Gandhian Philosophy of Nature Cure

The Father of Indian Naturopathy

In the present century, Mahatma Gandhi is called the first naturopathic doctor of India. The basis of naturopathy is the divine belief or importance element. Mahatma Gandhi believed that by faith a man becomes free from disease, his secret is that the God we worship is self-healthy truth and love and he is a doctor, so taking refuge in the name of Ram can cure all kinds of diseases. Liberation comes. from diseases and sorrows. It doesn't take long. Gandhiji had said that naturopathy is suitable for the people of India and it should be made accessible to the people. Gandhiji wrote several articles on Naturopathy in a weekly magazine 'Navjeevan' and ‘Harijan’ and also wrote many books. and established Naturopathy Clinic at Uruli Kanchan near Poona in 1940. Today it is a very big naturopathy clinic. He was the first doctor of that hospital. Inspired by the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, many lovers of naturopathy started working in the promotion of naturopathy.

Mahatma Gandhi and Naturopathy

To describe the relationship between Gandhiji and Naturopathy and Yoga, it is necessary to mention that his family has been the school that inspired Gandhiji in this direction. As has been said, the first school of the child is the family. That is, in childhood, the child learns only from the members of the family. The child learns by observing the behaviour of the elders. Similarly, Gandhiji received knowledge of restraint, service, frugality, tolerance, fasting, celibacy etc. in his life from his "Mata Putli Bai ji". By following these childhood teachings, not only in the country but also abroad did not let them detract from their lifestyle. Wherever he wanted, he found the book "Return to Nature" by Adolf Just, which changed his whole mind. After this he started treating his body and all his acquaintances also through naturopathy. Gandhi then established a naturopathy clinic and wrote books on lifestyle, fit and naturopathy. Apart from the Pancha Mahabhutas of Naturopathy, he composed a book called "Ram Naam" by taking the sixth element "importance element" as the basis. He believed that for the rural residents of India, there is an affordable, simple and accessible medical method, if any, that is naturopathy. Gandhiji started its promotion by adding the name of Ram to this medical system.

Gandhiji's thoughts regarding Mud Therapy

Gandhiji used mud therapy when he suffered a headache. He said that simple boils and pimples can be treated with mud. He also used mud therapy in the treatment of fever and advocated eating clean soil to relieve constipation. If a venomous animal is stung by a venomous animal, there is instant relief from the poop of the soil. The effect of other medicines on the sting of a scorpion is the same as that of a clay bandage.
Gandhiji thought that soft loamy soils are more suitable for treatment. But garbage, excreta etc. should not be mixed in the soil at all. Where chemical fertilizers have been used, the soil is also unsuitable for treatment. The soil should be dry, deeply drained and human contact with that soil should be smooth.

Gandhiji and the Sky Elements:

Mahatma Gandhi has called the sky element the emperor of health and has also said that just as one has to know the secret of God, in the same way one has to know its secret. The more this great element is used, the more health can be achieved, if we connect with this infinite sky without shelter and clothes, then our body, our intellect and our soul can be completely filled with health. Is. The sky is then all around us, above, below, outside, inside, in every pore. Generally, we see that people eat with gusto and do not leave empty space in the stomach, due to which there is deficiency of sky element. And there is difficulty in digesting food. If this condition persists continuously then the person becomes ill. While we see those overeating leads to a feeling of heaviness in the whole body, there is a reluctance to work. But on the contrary if we eat little less than hunger. So, there is a feeling of lightness and energy in the whole body. And there is a natural interest in work too. For this, if possible, a complete fast should be observed for one day in a week, if this is not possible then at least one meal should be abandoned. Many benefits can also be taken from this, diet has been discussed in this regard in yoga also. In which half the stomach for food, one fourth water and one fourth air should be left empty so that the food can be easily digested. To increase our vitality and to get rid of all kinds of diseases etc., the sky element can be achieved through fasting, good conduct, mental discipline, celibacy, relaxation, happiness, entertainment and good sleep.

Gandhiji's thoughts on hydrotherapy

Gandhiji was of the opinion that hip bath is beneficial in fever, indigestion, constipation etc. The temperature gets settled by the bath. The patient feels refreshed and the body gets energized. Gandhiji himself wrote that he used hip bath on a large scale and 95% of the patients benefited greatly from it. Sitz bath and friction bath are beneficial in reproductive diseases.
Gandhiji thought that Chadar Laap (sheet pack) is very effective in insomnia. Although the patient feels shock when the sheet is wrapped first, but later he gets pleasure from the heat of the sun and is also beneficial in skin diseases. It is also beneficial in smallpox and measles.

Gandhiji's views on sunlight therapy

Sun rays are very beneficial for health. Completely destroys the pathogens of diseases. The ultraviolet range is more in the morning sun rays, which is very beneficial for the body. Tuberculosis is greatly beneficial by bathing in the sun. It is also beneficial in the disease of unknown ulcer.

