of the Sri Sathya Sai
Medical Trust in the year 1991 to demonstrate that medical care of
the highest quality even in highly specialised fields like
Cardiology, Urology, Nephrology, Ophthalmology etc can be
provided totally free of cost. The aim of the Trust is to ensure that
ailing persons receive the best treatment, irrespective of their
caste, creed, or social status.
The Super-Speciality hospital acts as a nucleus for the extension of
primary health care at village levels in the surrounding areas. Sri
Sathya Sai General Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam and Sri Sathya
Sai Hospital at Whitefield, Bangalore extend the secondary health
care and finally the Super-Speciality Hospital acts as the tertiary
link in the chain of total health care.
Some of the interesting surgeries performed in this department:
Mobile left atrial clot with Rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Left ventricle to aorta tunnel.
Anomalous left coronary artery arising from pulmonary
artery.
Arterial switch.
Aortopulmonary window.
Coronary artery bypasses grafting with Radical Rt. Hemicolectomy, Ascending aorta and arch replacement for chronic
dissecting aneurysm.
Repair of a huge ascending aorta aneurysm that had eroded
the chest wall.
Figure 2: Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital, Whitefield (suburb of

Bangalore), Karnataka, India
Sri Sathya Sai Super Specialty Hospital
The foundation of the new hospital building was laid on 23

November 1982, and the hospital was inaugurated on Sivarathri
Day, 29 February 1984. The hospital has arrangements for one
hundred beds with an air-conditioned, fully equipped, operation
theater; blood bank; laboratory; intensive care unit; X-Ray unit; eye
unit; and dental unit. Well-qualified medical and paramedical staff
have been recruited to staff the various branches of the hospital
Sathya Sai Baba also was checked into the hospital after some
health failures, and on 24 April, died there.
On November 22, 1990, Sathya Sai "Baba announced that a Super
Specialty Hospital offering sophisticated treatment completely free
of charge to all, would be inaugurated the next year, in the very
hamlet of Puttaparthi."
Col Joga Rao was worried about the super specialty hospital, as
there was not much time left and there were no sufficient funds also
to complete the project. Even after completion, where do funds
come to run a free hospital of such magnitude on a sustained basis?
That was the worry and he had no sleep that night and the next
morning Swami asked the reason for his sleeplessness and when he
said Bhagawan knew the reason, Bhagawan declared)
It was I who promised that super specialty hospital will be opened
in November. Why do you worry about it? Our country Bharat is a
Punya Bhoomi, Yoga Bhoomi and Thyaga Bhoomi. In this sacred
land, if anyone takes up any activity with a pure and selfless
motive, all that is required for the fruition of that activity will come
spontaneously. There will not be any dearth of funds for our super
specialty hospital. Rest assured! (SSSm Vol.6, p. 359)
189
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences,

Prasanthigram
We have here today the President of India, the Chief Minister, the
Governor of the State and other eminent persons. In the sphere of
education, if we establish a system of free education for all without
distinctions of rich or poor, or classifications like backward and
forward,the nation will take a great leap forward on the path of
progress. We are wasting crores of rupees on many unrewarding
ventures. If we ensure the right kind of future for our children, the
nation will benefit immensely. Free education and medical relief
should be provided to one and all.
With this object in view, we decided yesterday to establish a big
hospital here. Many people appealed to Me to set up the hospital
here in our urban centre. There are many medical institutions run
purely on business lines in several cities. There are few facilities
for the poor. Therefore, we have decided to establish a hundredcrore hospital near Prasanthi Nilayam itself. Just as higher
education is free here, higher medicine also will be free. People
spend lakhs of rupees to get a heart surgery done in U.S.A.. But
what is the plight of the poor? Who looks after them? If they go to
cities, they will not even get coloured water(medicinal mixtures)!.
Recognising this fact, we have launched this, hospital project.
Whether it is heart surgery or kidney transplant or brain surgery,
everything will be done free. The hospital will be opened on
November 22,1991. This is Sai Sankalpa; no one can fathom it.
In the case of Sai, thought and action are simultaneous like the light
and sound that emanate when a gun is fired. Hence it is not easy for
everyone to understand Sais resolve.
190
Embodiments of divine love, there is not a trace of self-interest in

