Section 8

“Eat in moderation and live long. This is the advice handed down through the ages by the seers of the past. This advice is seldom heeded. People fill themselves with such large quantities of food then they find it hard to rise from the eating plate. Ruining their digestive system by consuming heavy, rich foods, the affluent are proud when they host costly banquets. Those who know that physical health is the greatest treasure, take great care to eat only Sathwic food.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol XI

 “Man is functioning by the combination of three forces: Radiation, Vibration and Materiality. It is called Prakrithi. Praana Shakthi makes it vibrate. The Prajna Shakthi directs this vibration, which is consciousness (awareness). Thus man’s life is a combination of consciousness, vital force and matter. Without realizing this fact, man is always keen on looking after the body alone, with the wrong conception that the body is all-powerful. All of you know that America (USA) is considered to be a land of plenty where there is no dearth of food. So the people eat well and enjoy material pleasures. They consume excessive food and lead a life of luxury. But we find that there are more deaths owing to heart diseases in that country than in other countries. 

Sweden is a very affluent country in Europe and the government is also providing all possible comforts and looks after the people well. In spite of such prosperity, there are more suicide cases in this country than anywhere else and the number of divorce cases is plenty. What is the cause for this? It is not lack of any physical or material facilities but lack of spiritual outlook that is responsible for such a situation. It is because they identify themselves with the body, which is perishable and impermanent, and are ignorant about the Real Inner Self that is the permanent and eternal entity. They lead an artificial life.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol XXVI

“What is the cause of heart ailments? Many doctors say that they are due to smoking, consumption of fatty foods, overeating, and other habits. The relationship between food and habits should be properly understood. We should see that proper balance is maintained between the physical body and inner feelings (Spirit). Modern man is continuously in a hurry. Hurrying causes worry which affects physical health. The main cause of heart troubles may be said to be hurry, worry, and curry [fatty foods]”.

... Sathya Sai Baba, Integral approach to human ailments

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-04.pdf

“Eat only fresh food. Do not eat stale food that has been prepared on the previous day. Oil is necessary for preparing food. Doctors say that excess oil in the food will give rise to cholesterol. However, cholesterol is also required in the body to some extent. Therefore, do not eat food that is totally devoid of oil. Eat balanced food.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “Supreme Bliss Comes From Absolute Wisdom”

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960901.pdf

“Wherever there is dirt and unclean atmosphere, there will be bad and filthy bacteria, while in a clean place where the atmosphere is good and clean, there will be clean bacteria. When we touch an unclean body, there is a possibility of disease-causing germs flowing into us. Further, that unclean and unsacred body may communicate a part of the uncleanness to us. One body and another are like magnets in this case. This is the reason why individuals who take the path of sadhana, should keep away from unclean surroundings and objects. It is in this context that our ancients have advised that we should go and touch the feet of sacred and elderly people so that the sacredness that is contained in their body is transmitted to us. Similarly, if you touch an unsacred body, the impurity or sacredness can also enter into you.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, Good Health is Man’s Greatest Wealth, Summer Showers June 1978

http://www.sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1978/ss1978-28.pdf

“The type of food you consume decides the degree of concentration you can command; its quality and quantity decide how much your self-control is lessened or heightened. Polluted air and water are full of maleficent viruses and germs and have to be avoided at all costs. There are four pollutions against which man has to be vigilant – of the body (removable by water); of the mind (removable by truthfulness), of reason (removable by correct knowledge) and of the self (removable by yearning for God). “Vaidyo Narayano Harih”, the Shruthis declare. God is the Doctor. Seek Him, rely on Him, you will be free from Disease.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, “Food and health” Discourse, 21 September 1979

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-31.pdf

“Everybody needs vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Vitamins and proteins are available in sattvic food. Proteins are in milk, buttermilk, and whole wheat; vegetables contain lot of vitamins. Both Indians and foreigners, due to their habits, take to non-vegetarian foods and also to drinking alcohol, thereby damaging their lives. Health is essential to all human beings. When one is healthy, one can take to spiritual pursuits more easily. All this time we are spoiling our health with our own hands. We should not subscribe to the feeling that people will be happy with only food, shelter, and clothing.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “Sathya Sai Speaks on Food-from Discourses Spanning the First 81 Years of His Life” Discourse 27 August 1994

