TirukkuRaL, citing medical experts, states in the verse 941
‘Miginum kuRaiyinum noyceyyum noolor
VaLimudhala eNNiya moondRu’
This is interpreted by many commentators as, ‘Excess or deficiency of the three humours could cause disease; wind begins these humours as listed by experts.’
This extant interpretation of this verse is found in all commentaries right from Parimelazhagar to Dr. Mu. Va and others. A different interpretation is found in the exhaustive commentary by ‘Namakkal Kavingar’ Ramalingam Pillai. He says the three humours are air, water and food and not bile, flatulence and phlegm. The main reason for this unique interpretation is that TiruvaLLuvar addresses this verse to the commoner to easily understand the underlying principle of health management. Everyone cannot understand what are bile, flatulence and phlegm. These are the ‘effects’ caused by the ‘excess or deficiency’ in consumption of air, water and food.
‘VaLimudhala eNNiya moondRu’ means only air, water and food. Nature mandates these three as our main sources of energy, i.e., oxygen. The moment there is excess or deficit in one or more of the three sources of energy, disease results. That is, in simple words, the plain meaning of this verse in KuRaL.
This maxim of KuRaL teaches us to take preventive care and avoid diseases. Once a person falls sick, only then the need to consult a physician arises. In the verses 948 and 949, KuRaL prescribes the method of diagnosis to be employed by the physician. Whereas the verses 941 to 945 bring out the significance of preventive care by self-restraint and self-discipline – in consumption of air, water and food; when to take food and when not to take, what to take and what not to take. Of the three humours only air has to be breathed in and out all 24 hours of the day, while food and water have to be taken only when one is feeling thirsty and / or hungry.
All of us consciously drink water and eat food. But generally we ignore breathing consciously. Whenever we go for clinical examination by a doctor, only then do we take a deep breath, as directed by the physician; otherwise, only when we heave a sigh of relief. Consequently, we generally suffer from a deficit of oxygen because we get oxygen from glucose (C6H12O6) and water (H2O) extracted by our digestive system. Oxygen, by volume, constitutes 21% of the air we breathe in. The other components of air are, by volume, about 78% of nitrogen and about 1% of minor gases like argon, carbon dioxide, etc. Of these constituents (inhaled by us), the entire 78% nitrogen and about 16% of oxygen and balance minor gases are all exhaled. That means when we consciously breathe in and out, about 4% to 5% of oxygen is retained by us.
When we do so conscientiously, we would realise that there is a consequent reduction in our intake of food because our requirement of oxygen is satiated. The result: blood pressure becomes normal, any sugar problem gets resolved and the sense of well-being improves many notches. This noumenon explains how the sages could live hundreds of years in penance without any food or water. That is why we are advised to concentrate on our breath during meditation. In the 1990 World Cub Football final match the German player Brehme stood calmly for about 30 seconds before successfully scoring the winning penalty goal. He said he was meditating for those 30 seconds before taking the strike.
When we do not breathe in adequate air we tend to consume more food and less water and that causes the imbalance leading to many diseases, some chronic and others seasonal. Hence the dictum of TirukkuRaL quoted above.
Indeed, TiruvaLLuvar lays equal emphasis on learning through listening and states in verse 412 that one should eat a little food only when there is no food for thought (through listening)!
Then the question arises how does one ensure that there is no deficiency in the intake of air? That leads us to the importance of Pranayama or any set of breathing exercises. Unfortunately, in all our curricular studies this aspect of breathing properly is not emphasised except in select educational institutions. It is high time that it is mandated in all our schools and colleges. The Japanese have a tradition even in their factories – the first activity in the morning is for all workers, from the Chief Executive down to the last level, to assemble for a physical workout for 15 minutes. The purpose is obvious – to keep fit.
A word of common sense. We neglect the natural ventilator we are bestowed with and ultimately some of us reach a stage when we are put on artificial ventilators. During the pandemic period there was a global crisis on the availability of ventilators. It was mainly due to the fact that we have not realised the importance of conscientious breathing. Significantly, we ensure breathing out the carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from food and water, which is also absolutely necessary.
So, let us all breathe conscientiously, properly and live healthily.
