Jain Shraman Ki Rog Prati Rakshatmak Swavlambi Jivan Shaili

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Shraman ki Rog Prati Rakshatmak Swavlambi Jivan Shaili" by Dr. Chanchalmal Choradiya, based on the provided pages:

Overall Theme:

The article, "Jain Shraman ki Rog Prati Rakshatmak Swavlambi Jivan Shaili" (The Disease-Preventative Self-Reliant Lifestyle of Jain Ascetics), by Dr. Chanchalmal Choradiya, emphasizes the importance of maintaining good health for spiritual practice within Jainism. It advocates for a self-reliant, preventative approach to health, drawing upon the principles of Jain asceticism while offering practical self-care techniques for ascetics (Shramans/Shramanis) and also for lay followers (Shravaks/Shravikas). The core message is that through conscious living and the adoption of natural, non-violent methods, individuals can significantly reduce their susceptibility to disease and even manage existing ailments without excessive reliance on external treatments or causing harm.

Key Arguments and Concepts:

• Spiritual Practice and Health: The primary goal of an ascetic is self-purification and spiritual advancement, not the mere pampering of the body. However, a healthy body is essential for this journey as the soul cannot progress towards liberation without it. Therefore, ascetics must take care of their bodies as long as they aid spiritual progress.
• Causes of Disease: Most physical ailments stem from the misuse or underutilization of the body's vital energies (10 pranas) and faculties (paryaptis), or from neglecting nature's fundamental health principles.
• The Ascetic's Lifestyle: The Jain ascetic's life is characterized by restraint, regularity, self-reliance, and non-violence. They avoid harmful activities through control of mind, speech, and body, and fulfill their minimal needs from householders without causing them undue burden or committing sins. They strive to live in accordance with natural principles and with compassion for all beings.
• Self-Reliance in Health: True ascetics aim to avoid accumulating faults in their practices, especially when seeking treatment, and do not wish to be dependent on others for care. This self-reliant approach often leads to a life with fewer illnesses. However, even with strict discipline, factors like past karma, environmental pollution, accidents, or weakened immunity can lead to illness.
• Definition of Health: Health is defined as a state free from disorders, not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually. True well-being is a harmony of body, mind, and soul working in balance.
• Self-Reliant Suggestions for Disease Prevention: The article proposes that solutions to problems, including diseases, are often found within or around the body. A mindful and conscious use of the body is the foundation of a healthy, faultless, and self-reliant life. Ascetics should be aware of basic principles to minimize the risk of illness.

Practical Self-Care Techniques (Detailed Summary):

The article then elaborates on numerous practical techniques that ascetics and lay followers can adopt for health and disease prevention:

1. Dietary Habits:

   • Mindful Eating: Eat food suitable for your health. Focus on chewing food thoroughly to aid digestion.
   • Water After Meals: Avoid drinking water immediately after meals, especially dinner, as it weakens digestive fire (jathragni) and dilutes digestive juices, leading to undigested food and illness.
   • Meal Intervals: Maintain an eight-hour gap between meals, especially for ascetics with less physical exertion, to allow for complete digestion.
   • Meal Posture: Eating in a comfortable posture and utilizing the sun-breath (surya swar) aids digestion. Sitting in vajrasana after meals also helps.
   • Fasting: Regular fasting (upavasa) is beneficial for the body to eliminate toxins. The principle "One meal a day is yogic, two meals a day is hedonistic, three meals a day is for the sick" is highlighted.