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-04.pdf

“Excessive intake of food results in obesity and, consequently, heart will be subjected to greater strain to pump blood. Blood travels a distance of 12,000 miles in the body every single day. With increase in obesity, the circulation of blood and, consequently, the functioning of heart will be impaired. Hence, one should exercise control over one’s food habits.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, Discourse 10 September 2002

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-16.pdf

“Doctors agree that illness is caused through faulty food habits and foolish ways of spending leisure. But, they do not seem to know that food is a Word that connotes a wider variety of ‘intakes.’ Every experience that is drawn through any of the senses in ‘food’ has an effect on one’s health. We say “food for thought”; whatever we see or hear or smell or touch has an effect on the body; good or bad. The sight of blood makes some people faint; or, it may be some bad news, that 10 administers a shock. Allergy is produced by unpleasant smells, or when something intrinsically unwelcome is contacted or tasted. A sound mind ensures a sound body; a sound body ensures a sound mind. The two are interdependent. Health is essential for happiness; happiness is a capacity to be happy, whatever may happen is essential for physical health, too.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, “Vehicle care” Divine Discourse, 16 October 1974

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume12/sss12-48.pdf

“Man suffers from two types of ills, physical and mental, the one caused by the disequilibrium of the three tempers of Wind, Bile and Phlegm and the other caused by the disequilibrium of the three Attributes—Pure, Passion and Dull. One peculiar fact about these two types of illnesses is that the cultivation of virtue cures both. Physical health is a prerequisite for mental health and mental health ensures physical health! An attitude of generosity, of fortitude in the presence of sorrow and loss, a spirit of enthusiasm to do good, to be of service to the best one’s capacity— these build up the mind as well as the body. The very joy derived from service reacts to the body and makes you free from disease.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “The Temple» Discourse 9 September 1959

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume01/sss01-23.pdf 

“Keeping the mind fixed on God and good ideas and things also helps health. Keep the eye, ear, tongue, hands and feet under restraint. Don’t read enervating or exciting stuff; don’t attend film shows which exhaust or inflame the mind. Don’t lose faith in yourself, you are the Divine encased in the body. Contentment is the best tonic; why inflict on yourself the disease of greed and consume tonics to get strength, and to hanker further? Use the body as a boat to cross the ocean of life, with devotion and detachment as the two oars.”

“It is wiser to prevent disease than run after remedies after it has happened or grown beyond control. Man does not attend to precautionary measures; he allows things to worsen and then the disease is aggravated by fear, uncertainty and anxiety. There is an axiom believed in by men of old, which says: ‘One meal a day makes a Yogi, two meals a day make a Bhogi and three meals a day make a Rogi. Yogi is the content God-centred man. Bhogi is the man revelling in sensual pleasure. Rogi is a man ridden by illness. Yes. The quantity of food intake by the well-to-do is now much beyond essential requirements. Over-eating has become a fashion.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, “Seaworthy boat » Discourse 12 October 1968

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume09/sss09-21.pdf

“Today, people go on consuming food at all times, not to speak of drinks and snacks in between. How then can they escape from indigestion and other diseases? Man needs food that supplies him energy equivalent to about one calorie per minute. Young people should be satisfied with 2,000 calories of food per day. For healthy life, man needs only 1,500 calories per day. But nowadays, the food intake has increased up to 5,000 calories. As a result, people suffer from indigestion and sleeplessness. Loss of sleep gives rise to many ailments. Don’t worry about sleep. If you go to bed without any worry, you will get sound sleep automatically.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, “The Moving Temple” Summer Showers 1990 Chapter 3

http://www.sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1990/ss1990.pdf

“By regulating your diet and avoiding certain bad habits, you can preserve health. Moderate food and food of the pure (sathwic) type, will promote mental poise and also physical happiness. Moderation in food is always to be welcomed. Many people consume more than the necessary quantity of rich food, and as such have to practise moderation. So too, if you do not smoke, you escape a number of illnesses that follow that passionate (rajasic) practice. Any intoxicant or stimulant, because it disturbs nature’s even trend, is harmful. Moderation in food, moderation in talk and in desires and pursuits, contentment with what little can be got by honest labour, eagerness to serve others and to impart joy to all — these are the most powerful of all the tonics and health-preserves known to the science of health, the Sanathana Ayur-Veda, the Veda of the full life.”