Me. Whatever I do is only for the sake of others. In fact, I do not
consider you as others. All of you are My own people, Such an
all-encompassing feeling cannot be found anywhere in the world.
Have you seen anywhere else an organization, which has grown so
stupendously in fifty years? In the case of the earlier Avatars, their
fame spread only long after their passing. In this case of the present
Avatar, in His own lifetime, a university, a big hospital, an
aerodrome and many other institutions are being established for the
benefit of one and all, especially the villagers. Many more will
follow in the years to come. Many people wonder as to how all
these are being accomplished. The advent of this Avatar took place
sixty-four years ago. All these years, I have never stretched My
hand at any time to seek anything from anyone. I have not asked
anyone, I will never ask anyone, and there will never be an
occasion for it. How are then these things happening? For any good
and self less work, there is no impediment in this country of
Bharath. When you want to do any good work, money will flow
in torrents. The narrow-minded who undertake any work will
never be free from want. Such people cannot understand the actions
of those who are large-hearted and broad-minded.
I do not expect anything from you. Only, I want you to develop
love in your hearts. Treat all mankind as your brothers and sisters.
Recognise that all are children of God. Bear no ill will or hatred
towards anyone. Only such a large- hearted attitude will confer on
you limitless bliss. This is the birth-day gift that I desire from you.
Have unity among yourselves. Strive to revive and promote the
glory of Bharat.
191
As I was coming here, some people greeted Me with the words,

Happy birthday! Happy birthday to You I am always happy. I do
not need such greetings! Only those who are not happy need them.
I am filled with infinite joy at all times. I have never had any worry
at any time. What is the reason? I am aware that all things are
transient like passing clouds. Then, why worry about them? We
should not be elated or depressed by births or deaths. We came
naked into the world. When we leave, we cannot leave our address
with our kith and kin. How can they be our kinfolk, all these are
worldly phenomena. As long as we live we should spend our lives
in harmony and love. All our difficulties can be overcome by
contemplation on God. What do you achieve forgetting God and
immersing yourselves in worldly concerns? Have firm faith in God.
Dont give any scope for differences on the basis of caste, creed or
nationality. All names and forms belong to the Divine. All that you
see is the Cosmic Form of the Lord. With firm faith in the Divine,
chanting the Lords name, redeem your lives. (Excerpts of Divine
Discourse on 23rd November, 1990) (SSSm Vol.6, pp. 346-347)
In a discourse that day, Sathya Sai Baba said, "Today an auspicious
announcement has to be made. Within fifteen minutes of the
inauguration of the Hospital by our Prime Minister, the first
operation was begun in the Hospital. Within three hours four
operations were performed. One was a very complicated case.
There was a hole in the heart of the patient. All the operations were
performed successfully and all the patients are doing well.
"The second phase was inaugurated a year later by the then
President of India. Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma, when the uro
nephrology department started functioning. The super specialty
192
hospital continued to expand: opening the kidney transplant

programme in 1993, Department of Ophtalmology in 1994, and in
1995, the CT Scanner and Vitreo Retinal Services were
inaugurated. In 1999 the Lithotripsy Centre was opened. Kidney
transplantation facility is no longer offered. (From Wikipedia)
The government is seeking to provide various amenities in the
villages. But it is one thing to proclaim ones intentions and quite
another to fulfil them. Speaking is easy; acting is difficult.
Neither the authorities nor the leaders appear to be concerned about
the plight of the villagers. The villagers are also apathetic. Bharat is
not lacking in resources. It is well endowed in every respect. Had it
been so, it would not have attracted to many invaders from outside.
Today, Bharatiyas themselves are considering their country as
poor and belittling its status. This by itself is not a great
danger. The greater danger is the development of a mood of
cynicism Avishasam. It is only when the pessimism among the
people is transformed to robust optimism, will the country march
forward. The retrograde movement has reversed. Material
prosperity, which is transient, is not important. Real and lasting
wealth lies in good qualities and morality. It is this form of wealth
that should be acquired.
With a view to setting an example to the authorities, to the
community and to every individual, Swami is undertaking
activities, small and big, in various spheres. This hamlet of
Puttaparthi had a population of barely eight hundred. To conceive
of a University for such a village was a fantastic dream. Another
amazing phenomenon is the construction of an aerodrome near
such village, when there are no aerodromes even at the district
headquarters. Puttaparthi has become the cynosure of all highly
193
sophisticated and most modern hospital, which should be located in

