Thought to republish it here as a blog to make it more accessible.
All credits to Baba and to my wife for proof reading it.
Baba, was a PhD in Organic Chemistry and a researcher, which is why this article, though is a long read, is pretty insightful. He had written this on his and mom's trip to USA in 2016/17.
He passed away on 2nd April, 2019 at the age of 72 years due to Lung Cancer. Other than those suffering for those 6 months, he never had any diseases mainly due to water therapy which he diligently followed for 19 years.
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I was transferred from our Pune unit to Nagpur (State : Maharashtra, India) in the year 1997. It was just a matter of chance; one senior officer (Shri Lalchandji) of the same department heading an adjacent institute became our family-friend. We had been living in the same estate. One evening he gave a courtesy visit to us. During the course of chit-chatting, he casually mentioned that during his posting in Jabalpur, he had many health problems - however, he is quite a fit person now without incurring any expenditure! It was a pleasant surprise and I wanted to know how he managed to do so. He replied that I was transferred from our Pune unit to Nagpur in the year 1997. It was just a matter of chance; one senior officer (Shri Lalchandji) of the same department heading an adjacent institute became our family-friend. We had been living in the same estate. One evening he gave a courtesy visit to us. During the course of chit-chatting, he casually mentioned that during his posting in Jabalpur, he had many health problems - however, he is quite a fit person now without incurring any expenditure! It was a pleasant surprise and I wanted to know how he managed to do so. He replied that water has taken away all his ailments. Now also, water is providing prevention and he does not fall sick.
His statement aroused interest in me and made me curious to know the modus operandi. He mentioned that after air, water is the second most important substance essential for sustaining life. Water not only sustains life, but it resolves health problems and does not allow future-problems to peep-in.
We remember:
Water is pure,
Water is natural,
Water is healthy,
Water can help all.
Water is simple,
Water is free,
Water can help the lives,
The lives of you and me.
-Olivia Taylor
Water and the Vedas:
Role of water in human life had been known since Vedic era i.e. 2000 B.C. Details are available in the Rig Veda 10.9 (Apah Suktam), some verses have been included in the present text.
तस्मा अरं गमाम वो यस्य क्षयाय जिन्वथ ।
आपो जनयथा च नः ॥
Tasmaa Aram Gamaama Vo Yasya Kssayaaya Jinvatha |
Aapo Janayathaa Ca Nah ||
-Apah Suktam (Rig Veda 10.9)
Meaning:
O Water, when your invigorating essence goes to one affected by weakness, it enlivens him,
O Water, you are the source of our lives.
Regarding the methodology of using water as a curative and preventive friend, he further explained the steps he follows. I was more or less a fit person, but used to come across minor problems like constipation, hyperacidity, indigestion, gas etc. Hence, decided to go ahead as per his procedure. During last nineteen years, I have been religiously following the so-called water therapy. In course of time, I have made some small changes to suit my convenience. Now I can confidently declare that this simple and inexpensive activity has kept me perfectly fit all the time till my present age of 71 years. A handful of near and dear persons who came across my success story and adopted the method also derived immense benefit.
तस्मा अरं गमाम वो यस्य क्षयाय जिन्वथ ।
आपो जनयथा च नः ॥
Tasmaa Aram Gamaama Vo Yasya Kssayaaya Jinvatha |
Aapo Janayathaa Ca Nah ||
-Apah Suktam (Rig Veda 10.9)
Meaning:
O Water, when your invigorating essence goes to one affected by weakness, it enlivens him,
O Water, you are the source of our lives.
My procedure:
1. I get up early in the morning preferably between 4 to 6 AM.
2. My habit is to immediately visit the toilet and finish the routine activity. I am very particular to ensure that I do not wash my face nor brush my teeth even do not spit to ensure that the saliva present in the mouth is not wasted.
3. I take 1.5 litres of lukewarm drinking water in two one-litre plastic bottles, ensuring that the temperature of the water stock is just like my body/blood temperature (i.e. 37 deg C or 98.6 deg F).
4. I take a glass/stainless steel tumbler.
5. I squat on the ground in the posture as one sits on an Indian toilet (in case of any problem, one can simply sit straight on a chair).
6. I pray to the Almighty so that the healing effect of the water is blessed on me.
7. I fill the tumbler and start drinking the water.
8. My drinking process remains moderate/slow, but definitely uninterrupted. I even avoid generating any other thought-process. I remain seated in the same posture till the process is completed.