“The greatest disease (or absence of ease) is the absence of santhi (peace); when the mind gets peace, the body also will have health. So, everyone who craves for good health must pay attention to the emotions, feelings and motives that animate the individual. Just as you give clothes for a wash, you have to wash the mind free from dirt again and again; otherwise, if dirt accumulates and you form a “habit,” it is difficult for the dhobi (washer-man) as well as harmful for the clothes. It should be a daily process; you should see that no dirt settles upon your mind; that is to say, you should move about in such a company that dirt is avoided. Falsehood, injustice, indiscipline, cruelty, hate—these form the dirt; Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema (Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love)—these are the clean elements. If you inhale the pure air of the latter, your mind will be free from evil bacilli and you will be mentally sturdy and physically strong.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, “The Best Tonic” Divine Discourse, 21 September 1960

http://www.sssbpt.ifo/ssspeaks/volume01/sss01-28.pdf

“Food and recreational habits are the two main causes of ill-health. Great care has to be bestowed to ensure that injurious tendencies do not affect these two. At present, though drugs have multiplied and hospitals have been established in every nook and corner, ill-health is also widespread. This situation is attributable to the spread of deleterious food habits and pastime

… Sathya Sai Baba, “Hospitals and Health” Discourse, 28 August 1976

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-22.pdf

“The food that is required for sustaining the body is conducive to health only when it is consumed within limits. Over-eating poisons the physical system. Food may give satisfaction or cause illness. By his food habits man is becoming a prey to disease. Food is essential, but it must be taken within limit for it to be wholesome. Likewise wealth is essential but within limits. When there is excessive wealth, many dangers ensue. With excessive wealth man turns arrogant and loses the sense of discrimination between right and wrong. He becomes a Duryodhana who exemplified greed rather than a Karna who was noted for his generosity.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, “The Avatar and the devotees” Discourse 23 January 1994

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-31.pdf

“Birds and beasts do not suffer from cardiac and digestive ailments to which man is prone. The cause can be traced to the natural food which the animals consume, unlike human beings who consume all sorts of fried and cooked items of food being slaves to the palate. Modern man consumes many artificial foodstuffs and a variety of alcoholic drinks, which are injurious to health. Birds and beasts lead natural lives, while the artificial life style of man today takes a heavy toll on his health. When man observes moderation in diet he can be saved from most diseases. In the 11 entire range of God’s creation man alone is endowed with the faculty of discrimination. It is this faculty which sets him apart from animals. Man should exercise his discretion and discrimination with regard to food habits.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “Food, the heart and the mind” Discourse, 21 January 1994

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-03.pdf

“Eat only what you need to eat. Do not be greedy. Do not take more than you can eat and waste the rest, because wasting food is a great sin. The surplus food can feed another stomach. Do not waste food, because food is God, life is God, and man is born from food. Food is the main source of man’s life, body, mind and character.” “The gross part of the food, which is the major portion of the food consumed by the body, is thrown out as waste matter. A minute amount of the food, which is the subtle part, is assimilated by the body and flows as blood. And a minuscule amount, which is the subtlest part of the food, makes up the mind. Therefore, the mind is the reflection of the food consumed. The reason for the present beastly and demonic tendencies in our minds is the food we consume.”

“A large part of the water we drink is expelled as urine. A minute part of the water consumed becomes the life force. Therefore the nature of the food and water that we take in decides our character. Only by controlling the quality of our food and water can we attain Divinity. This is why food is said to be God. Hence, to waste food is to waste God. Do not waste food. Eat only what you need, and be sure that what you eat is satvic. Give away any surplus food to those in need.”

