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VEDIC MEDICINE AND ELDERLY HEALTH
HL DHAR*
*Gerontologist, Director, Medical Research Centre, Bombay Hospital Trust, Mumbai - 400 020.
Veda is the fountain source of pure knowledge and vedic science is fundamental to modern science. For health care to be scientific it has to be vedic health care.
Vedic medicine deals with all aspects of health care however the means to achieve vedic health care is to develop vedic consciousness upheld by the infinite organizing power of the natural law achieved through meditation which can easily be practised by elderly subjects. Elderly subjects not only require freedom from diseases but also peace of mind attained through vedic consciousness.
The discovery of the veda and vedic literature at the basis of the human physiology has changed the modern concept of health, which is knowledge oriented. The only way to live perfect health, without sickness and suffering is to develop vedic consciousness and follow vedic procedures for daily living according to Natural Law.
INTRODUCTION
The vedas are the earliest and the most comprehensive fountain source of learning ever found in the history of mankind. Veda means pure knowledge. It is the name of the totality of about 20,000 and odd metrical verses called the mantras, distributed in four main books viz. the Rik veda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharva veda. [1] It is because of this division the vedas are referred to in plural. The word "Rik" means reality (the true statement), mainly knowledge oriented, Yajurveda is action oriented, Saamaveda is worship oriented and Atharva veda (Pratishakaya) is a sort of magnum opus of all vedas.
The four vedas are also known as samhitas literally meaning a perennial stream of speech. This is to suggest that the original form of the vedas was an eternal speech-potent sound ever existed in the spehere as eternal cosmic music. The root meaning of the word mantra is pure thought. The pure thought is now called a form of science. The mantras can always be explained scientifically and are not products of ordinary poetic imaginations or philosophical speculations. They contain real knowledge as existed in the absolute, the universal spirit. Vedic mantras actually contain not a detailed exposition of knowledge but they contain the roots or the seed elements of knowledge, which can be developed to any extent.
ORIGIN OF VEDA
During very early stage of human civilization four seers (rishis, superhumans) viz. Agni, Vaayu, Soorya and Angiraa men of great intellectual excellence and spiritual eminence when deep into meditation at the roof of the world, the celebrated Maansarovara lake (modern Tibet), the land of the Gods, across the Himalayas heard the divine eternal, speech potent sound from within and head simultaneously, the vision of truth, the meaning of sound, flushing like a luminary before their internal eyes. They had the capacity to translate it, so to speak, for others, so that they too might per take to some extent of their experience and insight. They sifted the speech out of the sound in their minds as a farmer sifts the corn with his sieve. They gave an articulate form to the silent speech through their vocal apparatus. Thus the vedic learning has an oral tradition from the beginning. The seers saw the hymes (single or more verses), no one composed the mantras for them. That is why vedas are called a "paurusheya" (nonhuman). The absolute, the universal spirit so to speak revealed the vedas in the hearts of ancient sages. In course of time, there came another great sage who learnt all the four vedas from the said four seers. As he mastered all the four vedas he acquired the name Brahma (all knowing). Brahama the great sage, could develop several branches of knowledge and technique. They were all classified as upavedas. For example ayurveda (science of health), the Dhanur veda (state craft and military science), the Atharvaveda (science of wealth), and the Gandharva veda (performing arts specially musicology) were four most important upa-vedas supposed to have been originally taught by Brahma. Brahma continued the oral tradition and imparted the knowledge to other seers, chanted by their descendents through ages (thousands of years) before they could be documented with the advent of literature. [2]
VEDIC MEDICINE
Veda is pure knowledge having three aspects Rishi (knower), Devata (knowing) and Chhandas (object of knowing). RK veda is total knowledge of coming together of all the three unifying values (knower, knowing and the known). That is how veda has been bought in scientific age by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. [3] According to Maharishi veda means RK Veda also called samhita and other branches (26 of them) are called vedic literature even though Sameveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda are also vedas. [3]
YOGA
Although yoga had been described in the book of wisdom - the veda about 4000 years ago, it was presented by Patanjali in an abridged form about 2500 years ago. [4] Since then a large number of commentaries and books have been written to explain more clearly how one can promote mental health through the different practices of yoga including various types of meditation.
