The Spiritual Health

Ayurveda is the science of holistic healing. The ayurveda evolves from two words, Ayu and Veda.  “Ayu” means life and “Veda” means science or knowledge. Thus the meaning of Ayurveda is science of life. Ayurveda is not only regarding treatment of diseases but also living a complete life. Ayurveda aims at maintaining a healthy life and curing diseases.

The basic principles of Ayurveda are:
1.    Pancha Maha Bhootas: According to Ayurveda the human body is constituted of Pancha Maha Bhootas. The   Pancha Maha Bhootas   are present in both living and nonliving beings but the only difference is the “Chaitanya”. The other words for “Chaitanya”  are ‘life spark’ ‘soul’ ‘spirit’ ‘consciousness’ . The Pancha Maha Bhootas  is a combination of five basic eternal elements which are space, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements have to be studied and understood in subtle as well as material sense.

2.    Tridoshas:  The Pancha Maha Bhootas   exhibit themselves in the body of human beings as three energies known as Tridoshas. ‘Dosha’ means ‘that which maintains and controls the body’. The Tridoshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is accountable for controlling destruction.  Pitta is fire and is basically thermogenic.  Kapha is constituted of Water and earth and is responsible for maintaining the creation.

3.    Trigunas: The Trigunas refer to the three mental qualities which are Sattwa , Rajas and  Tamas. The Trigunas are found in nature parallel to the Tridoshas. Sattwa means purity,   Rajas means relentless activity while Tamas means a dull mind. Tridoshas exist for the body while the Trigunas exist for the mind.

4.    Agni: The Agni relates to the digestive fire in other words the enzymes. The food in the alimentary canal is digested because of Agni. The digestion is controlled by the Tridoshas. Excess gas and Irregular digestion is caused by excess of Vayu. The digestion is controlled by 13 Agnis.

5.    Dhatus:  The Dhatus refers to body tissues. There are  7 dhatus namely (i)Plasma (Rasa);  (ii)Blood  (Rakta); (iii)Muscle (Mamsa); (iv)Fat (Medas); (v)Bone (Ashti); (vi)Marrow (majja); and  (vii)Reproductive (ukra).

6.    Malas: The malas refers to body wastes. The proper elimination of feces, urine, sweat and other wastes such as tears, spit, oil secretions through the skin, secretions of the mucoid, smegma from the genitalia is an important factor for maintenance of good health.

7.    Prakriti: The Prakriti means the constitutional type. The proportion of the doshas represented by the Prakriti. It represents the ideal state of balance. In other sense it is a goal which we should strive to achieve. The knowledge of Prakriti helps the ayurvedic doctor in determining the line of treatment.

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The Trigunas mean the three mental qualities. The three mental qualities are tamas, rajas, and sattwa.  These three mental qualities are found in mind and the nature. These three qualities are parallel to the Tridoshas of the body. The ideal state of mind is Sattwa or purity. The person with this quality is alert, calm, kind and thoughtful. A person with the quality of rajas is seeking diversions and never ending activity. Tamas is a predominant mind that is lethargic and dull.

The person with a mind bearing the qualities of tamas and sattwa studies the holistic and spiritual measures for improving self.   The person with a mind bearing the quality of rajas works and exercises actively to overcome the lethargy.

The development of the mind with the qualities of sattwa  is helped by the proper balance of the mind and the development of peace and purity. The first step of Samadhi is this. Samadhi means spiritual realization. The ayurvedic practitioner questions, observes and take the pulse of the patient for the purpose of deciding the cause of illness.

The three mental qualities have different aspects with reference to the Tridoshas.

Trigunas with reference to  VAYU: The individuals with the mental constitution of Vayu have the qualities of insecurity, anxiety and fear. They lack courage and have few close friends.

• Sattwic: This quality is responsible for comprehension, urge for unity, urge for healing and positive mental attitude.
• Rajasic : This quality is responsible for unreliability, anxiety, indecisiveness, and hyperactivity.
• Tamasic : This quality is responsible for servile attitude, depression, addictive behavior, animal instincts, fear, a dishonesty, self-destructiveness, sexual perversions, or suicidal thoughts.

