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Ayurvedic medicine

Bhagavad-gita As It Is

BG Chapters 7 - 12

The heat in the fire is Kṛṣṇa. According to Vedic medicine, indigestion is due to a low temperature in the belly. So even for digestion fire is needed.
BG 7.9, Purport:

Vibhāvasu means fire. Without fire we cannot run factories, we cannot cook, etc., and that fire is Kṛṣṇa. The heat in the fire is Kṛṣṇa. According to Vedic medicine, indigestion is due to a low temperature in the belly. So even for digestion fire is needed. In Kṛṣṇa consciousness we become aware that earth, water, fire, air and every active principle, all chemicals and all material elements are due to Kṛṣṇa. The duration of man's life is also due to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, man can prolong his life or diminish it. So Kṛṣṇa consciousness is active in every sphere

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 3

The urine of a cow is salty, and according to Āyur-vedic medicine the cow's urine is very effective in treating patients suffering from liver trouble.
SB 3.2.8, Purport:

Those who do not believe in the existence of the ocean of milk because they have experience only of the salty water in the ocean should know that the world is also called the go, which means the cow. The urine of a cow is salty, and according to Āyur-vedic medicine the cow's urine is very effective in treating patients suffering from liver trouble. Such patients may not have any experience of the cow's milk because milk is never given to liver patients. But the liver patient may know that the cow has milk also, although he has never tasted it. Similarly, men who have experience only of this tiny planet where the saltwater ocean exists may take information from the revealed scriptures that there is also an ocean of milk, although we have never seen it.

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

According to Ayurvedic medicine system, this body is made of tri-dhātu: tejo-vāri-mṛd.
Lecture on BG 3.16-17 -- New York, May 25, 1966:

This is also described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, that "One who is identified with this body of three elements..." This body is made of... According to Ayurvedic medicine system, this body is made of tri-dhātu: tejo-vāri-mṛd. That is also stated in the Bhāgavata, tejo-vāri-mṛd. That means heat, water and earth. Heat, water and earth. The whole material creation is a combination of these three things, tejo-vāri-mṛd. Tejaḥ means heat, or fire, and vāri means water, and mṛd means earth. So this body is earth, matter. These grains, the grains which we eat, that is also earth transformation. And now, by eating grains, this place is transformed. This is also earth. So we are seeing a very nice, beautiful, but it is earth. So it is made by interaction of this heat and water. That is the process going on, nature's creation. So yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

For toothache, we go to the dentist and they extract the teeth, but I have read in Ayurvedic medicine, there is a drug, a root. Only if you touch this side of the mouth, all the germs collected within the teeth will come out. I have seen it.
Lecture on SB 1.10.5 -- Mayapura, June 20, 1973:

So everything in nature has to give something. That is the order. Everything that we see, nadyaḥ, the river... Why God has created the river? It has got a function. Similarly samudrāḥ, the oceans, similarly the hills, mountains, girayaḥ, savanaspati, vegetables. All these vegetables which are growing, each and every vegetable, creeper, has some service, we do not know. Because we do not know the use of these vegetables, creepers, we go to the doctor, physician. Otherwise, if somebody is ill, the medicine is there. We do not know how to utilize it. Still in remote villages, in forest, they do not come to the physician, doctors. The bils, the aborigines, they know so many drugs. For toothache, we go to the dentist and they extract the teeth, but I have read in Ayurvedic medicine, there is a drug, a root. Only if you touch this side of the mouth, all the germs collected within the teeth will come out. I have seen it. Sometimes in the year 1931 or '32 I had a very severe tooth pain. So I was taken by my servant in the jungle to some, this vaidya. They cured me, and the dentist could not. I attended so many times to the dentist. I have got my practical experience. And in the Ayurvedic literature there is mention some drug, the root only if you touch here, the germs collected in the teeth, they will come out in the corner of the teeth some germs—sometimes it is itching; there is all germs—so they will come out. Sometimes pains in the toe. All they are germs. The germ theory is all right, but they want to cure these germs in different way. But by nature's way there are so many drugs and roots and creepers that can cure all the diseases.