… -Sathya Sai Baba, “Teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba-Volume 1”

https://www.sathyasai.org/publications/TeachingsOfBSSSB-Vol01.html

“Man is the only living being which dislikes raw food found in the natural state. All other animals eat things as they are—grain, leaves, shoots, fruits. Man boils, fries, melts, mixes and adopts various methods of cooking in order to satisfy the cravings of the tongue, the eye and the nose. As a consequence, the food value of these articles is either reduced or destroyed. When the seeds are fried, they do not sprout; that is clear proof that the ‘life force’ is eliminated. Therefore, uncooked raw pulse just sprouting, is to be preferred, also nuts and fruits. The coconut, offered to the Gods, is a good Sathwic (pure) food, having a good percentage of protein besides fat, starch and minerals. Food having too much salt or pepper is Rajasic (passion rousing) and should be avoided; so also too much fat and starch, which are Thamasic (disposed to inactivity) in their effects on the body should be avoided.”

… Sathya Sai Baba, “Food and Health” Discourse 21 September 1979

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-31.pdf

“Anger is another enemy of health. It injects poison into the bloodstream and brings about profound transformation which damages it….. Another cause of ill-health is vice and vile conduct. People believe that a wicked person need not be a diseased person but most diseases are mental illnesses, fundamentally. Doctors, too, have to deal with patients sweetly and softly and consider their profession as one calling for dedication to their fellowmen. It is best to preserve one’s health by good thoughts and good deeds. It is best to be vigilant about food habits. Coconut kernels, coconut water, sprouting pulses, uncooked or half cooked vegetables and greens are good for health.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “Good Health and Goodness” Discourse, 30 September 1981

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume15/sss15-21.pdf

“Bad thoughts and bad feelings arise in the mind. At the same time, there are also good thoughts and good feelings. It is only when bad thoughts and feelings are weeded out that man can have good health. Many diseases have their origin in the thoughts that fill the mind. Bad thoughts cause indigestion, affect the heart, bring about variations in the blood pressure; worries are the cause of many mental diseases. Diabetes and pulmonary diseases are traceable to mental causes.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “The power of the Lord’s name” Discourse, 25 November 1998

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-05.pdf

“All men, all living beings, are cells in the Body of God. Their origin, continued existence, and progress are all in God, by God, for God. The individual is a unit in this unity. There are no other aliens. When one is ill, all suffer. When one is happy, all are partners of that happiness. Faith in this truth is the fundamental equipment the Sevaks must acquire.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “Equipment for Service” Discourse, 21 November 1986

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-25.pdf

 “An intake of too much food is also harmful. Simply because tasty food is available and is being offered, one is tempted to overeat. We have air all around us but we do not breathe in more than we need. The lake is full but we drink only as much as the thirst craves for. But overeating has become a social evil, fashionable habit. The stomach cries out, ‘Enough,’ but the tongue insists on more, and man becomes the helpless target of disease. He suffers from corpulence, high blood pressure and diabetes. Moderate food is the best medicine to avoid bodily life. Do not rush to the hospital for every little upset. Too much drugging is also bad. Allow nature full scope to fight the disease and set you right. Adopt more and more the principles of naturopathy, and give up running around for doctors.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “Food and Health” Discourse, 21 September 1979

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-31.pdf 

“Evil thoughts cause ill-health. Anxiety, fear and tension also contribute their share. All these result from greed, greed to have more things, of power and of fame. Greed results in sorrow and despair. Contentment can come only from a spiritual outlook. The desire for worldly goods has to be given up. One should not distinguish between “my work” and “work for God.” All work should be worshiped. Whatever the reward, it is the gift of God. It is for our lasting good. If this attitude is developed, suffering and pain can toughen us and help us to progress towards Divinity.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, “Good Health and Goodness” Discourse 30 September 1981

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume15/sss15-21.pdf

“Man today is a victim of worry. What is the cause of this worry? Lack of contentment is the cause. The rich man is not contented is spite of the accumulation of wealth. Worry causes hurry and both together bring about ill-health. So Worry, Hurry and Curry (fatty foods) are the root causes of cardiac ailments. The consumption of large quantities of fat is the cause of cardiovascular diseases. Doctors advise against the consumption of fatty food stuffs which cause increase in weight resulting in susceptibility to cardiac diseases. The presence of toxins also inflicts equal damage. So one should eat in moderate quantities the right type of food and avoid intoxicating drinks to safeguard his health. The intake of food should be gradually reduced after crossing 50 years”.

