The word yoga first occurred in Atharva Veda, one of the four divine books called Vedas of ancient India. Atharva Veda is devoted to the science of health and medicines (Ayurveda) as was revealed by the great saints (rishis) of ancient Indian mythology to their disciples who concretised these in book form. The foremost of Indian scientist of health science is Patanjali who codified ancient Indian medicine and thus laid foundation of a branch of science and learning that remains in the process of evolution and development down to this day.
The fundamental philosophy of medicine derived from Ayurveda and Pantanjali shastra is that good health and long life are the outcome of man’s due care for body and the mind. The two are intertwined and perfection in one is subject to perfection of the other. For body, three components viz. vat, pit and kaf are the basic to formation of equanimity and balance. Their non-configuration upsets the balance of elements in the body and hence for any medical practitioner, it becomes inevitable to examine and record the functionality of the defaulting component.
Yoga, part of Ayurveda, literally the science of age, is one of the instruments of creating and maintaining the balance of mind and body. It is a combination of joint control of body and mind. The school book axiom is of sound mind in sound body. In modern medical science we have the well known and well developed branch of psychiatry. Intensive research has shown that a disturbed mind disturbs the balance in the elements of body. The mind is abstract and intangible. But its reaction to what the body touches or feels is more than eloquent.
Apart from various asnas or bodily postures, which certainly have a bearing on blood circulation, respiration, nerve and muscle contraction or expansion, etc. yoga is said to have the potential of bringing equilibrium to mind and when higher level of that equilibrium is attained, there is a status of neutrality. In modern medical terminology it is sort of sedative that unfetters the mind from all encumbrances. If for a while one can help oneself get transformed into that state of neutrality, it means overall relaxation and hence the period of bliss.
Yoga has been practiced in our country since ages. It has gone down as part of Indian culture. Among positive benefits of Yoga are control of body weight, faultless respiratory system, control of anger and emotions, and longevity of healthy life.
In the course of his maiden address to the UN General Assembly in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an exciting suggestion that the august world body recognize June 21 as the Yoga Day. Since it relates to maintenance of normal health and mind for the humanity, the member states of the United Nations received the suggestion well. Parleys at the UN indicated that most of the member states of the UN were in favour and therefore the Indian Mission at the UN formulated the resolution to this effect. The resolution would recognise that wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practising yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population and invite all Member and observer States, organizations of the UN system and other international and regional bodies to observe it in order to raise awareness of the benefits of practising yoga.
It is learnt that 175 countries out of a total of 193 endorsed the draft resolution, which will be put before the session of the UN General Assembly in September 2015. This is certainly a matter of honour for our country. It shows that India wants to play her part as a responsible member of the UN and that she wants to reach entire humanity as far as matters of general interest are concerned. The brighter side of the matter is that in less than three months the suggestion of Prime Minister Modi was taken up by the officials of the UN for consideration. Moreover, this will be the first draft resolution at the General Assembly which is endorsed by a huge majority of 175 member countries. Certainly it enhances the prestige and status of India at this highest world body.
We are proud to take the credit for introducing the idea of subscribing to the health of mankind in a befitting manner in modern times. Great researches are being made all over the world to discover the secrets of physical and mental health of mankind. Nations are open to any new and energizing idea that would contribute to physical welfare of human beings. The world is taking big steps to ensure clean environment and ecological health of the planet. Alongside we also need to improve physical and mental state of human beings because man is not only a physical but also spiritual entity. The yoga essentially helps in balancing body and mind so as to give longevity to a human being and help him maintain long and healthy life.
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