9. Thus 1.5 litres of water goes inside along with the saliva-stock of the mouth.
यो वः शिवतमो रसस्तस्य भाजयतेह नः ।
उशतीरिव मातरः ॥
Yo Vah Shivatamo Rasas-Tasya Bhaajayate-Ha Nah |
Ushatiiriva Maatarah ||
-
Apah Suktam (Rig Veda 10.9)
Meaning:
O Water, this auspicious Sap of yours, please share with us,
Like a Mother desiring (to share her best possession with her children).
Things to remember:
I had started the process with only one glass of water on the first day. Thereafter, increasing the quantity of water intake daily till it reaches the specified level i.e. 1.5 litres, say in a month.
- I took care not to exceed the specified limit of 1.5 litres (as was advised by my Guru).
To be on safe-side, I keep the limit between 1.25 to 1.5 litres (as it depends on environmental and physical labour conditions). Excess water, if any, may accumulate in the kidney and may cause edema.
- On completion of the process, I commence daily routine activities. I keep in mind that in next two hours, I may have to go for urination three-four times.
- I avoid food intake for 30-45 minutes. I am fond of having a cup of black tea thereafter. Then I give time for brushing my teeth.
- I avoid random intake of water. If I feel thirsty, I drink before eating food but never with food or immediately thereafter. If required, I drink after at least an hour.
- At bed-time, I prefer to take a glass of lukewarm water.
I have been sincerely drinking lukewarm water in empty stomach every morning as per above procedure for the last 19 years (since 1997 till date).This process keeps me cheerful and fit. It even takes care of minor deviations, if any, in food intakes. This has become a priority in daily routine. Due to some unavoidable situations like travelling, outdoor activities etc., if I fail in the routine, nothing goes wrong, but I miss something...Hence, I try my level best to stick to the routine.
आपो हि ष्ठा मयोभुवस्था न ऊर्जे दधातन ।
महे रणाथ चक्षसे ॥
Aapo Hi Sstthaa Mayo-Bhuvasthaa Na Uurje Dadhaatana |
Mahe Rannaatha Cakssase ||
-Apah Suktam (Rig Veda 10.9)
Meaning:
O Water, because of your presence, the Atmosphere is so refreshing, and imparts us with vigour and strength.
We revere you who gladden us by your pure essence.
The secret of morning water benefits:
I have been trying to find out how drinking lukewarm water in empty stomach every morning can keep us fit.
It is said that drinking water in the morning immediately upon waking up has amazing therapeutic effects for various health conditions.
In Rig Veda, water has been regarded as source of life. It is further said that this remarkable water therapy had originated from ancient Ayurvedic medicine. In Sanskrit, the name for the practice is In Rig Veda, water has been regarded as source of life. It is further said that this remarkable water therapy had originated from ancient Ayurvedic medicine. In Sanskrit, the name for the practice is Usha Paana Chikitsa, which means treatment through drinking of water in early morning.
शं नो देवीरभिष्टय आपो भवन्तु पीतये ।
शं योरभि स्रवन्तु नः
Sham No Deviir-Abhissttaya Aapo Bhavantu Piitaye |
Sham Yorabhi Sravantu Nah ||
-Apah Suktam (Rig Veda 10.9)
Meaning:
O Water, may the auspicious divinity which is wished for be present in you when we drink (water).
May the auspiciousness which supports you, flow to us.
Can Water Wash Away Diseases?
As mentioned above, drinking water in early morning on an empty stomach purifies the body’s internal system. An especially important result of this treatment is that it cleanses the colon, which makes the body much more efficient to absorb nutrients from food. The purification process is achieved through the production of new blood, or Haematopaises. This fresh blood has an immense restorative effect in the body and can even cure existing ailments.
Water - A Potent Medicine
Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj who was trained in medicine at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School of London, discovered the healing powers of water and the relationship between dehydration and chronic illness when he was serving a jail sentence as a political prisoner in Iran.
During his imprisonment, Dr. Batmanghelidj successfully treated 3,000 fellow prisoners who had been suffering from stress-induced peptic ulcers using water, the only medicine available to him.
After his release from prison, Dr. Batmanghelidj devoted himself for in-depth study of dehydration and its negative health effects. His subsequent discoveries were instrumental in restoring health of thousands of individuals suffering from unidentified dehydration-related ailments.