a well-developed metropolis, has been set up in this rural area. The
wealthy can anywhere and get medical relief with their abundant
resources. But the rural poor cannot go far from their villages for
medical treatment. It is for the sake of such poor folk this hospital
has been established. I have told our doctors to examine the heart
ailments of the villagers around here. Today, an auspicious
announcement has to be made. Within fifteen minutes of the
inauguration of the hospital by our Prime Minister, (22/11/1992)
the first surgery was begun in the hospital. Within three hours four
operations were performed. One was a very complicated case. All
surgeries were carried out successfully and all the patients are
doing well.
You should know how the hospital came up. The Larsen and
Toubro Company is known for its massive constructions in India
and abroad. But nowhere else was such enthusiasm and zeal
displayed by the workers in the construction on this hospital. Even
the smallest worker did the work of ten persons with cheer and joy;
they did it with great devotion. Work on the hospital began in the
month of May after My return from Kodaikanal. Within six months
from May to November, a work, which would have normally taken
five years, has been completed. This is a gigantic project. It is
intended to benefit people for a thousand years.
This hospital has been set up to provide relief to villagers suffering
from various diseases. No distinction will be made, however,
between villages and cities. Diseases do not afflict only villagers;
they make no territorial distinctions. Likewise, there will be
differentiation in providing relief.
194
For achieving anything in the world, a sound body is essential. The

body is the primary requisite for the pursuit of dharma and it has to
be in good health. Even for this realisation of the four goals of lifeDharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha sound health is essential.
Having regard to this importance of health for all purposes, Swami
has launched such medical institutions. (A few excerpts from the
Discourse of Bhagawan On 23/11/1991) (SSSm Vol.6, pp. 372374)
Currently the hospital offers the following facilities:
Cardiology
Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
Urology
Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedics
Gastroenterology (Endoscopy)
The hospital is equipped with 300 beds, 11 surgical theatres, five
intensive care units, two cardiac catheterisation laboratories,
medical and surgical wards, and a 24-hour emergency unit.
"Leading doctors specialising in the fields of Cardiology, Cardio
Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Urology, Ophthalmology etc. come
from different parts of the World on their own and render their
services free of cost One of the DNB students of the hospital was
awarded the gold medal by the National Board of Examinations.
Dr. Michael Nobel, great grand-nephew of Alfred Nobel, chairman,
Appeal of Nobel Peace Laureates Foundation states, "The world's
hospitals are filled with expensive and advanced medical
technology. It is also easy to find free hospitals. But the
195
combination of the two, of a super speciality, highly advanced,

