Śrīla Prabhupāda on Health
Priorities of Health in Spiritual Life
In 1969, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Prabhupāda visited the Kaʻaʻawa devotee community in Hawaii where he heard how one of his students was being neglectful of their health by pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion and sickness. He immediately found something to write on, in this case a brown paper bag, and posted at the temple:
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasised the practical importance of caring for our health so that we can pursue a steady life of devotion. As recounted in the history shared on this website, he gave a simple reminder: Health, Japa, Service and Reading. Together, these priorities reflect an approach in which reasonable care of the body supports attentive chanting, devotional service and the study of spiritual wisdom. This principle helps guide Devotee Health.
