Swadeshi Chikitsa Aapka Swasthya Aapke Hath - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Swadeshi Chikitsa Aapka Swasthya Aapke Hath" by Chanchalmal Choradiya, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Swadeshi Chikitsa Aapka Swasthya Aapke Hath (Indigenous Medicine: Your Health In Your Hands) Author: Dr. Chanchalmal Choradiya Publisher: Swaraj Prakashan Samuh

This book is part of a series on indigenous medicine and emphasizes the idea that health is in one's own hands. It was first published in April 2004.

Core Philosophy and Themes:

The book presents a strong critique of modern (allopathic) medicine and Western development models, advocating for a return to natural, indigenous, and holistic approaches to health and life. Key themes include:

Holistic Health: Health is not just the absence of physical disease but a state of balance and harmony between the body, mind, and soul. True well-being ("Swasthya" - 'swa' meaning self, 'sth' meaning to be situated) involves being rooted in one's own nature.
Self-Reliance and Indigenous Wisdom: The author champions self-reliance in health matters, drawing heavily on traditional Indian wisdom and alternative healing practices. He criticizes the over-reliance on external medical systems and the pharmaceutical industry.
Critique of Modern Medicine: The book argues that modern allopathic medicine focuses on treating symptoms rather than root causes. It highlights the increasing number of doctors, hospitals, and patients as a sign of the system's failure to prevent illness. The author also points to the high cost and potential side effects of modern drugs, some of which are later deemed harmful.
The Importance of Natural Laws and Lifestyle: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to explaining how unnatural lifestyles, unhealthy habits, and the violation of natural laws lead to disease. It emphasizes the importance of proper diet, breathing, exercise, positive thinking, and living in harmony with nature.
Mind-Body Connection: The text strongly emphasizes the profound impact of mental and emotional states (anger, fear, greed, jealousy, stress) on physical health. It explains how these "mental disorders" manifest as physical ailments and advocates for mental purity and control.
Spiritual Basis of Health: True health is seen as intrinsically linked to spiritual well-being. The author suggests that spiritual practices and a pure, disciplined lifestyle are essential for overcoming diseases, both physical and mental.
Critique of Materialism and Consumerism: The book implicitly criticizes the materialistic and consumerist culture that often leads to unhealthy choices and a disregard for natural principles.
Rejection of Violence and Harm: A strong emphasis is placed on non-violence (ahimsa) in all aspects of life, including health practices. The author condemns the use of animals for medical research and drug testing, viewing it as a cause of negative karma that ultimately leads to illness.
The Role of the Soul/Consciousness: The author posits that the soul or consciousness (Atma) is the ultimate source of life and health. Without a pure soul, physical health is incomplete. He introduces concepts from Jain philosophy like karma, soul states (leshya), and the importance of self-awareness and self-control.
The Need for a Paradigm Shift: The book calls for a fundamental shift in how society views health, moving away from a reactive, symptom-based approach to a proactive, preventative, and holistic one.

Key Arguments and Chapters (as indicated by the table of contents and content):

Our Life and Health: Establishes the supreme importance of health for a happy and fulfilling life. It defines health as a balance of body, mind, and soul, which cannot be bought or borrowed. It stresses the need to understand the causes of illness and to adopt preventive measures.
Know Your Body's Characteristics: Highlights the marvels of the human body, comparing its functions to sophisticated machines. It emphasizes the body's innate self-healing and self-regulating capabilities, which are often undermined by ignorance and unhealthy lifestyles.
Causes of Physical Diseases: Explains that diseases arise from imbalances and the accumulation of toxins due to the violation of natural laws and unhealthy practices. It categorizes diseases into "stimulating" (acute, noticeable) and "calm" (chronic, subtle) types, with the latter being more dangerous.
Good Lifestyle Means Good Health: Contrasts the benefits of natural, traditional lifestyles with the detrimental effects of modern, Westernized lifestyles influenced by science and consumerism.
Modern Science and Health: Discusses the achievements of modern science in medicine but also points out its limitations, particularly its inability to address mental and spiritual aspects of health. It critiques the reliance on materialistic explanations and the overemphasis on symptoms.
Theoretical Differences Between Alternative and Allopathic Medicine: Differentiates between modern medicine's focus on symptom relief and alternative medicine's aim to address root causes and promote holistic well-being. It criticizes the governmental policies that favor allopathic medicine.
To Keep Health Good, Be Spiritual: Emphasizes the spiritual foundation of true health, defining "Samayak Darshan" (right perspective) and "Samayak Aacharan" (right conduct) as crucial for well-being. It links mental and emotional purity to physical health.
If There is Energy in the Body, You Will Be Healthy: Explains the concept of vital energy (Prana) and its connection to various "Paryaptis" (life-sustaining energies) like nourishment, body formation, sense organs, respiration, speech, and mind. It details how the misuse or imbalance of this energy leads to disease.
Right Thinking is Necessary for Health: Highlights the critical role of thoughts and mental processes in shaping health. It explains how positive or negative thinking, desires, and resolutions (karma bandhan) influence one's physical and mental state.
Impact of Mental Disorders on Health: Delves deeper into how specific mental states like anger, fear, anxiety, jealousy, and greed directly impact bodily organs and functions, leading to various diseases. It suggests ways to manage these mental states.

Key Takeaways for the Reader:

Empowerment: The book empowers individuals to take control of their own health by understanding their bodies, the causes of disease, and the principles of natural living.
Holistic Approach: It encourages a holistic view of health, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
Preventative Healthcare: It strongly advocates for prevention rather than just cure, emphasizing lifestyle changes as the primary means of maintaining health.
Consciousness and Karma: It introduces philosophical concepts from Jainism, linking health outcomes to one's actions, thoughts, and the karmic cycle.
Critique of Over-reliance: It warns against excessive dependence on external medical systems and advises critical evaluation of treatments, especially regarding their long-term effects and potential harm.
The Power of Nature: It champions the use of natural remedies, a natural lifestyle, and living in harmony with nature's principles for achieving lasting health.

In essence, "Swadeshi Chikitsa Aapka Swasthya Aapke Hath" is a call to revive indigenous health knowledge and practices, urging readers to adopt a more conscious, natural, and spiritually grounded approach to life and well-being. It positions the individual as the primary agent of their own health.