Need for Effective Legislation on Health/Immunity~ Putthige Swamiji

August 3, 2020

In these times of corona pandemic gripping the entire world and ruining economies and affecting the health of lakhs of people including us, we have realized the validity of solutions offered by Bhagavadgeeta and our Shastras and have experienced their benefits, much to our own amazement. For us, the coronavirus effect began with a persistent cough. When we noticed a cough beginning at 4:00 a.m. every day, we consulted a doctor. The doctor said, “Since you are going to bed late this is happening”. So we decided to go to bed at 9:00 p.m. itself. The intensity of the cough reduced, much to our surprise. When we began to study this issue, we realized that there is a link between our sleep pattern and immunity power.

Till then, we had been interacting with devotees till around 11:00 p.m… We had not been paying adequate attention to proper food and sleep. We then got admitted to Manipal Hospital and began to get to bed early and wake up early. Sleeping from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. increased our immunity power. When we began to think of this on the lines of shastras, Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavadgeeta “Yuktaahaaravihaarasya”, “Yuktaswapnaavabodhasya” which implies that for immunity of the body, timely food and rest are important which also makes the mind strong. This can be
experienced by any person.

With this experience we realized the validity of the ancient practice of people having dinner before sunset and going to bed by 8:00 p.m. and getting up by 4:00 a.m. and scientific validity of this practice. We had taken sannyasa at the age of 12 and we are now 59 years old. In all these 47 years we had been eating sattvic food. But we had not paid any attention to food and sleep timings. Hence, our immunity power had weakened considerably and made us get affected by a coronavirus. We also realized that despite having medicines and injections the virus cannot be eliminated fully without having immunity. Apart from coronavirus, other ailments may also crop up in the future.

There are rumors that China, after having floated the virus, is goading Pakistan into creating a deadlier virus in three years’ time. In this background, the citizens of India, particularly soldiers, need to enhance their body strength with the help of proper healthcare systems encompassing yoga, pranayama, and Ayurveda. Government agencies should revise health guidelines and declare that people should dine before sunset and take rest between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. In this period TV programs and other entertainment programs should be banned.

Night travel should also be banned. Such tough measures will build a stronger India and be a role model for other countries. The Modi government, which is keen to build a strong India, should legislate these measures. Though they may sound simple, these measures will yield great results.

Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji
Sri Puthige Matha Udupi
Karnataka