Gandhiji and Ram Naam:

Ramnama or Mahat Tattva is the basis of naturopathy. Just as the body is of no importance without Prana, similarly the five elements do not exist without the Maha Tattva because the work of executing the five elements is done by the Maha Tattva himself. Life is a real and natural sequence in terms of their usefulness and value for health and pleasure. Without the name of Lord or Rama we do not have any disturbance, we should always remember this important element, Almighty God is the creator of the whole creation, so it is the great element that executes the five elements. Naturopathy is not complete without Ram Naam or Ishwar Naam (as per your religion). The means of natural healing are sky element, air element, fire element, water element and earth element, the power source of all these elements is the name of Ram.
Gandhiji had said that a person who has faith gets freedom from disease. That is his secret. That God Himself is truth, health and love as well as a physician. Therefore, taking shelter of the name of Ram does not take long to cure all kinds of diseases. Through prayer the part of the mind is cleared and the soul becomes pure. Once the soul is purified, one can establish one's relationship with God. Which brings lasting happiness and peace.
The best time to pray is when you wake up in the morning and at night before you go to sleep. In the morning prayer we should pray to God that our work should be done well that day and in the evening prayer we should worship the Lord by dedicating whatever good or bad we have done throughout the day, and whatever is bad. . One should apologize for what has been done and at the same time take a vow that these evil deeds will not happen again, in such a situation one should pray with an open heart, there should be no deceit, lie or any fault in it. This. To increase the sweetness of prayer, it is necessary to do it with a pure heart. Prayer should come from the heart, not from our mouth. Even the most difficult diseases are cured by prayer. When a patient or his guardian prays for recovery, the microscopic molecules of the prayer transform the cells of the patient's body and restore him to health.
Gandhi considered both Rama and the Panchamahabhutas derived from him to mean pure naturopathy while all other naturopathic practitioners accept only the five Mahabhutas. Gandhiji used to say time and again that the name of Ram is the perfect medicine for the sick. It is the focal point of naturopathy. The patient gets health by chanting the name of Ram.

Childhood and Natural Life of Mahatma Gandhi:

The Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar or Sudamapuri. Mahatma Gandhi's childhood name was Mohan Das, his father's name was Karamchand Gandhi and mother's name was Putli Bai. His father was a family lover, truthful, generous but also angry. He was a pure priest of justice. Gandhi's mother was a sage woman, she was a devotee, never ate food without chanting, she used to start the most difficult fasts and complete them without any problem. Despite being unwell, he did not give up his fast, which is also a testament to his steadfast commitment and devotion to God. She was a tactful lady. His mother Putli Bai had a deep influence on Gandhi's personality. The indelible impression of mother's boundless love, limitless, ascetic life and unwavering will power was contained in Gandhi's personality. 

Gandhi assimilated a part of his mother's affection and with age its flow increased so rapidly that it eventually broke the boundaries of family and community and pervaded the whole of humanity. It is well known that every child has the qualities to become great. He should get proper guidance, environment and remove the negative mental tendencies like fear, anger, profit, patriotism, violence, deceit etc. virtues like nature, love, truthfulness, tolerance, gentleness, generosity, love, self-restraint, forgiveness, discretion, service. The communication of human values, sacrifice etc. should be established in his subconscious in childhood itself, if the observance of these human values ​​becomes a part of his nature, then that child can grow up and mold into an ideal and exemplary personality. Which is not only for himself but also for his family. It can also prove to be very valuable and useful for the society, country and mankind. In Ramnaam, Mahatma Gandhi not only received the lessons of devotion, austerity, modesty and service of the patient from his mother, by which he himself used to wash the wounds of the leprosy patient in his ashram.
However, due to family and social problems, Mohan Das had to go abroad unwillingly and yet he had promised his mother that he would not touch meat, alcohol and women. Gandhi's resolve not to eat meat was also often painful for Gandhi, with his friends fearing that excessive abstinence from food could damage his health. To counter these critics and to prove that vegetarians can adapt themselves to new environments. He decided to adopt the flair of the English culture. 

Mahatma Gandhi adopted the full English method for a short time, he did not care about the money and did not care about the time when he got the suits made by English tailors in London's finest and fashion. Ordered to put gold chains on the clock and also took formal education in art, dance and music from experts. Mahatma Gandhi was also a good introspector as a result of divine grace. So, they realized that in these experiments they were making themselves artificial. English dancing and singing were a hindrance to his spontaneity, according to him, tailors, bajaj and dance houses would make him English sirs, but this artificial life would be superficial.