Trigunas  with reference to  PITTA :

The person with mental constitution of Pitta has fiery emotions such as hate, anger and irritability.  They are aggressive and usually sentimental. They articulate, are determined and have convincing powers too. They will try to dominate others. They help friends, family members and relatives but at the same time unforgiving and cruel to enemies. They are adventurous and bold.

• Sattwic : This quality is responsible for intelligence, warmth,clarity, leadership, and independence.
• Rajasic : This quality is responsible for ambition, manipulation, impulsiveness, willfulness, anger, vanity, and aggressiveness.
• Tamasic: This quality is responsible for violence, criminality, vindictiveness, hate, and psychopathic behavior.

Trigunas with reference to KAPPA: The person with mental constitution of Kappa are emotional and full of desire , sentiments , love and romance. They also have greed and lust.

• Sattwic : This quality is responsible for peace, compassion, nurturing, calmness, love, faith, and forgiveness.
• Rajasic: This quality is responsible for material luxuries, greed for money, comfort, being sentimental, attached, controlling, and lustful.
• Tamasic : This quality is responsible for lethargy, lack of care, dullness, depression, and stealing tendency.

The word ‘Prakriti‘ means the constitutional type. According to Ayurveda a human’s basic constitution is determined at the time of conception through genes.  In Sanskrit ‘Prakriti‘ means nature or the first creation. A human being’s basic constitution remains fixed for ever in his lifespan. Prakriti is the psychological and physical constitution of any person. It is determined on the basis of Tridoshas. The three basic constitutions are Kapha constitution, Pitta constitution and Vata constitution. The combination of all these three is maintained from the time of conception till death. The Prakriti of each and every human being is different because of the difference in the combination of the Tridoshas.

If one wants to avoid diseases one should be aware of his or her Prakriti. The Prakriti helps us to understand some mental and physical characteristics of an individual.  Knowledge of Prakriti assists in treatment and prevention of diseases. Prakriti help in taking decisions about the therapeutic regimen for the cure of a diseased person. Prakriti lays the foundation of an individual’s existence and experience. The Prakriti guides the Ayurvedic practitioner in the following way:

It shows the most effective precautionary measures to prevent a disease from occurring

• The treatment that is most effective
• The individual’s best dietary regimen
• To formulate and decide upon the program that is most beneficial for rejuvenation.
• Diagnosis of diseases which are both complex and simple in nature
• The individual’s capacity to recuperate
• The best way to compound the herbal formulation for best results

The determinants of Prakriti: The Prakriti of an individual is influenced by five factors which are as follows.

• The most influential factor is the state of the Doshas in the bodies of the parents at the time of conception. If the father has surplus of Kapha and the Vata is excess in the mother then the Vata Kapha or the Kapha Vata Prakriti will be inherited in the child.
• The intentions and the mental state of the parents at the time of conception play an important role in the development of Prakriti of the child.
• Certain hereditary characteristics such as inclination for sports, arts and scientific skill affect the Prakriti of the child.
• The Prakriti is also influenced by the prenatal diet consumed by the mother as well as her activities prior to the birth of the child.
• The Prakriti of the child is affected by the uterine conditions and the care taken during the pregnancy.

Malas means body wastes. For the maintenance of good health there should be proper elimination of wastes. The body waste includes urine, faeces, tears from the eyes, spit from the mouth, sweat, oily secretions from the skin, mucoid secretions from the mucus membrane and smegma from the genitalia. The excretory byproducts are also called Dushyas. The proper functioning of the body is maintained with the help of Malas.

The body is provided tone and support by the faeces. The faeces also help temperature maintenance of the colon. Vayu illnesses can occur on improper functioning of the excretion process.  Vayu illnesses include fear, worry, nervousness, a feeling of being ungrounded, gas, headaches, constipation and distention. Excessive use of purgatives and colonics along with fear and worry can lead to damage to proper elimination of the faeces. This damage can also take place by consuming wrong foods (such as junk food), coffee, antibiotics, prolonged diarrhea, excessive travel, oversleeping, drugs, and insufficient exercise. Ayurveda states that purgatives should not be given to debilitated persons who are suffering from tuberculosis. The temperature of such persons is maintained by the faeces.