The Ayurvedic medicine, they treat patients on this principle, how things are disturbed.
Lecture on SB 1.10.6 -- Mayapura, June 21, 1973:

So how these people, during the time of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, were free from all kinds of anxieties and diseases? Nādhayo vyādhayaḥ kleśāḥ. If you are in anxiety, then that will create a disease. Our this psychological condition, physiological condition, is working in so subtle way-little shocking, little disturbance will create another disturbance. The Ayurvedic medicine, they treat patients on this principle, how things are disturbed. They have got their calculation: kapha, pitta, vāyu. Tri-dhātu. This body is a composition of these three dhātus. Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke (SB 10.84.13). Kuṇape. This is a bag created by the interaction of the three elements, namely, kapha, pitta, vāyu, bile, mucus and air. This is kavirāja treatment. They can understand the position of these three elements by feeling the pulse. This is Ayurvedic science. If one kavirāja can learn to feel the pulse, he can say everything. He can say when this man will die, today or tomorrow or... Accurately he will say. The pulse beating is so scientifically described in Ayurvedic science. As soon as he fixes up the pulse beating, immediately the formulas are there: "Such kind of pulse beating will create such and such symptoms." So you feel the pulse and inquire the patient, "Are you feeling like this?" If he says, "Yes," then it is confirmed. The disease is confirmed. Then the medicine is there. Very simple thing. Now in allopathic treatment, first of all you have to sacrifice one chaṭāka of blood, immediately. As soon as you go to the medical man, in your country, he will take so much blood. First of all you have to give your blood. Then fees. Then you have to purchase nonsense medicine. So here also there are nonsense kavirājas also. So unless one is expert in feeling the pulse, he is not kavirāja. That is the criterion.

In Ayurvedic medicine system there is a medicine which is called mṛta-sañjīvanī.
Lecture on SB 6.3.25-26 -- Gorakhpur, February 18, 1971:

In Ayurvedic medicine system there is a medicine which is called mṛta-sañjīvanī. Mṛta-sañjīvanī. Mṛta means death, and sañjīvanī means giving life. Even a dead man can get life by drinking that medicine. It is a strong tonic. It is still used in Ayurvedic medicine, and some of the biggest manufacturer of Ayurvedic medicine, they prepare, and it has a good sale. So it may not be exactly the same mṛta-sañjīvanī, but it is very well known. So Śrīdhara Svāmī says... Just like one, a person, is suffering from fever, so according to Ayurvedic medicine, tri-kaṭu... Tri means three, and kaṭu means bitter. Tri-kaṭu, just like nim, nim fruits, kālamegha and ciratā. They are prescribed, very bitter to eat. So Śrīdhara Svāmī gives this example: "Without knowing that there is a very nice medicine, mṛta-sañjīvanī, they takes so many troublesome medicines. Similarly, the great stalwart leaders of religious principles, without knowing this Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, they take to so many troublesome, multiritualistic ceremonies."

Arrival Addresses and Talks

This body is made of... According to Vedic medicine or Vedic anatomy, it is made of three elements—mucus, bile, and air.
Arrival Address -- Detroit Airport, July 16, 1971:

So basic principle of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to correct the wrong foundation of the human civilization. In the Bhagavad-gītā this is the beginning of spiritual knowledge. When Arjuna was identifying himself with this body and bodily relationship, Kṛṣṇa first of all corrected that "You are not this body." So if we do not understand these first steps of spiritual knowledge, then where is the question of making further progress? Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ (SB 10.84.13). This is the verdict of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Yasya ātma-buddhiḥ. One who has accepted as self kuṇape tri-dhātuke, this bag of bones and flesh and blood... This body is made of... According to Vedic medicine or Vedic anatomy, it is made of three elements—mucus, bile, and air. Tri-dhātu. Apart from that medical science, this body, one who accepts this body as self and Sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu, and persons in relationship with this body as kinsmen, own men, bhauma ijya-dhīḥ, and the land where we take our birth as worshipable, sa eva go-kharaḥ (SB 10.84.13), he is accepted as go-kharaḥ. Go means cow, and khara means ass. That means animal. The animal, they accept this, that "I am this body." But human form of life, which is so advanced in knowledge...

General Lectures

The medicine for jaundice disease is that sugar, that candy sugar. Modern science also prescribes, and it is prescribed in the Ayur Vedic medicine also. If he takes much quantity of this candy sugar water, then he becomes relieved from jaundice.
Lecture Excerpt -- Bombay, November 10, 1970:

Actually sa aikṣata. In the Vedas also it is said, sa aikṣata, sa (indistinct). So these are Vedic injunction. But this is fact, God created. So we have to open our eyes to see. That is ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam (CC Antya 20.12). That is the process of cleansing your heart. If you cleanse your heart, then you will understand what Bible says, what Veda says. It requires to be purified. Just like a man suffering from jaundice, if you give him a piece of candy sugar, "Just taste it," he will say, "Oh, it is very bitter." But candy sugar is bitter? No. It is very sweet. And the medicine for jaundice disease is that sugar, that candy sugar. Modern science also prescribes, and it is prescribed in the Ayur Vedic medicine also. If he takes much quantity of this candy sugar water, then he becomes relieved from jaundice. And when he is relieved, then he says, "Oh, it is very sweet." The same thing. Same thing. So the modern disease of godless civilization, jaundice, can be cured by this chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Conversations and Morning Walks

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Lavaṇa-bhāskara, it is? No. Yes. Yesterday night what did I take?
Room Conversation -- October 4, 1975, Mauritius:

Harikeśa: Every breakfast you should preach. Then your appetite will be very good.

