Lord Krishna’s Teachings for Better Health
The sacred Indian text, the Bhagavad Gita, can inspire us in many ways, health is one of them!
Several people tell me how they sometimes feel low energy and wish to get out of that state and feel more energetic.
Being a practising yogi, I’ve realised that health often comes from discipline, moderation, and a sense of looking inward rather than outward.
Low levels of energy arise when we slip into patterns that don’t support optimal living — like irregular sleep hours, excessive food or drink consumption, and too much or too little physical activity.
Energy also gets depleted when we constantly worry about the future, regret past mistakes, or compare our life situation to that of another’s.
My energy and vitality return when I read books of wisdom and positivity... One of them is the eternal guide for better living — the Bhagavad Gita.
This sacred text embodies many simple life lessons that apply to good health, good conduct, personal development as well as leadership and management.
On the battlefield of Kurukshatra, when the warrior Arjuna was in a deep dilemma (also a low energy state) on what to do next, Lord Krishna motivated him into action…
He told him to uphold some basic life tenets in order to fulfil his duties, toward his family and kingdom, with a greater sense of purpose. Because, from purpose comes motivation and consequently higher energy...
Here are some verses from the Bhagavad Gita on health and vitality, and how you could relate them to your every day life.
The living beings are born from food grains, grains are produced by sacrificial work or duty performed by farmers and other field workers... Thus the all-pervading Supreme Being or God is ever present in selfless service. (3.14–15)
Before you put a morsel of food into your mouth, say a small prayer for all the selfless service that has gone into making your meal so wholesome and nutritious. Know that every grain is a labour of love, and hence do not waste any of it or consume more than you need.
When you look at food as something that will nourish vis-à-vis something that has to ‘fill you up’, you will find a whole new respect and love for the process of eating, and become more conscious of what you put into your mouth.
Energy will be a natural by-product of conscious consumption.
Know, O Arjuna, that the mode of ignorance — the deluder of living entity — is born of inertia. The mode of ignorance binds living entity by carelessness, laziness, and excessive sleep. (14.08)
How long can you be in one state of being, and still be aware and conscious of what you do? Always stir yourself a bit, change direction, try something new, and get rid of any temporary feelings of inertia.
You may feel restricted by what you do, or where you live, or the current pandemic which is forcing many to stay at home for long spells, but you can move just where you are…
Jog on the spot, take a yoga mat, put on a YouTube video and exercise… Anything that stirs you back to action!
Do your duty to the best of your ability, O Arjuna, with your mind attached to the Lord, abandoning worry and selfish attachment to the results, and remaining calm in both success and failure. The selfless service is a yogic practice that brings peace and equanimity of mind. (2.48)
These are uncertain times, and many may wonder if their actions are of any use at all. But, without action there is no life, however long or short… Life is made more meaningful, more beautiful and more purposeful, when we keep doing our duty selflessly.
But what is your duty? Anything that makes your heart sing, reflects who you are, adds value to the life of another, adds beauty to the world, and, more importantly, anything that cleans your soul, purifying you in the process.
When you follow your inner voice, success or failure is incidental; all that matters is the resultant state of flow and satisfaction achieved from putting your best foot forward.
This yoga is not possible, O Arjuna, for the one who eats too much, or who does not eat at all; who sleeps too much or too little. (6.16)
The yoga of meditation destroys all sorrow for the one who is moderate in eating, recreation, working, sleeping, and waking. (6.17)
Yoga is a state of union, of feeling connected within, and with the world around you… Also, of feeling just the right energy and awareness needed to respond to life with equanimity. And, this union, or yoga, can only be achieved in a state of balance, of moderation.
Moderation comes when we sleep, eat, exercise, and work in moderation. When we pray, study, celebrate and even contemplate in moderation… Too much of anything is a move from the centre, from the core that holds us together, and makes life more effortless.
Focus on feeling centred, focus on finding balance, and you will enter a state of optimum energy once again.
The foods that promote longevity, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and joy are juicy, smooth, substantial, and nutritious. Persons in the mode of goodness like such foods. (17.08)
Fresh foods that are naturally grown in abundance near you, what we refer to now as ‘local and organic’, are the foods that will nourish you, and give you the necessary energy to feel fit and healthy.
The cooking too should be in moderation, not overdone or undercooked, just right so that it feels ‘juicy and smooth,’ retaining the natural nutritious elements inherent in all foods.
The food we eat plays a substantial role in our energy levels… So, eat right, eat light, and watch your energy soar!
There are two entities in the cosmos: The changeable Temporal Beings, and the unchangeable Eternal Being (Spirit). All created beings are subject to change, but the Spirit does not change. (15.16)
The body is also temporal and changeable… Hence, we need not get consumed by it… When it asks for rest give it rest, when it needs activity give it activity, simply respond to its needs with awareness, love and care.
Simultaneously, pay attention to that unchanging and eternal soul that resides within the body… Meditate, pray, listen to soothing music, read good books, spend time with children and the wise, stay close to nature.
When you find that balance of looking after both soul and body, in equal measure, energy levels will naturally be at their optimum, supporting you in every life activity!
If you’ve missed the other blogs in the Lord Krishna series, here are the links to click on:
- Lord Krishna’s Teachings for Better Decision-Making
- Lord Krishna’s Teachings for Better Control over the Mind
- Lord Krishna’s Teachings for Better Relationships
- Lord Krishna’s Teachings for Better Control Over the Senses
- Lord Krishna’s Teachings to Face Challenges Better
- Lord Krishna’s Teachings to Cope with Grief Better
- Lord Krishna’s Teachings for Greater Peace
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