Concluding the Panchakarma treatment

After the main eight days of detoxifying Panchakarma treatment I received further procedures in order to gradually build up the digestion and strength of my body: five days of Abhyanga - full body massage with medicated oil, and Pichu-Shiro - cotton wool soaked in Brahmi oil being tied on my head. I also had daily Yoga sessions with Dr Aayush, a pleasant Yoga therapist and Naturopath.
I had heard of treatments where oil is poured on one's forehead - apparently it is very relaxing, and I was intrigued to try it out. When I asked Dr Vivekanand whether I could have this treatment, he responded: "We don't have enough time - it would be a waste of medicine to do it." I was taken aback, and my immediate response was "Well, I am paying for it!" But he further elaborated with a smile: "A lot of medicated oil is required for this treatment, and usually we use the same oil over many days. Medicine should never be wasted - doesn't matter who pays for it!"

For the past ten days I had been sustaining on a very simple diet - broken wheat porridge, watery soups and millet kitchari without vegetables. I was longing to have something more satisfying to eat. One night I was even dreaming of all kinds of sweets and my cheese toasts which I had been eating almost every day during the Chemo. One morning when Dr Vivekanand came to check up on me, I humbly submitted my plea: "Can't I have some fruits - a banana?! I haven't had any fruits for ten days.....!" He gave me a stern look at said: "You will just have to control your mind.....!" I couldn't help but smile to myself - this instruction sounded so familiar....! Haven't I been the one who was usually saying it to young devotees?! Now I heard it from my Ayurvedic doctor! And he further commented how people are so attached to their eating habits, and if Indian people don't get their big plates of rice three times a day, they think they will starve.... And we talked about the power of the mind. On the following days I was allowed to add some papaya and also steamed vegetables to my meals to gradually build up to a normal diet. A relief for the mind.....

On another day Dr Vivekanand shared how every entity has something to give, and also takes something away. Trees give subtle healing power to strenghten our own ability to heal, and take away negative energy. Therefore we can feel our mind being more balanced and peaceful after spending some time in nature. And this is actually how we human beings are meant to live: close to nature, growing fruits and vegetables. Our modern life in big cities, disconnected from nature is very artificial, and it brings along its reactions. Upon his recommendation I spent more time in the gardens, trying to more consciously take up the healing power of all those interesting medicinal trees. When touching the earth with one's bare feet the energy circle is closed, so Dr Vivekanand. I marveled at the rather unique and exotic trees - Krishna indeed provides everything in nature, even all required medicinal herbs. He gives us such a perfect system so we have everything required for a healthy and balanced life. Then we can wholeheartedly develop our lost and forgotten relationship with Him. One tree especially caught my attention: he has sharp thorns and spikes all around the stem - for protection, so no wild animals can climb up and destroy his healing leaves. I saw many other trees and bushes which also had thorns. Another rather unique plant is the agave with its long stalk and fragrant flowers - I remembered seeing it a lot when visiting South Africa in my childhood. And all kinds of beautiful varieties of grass in reddish colors were swaying in the breeze, creating reddish waves throughout the garden. I wished I could collect them for our Janmastami decorations in Kharkov/Ukraine.....

One morning Dr Vivekanand made comments about the important role women are meant to play within human society: "They are the backbone of society and are meant to bring stability, affection and harmony to the entire family. This understanding is getting completely lost, and now we have all these divorces happening...!" He was visibly concerned and almost pained at the situation. I was amazed to hear such realizations coming from a materially successful person in his mid fourties - as a rule the younger generation in India does not share this understanding. I could only agree with him, sharing that I have developed courses in these topics.

As the day of my departure came closer, I was looking forward to end my three months' exile in Bangalore and return to my life as a traveling preacher. Every time I saw a plane flying in the sky I remembered that I would very soon be sitting in one of those....

On the last morning before being discharged from the clinic I had another nice exchange with Dr Vivekanand. He shared how in the past many patients under his care had made wonderful progress, and he clearly understands that he can never take credit for it, but always remembers that the patient is the one who is doing all the work, seeing himself as a doctor simply as a little instrument giving inspiration into the right direction. What a wonderful and humble attitude for a doctor to have. He is coming from a family of Ayurvedic doctors - his father and grand-father were both serving in the same profession. His family has a long-standing tradition of worshiping Krishna - his grand-mother was very devoted and spread her deep Krishna bhakti throughout the entire family. He was sharing several mystical episodes which had taken place in his family when his grand-mother was still alive. And he gave insights into his personal life - his wife and three children. When glancing on his business card he gave me, I realized that he was a professor.....

I felt very grateful for the care and deep insights he had given me, satisfying my inquisitiveness perfectly by giving knowledge. And I felt inspired to offer something in return. I asked whether he would feel inclined to give a presentation to our ISKCON devotees on the topic of Ayurveda - not in Bangalore, but in Mayapur. His face lit up, and with a big smile he responded: "I'd love to! Many ISKCON devotees have told me so many times I should visit Mayapur, but so far the real calling hadn't come yet. And I firmly believe we should wait until the calling is there....." And I suggested: "So, here it is....!" We discussed some possible dates and opportunities for his visit to Mayapur, and we both felt very enlivened at the idea. He had given me deep knowledge and powerful medicine for my body, and now it was my turn to give knowledge and the ultimate medicine to him: the chanting of the holy name....

When Shesadri Prabhu came to pick me up, he brought 60 burfis in little boxes, which I distributed to all my wonderful care-givers, together with the nice 16-page brochure entitled "Srila Prabhupada - The Messenger of God."

On the evening of the 10th of August I boarded the plane towards Kharkov/Ukraine....

Your servant, Devaki dd

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