This is an article published by Vaidyaraj Harinath Jha of Anand, Gujarat, in Sahaj Anand Volume I 2018 issue.
Health according to Ayurveda is a complete state of balance – balance between organs, cells or tissues of the body, balance between the body and the soul or balance between the human being and the Supreme Being.
Healthy state of body is when the humors (doshas) of the human body are balance along with an ideal state of Agni (digestive fire), stable tissues (dhatus) in a perfect condition and quantity, proper excretion of body wastes through sweat, stools or urine, and when the atma (soul), indriya (senses) and manah (mind) are in a condition of bliss and proper functioning.
Now, this perfect health can only be gained through ‘spirituality’. Spirituality here doesn’t refer to any belief or following any religion but it means to connect oneself with his own soul, understand the material world and do our own righteous karma. And if you are not spiritually healthy you cannot attain perfect health as even the WHO in its definition of perfect health has added ‘spirituality’ as an important component. If you are not spiritually well, then your mind is unable to remain stable. This instability of mind leads to many mental and physical disorders as today almost 85% of the diseases are psychosomatic disorders (i.e. which occurs due to the involvement of both physical and mental dysfunction. And once you correct the mental or the spiritual component, the physical disorder is sure to be resolved. Spirituality thus is an important factor to be considered before treating a patient. It has been clearly noticed that when a person is mentally well-oriented, he responds to medicines and treatments quickly and more effectively. Spirituality plays a very important role in keeping a person healthy. Being spiritually correct, it automatically keeps you away from things which can easily make you ill. It also helps you avoid unnecessary stress and tension. Being spiritually well oriented, keeps your desires, greed, necessities under tremendous control which not only keeps you away from sinful acts but also keeps you in a condition of perfect health.
Ayurveda has a concept of ‘Hita-Ahita’ (beneficial – unbeneficial) and ‘Sukha – Dukha’ (pleasing – unpleasing). Ayurveda believes that one must follow Hitakar lifestyle (that which is beneficial) and not sukhakari lifestyle (pleasing lifestyle which later harms us). For example for a patient suffering from Diabetes taking excessive sweets may be pleasing (sukhadayi) but may not be beneficial (Hitakari) for his/her health while taking neem juice may not be pleasing but would surely be beneficial. Thus one must have control over his/her senses, desires and necessities to remain health. And this is only possible through spirituality.