“svasthya” in Sanskrit refers to health and well-being. The Vedas and Upanishads, while primarily spiritual and philosophical texts, do include references to health and well-being, emphasizing the holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Here are some references to health and well-being in these ancient texts:
Vedas
1.Rigveda:
- The Rigveda includes hymns that invoke the gods for physical and mental health.
- Rigveda 10.137.6:
तनूषु पूषन्नमृत त्वमस्तु स्याम पाहि नस्त्वं हि नः पतिः |
Translation: “O Pushan, grant us immortality in our bodies; protect us, for you are our lord.”
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Atharvaveda:
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The Atharvaveda is known for its numerous hymns and incantations related to health and healing.
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Atharvaveda 3.11.2:
प्रातरग्निं प्रातरिन्द्रं हवामहे प्रातर्मित्रावरुणा प्रातरश्विना | प्रातर्भगं पूषणं ब्रह्मणस्पतिं प्रातः सोममुत रुद्रं हवामहे ॥
Translation: “In the morning we call Agni, in the morning we call Indra, in the morning we call Mitra-Varuna, in the morning we call the Ashvins; in the morning we call Bhaga, Pushan, Brahmanaspati, in the morning we call Soma and Rudra.”
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Yajurveda:
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The Yajurveda contains rituals and chants that include prayers for health and well-being.
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Yajurveda 36.24:
अन्नपतेऽन्नस्य नो देहि पूर्वस्योत्तरस्य च। उद्दिर्वसानोऽमृतस्य नो देहि ॥
Translation: “O Lord of Food, give us food in the present and in the future; uplift us and give us immortality.”
Upanishads
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Taittiriya Upanishad:
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This Upanishad speaks about the concept of a healthy life, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
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Taittiriya Upanishad, Bhrigu Valli 3.6:
तस्माद्वा एतस्मादात्मन आकाशः सम्भूतः। आकाशाद्वायुः। वायोरग्निः। अग्नेरापः। अद्भ्यः पृथिवी। पृथिव्याः ओषधयः। ओषधीभ्योऽन्नम्। अन्नात्पुरुषः। स वा एष पुरुषोऽन्नमयः॥
Translation: “From the Self (Atman) comes space; from space, air; from air, fire; from fire, water; from water, earth; from earth, plants; from plants, food; from food, the person. This person, indeed, is made of food.”
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Chandogya Upanishad:
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Discusses the importance of food and its role in maintaining health.
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Chandogya Upanishad 6.7.1:
अथ यदन्नं नायाति, या च पृथिवी। सा कायो भूत्वा कायं प्राप्य, तस्मिन्नेव लीयते॥
Translation: “That which is the subtlest part of the food which is eaten, when it is fully assimilated, becomes mind.”
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Prashna Upanishad:
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Emphasizes the significance of prana (life force) and how it sustains health.
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Prashna Upanishad 2.13:
सर्वे न प्रभवन्त्येषां यः प्राणस्तेषां स प्राणः। सर्वाण्यपानिनो लोकास्तस्मात्सर्वं सद्विपद्यते॥
Translation: “All beings arise from the prana and return to the prana. The prana is their father, the prana is their support, and all beings rest in the prana.”
These references illustrate the holistic approach to health in Vedic and Upanishadic literature, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