Water and other solid wastes are expelled from the body in the form of urine which in Ayurveda is also called ‘’Mutral”. Disorder in elimination of the urine can lead to bladder infection, fever, dry mouth,
bladder pain, difficult urination, thirst, dehydration. Urine elimination is influenced by alcohol, trauma, intake of too few liquids, diuretic drugs, excessive sex, and fright.

The body temperature is controlled by sweat which in Ayurveda is also called “Sweda”. This regulation of the temperature is done by discarding excess toxins and water. The expulsion of sweat leads to the cooling of the body , removal of excess fat from the body, moistening of the hair and skin, and purification of blood. Both excess sweating and deficient sweating are harmful to health.  Excess sweating can lead to skin diseases such as boils, burning skin, fatigue, eczema, fungus, dehydration, and convulsions. On the contrary if the sweating is deficient then it can cause skin fissures, dandruff, colds, flu, stiff hair, dry skin, and wrinkles. Activities such as excessive use of diaphoretic herbs, eating too many dry foods, excessive or deficient exercise, and lack of salt can damage the process of sweating.

The ingested food undergoes metabolic process and the waste products need to be segregated from the useful products (nutrients). If the waste products are not removed from the body in time they can prove to be toxic and harmful to the health in one way or another.

The word ‘Dhatus‘ originates from the word ‘DHA’ which means foundation or basis.  The word ‘Dhatu’ in Sanskrit means “that which binds together”. Dhatus is element. Our body is constructed of Dhatus. The base of survival and growth is Dhatus. For the purpose of maintaining life the Dhatus take various forms in the body. The Dhatus make up various organs and body systems. The Dhatus are the bases of development and nourishment. The mind is supported by Dhatus. The Anatomy and the physiology of the human body are dependent on Dhatus.

According to Ayurveda the seven Dhatus are:

1.      Rasa: It is the preliminary Dhatu. It is derived for food digestion. Each and every cell, tissue and part of the body is nourished by Rasa. This is done by circulation of the nutrients. The loss of appetite and other problems are possible if the Rasa is on the increase.  Deficiency of Rasa leads to loss of weight, retarded perception of senses, fatigue and dry skin.

2.      Rakta : Rakta is also known as blood. It is a fluid connective tissue. It is considered basis of life. Many vital functions of the body are served by Rakta.  The Rakta keeps us alive. It provides glow and vigor to the body. It nourishes the intellect and the muscles. Disorder related to Rakta can cause tumors, tiredness, boils, high blood pressure and anemia.

3.      Mansa: Mansa strengthens and supports the fat or Meda Dhatu. It is a derivative of blood. It is responsible for providing stamina and physical strength to the body. Disorders in Mansa are expressed as tumors around the neck, face, thigh, abdomen or genitalia.

4.      Meda: Meda means the adipose tissue. It acts as the store house of fat. It lubricates the body and provides energy. It insulates the body.

5.      Asthi: Asthi means the bone tissue. It forms the skeleton and supports the muscular tissue. Among the connective tissue it is the hardest.

6.      Majja: Majja means the yellow and red bone marrow tissue. It is present within the cavities of the bones. It produces the blood cells. It nourishes the semen. Its deficiency may result in sunken eyes and osteoporosis.

7.      Shukra: This Dhatu is associated with female and male reproductive system. It is responsible for production of children. The source of Shukra is the Majja.

For perfect health one requires appropriate quantity and quality of each Dhatu and the functioning of these Dhatus should be balanced.

Agni is the Digestive Fire which in modern biological terminology is Enzymes. Agni in other words the enzyme is found in the gastrointestinal track. The gastrointestinal tract is also know and alimentary canal. The alimentary canal digests the food. The three doshas on proper normal digestion result in samagni. The aggravated state of the doshas governs the digestive activity. The digestive activity could be excessive, deficient or healthy. The three agnis produced by the three doshas are Vishamagni (irregular fire), tikshnagni (sharp fire) and mandagni(mild fire)

The digestion is weak and irregular and gas is causes if there is excessive Vayu in the body.

A situation similar to an overheard furnace is created when there is excessive Pitta in the body.  When this is the situation there is rapid burning of food, indigestion, thirst, sensation of burning, acidity etc. Sometimes malnutrition can be caused by the burning of the nutrients by the agni.