Finally, after three months of wandering in the glare, his instinctively introverted mind re-established in self-nature, unnecessary extravagance took the form of frugality. Now he started living in cheap rooms and used to walk eight to ten miles every day to save on bus fare. In this way, he could manage his entire month's expenses for just two pounds. He began to feel his gratitude and his responsibility towards the family very seriously, now he is very happy that he will no longer have to ask for more money from the house for expenses. Being a pure vegetarian, which was a problem for them in the beginning, has now become an important quality. He caught hold of the book "Play for Vegetarianism" by Henry S. Saver and its arguments struck him. However, till now it was a matter of feeling for them to take comfort food. Because he promised mother that he would not take meat and wine, however, after reading this book, it is filled with logical faith and belief. Vegetarianism, which was an inconvenient vow adopted in honour of the mother, now inculcated physical and mental discipline in her life and also became the basis for her change of life in future. 

Now with renewed vigoro he began diligently reading every literature available on dietetics and finally came to the conclusion that the centre of taste is not the taste but the mind itself. His taste control was the first step towards self-discipline, which reached its climax many years later in the form of complete sense control. However, before going to London, Gandhi had respectfully taken the vow of his wife in front of his mother. But later, after introspection, he found himself obsessed with the subject's lust. Maintaining restraint was also a difficult task, but with regard to service, intense thoughts of self-restraint began to arise in his mind and he learned that in order to be absorbed in public service, one should follow dharma by sacrificing putraishna and finance. Why Vanaprastha? It must be so, so he deeply realized the importance of fasting, now he realized that he was not firm, due to which his mind was surrounded by many waves and disorders. He saw that a person falls in love because of not observing the fast. Observing a fast is tantamount to abstaining from adultery and keeping the wife's fast. In the words of Gandhiji, "I believe in striving, I do not wish to be bound by fasting." This word signifies weakness and in it the desire for enjoyment is hidden in a subtle form. How can there be any harm in completely discarding the discarded thing? The snake that is about to bite me, I leave with confidence, I do not try to leave it. I know that to depend only on effort is death. 

Gandhiji suggested three types of diet – non-vegetarian, vegetarian and mixed diet.

According to him innumerable people are Mishri (people who follow mix diet). He did not even count milk in vegetarianism. Taking milk and meat in his view is a defect because we destroy animals and birds for meat and we have no right to drink milk other than mother's milk, but still, as long as there is a doctor or a doctor. Properties like milk. Vegetation is not available to anyone, as long as man continues to eat milk or non-vegetarian food.

By sustenance they mean those substances which form nerves, give heat, increase fat, give alkali and excrete. Milk, cereals, wheat, millet, green vegetables and fruits are required for these functions. He put starch-based vegetables like potatoes, zucchini, sweet potatoes, potatoes in the category of cereals. He put bananas, milk and vegetables in the category of complete food. Lubricating oil is obtained according to the need of man. Sesame coconut and groundnut oil are considered good among oils. Gandhiji has also accepted this.

Along with getting enough sweetness from sweet fruits, Gandhiji also told that jaggery and compost are necessary in the food.

With the aim of orienting the lifeless, weak-minded people towards the attainment of life force, Gandhiji also gave the following instructions in his literature called progeny regulation-

The concept of Yama, self-control, non-violence, non-violence, asteya, contentment, celibacy, self-study, aparigraha, God, life etc.,

ways to remove impurities

• Fasting
• Natural Breathing
• Deep Breathing
• Yoga Asanas
• Naturally Resilient Living
• Least repression (listening to the body) etc.
• Brahmacharya i.e., Jeevan Sukta for conduct like God:

1. Live every moment: Freedom from sex and become established in every moment.

2. Creativity: Don't take life too seriously because seriousness is the basis of illness. An arrogant person is serious and the more serious he is, the more burdensome he is.

• More burdensome is the mother of more sex.

• If life becomes a game, then man can practice self-restraint.

• In Gurukul we had made children's life a game for 25 years.

• Make sure you take the time not to be too serious with yourself.

• Playing and going out with the kids.

• Sex is the search for death, celibacy is the search for nectar.

Rules of observance of celibacy:

1. The upbringing of children should be done in a natural way so that they remain pure throughout their life.

2. Everyone should give up spices, chillies and hot food.

3. Avoid taking sweet, sugary oily food, which is heavy in digestion.

4. Husband and wife should avoid solitude and both body and mind should be continuously engaged in good works.

5. Keep the rule of sleeping early at night and getting up early in the morning.

6. Do not read pornography or pornography of any kind.

7. Take bath with cold water in case of dream defect.

8. Instead of considering restraint as difficult, husband and wife should consider restraint as a natural process of life.

9. Do not watch dramas, movies or scenes that provoke psychosis.

10. Wake up early every morning and pray to GOD for purity and holiness, by this we will become more and more pure and holy every day.

Gandhi's claim:

Self-restraint is certain if you act with thought and discretion.

The nerves are compressed by water and soil.

The speed of nerves is calmed by simple and especially fruit-vegetarian food. Due to this the nerves become strong and strong. Self-restraint is also beneficial through Pranayama.