state-of-the-art hospital which is free for the poorthat is a unique,
completely unique concept. And if we add to that Sai Baba's
presence, and the spirituality which his presence lends to the
hospital, it becomes a very unique creation. I know hospitals very
well, but I have never seen anything like this on earth." Anna
Tibaijuka, who was appointed by the World Health Organization as
a member of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of
Health, visited the Super Speciality Hospital in Puttaparthi.
Dr. Mitch Krucoff, an eminent cardiologist from Duke University,
North Carolina, United States, talks about his experience with
super speciality hospital. "There is an atmosphere of joy amongst
the staff of this Hospital, as they do their work. When we first went
over to India, we thought were going to this poor third world nation
and share with them our technologies, teaching them how to use it
properly. Honestly stated, this was a very arrogant start. Later, it
turned out that we learnt more than we taught."
"The hospital was set up on 150 acres of land near the Sri Sathya
Sai Airport" and "was designed by Professor Keith Critchlow from
the Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture in London."
The architecture is a mix of ancient Hindu and Islamic styles.
However, some components of Indo-Gothic style could be noticed
in the building. The hospital has a total built-in area of 153,000
square feet.
"Isaac Tigrett ... (who started the Hard Rock Cafes) sought Prof.
Critchlow's aid to design a hospital in an Ashram in Puttuparthi,
196
India. Critchlow had never heard of Sai Baba." "The hospital has a
large central building with a magnificent dome which is connected
to four buildings on either side each with a dome. Critchlow was
given three months to complete the design and the hospital was
built in nine months. This according to Prof. Critchlow is a feat
only Sai Baba could perform. The central building represents
Swami (Sathya Sai Baba)'s heart and the others with the connecting
curved corridors represent Baba's two arms embracing humanity."
"The impressive building ... stands as a magnificent temple of
healing, its inspiring architecture imparts an aura of divinity and
peace to all who enter the hospital for investigation or treatment
and to those who work there. Spread over an area of 15,000 sq.
meters, the hospital hosts 300 beds. The hospital, with its beautiful
architecture and serene rural setting, serves not only as a temple of
healing for the body but also for the mind and the spirit."
Sathya Sai Baba says of the building process, "The firm of Larsen
& Toubro are known for their big constructions in India and
abroad. But nowhere else was such enthusiasm and zeal displayed
by the workers engaged in the construction as in this Hospital.
Even the smallest worker did the work of ten persons with zeal and
joy. All workers performed their jobs with enthusiasm and
devotion."
There have been recent improvements since 2002 of rail
transportation to Puttaparthi, one of the reasons being the Super
Speciality Hospital. (From Wikipedia)
197
SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL-WHITEFIELD

Last month when I was in Bangalore, one day, the Chief Minister
of Karnataka, Patel came to Me and said, Swami, You have
constructed a Super Speciality Hospital in Prasanthi Nilayam,
which is of immense benefit to the poor. But diseases are common
for both the rich and the poor urban or rural. It will be of great help
to the people of Bangalore city, if You would be kind enough to
establish another Super Speciality Hospital here. I just smiled and
did not say anything. The very next week, the Chief Minister, the
Finance Minister, the Revenue Minister and many other dignitaries
came here with the documents concerning the registration of 70
acres of land. This plot is situated adjacent to the Information and
Technology Park. They are supplying water and electricity. If you
are prepared to undertake noble tasks, the whole world will support
you. An American devotee by name Sinclair has come forward to
donate a few crores of rupees for this hospital. Previously he had
given a few crores of rupees for the Super Speciality Hospital in
Prasanthi Nilayam also. I have not told about this project to anyone
else, otherwise there would have been a shower of gold. (DD on
28-07-1999, p. 8)
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences,

Whitefield
"The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences,
Bangalore, was inaugurated on January 19, 2001. After its success,
the Karnataka government offered Sathya Sai Baba 53 acres of land
to establish another super-speciality hospital." "The cost estimate
was Rs.2000 million." (From Wikipedia)
198
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, said, This hospital will surely
attain an exalted position. You may not understand now, but you
will surely realise it in future. People belonging to different parts of
the world will come here for treatment. This hospital has such a
divine potential in it. Do not entertain any wrong notions about the
hospital. Earlier when the Super Speciality Hospital was
established at Puttaparthi, people had their misgivings about the
functioning. Now, in the surrounding villages, you dont find
anybody suffering from heart diseases.
Here the treatment will be rendered free of cost to the rich and poor
alike. Even the food will be provided free. Our objective is to cure
the patients of their ailments and send them home happy and
healthy. This hospital will serve the poor for ever/. Some may have
a mistaken notion that it will be a temporary one. All the
institutions established by Sai are eternal!
Addressing the doctors, He said, Fill your hearts with compassion
and serve the poor and the needy. Dont be stone-hearted and
money-minded. It is your good fortune that you have become
doctors. Sacrifice is the hallmark of a true doctor. Serve the poor
with love. That alone can redeem you. Service to the poor is service
to God. Sacrifice your life for the cause of the poor. Service should
be your motto. I have no other desires. I am prepared to sacrifice
even My life to serve the poor. Do at least a thousandth part of
what Swami is doing. Of what use is the human life if it is not spent
in the service of the poor? (SSSm Vol.7, pp. 305-306)
199
The Whitefield Super Speciality hospital offers free care for