Prabhupāda: No, appetite or no appetite, I preach. (laughter) I do not preach for increasing appetite.

Devotee 2: Do you want this?

Prabhupāda: Hm? Yes. What is that?

Brahmānanda: This is lavaṇa-bhāskara (āyur-vedic medicine for increasing appetite).

Prabhupāda: Lavaṇa-bhāskara, it is? No. Yes. Yesterday night what did I take?

Harikeśa: At night you're supposed to take tripolin(?), no?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

I say but somebody says that... What is the medicine? I take some āyurvedic medicine.
Morning Walk and Room Conversation -- December 26, 1976, Bombay:

Dr. Patel: You are liberated soul, we are following you. There are many others, sir otherwise we would not have come behind you. So sir, that is not right. And I think I have got a right to prevail upon you. Have I or have I not? Tell me that, or I'll run away back again. (break) ...its not full. Who knows? We may be liberated in past birth. That is how I come.

Prabhupāda: That's fine. That's your process. You are trying to do something for the disease.

Dr. Patel: You see we must know exactly what is happening. After all, science is the same with the āyurvedic or allopathic or any. Science is... I mean, advancement of man's evolution of the man's understanding about things.

Prabhupāda: I say but somebody says that... What is the medicine? I take some āyurvedic medicine.

Dr. Patel: No, you do take. We don't say no. You don't take any medicine, we know exactly where you stand, as the modern science explains us. (break) Well, he may not (indistinct) truth immediately, but that is his aim.

Prabhupāda: Now I am feeling some dizziness.

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Makara-dhvaja is a Ayurvedic medicine. So this kavirāja was preparing makara-dhvaja.
Room Conversation -- October 21, 1977, Vrndavana:

Bharadvāja: Īśāna has taken to vānaprastha. He is living in New Dvārakā, but he's living in a shack, in a very simple room, and living just like in Vṛndāvana. He has given up comforts.

Prabhupāda: Hm. Go on chanting. (break) ...of Rāmānuja-sampradāya, with that big, big...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Tilaka?

Prabhupāda: Hm. He is preparing makara-dhvaja.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What kind of jala?

Prabhupāda: Makara-dhvaja.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Makhara dal?

Prabhupāda: Makara-dhvaja is a Ayurvedic medicine. So this kavirāja was preparing makara-dhvaja.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Is that the one with musk in it?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh, yes, we have that medicine.

Bhavānanda: That we have, Śrīla Prabhupāda. He has prepared it. We have it here.

Prabhupāda: So, why not try it?

I thought it will give strength, but instead of strength, I am passing stool, so whatever strength is there...
Room Conversation -- October 26, 1977, Vrndavana:

Bhavānanda: Bharadvāja Prabhu was just telling me that he's noticed-he's been massaging your legs—that your legs and feet are warmer today than they were yesterday. I have noticed over the past three or four days that your feet have been cold. Extremities, your hands and your feet, have been very cold. Now that's a sign of strength. We feel that the change from the makara-dhvaja is going to be subtle, not so swift in terms of renewed vigor. Even allopathic medicine... You took so much allopathic medicine, and you took that even more than you're willing to take this Ayurvedic medicine. That you took for three days. This you haven't even taken one full day. Of course, we're not placing all of our hopes on the medicine as such. We've been placing all of our prayers at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

Prabhupāda: No, that is the only hope. All hopes fail.

Bhavānanda: But then Kṛṣṇa did direct you within that dream to take this medicine. Just try one more day. If all hope is frustrated, then what is the loss if we take that medicine one more day?

Prabhupāda: That medicine take...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, were you hopeful about this medicine when you first took it?

Prabhupāda: Yes. I thought it will give strength, but instead of strength, I am passing stool, so whatever strength is there...

What can be done?
Room Conversation -- November 3, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Any difficulties?