2. Other Important Practices:

   • Ear Protection: Protect ears from sudden temperature changes to prevent colds, especially when moving between warm and cold environments. Using cotton in the ears can be helpful.
   • Nasal Breathing Exercise: Pressing nostrils with thumbs, puffing cheeks, and exhaling through the mouth can clear foreign particles from the throat, nose, and ears, preventing respiratory and related ailments.
   • Throat Clearing: Making pigeon-like sounds from the throat cleanses it, aiding the respiratory system and relieving coughs and hoarseness.
   • Neck and Throat Exercises: Moving the neck and throat gently, accompanied by chanting "Namo" or silent laughter, can relieve stiffness and activate thyroid and parathyroid glands.
   • Massage: Massaging affected body parts clockwise can increase their activity. Massaging counter-clockwise can provide immediate relief from pain, itching, or burning. Examples include massaging the pancreas for diabetes and the abdomen for constipation or diarrhea.
   • Devotional Practices as Exercise: Vandana (salutations) and pratikraman (repentance rituals) performed with mindful intention serve as regular exercise and relieve fatigue.
   • Posture: Maintaining a straight spine while sitting in vajrasana, padmasana, or sukhasana promotes balance and prevents reproductive health issues. Sitting in godugasana activates the nervous system and prevents leg, knee, and back problems.
   • Pranayama (Breathing Exercises): Controlling and regulating breath is vital for life force (prana). Pranayama purifies internal organs, energizes the body, and balances life energy.
   • Sun Gazing: Observing the sunrise provides exposure to beneficial ultraviolet rays, which are a source of Vitamin D, enhance red and white blood cells, boost immunity, and are helpful for various diseases like tuberculosis, diabetes, and menstrual issues. It also balances acid-alkaline levels and strengthens bones.
   • Meditation: Meditation is a powerful tool for a healthy mind and body, purifying the aura and removing negative energies. It requires stillness, a quiet environment, and patience.
   • Purification of Self-Vices: Cultivating positive thoughts, being free from prejudice, rejoicing in others' virtues, and detachment from material desires are crucial. Regular study, meditation, silence, and kayotsarga (body-stillness meditation) are recommended. Reflecting on one's actions through the lens of anekanta (non-one-sidedness) and sincere repentance for faults in vows fosters simplicity, contentment, humility, tolerance, and detachment, leading to better mental and physical health.
   • The Benefits of Smiling: Smiling for 15-20 minutes daily reduces mental stress, impatience, fear, and anxiety, promoting positive thinking and activating endocrine glands. It can provide immediate relief even from severe conditions.
   • Correct Breath Control (Swara Yoga): Understanding and utilizing the left (chandra swara) and right (surya swara) nostril breaths can help manage heat-related issues (with Chandra Swara) and cold-related issues (with Surya Swara). In emergencies, switching to the opposite breath can offer relief.
   • Namaskara Mudra in Godugasana: Performing namaskara mudra in godugasana with deep chanting of "Om" or mantra syllables balances the body and prevents nerve-related ailments.
   • Limb Exercises: Moving and stretching all body parts daily keeps muscles active, improves blood circulation, and energizes the body.
   • Uddiyana Bandha: This abdominal lock can help activate digestive organs and improve circulation in the stomach area.
   • Mula Bandha: This root lock benefits the intestines and excretory organs.
   • Spinal Exercises: Spinal flexibility exercises, similar to those naturally used by animals, can awaken dormant energies and strengthen the nervous system, reducing the incidence of nerve-related diseases. They also help with issues like constipation, fatigue, and obesity.
   • Ushapana (Drinking Water in the Morning): Drinking a full stomach of water on an empty stomach in the morning cleanses the stomach and intestines, aiding digestion and preventing various ailments like hemorrhoids, fever, constipation, and kidney/liver problems. It also improves eyesight and mental clarity.
   • Shivaambu (Urine Therapy): The author promotes the use of one's own urine (Shivaambu) as a natural medicine for various ailments, including eye, ear, nose, skin, and internal cleansing. It boosts immunity, cleanses blood and intestines, and can be used externally or internally. It is suggested to consume Shivaambu before Ushapana in the morning for better bowel movement and after meals for improved digestion. It can also be used for dental health and as an antidote.
   • Silent Laughter Therapy: Laughing vigorously increases oxygen circulation, strengthens muscles, and improves lung and heart function, reducing the risk of respiratory and cardiac diseases.
   • Focused Healing: Applying pressure or massaging a painful or weak body part, or simply touching it with intent, can increase consciousness and activity in that area, leading to improvements.
   • Fenugreek Touch Therapy: For ascetics who cannot consume fenugreek, touching it can still offer benefits by stimulating cells that combat vata and kapha, thus boosting immunity.
   • Oil Pulling (Tail Gandush): Swishing a spoonful of oil (like sunflower oil) in the mouth for 15-20 minutes purifies the blood and helps resolve blood-related disorders, high/low blood pressure, heart issues, kidney problems, and skin diseases. It also strengthens bones and teeth.
   • Body Balance: Maintaining proper posture and ensuring equal weight distribution on both sides of the body is crucial for preventing nerve-related issues.
   • Navel Alignment: The position of the navel significantly impacts weight, digestion, and overall health. Maintaining its correct alignment is essential.

Conclusion:

Dr. Choradiya concludes by emphasizing that while it is difficult to cover the entire science of health in one article, the provided suggestions, based on his experience, can help ascetics and lay followers prevent many diseases. By consciously adopting these practices, individuals can live healthy, faultless, and self-reliant lives without the need for extensive medication or incurring spiritual blemishes. He likens neglecting health to a small mistake having major future consequences and encourages further reading on health-related topics.

The article strongly advocates for a proactive, natural, and self-directed approach to health, aligning perfectly with the core Jain principles of non-violence, self-control, and self-reliance.