Integrated Yoga
Among all the methods so far described the sage Patanjali’s methods of integrated yoga are the most important. These are : i) Yama or improvement in our social behaviour, ii) Niyama or improvement in our personal behaviour, iii) Physical postures, iv) Concentration, v) Meditation and vi) Attainment of superconsciousness detail description of these had been mentioned by Udupa. [5] Of these following are commonly practised in modern curriculum.
1) Physical postures : A large number of yoga postures have been described by various authors. They are mainly meant to improve the bodily health, lungs, liver and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, endocrine system etc. Studies have shown practice of integrated type of yoga has beneficial effects in hypertension, anxiety neurosis, mucus colitis, bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, migraine and rheumatic disorders. [6,7] However, unless already practising physical postures are not possible or advisable in elderly subjects.
2) Breathing exercises : This is an important part of yogic exercise in which one inhales fresh air to the maximum capacity through one nostril, holds it for a while, and exhales it through the other nostril, practising deep expiration. Normally, this can be practised 20 or more times daily, to improve oxygenation of all the organs and tissues of the body. Through such simple exercises one usually feels much refreshed and relaxed, possibly as a result of better circulation of oxygenated blood in the body. [5]
3) Meditation : Regular meditation is key to health particularly mental and social wellbeing. Sage Patanjali had described eight steps to achieve goal of superconsciousness. In recent years Transcendental meditation [3 , 7] has been shown to reduce mental stress and illness including reduced hospitalisation and aging process.
AYURVEDA
Ayurveda which literally means knowledge (veda) of life (Ayus), had its beginning in Atharvaveda (4000 BC). The two most famous treatises of Ayurveda are Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. Auyrveda Describes many important diseases including diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, leprosy and cancer as incurable. [8]
According to Charaka, there are three means open to the physician for ascertaining the nature of any sickness i) Theoretical knowledge of the possible causes and manifestations of all known diseases; ii) Meticulous observation of the patient’s symptoms, signs and complaints and iii) inference based on previous experience. Sushruta’s clinical approach consists of "Prashna" or interogation of the patient about his complaints in great details.
Ayurveda considers disease as disequilibrium of normal body constituents at the molecular level, and restoration of that equilibrium as the objective of medicine. The tridosha (kapha, vata, pitta) concept is essentially a concept of molecular biology. [8] These doshas have five subdoshas each or 15 subdivisions, which corresponds to 15 different physiological and anatomical structures, organs and organ systems. Maharishi ayurveda describes all possible combination and permutations of doshas with their subdivisions and their relations to Rishi, Devata and Chhandas. [3] It gives a simple method through pulse diagnosis to detect their state of balance or imbalance with respect to every individuals physiology as well as the rhymes of nature. It simplifies the whole process of diagnosing and correcting imbalance.
Treatment is designed to restore equilibrium and is determined by the diagnosis of the disturbed humours. In addition to drugs, advice is given on diet and living conditions and attention is paid to the general constitution and mental state of the patient. Ayurveda is not just a system for treatment and prevention of disease; it is also a way of life with instructions for achieving and maintaining physical, mental and spiritual health. [10]
VEDIC HEALTH CARES
For health care to be scientific it has to be vedic health care and if the study of health care is not supported by the theories of physics, chemistry, mathematics etc. then health care cannot be scientific. All theories of modern science uphold all disciplines of vedic science because vedic science is fundamental to modern science. [9]
Vedic ideal of health is the state of enlightenment, a perfectly integrated state of mind, body and behaviour and an enriching evolutionary relationship with the cosmic counterparts - sun, moon, planets and stars. The individual is essentially cosmic because the physiological expression of the individual and cosmos are both the expressions of veda and vedic literature which present the holistic and specific structures of natural law emerging from the self interacting dynamics of consciousness - vedic consciousness.
VEDIC APPROACH TO HEALTH
Vedic approach to health is the approach through veda - the approach through the complete knowledge of natural law. The path of gaining enlightenment is the path of gaining perfect health - freedom from weakness and suffering in the lively field of the total organising power of natural law - Atma Chetna - which is perpetually healthy and has the vitality to maintain the good health of all its expression - the physiology, the environment etc. The discovery of the veda and vedic literature at the basis of the human physiology [3] has changed the modern concept of health. Medicine predominant health care is the foreign brand of health care, whereas the Indian brand of health care is knowledge predominant (Gyan-predominant) which means Atma predominant and not body predominant (Sharir - predominant).
