Why Be Fit and Healthy?

We all know that we need to be fit and healthy — but why? Is it merely to play, work, have a family, and eventually die one day? How does that make us any different from other animals? Or is there something more to life?

According to Ayurveda, the purpose of life or the goals of life are to experience and achieve four key milestones: Dharma (righteous duty or service), Artha (prosperity), Kama (pleasure), and Moksha (liberation). To fulfill these important aspects of life, the knowledge of life itself — Ayurveda (Ayur = life, Veda = knowledge) — came into being. This wisdom teaches us how to maintain our vital power and live a long, healthy life in order to achieve these goals.

Life begins with Dharma, because only through performing our Dharma (righteous duty, work, or service) can we earn Artha (prosperity or meaning in life), which in turn allows us to experience Kama (pleasures and fulfillment of desires). Most of us, however, get stuck in the first three goals and only begin to think about the fourth, Moksha, when we fall sick or grow old.

Consider the example of a bird born in a cage. If it forgets that it can fly and experience the vastness of the open sky, it will simply adjust to life within the cage. That is our condition. We are like that bird, having forgotten our true, expansive nature and freedom. Realizing this true nature and freedom is Moksha. Until then, we remain like the caged bird — adjusting within our limited existence, trying to substitute our true longing for freedom by fulfilling endless desires. We keep working to accumulate more wealth, getting trapped in the Maya (illusion) of the world, and losing sight of the fourth goal, Moksha.

It is important to notice that our Rishis used the word Dharma instead of Karya (work). This choice emphasizes the importance of living a truthful and righteous life. Truth forms the foundation of everything; therefore, our life principles must be firmly rooted in truth. When Artha and Kama are pursued in accordance with Dharma (truthful service), it becomes easier for us to attain Moksha.

If we acquire money through unrighteous or illegal means, we increase our negative karma. Similarly, overindulgence in sensual or sexual pleasures can slow our progress toward the fourth goal, Moksha. This doesn’t mean we should avoid the pleasures of life. We should certainly enjoy them — but in a rightful and balanced way, always remaining aware of the ultimate direction we are heading toward.

A strong vision becomes a driving force and gives clarity to hit the right target,  like an arrow piercing the bullseye.