Saatvic buddhi - सात्त्विकी बुद्धिः- and altitude sickness

July 17, 2011

Travelling in the Himalayas, one must have a healthy understanding of the risks of altitude sickness and the means to prevent it or reduce its impact on the body.

At heights below 2400 metres (8000 feet), our body is used to a certain level of oxygen in the air. Whether it be a pilgrimage to Kailas Mansarovar or just mountaineering as a hobby, doctors recommend that we spend the right period of time getting acclimated to the levels of oxygen in the air.

The best approach to this is paraphrased in shloka 18-30 of the Bhagavad Geeta. Śrī Kṛṣṇa refers to right understanding as being cognizant of: कार्याकार्ये भयाभये kaaryaakaarye bhayaabhaye "what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, (appropriate sense of) fear and fearlessness."

At high altitudes, it is wise to get acclimated, to drink plenty of fluids, consume high carb nutritious foods to ensure that energy is available to the body to cope with the added work that must be performed by the respiratory and circulatory systems. Foolish notions of devotion that impel people to fast on a pilgrimage to Kailas or exaggerated concepts of courage and determination are not a substitute for acclimation.

Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post

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