Cardiology, Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Neurology and
Neurosurgery. The hospital also has in-patient services such as
Radiology, Laboratory (Pathology, Microbiology, Biochemistry
labs, and an in-house Blood Bank), Physiotherapy, Dietary and
Counseling.
Alangar S Hegde, neurosurgeon in private practice and part-time
director of the 330-bed hospital, said in a Zee news interview,
"Treatments, tests, medicines, food and hospital stay are all free ...
and if some tests cannot be done here, we get them done outside at
our cost. On an average day, surgeons here perform seven neuro
and seven heart surgeries. Together with laboratory tests, X-ray
scans and outpatient procedures these are worth over Rs 5 million
(USD 100,000) in commercial terms but done free." "Built with
trust funds, the Rs 200 million that the hospital spends annually on
salaries, medicine, equipment and maintenance come entirely from
unsolicited donations from [Sathya Sai Baba] devotees." "The state
government gave us land and the power supply for hospital is free,"
Hegde said. "Companies give us medical equipments at discount
and one computer firm installed Rs 10 million (USD 20,000)-worth
hospital software at no cost."
"The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences,
(Whitefield) Bangalore, is the second in the world and the first in
India to have acquired the Stealth Neuro Navigation System (for
image guided surgeries), the latest technology in precision neuro
surgery. "We have acquired this surgical navigation technology in
keeping with the philosophy of Sri Sathya Sai Baba that the best
medicare should be made available to all irrespective of caste,
200
creed or religion and at free of cost," said Dr. A. N. Safaya, the exdirector of the hospital.
Ambiance
The Whitefield Super Speciality "hospital is actually known as a
"temple of healing" as it provides medicare in a spiritual ambiance
devoid of commercialism, its employees say. It is not just the stateof-the-art technology or high quality service but the spiritual
ambiance pervading through the campus," says hospital manager.
Satyaranjandas Hegde says, "Those who man the gates, serve at the
reception and counsel patients are all volunteers inspired by Sathya
Sai Baba's philosophy that "seva," or selfless service, is service to
god. People wanting to offer 'seva' are so many that there is a
waiting list for volunteers. We keep rotating them to give everyone
a chance." "It actually makes me feel I am entering a temple and
not a hospital," said Akella Chendrasekhar, medical director of
Wyckoff Medical Centre in New York.
During a visit to the hospital in 2006, former president of India APJ
Abdul Kalam said, "I can see god's mission being carried out here.
The doctors and staff looked to me as angels."
Dr Michael Nobel has said, "I have never seen anything like this on
earth. It is a wonderful feeling, far removed from the national
healthcare in the West, which does not seem to work very well. The
impressive thing about the hospital created by Bhagawan Sai Baba
is the combination of the three aspects: state-of-the-art technology,
free medical treatment and the healing powers of his presence
instilling in the patient the firm belief that he or she will get well."
The hospital is managed by MBA graduates from Swami's
201
management institute at Puttaparthi, who oversee all day-to-day