आपः पृणीत भेषजं वरूथं तन्वेऽ मम ।
ज्योक्च सूर्यं दृशे ॥
Aapah Prnniita Bhessajam Varuutham Tanve Mama |
Jyokca Suuryam Drshe ||
-
Apah Suktam (Rig Veda 10.9)
Meaning:
O Water, you are abundantly filled with Medicinal Herbs; Please protect my body, ... ... so that I can see the Sun for long (i.e. I live long).
O Water, you are abundantly filled with Medicinal Herbs; Please protect my body, ... ... so that I can see the Sun for long (i.e. I live long).
Dehydration - The Root Cause:
Dehydration: Symptoms may include dark urine, dry skin, thirst, hunger, fatigue. Effects may include tiresomeness, migraine, constipation, muscle cramps, irregular blood pressure.
According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, the body’s biological thirst signals are sometimes mistaken as symptoms of other diseases. If one analyses the root cause (i.e. dehydration) of these, the patient can be easily cured for enjoying a long life.
On chronic dehydration, sometimes people seem to lose their thirst sensation and the critical perception of needing water.
By not recognizing their need for water, they gradually become increasingly and chronically dehydrated with the progress of age. When the body produces complicated secondary symptoms of dehydration, confusing conditions are noticed which may include:
-Dyspepsia
-Anemia
-Constipation
-Diabetes
-Asthma
-Leukemia
-Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Headache & Migraine
-Pulmonary
-Tuberculosis
-Kidney Stones
-
Irregular Menstruation
-Uterine Cancer
-Angina
-Obesity
-Hypertension
-Colitis
-Sinusitis
-Breast Cancer, etc.
Japanese Study:
It is said that a Japanese medical society has also found water therapy to be a 100% cure for arthritis, epilepsy, bronchitis, tuberculosis, meningitis, diarrhea, throat disease and many other ailments. Water therapy can cure these conditions very rapidly on its own—with no other medical treatment! According to the research, water therapy can set right initial stages of constipation within a single day, diabetes within one week, and hypertension, cancer within a month.
SUMMARY:
The benefits of water therapy can be believed only after practicing. To mention a few, water therapy helps to:
a. Prevent constipation
b. Prevent diarrhea
c. Improve digestion by stimulating natural digestive enzymes
d. Purify blood - hence body's natural detoxification process is improved via skin, kidney, lymphatic system
e. Tackle hyper acidity and gas generation
f. Tackle acne problem
g. Improve bowel movement
h. Lose weight
i. Fight infection
j. Improve heart condition
k. Prevent joint pain and arthritis
l. Boost energy
m. Reduce risk of cancer
n. Improve productivity
Lukewarm Water vs. Cold Water:
Lukewarm water is suggested for this process. It is more effective in removing fat deposits and toxins circulating in the blood. It improves digestion and metabolism. It relieves constipation, helps in reducing weight as well as bad cholesterol.
Role of Saliva:
Saliva is a fluid that contains approx. 99.5% water. It also contains at least 30 important substances like enzymes, electrolytes, mucus, antimicrobials, antibacterial etc. Digestion process is initiated in the mouth itself by the enzymes. Saliva has lubricating function. Moreover, saliva, if applied on eye-lids, looks after eye-health. Saliva benefits minor cuts and bruises also.
Points to Consider:
Various information sources and literature suggest considering the following aspects:-
i. Water therapy is based on individual user experience.
ii. Over-doing must be avoided. Daily intake of more than 3 litres may cause water intoxication-related problems like headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, disorientation etc. If excess water gets accumulated in brain - cells, it can cause seizure, respiratory arrest, coma and even death.
iii. Pregnant, elderly people and people having acute kidney problem, diabetes and heart problem should be more careful.
इदमापः प्र वहत यत्किं च दुरितं मयि ।
यद्वाहमभिदुद्रोह यद्वा शेप उतानृतम् ॥
Idam-Aapah Pra Vahata Yat-Kim Ca Duritam Mayi |
Yad-Vaaham-Abhidu-Droha Yadvaa Shepa Uta-[A]anrtam ||
-Apah Suktam (Rig Veda 10.9)
Meaning:
O Water, please wash away whatever wicked tendencies are in me, ...
... and also wash away the treacheries burning me from within, and any falsehood present in my Mind.
P.S.:
1. Let us try to have an optimistic frame of mind while following the above. Thus, taking it less like a therapy and making it more like our lifestyle.
2. The encouragement and assistance provided by Mr. Sudipto and Mrs. Anamika in preparing this text is thankfully acknowledged.
~SATYA
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