Diseases and their cure!!!

Truths from other sources



In the following paragraphs, I am attempting to give some more Truths revealed in ancient texts.



Diseases and their Cure

In the world of Modern Science, tremendous progress has been made in the medical field. Almost relentless and continuous efforts are being made and research work done to find out causes for diseases and how best they can be cured.



Against this background, I read a “saintly” and interesting explanation to the cause of diseases in the human body and their cure. I am sharing this with all the readers of this web page.



Saint Vasistha speaks:



Laghu Yoga-Vasistha, one of the highest philosophical treatises of Hindu Religion, gives answers given by “Sage Vasistha” to “Lord Rama’s” questions on Hindu Religious thoughts. On the question of diseases and their eradication, the dialogue between them is summarised below:



Primary and Secondary Diseases: “Rama interposed and said: Please enlighten me as to the origin and destruction of mental and bodily disease.”



In answer to this, Vasistha continued:

“The pains that afflict the body are called the secondary diseases whilst the “Vasanas” that affect the mind are termed as mental or primary diseases. We have reached our present state through the absence of transcendental “Jnana”, want of mastery over our sense organs and the perpetual growth of desire and egoism in the mind. And our delusion becomes intensified in us by forgetting the degradation of our state through such causes. “



“With the growth of such delusion, the mental disease also conceals like the snows of winter. When the intense desires of a person begin to manifest themselves externally and the “Ajnana” in him preponderates, he performs fearful karmas and these in their turn breed bodily diseases.”



“The body is further subject to diseases through such actions as the eating of unwholesome food, living in unhealthy places, doing things at unseasonable hours, injuries inflicted, association with the wicked, longing after improper things, evil desires, bad thoughts, the distension and contraction of the orifices of the “Nadis” in the joints, etc. and the interrupted flow of the beneficial “Prana”s” throughout the body –these cause the body to whither. These flourish in the form of diseases in the body, waxing and waning like the floods in a river during the different seasons.”



“The body attracts effects to itself according to the nature of its countless affinities, good or bad, whether in the previous births or the present one. Thus, we see diseases, primary and secondary, arise through the five fold Bhutas (elements).”



Their Cure:
“Now listen, Oh Rama, to the manner in which the two forms of disease, primary and secondary, are destroyed in two ways. The wise say that the primary disease has two sub-divisions: “Samanya” (ordinary) and “Sara” (essential). The former includes the diseases incidental to the body, while the latter the rebirth to which men are subject. “



“If the diseases which afflict this body return to their primal state then they are destroyed. Their primary cause being (bad) thoughts, if these thoughts are destroyed, all bodily diseases will vanish.”



“But the disease of rebirth. coming under the head of “Sara”, will never go except through “Atma Jnana”. Is it possible to suppose that the misapprehension of a serpent in a rope can be removed except through the discovery of the real rope? But those grievous diseases of the body which do not arise through the original cause can be extirpated by mantras, medicine, and the many means used by men well versed in the medical lore. I need not expatiate upon this subject any further here.”



Mental Diseases: “Here Rama asked Vasistha how mental diseases arise and how they are destroyed.”



“Vasistha proceeded:

“When the “manas” is agitated, then this body also follows in its wake. And when the body is agitated, then there is no proper perception of the things that are one’s way and ““Prana”” flies from its even path on to a bad road, staggering like an animal wounded by an arrow. Through such agitation, “Prana” instead of pervading the whole body steadily and equally, vibrates everywhere at an unequal rate. Therefore, the “Nadis” do not maintain a steady position, but quiver.”



“This disturbance of “Prana” in Nadis result in irregular, incomplete or excessive digestion. The badly digested food, which settles down in this body amidst such commotion, is transformed into incurable diseases. Thus, through the primary cause (of the mind), the disease of the body is generated. If this primary cause be annihilated at its root, then all diseases will be destroyed.”



“Effect of Mantas:
Now hear of the path by which disease may be removed by uttering of mantras. Like base gold which, when placed in the crucible, is transmitted through alchemical processes into pure gold, the mind is rendered unfailingly pure, through true, virtuous and pure actions and by serving the wise. In the mind purified thus, there is unalloyed bliss. Is not the whole world exhilarated with joy, when the soft and delicious Moon, begins to shed its silvery light? If the mind becomes purified with true “Satvaguna”, then, “Prana Vayu” will begin to circulate freely throughput the body, the food taken will be digested properly and hence no diseases will arise. I have thus described to you the path by which the two kinds of diseases can be destroyed.”



(This is a free translation of the Sanskrit text taken from Yoga Vasistha on the illnesses and their remedy.)



Source: Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy for Positive Health. By Dr. R, Nagarathna and Dr. H.R. Nagendra published by Sawmy Vivekanada Yoga Prakashana, Bangalore 18.