activities of the hospital like admission wait list, priorities, medical
and surgical costs, and report to higher authorities.
Speciality
OPD
Procedures
Cardiology
972,286
34,377
CTVS
22,368
Ophthalmology
545,197
50,365
Plastic Surgery
15,751
6,749
Urology
546,653
45,640
Orthopaedics
165,230
8,688
GI Endoscopy
6,539
Total
2,245,117
174,726
(From Wikipedia)
202
INDEX
Aham, 83, 94
ailments, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 51,
53, 54, 61, 78, 86, 99, 138,
166, 175, 176
Allopathy, 136
Ananda, 35, 65, 69, 74, 82, 83
Anna, 67
Antahkarana, 71, 114
Atma, 30, 32, 37, 40, 41, 58, 59,
102, 103, 105, 110, 112, 114,
117, 148, 154, 157
Ayurveda, 133, 136, 137, 139,
140
Balam, 102
bath, 97, 106, 107
Bhavaroga, 58, 59
Bhogi, 99
bile. See Sleshma
Brahmarpanam, 93, 95
Buddha, 74, 124
Buddhi, 71, 103, 113, 114
Cardiac surgery, 53
chakras, 129, 130, 131
cholesterol, 76, 138
cigarettes, 77
cleanliness, 73, 101, 108, 109,
163, 171
delusions, 50
dharana, 125, 126
dhyana. See Dhayanam
Dhyanam, 73, 119
disease, 15, 29
Doctors, 18, 51, 66, 78, 81, 85,
140, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156,
157, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165,
166, 172, 175, 177
Drumsticks, 76
education, 90, 136, 145, 168,
173, 184
Fasting, 98
fluoride, 56, 57
fluorosis, 55, 57
food, 31, 32, 35, 38, 40, 43, 44,
46, 47, 52, 53, 54, 57, 61, 63,
65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,
74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83,
84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91,
93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100,
101, 102, 108, 110, 116, 117,
134, 138, 139, 140, 148, 156,
158, 168,171, 175, 200
Garlic pills, 76
Green leafy vegetables, 76
Gunas, 30
happiness, 29
hate, 73, 101, 147, 151
Health, 15, 17, 29, 30
Health Services, 133
heart, 29, 38, 42, 45, 52, 53, 54,
55, 65, 69, 76, 93, 95, 97,
101, 113, 121, 129, 130, 136,
138, 147, 148, 159, 161, 163,
165, 166, 167, 168, 171, 173,
175, 176, 179, 181, 184, 197,
200
Hospital, 60, 167, 172, 181, 182,
187, 189, 192, 196, 197
ill-health, 31
Illnesses, 65
Jataragni, 44, 94
koshas, 128
Kshetra, 105, 111
Kshetrajna, 105
Maya, 113, 119
Meditation, 119
mental health, 31
mental transformation, 46
Nagarasankeerthan, 116
Non-vegetarian, 78, 85
nurses, 147, 168, 178, 181
onion, 75, 76
Paramatma., 30
peace, 29
phlegm. See Sleshma, See
Sleshma
Physical health, 31
pitta, 40, 137
Pitta, 30
potatoes, 57, 76
prasadam, 93
Prashaanthigram, 172
Rajas, 30, See also Gunas
Rajasic, 67, 70, 71, 72
recreational habits, 40, 87
Rogi, 99
Sadhana, 65, 83, 114, 154
samadhi, 125, 126
Sathwic, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72
Satwa, 30, See also Gunas
Sleshma, 30, 39, 40, 137
Tamasic, 67, 70, 71, 72
Tea, 99
Tomatoes, 77
Vaatha, 30, 39, 137
Vibhuthi, 64
vitamin, 18, 54, 66
Vitamin G, 18, 66
Vyasa, 62, 148, 160
Yoga, 127, 128, 131, 162
Yogi, 99
204
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beacons of Divine Wisdom [Book] = BDW Part 2. - Vol. II.
Directives and Commands of Sri Sathya Sai Avatar for Spiritual
Transformation [Book] = DTB Vol.7. - Prasanthi Nilayam,
Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust ,
1995. - Vol. 7.
Directives and Commands of Sri Sathya Sai Avatar for Spiritual
Transformation [Book] = DTB Vol.4 / auth. S.M.Rao. - Prasanthi
Nilayam, Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications
Trust, 1995. - Vol. 4 : 8.
Discourses By Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba [Book] = D3 Vol.3. - 1991. Vol. 3.
Discourses on Bhagavad Gita [Book] = DBG. - 1988.
Divine Discourses [Book] = DD on 13-10-2002 . - 13-10-2002.
Divine Discourses [Book] = DD on 22-10-2005. - 22-10-2205.
Facets of the Divine Diamond [Book] = FDD. - 1990.
Geetha Vahini (The Divine Gospel) [Book] = GV. - Prasanthi Nilayam,

Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust ,
June 2002. - 81-7208-302-5.
Glossary for the Vahinis [Book] = Glossary for the Vahinis.
Indian Culture & Spirituality [Book] = ICS . - 1st Edition.
Leela Kaivalya Vahini: Stream Of Cosmic Sport Divine [Book] = LKV / ed.
Edition First Enlarged. - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District :
Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust , July 2002. - 81-7208307-6.
Life is Awareness [Book] = LA. - Delhi : D.K. Fine Art Press (P) Ltd.
Man Management. For private Circulation Only [Book] = M-P. - 19951999.
My Baba and I [Book] = MBI. - 1985.
My Life is My Message [Book] = M&M. - 1999.
Prema Vahini: The Stream of Divine Love [Book] = Prema Vahini. Prasanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust,
1975. - 4.
Sai Vandana [Book] = SV. - 23rd November 1995.
Sanathana Sarathi [Book] = SS Oct '08. - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur
District : Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust Publications Division. Vol. October 2008.
Sanathana Sarathi [Book] = SS May '99. - [s.l.] : Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana
Trust, Publications Division , 1999. - Vol. May 1999 .
206
Bibliography
Sanathana Sarathi [Book] = SS May 2002. - [s.l.] : Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana
Trust, Publications Division, 2002. - Vol. May 2002.
Sanathana Sarathi [Book] = SS June '98. - [s.l.] : Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana
Trust Publications Division. - Vol. June 98.
Sanathana Sarathi [Book] = SS Dec '91. - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur
District : Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust Publications Division,
1991. - Vol. Dec 91.
Sanathana Sarathi [Book] = SS July '05. - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur
District : Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust Publications Division, July
2005.
Sanathana Sarathi [Book] = SS Mar '98. - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur
District : Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust Publications Division ,
March 1998.
Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
[Book] = SSS Vol.39. - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District : Sri
Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust . - Vol. 39.
[Book] = SSS Vol.32 Part I. - Prasanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai
Books & Publications Trust. - Vol. 32 Part I.
[Book] = SSS Vol.28. - Prasanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books &
Publications Trust. - Vol. 28.
207

Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. - Vol. 26.
[Book] = SSS Vol.23. - Prasanthi Nilayam Anantapur District : Sri
[Book] = SSS Vol.20. - Prasanthi Nilayam Anantapur District, : Sri
208
Bibliography

[Book] = SSS Vol.6. - Prasanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books and
Publications Trust.. - 2nd : Vol. 6.
209

210
Bibliography

[Book] = SSS Vol.27. - Prasanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books
and Publications Trust, 1994. - Vol. 27 : 42.
Publications Trust.. - Vol. 9.
[Book] = SSS Vol.7. - Prasanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books &
Publications Trust. - Vol. 7.
Publications Trust.. - Vol. 2 : 42.
Delivered during 1998 [Book] = SSS Vol.31. - Prasanthi Nilayam
Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. First Edition : Vol. 31. - 81 - 7208 - 337 8.
Delivered during 2000 [Book] = SSS Vol.33. - Prasanthi Nilayam,
Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust . First Edition : Vol. 33. - 81 - 7208 - 337 8.
211
Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Delivered during 2001 [Book] = SSS Vol.34. - Prasanthi Nilayam, :
Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, 2001. - First Edition :
Vol. 34.
Delivered During 2001 [Book] = SSS Vol.35. - Prasanthi Nilayam :
Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, 2003. - First Edition. 81-7208-346-7.
Delivered During 2005 [Book] = SSS Vol.38. - Prasanthi Nilayam,
Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Vol. 38. - 81 - 7208 - 454 - 4.
Delivered During 2009 [Book] = SSS Vol.42. - Prasanthi Nilayam,
Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust,
July 2010. - First Edition : Vol. 42.
Delivered from July 1999 to December 1999 [Book] = SSS Vol.32
Part II. - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District : Sri Sathya Sai
Books & Publications Trust, August 2001. - First Edition : Vol. 32
part 2. - 81 - 7208 - 287 8.
SATHYA SAI VAHINI: Spiritual Message of Sri Sathya Sai [Book] =
SSVahini. - Prasanthi Nilayam, : Sri Sathya Sai Books &
Publications Trust. - First Enlarged Edition : June 2002. - 817208-295-9.
Sathyam Sivan Sundaram [Book] = SSSm Vol.6. - Vol. 6.
Sathyam Sivan Sundaram [Book] = SSSm Vol.7. - Vol. 7.
212
Bibliography
Summer Showers In Brindavan [Book] = SSB 2000. - Prasanthi Nilayam :

