Gokarna, Aug. 29: Body is like a vehicle that needs both energy and a control system to function, and the mind and ojas provide these essential forces, said Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji, Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
Addressing a religious gathering at Ashoke, the original Math premises in Gokarna, on Saturday as part of the ‘Annam Brahma’ discourse series during the ongoing Annabrahma Chaturmasya, the seer spoke about the importance of food in sustaining the body and mind.
He said the mind acts as the controlling force of the body and, according to the traditional understanding, is formed from the subtle essence of food. Ojas, described as the vital nourishing strength of the body, is also sustained by food. Thus, both the body's controlling and sustaining forces are closely linked to food, he said.
Fasting and spiritual practice
Raghaveshwara Bharati said fasting is traditionally considered to reduce the body's tissues, but fasting undertaken as part of spiritual practice need not harm the body because ojas is believed to increase through such spiritual discipline.
He said ojas, located in the region of the heart according to the traditional Ayurvedic understanding, is considered important for the preservation and vitality of life.
He cautioned against habits such as alcohol consumption, improper food and excessive exercise, saying these can deplete ojas. He also highlighted foods such as pure cow ghee, cow's milk, traditional rice varieties that mature in about 60 days, non-hybrid wheat and green gram as foods traditionally associated with maintaining ojas.
Concern over traditional food crops
The seer also expressed concern over what he described as the destruction of traditional food systems in the name of modern development and breeding.
“While cattle populations are declining, traditional rice varieties and food crops are being lost in the name of breed development,” he said, expressing concern that systems essential for sustaining life are being neglected.
Warning against excessive exercise
In a separate observation, Raghaveshwara Bharati spoke about the growing ‘gym culture’ and the tendency among some people to engage in excessive exercise.
He said Ayurveda had long cautioned against overexertion. According to him, exercising beyond one's capacity can deplete ojas and adversely affect life.
“Today, we see instances of people engaging in excessive physical exertion without following a gradual exercise routine and suffering serious health consequences,” he said, linking the traditional Ayurvedic caution against excessive exercise with contemporary concerns about overexertion.
The programme was attended by Avinash Bhat, Officer on Special Duty to the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture; Prasanna Kerekai of the Spices Board; and Ganesh Bhat, Rotary Governor of Dharwad district, among others.
Families of Moodambikana Subrahmanya Bhat, representing the Bayaru, Kepu, Kanyana, Mudipu, Kundapura and Kolyuru units of the Mangaluru Havyaka Mandal, offered Gurubhiksha Seva on the occasion. Members of Sri Matha and devotees were also present.
Keywords
Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Raghaveshwara Sri Gokarna, Ojas and Ayurveda, excessive exercise,traditional food crops, Sri Ramachandrapura Math, Citizen News Puttur