… Sathya Sai Baba, Divine discourse, 21 January 1994

“You take drugs in a vain attempt to escape from the grip of diseases. But you are unaware of the diseases that eat into the very vitals of your happiness and make you a social danger – the maladies of envy, malice, hatred and greed. Take this best medicine to rid yourself of these diseases! Believe that the Lord is living in every heart and so when you inflict pain, physical or mental, on anyone, you are slighting the Lord Himself. Never entertain hatred or contempt in your heart. Show your resentment, if you must, through carefully selected words but never through action. Introspect and repent for your own errors and pray for strength to refrain from your shortcomings.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, Divine Discourse, 14 Oct 1964

“The body is a temporary habitation, subject to all kinds of diseases and injury. Yet the same body is also the boat, which alone can carry us across the ocean of life or Samsara. The boat has to be kept trim and serviceable. It should not distract our attention more than the minimum necessary for its upkeep. It has to be used for reducing the burdens of others and should not itself become a burden on us. It should serve others and not demand service from them”.

–Sathya Sai Baba, Love All, Serve All, Help Ever, Hurt Never, book commemorating Sathya Sai Baba’s 80th Birthday, 2005

“You must be able to get up with the same ease with which you sat to have your food. If you sit down feeling light and feel heavy and find it difficult to get up after eating, you have taken more than you need and it will develop Tamasic qualities. The space in your stomach is divided into four parts. Youngsters should fill three parts of their stomach with food and the remaining one part with water. For adults, two parts of the stomach with food, one part for water and one part for air is advisable. If you fill all four parts with food with no place even for water, you are violating the rules for digestion! After having your lunch, rest for just ten minutes. That will help blood to circulate freely from your head to your toe. At night, after dinner, you must go for a walk. This is a sound routine for good health and to develop Sattvic nature.”

…Sathya Sai Baba, Divine Discourse, ‘My Dear Students’, Vol 2, Ch 2 

“The main cause of cancer is refined sugar. The reason is that in the refining of sugar a lot of chemicals are added and one of these processing chemicals is bone-char. When you eat, it may get lodged in any part of the body and create problems. Eradicate sugar and you will eradicate cancer. Sugar encourages calcium losses and is sufficient to increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones in the urinary tract. In place of sugar, jaggery is a good substitute.

…Sathya Sai Baba’s Discourse, Jan. 3, 1994

“All that you eat, all that you see, all that you hear, all that you take in through the senses, make a dent on your health.”

…Sathya Sai Speaks Vol 2 Page 78

“…If we change our vision, we will experience peace. When people view the world with the vision of love, they will have peace. All diseases will be cured. Most diseases have their origin in the mind. Everything has a psychological basis. When a person feels that something is wrong with him, he develops an illness. A healthy mind is needed for a healthy body. But it is not enough to be physically healthy. Man needs God’s grace also. To acquire God’s grace, you have to cultivate the love of God. Love has become today a kind of show. Genuine love should emanate from the heart. Start the day with love, spend the day with love, end the day with love, that is the way to God. If you develop love, disease will not come near you.”

…Sanathana Sarathi 1995 Page 117

Why should we care for the essential upkeep of the human body? “The body is but a boat, an instrument for crossing the sea of births and deaths, that you have earned through the merits of many generations. Crossing the sea is to realise the Dweller, in the Dwelling. The purpose of the body (deha) is to realize the Indweller (Dehi). So even when the body is strong and skilled, the intellect is sharp and the mind alert, every effort must be made to seek the Indweller. So keep your body fit, strong and free from trouble. Just as the boat should be seaworthy, your body too should be fit for its purpose. You must take good care of it.”

…Sathya Sai Baba – Divine Discourse, Aug 3, 1966