Atma is all knowingness which is unity in its self referral state - pure enlightenment. Atma is the most basic element and the body etc. is its expression. So the vedic health care system handles health from its most basic constituent - the Atma of every one. The means to achieve vedic health is to develop vedic consciousness - fully awakened, fully enlightened consciousness - upheld by all values of Atma, upheld by the self interacting dynamics of the self - upheld by the infinite organizing power of the eternal, immortal field of the total natural law. Health care can never be complete unless it is vedic, which means it should be upheld by all the qualities of vedic intelligence - all the laws of nature which together express themselves in the structures and functions of the human physiology, human behaviour and the human relationship with the inner divine content of life and the outer cosmic content of life.
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION
The only way to live perfect health, without sickness and suffering is to develop vedic consciousness and follow the vedic procedures for daily living according to natural law. Based on the discovery that veda represents human physiology. [2] a very simple vedic technique called "Transcendental Meditation" (TM) has been developed [11] practice of which (15-20 minutes in the morning and evening) elevates human mind from gross level to finer and quiet aspect to the points of silence but awake within. [3 , 12] Since body is veda when mind is elevated body takes it. Every individual so awakened acts by law of nature, automatically guided to follow the choicest path. It is like supercomputer eliminating all unwanted and extraneous impulses injurious to body and mind. Unlike other forms of meditation TM requires no effort or concentration and does not require specific belief, behaviour or life style.
Clinical evaluation conducted in many universities and research institutes consisting of innumerable publications has shown that regular practice of TM reduces anxiety, improve intelligence and academic performance and reduces incidence of disease and hospitalisation and reverses aging process. Currently effect of TM on health in elderly subjects including its effects on memory, insomnia and reacting to external stimuli (reaction time) is under investigation at the Medical Research Centre. We have demonstrated that reaction time increases as age advances with decreased arithmetic ability and mental status [13] reversal of which through meditation is under study. Still recently saral meditation [19] without mantra has been shown to be equally effective as TM in increasing intelligence, performance and reducing tension. [20,21] Cardio pulmonary function including heart rate, blood pressure and PEFR have also been found to be improved.
CARE OF ELDERLY
Yoga a vedic literature has given emphasis on concentration of mind (meditation) along with physical exercise to coordinate body and mind as preventive, curative and promotive measure for maintaining sound health [5 , 7] while ayurveda (part of veda) emphasizes on balance diet along with exercise for health and cure of disease. [10 , 14] There is no disease for which ayurvedic treatment is not available, [15] however, clear cut scientific evidences are few.
For elderly subjects yogic exercises possibly with the exception of breathing exercise are difficult to perform and meditation is the ideal one to practice. Balanced diet in the Indian elderly subjects including vitamins and minerals has been reported by us recently. [16,17] Mild to moderate exercises ideal to elderly and old has also been currently reviewed. [18] However, in order to maintain perfect health and prevent diseases meditation along with balanced diet and mild exercise (body movement) as advocated by vedic literatures are the ideal ones for elderly subjects.
CONCLUSION
All areas that constitute health care must be supported by vedic consciousness. Only the vedic consciousness of those in charge of health care can create balance health care.
REFERENCES
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11.Scientific Research on Maharishi’s Trancendental Meditation a review, Maharishi International University Press Fairfield USA. 1993.
12.Dhar HL. Vedic approach to health. Proceedings centenary issue. Benoytosh centenary, Naihati, West Bengal. Jan., 1997.
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14.Dhar HL. Health and aging. Ind J Med Sc 1997; 51 (10) : 373-7.
15.Lele RD. Ayurveda and modern medicine. First ed, 1986. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bombay.
16.Joshi SV, Dhar HL. Nutritional requirements in Indian elderly. Proceedings golden Jubilee Conference on Frontiers of Biochemistry, Mumbai. Jan., 1999.
17.Dhar HL. Active aging. Bombay Hos J 2000; 42 (1) : 153-7.
18.Dhar HL. Exercise, health and elderly. Ind J Gerontol 2000 (press).
19.Dhar HL. Saral meditation. Bombay Hospital Journal 2000; 42 (4) : 605-7.
20.Shah AH, Joshi SV, Mehrotra PP, Mahadhik UD, Naina Podar, Dhar HL. Effect of saral meditation on intelligence, performance and cardio pulmonary function. Ind J Med Sc 2001 (press)
21.Dhar HL. Saral meditation. An unique technique for health, intelligence, performance and confidence. Bombay Hospital Journal 2001 (press).
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