SRI SATHYA SAI BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS TRUST, 2000. - First
Edition : p. 316. - 81-7208-285-1.
Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, 2002. - August 2002 :
p. 209. - 81-7208-113-8.
Summer Showers In Brindavan [Book] = SSB 1972. - Prashanthi
Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, 1972. Revised edition, Copyright 1998 : p. 216. - ISBN 1-57836-0501.
Summer Showers In Brindavan [Book] = SSB 1974 Part II. - Prasanthi
Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, 1974. - First
Enlarged Edition : Vols. Part - II : p. 272. - 81 - 7208-356-4.
Summer Showers In Brindavan [Book] = SSB 1978. - Prasanthi Nilayam, :
Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, 1978. - Revised
edition, 1998. - 1-57836-055-2.
Prasanthi Nilayam,, 1979. - First Enlarged Edition : September,
2004 : p. 245. - 81-7208-361-0.
Summer Showers In Brindavan [Book] = SSB 1993. - Prashanthi
Nilayam, : Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, 1993. - 157836-058-7.
Summer Showers In Brindavan 1977: Delivered during the summer
course held for college students at Whitefield, Bangalore, India
[Book] = SSB 1977. - Prashanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books
and Publications Trust, 1978. - Revised edition. - ISBN 1-57836054-4.
213
Summer Showers In Brindavan: Discourses By Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba On The Srimad Bhagavatham [Book] = SSB 1995. Prashanthi Nilayam : Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust,
1995.
The True Flowers for Worship [Book] = TTFFW. - 12.5.1981.
214

Integral and Hol (Y) Istic Approach To Human Ailments: Vitamin G, Food and Yoga For Physical and Spiritual Health

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Integral and Hol (Y) Istic Approach To Human Ailments: Vitamin G, Food and Yoga For Physical and Spiritual Health

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

AN INTEGRAL AND

Vitamin G, Food and Yoga for Physical and

Tumuluru Krishna Murty

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Cardiac ailments .................................................................................. 51

Moderation in food is always to be welcomed ................................ 79

Nagarasankeerthan is the greatest disinfectant ............................. 116

The Art of Living........................................................................... 146

Free medical aid............................................................................. 171

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

Dr. Satyaprabha Tumuluru

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

full range of one's unique potentialities within the environment in

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and

The Free Dictionary by Farlex

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

disease. Bhagawan says, Illness is caused more by malnutrition of

Desaraju Sri Sai Lakshmi

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

one can fight successfully against the foes of attachment and

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

and old age, each imperceptibly growing into succeeding stage.

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

the capacity of a person and the illness makes any person

Sri Sathya Sai Super Specialities Hospitals at Prasanthi Gram

The physical body, made of five elements, is weak and no

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

HEALTH AND HUMAN

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

Sathwa (satthva): Purity, calmness, serenity, joy, strength, goodness.

Health and Human Values

(qualities of serenity, passion and inertia). One peculiar fact about

Rajas: Passion, activity, restlessness, aggressiveness. Associated with

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

Peace and contentment will accrue to man

Health and Human Values

Cultivate Healthy Habits

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

limbs. Each part of the body has its intrinsic characteristic

Health and Human Values

Dont get wet and dont play in dirty puddles.

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

Health and Human Values

Realise the human values first

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

The most common source of illness among people today is tension.

DISEASES AND DIVINITY

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

Disease and Divinity

The secret of perfect health lies in keeping the mind always

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

Excessive activity in any field is harmful to health

Disease and Divinity

It is true that health is wealth. Dharmarthakamamokshanam

Close nexus between the mind and Parana

Pravritti (pravritthi). Worldly activity, attachment. (Glossary for the

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments

Mind is the root of bodily afflictions

Disease and Divinity

Minds role in health and disease

An integral and hol(y)stic approach to human ailments