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WORLD January 7, 1999 VNN2804 See Related VNN Stories Faith And Healing In Ayurveda BY MURARI CHAITANYA DASA HEALTH, Jan 7 (VNN) — Dhanvantari Academy of Shuddha Ayurveda ayurvedena bhakta-sevanamkuru ayurvedena krsna-tattvam abhaktebhyo pracaranam kuru Ayurveda (from the Sanskrit ayus = life and veda = wisdom) is the Vedic Science of Life. The purpose of Shuddha Ayurveda is to facilitate and promote the rendering of unalloyed, uninterrupted devotional service to the Lord and His devotees. Revealed at the dawn of creation by Bhagavan Sri Krsna to Lord Brahma, this perfect medical science figures prominently in both the Rk and Atharva Vedas, and is said to have been first codified in the Brahma Samhita. Ayurveda has come down through disciplic succession, first among the devas, and then revealed to the jivas of the material world by Bhagavan Sri Dhanvantari, a lila-avatara of Lord Krsna. dhanvantarir dirghatamasa ayur-veda-pravartakah yajna-bhug vasudevamshah smrita-matrarti-nashanah "Dhanvantari was the inaugurator of the medical science and an incarnation of Lord VŠsudeva, the enjoyer of the results of sacrifices. One who remembers the name of Dhanvantari can be released from all disease." Bhagavan Dhanvantari, revealer of Ayurveda, holds chakram, shankam, aushadam (healing herb) and kalasham (of amrta). He is Master of death, fear, anger and hankering after immortality. With His paraphernalia, He subdues the consciousness that flows toward dharma for fear of death, through artha which attempts to purchase time and kama which blunts its devastating passing, to moksa that perversely seeks permanence in non-being. He Himself is the shelter that grants the fifth and ultimate aim, prema. If we are to maintain or recover our health, Bhagavan's will cannot be checked by any jiva's doing. Regardless of what medical option we exercise, He is the only physician (vaidyoh narayana harih). In all cases, it is He alone Who heals and removes suffering. dhanvantarish ca bhagavan svayam eva kirtir namna nrinam puru-rujam ruja ashu hanti "The Lord in His incarnation of Dhanvantari very quickly cures the diseases of the ever-diseased living entities simply by his fame personifiedÉ" There may indeed be diverse approaches that can have positive outcomes, since Bhagavan is the only physician, and His will cannot be thwarted in any case. But one cannot follow them all --or even parts of some-- at the same time. It is like crossing a river. So many boats may be there that can take one safely to the other bank, but one can neither travel with one foot in one boat and the other in another, nor can one jump from boat to boat in midstream and expect to make it safely across. This jumping around, this lust for change and lack of stability is our fundamental disease. How can it be corrected by more of the same? To follow one program does not mean to implement an eclectic mix of different and antagonistic systems. It means establishing one personal relationship with one physician, developing trust, following his advice, and eschewing all other opinions. Doubt feeds fear, and consulting many different sources is bound to instill doubt. It is our original disease, bhava roga, that we assume we can pick and choose what seems convenient at the time, abandoning our eternal constitutional position as servants of Bhagavan Sri Krsna. Similarly, deha roga, physical disease, has at its root prajna-aparadha (offense against wisdom). It is not wise to indulge in picking and choosing. When there is a fire, it is not in our best interest to endlessly research if this bucket or that bucket is best to throw water on it. Decision means what physician, not what treatment. Vaisnavas are personalists, not mayavadis. The grace of Bhagavan flows from higher nature, not inferior nature, through the medium of marginal energy. A patient's faith needs a focus. Who is most transparent for Bhagavan Dhanvantari's mercy to flow through? Who will place fewer obstacles to His healing grace? Who will facilitate and encourage the patient's faith and surrender to His will? When we attempt to assist the patient through Suddha Ayurveda, we must do so not for material gain, but for Bhagavan's pleasure, in full surrender to His will. Extraordinary endeavors to maintain health are considered bhukti, because they betray lack of faith in the Lord. Full re-establishment of health through Ayurveda is possible, but the decision to follow strictly the vaidya's instructions must come first. Just as Krsna says in Bhagavad Gita, one must approach submissively, surrender and inquire. Sraddha and sankalpa (faith and firm determination) are required to regain health, but faith in Him and determination to follow His instruction. We can and will err, but He is infallible, and if we surrender as physicians, He will rectify our errors and mitigate our shortcomings. Similarly, the patient must have unalloyed faith in the physician as a servant and representative of Bhagavan. Our confidence in Ayurveda should be rooted in the understanding that we are inherently flawed, and our advice is fallible, but guru, sadhu and sastra are perfect in all regards. Minimal ministrations can "cure" grave conditions, and the best "care" can fail. This is not to say that anything and everything we might do is authorized. Bhagavan Himself has given instruction on what is licit and appropriate to do, and we should follow with strong determination. That is why the Dhanvantari Academy of Shuddha Ayurveda strives to train qualified Vaisnava vaidyas, who can present these conclusions authoritatively. Personally, we have no spiritual qualifications, but future Vaisnava vaidyas will be able to become transparent via media for Bhagavan's mercy. May Srila Murari Gupta Thakura, Lord Chaitanya's eternal associate and model physician, illumine our intelligence to properly attend both the physical and spiritual diseases of the living entities! About the Author | Other VNN Stories by this Author See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9901/WD07-2804.html
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