Prabhupāda: Everything difficult.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: This is a gradual recovery, Śrīla Prabhupāda. We can't expect suddenly that overnight there will be recovery. I feel finally that we've understood a little bit what has been the difficulty. I really think this kavirāja has had a little understanding like that. And I think that this Ayurvedic medicine can effect a gradual change for the better. Let us try. We're trying now. We're patient, and if you'll be patient also, then I think we'll see a good change. Is that all right?

Prabhupāda: What can be done?

Correspondence

1967 Correspondence

There is no question of neglect. All scientific treatment is going on. But I think Ayur Vedic medicine will be proper. Therefore I request you to take immediate steps and reply me.
Letter to Sri Krishna Pandit -- New York 1 June, 1967:

I repeat my symptoms so that you can take necessary care. All of a sudden I developed some throbbing between the heart and stomach about 4 days ago. It was so exhaustive, it was like fainting—then I consulted a doctor who came and gave me medicine but it was of no good effect therefore my students at once transferred me to the hospital where they're spending more or less 400 rupees daily. There is no question of neglect. All scientific treatment is going on. But I think Ayur Vedic medicine will be proper. Therefore I request you to take immediate steps and reply me.

1968 Correspondence

The Ayurvedic medicine which I could recommend is probably not available in London, but if there is any Ayurvedic shop let me know and I shall recommend some medicine.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Seattle 10 October, 1968:

I have sent some drawings to Yamuna devi for the certificates, and I hope she is taking proper care. I understand Malati is having some rheumatic condition, and it is causing pain and numbness. The best thing is to take hot baths, and massage with camphor oil, and if it is too much painful, use Sloan's liniment. Best thing is to consult with some expert physician. The Ayurvedic medicine which I could recommend is probably not available in London, but if there is any Ayurvedic shop let me know and I shall recommend some medicine. The best thing is to chant Hare Krishna loudly.

We have enough Krishna Consciousness matters to discuss so there is no need of wasting time with such topics as Ayurvedic Medicine in Back to Godhead.
Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Los Angeles 23 November, 1968:

Regarding your article in Back To Godhead about Ayurvedic Medicine, I do not think this is very worthwhile endeavor. You have shown nice ability for writing so it will be more appreciated if you continue to study Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita and express the same by your assimilation. We have enough Krishna Consciousness matters to discuss so there is no need of wasting time with such topics as Ayurvedic Medicine.

1969 Correspondence

In the Ayurvedic medicine there are vehicles which are very difficult to obtain in this country. So you should advise them to send medicine and suitable vehicles which can't be obtained in this country.
Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 17 August, 1969:

Regarding mango recipe directions, it may be done as follows: first of all collect the juice, then boil it on fire until it is a thick pulp. And while boiling, add a little salt also. That will act as a preservative; but don't make it salty. Then spread the boiled pulp in thin layers on dishes or suitable pots and dry it in the sunshine. I think it will come out successful. Regarding Sadhana Ausadhalaya, you can write to him c/o Kaviraja Rajani Candra Shastri, 227 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Calcutta-7. Let him know the symptoms of your ailment, and ask him to send some good medicines. But the difficulty will be for the vehicles. In the Ayurvedic medicine there are vehicles which are very difficult to obtain in this country. So you should advise them to send medicine and suitable vehicles which can't be obtained in this country. But if the medicine is only mixed with honey, as they usually do, then there is no difficulty. You can refer my name also to this physician. Then he will be more careful.

1976 Correspondence

Regarding your other suggestions, Ayurvedic medicine is a good idea, provided we can get an expert manufacturer. And agriculture we can also take up—we already have land, many farms. Too much modern machinery is not suitable for our country.
Letter to Dr. Chatterjee -- Vrindaban 6 October, 1976:

Your suggestion is very good—if the verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita are presented in classical art it will be something wonderful—the whole world will appreciate. We already have a dramatic party in New York, and their performances are very much appreciated. Indian classical songs are appreciated here and in foreign countries also. This program of presenting the Bhagavatam in classical song is a good idea.

vedaih sangapada-kramopanisadair ga
yanti yam samagah
(Bhag. 12.13.1)

Regarding your other suggestions, Ayurvedic medicine is a good idea, provided we can get an expert manufacturer. And agriculture we can also take up—we already have land, many farms. Too much modern machinery is not suitable for our country.

Page Title:Ayurvedic medicine
Compiler:Labangalatika, Visnu Murti
Created:28 of Dec, 2008
Totals by Section:BG=1, SB=1, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=6, Con=5, Let=5
No. of Quotes:18