Presence of excessive Kapha in the digestive tract lowers the digestive fire and consequently the digestion of the food becomes difficult. This results into the person feeling lethargic, dull, inadequate, and poor.  The person may feel his stomach to be heavy and he may suffer from constipation.

The Vayu , Pitta and Kapha also affect the type of feces that are excreted in other words ‘stools’. Disorders in Vayu result in hard stools because of dryness. Disorders in Pitta lead to excess of heat that ultimately results in soft or liquid stools. Stools because or Kapha are moderate. A moderate stool is considered a healthy stool and is thrown out of the body once or twice a day.

There are in all 13 agnis that are housed in the human body and these 13 agnis are responsible of digestion.

• Jatharagni: The Jatharagni works at the gastrointestinal level. It governs and controls the basic digestion. It also controls the remaining 12 agnis.
• 5 Bhutagnis: The five elements present in body tissues are metabolized by the 5 Bhutagnis. The 5 Bhutagnis are a form of heat. They are always there in the tissues. The proper development and functioning of the tissues is dependent on the 5 Bhutagnis.

7 Dhatagnis: The seven dhatus present in the body tissues are metblized by the 7 Dhatagnis. The digestion of food is followed by this biochemical activity. This biochemical activity includes the catabolic as well as the anabolic activities going on in the body.

‘Dosha‘ in Sanskrit means ‘that which maintains and controls the body ‘. The word ‘Tri’ means Three.  The Tridoshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Tridoshas cannot be seen by the naked eye. In this universe particularly in man all the activities are set into three main fundamental functions which are destruction, creation and organization. According to Ayurveda the health is maintained because of the Tridoshas.

• Vata (air ) is liable for movements in the body
• Kapha (water) is liable for immunity and strength
• Pitta (fire ) is liable for metabolism and digestion

Vata :Biological element is formed by the combination of air and space. Destruction is controlled by Vata. Vata is considered the main dosha among the Tridoshas because it controls the functions of the other two doshas.  The subdivisions of vara are:

• Prana: Prana means life. The main function of prana is control of all sense organs and respiration.
• Udana: Udana means upward thrust from the naval -diaphragm. Udana assists in the process of memory and speech.
• Vyana : Vyana is liable for blood circulation, and transport of nutrients got from food to the body cells.
• Samana: Samana means balance. The digestive juices from the tissues are brought in to the organs for metabolism and digestion.
• Apana: Apana means energy that is moving downward. Apana is liable for the act of the pelvic organs.

Pitta:Pitta is fire, the thermogenic element. After transformation the Pitta organizes the body. The subdivisions of Pitta are:

• Pachaka: The main site of Pachaka is the stomach. Pachaka assists in digestion
• Ranjaka: The main site of Ranjaka is liver. Ranjaka is liable for tissue or secondary digestion
• Sadhaka: The main site of Sadhaka is heart and brain. It is liable for the maintenance of our cognitive memories and digestion of knowledge.
• Alocchaka: The main site of Alocchaka is in the eye. Alocchaka assists the eye for suitable vision.
• Bharahaka: The main site of Bharahaka is in the skin. Bharahaka is liable for digestion and absorption.

Kapha: Kapha is the combination of water and earth and is liable for maintaining the creation. Its subdivisions are:

• Kledaka: Kledaka is in the stomach. The mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract is protected from the hot irritant fluids of pitta secretions by Kledaka
• Avalambaka: Avalambaka is in the vertebral column, lung apparatus and the heart. Avalambaka protects these organs from the wear and tear.
• Bodhaka: The site of Bodhaka is mouth. The tongue and the mucous membrane are protected by Bodhaka. This gives appropriate taste of the food.
• Tarpaka: The site of Tarpaka is in the spinal cord. It is liable for mental peace
• Shleshaka: Shleshaka is in joints. The wear and tear of the joints is prevented by Shleshaka.

“Panch maha bhootas” means 5 basic eternal elements. Every non living being and every living being  in this universe is an amalgamation of  five basic eternal elements. These five basic elements are

1.       Air or Vayu

2.       Space or Akasha

3.       Fire or Tejas

4.       Earth or Prithvi

5.       Water or Apa

The human body is made up of these five elements. These elements are in various proportions in the cells of the body. Every cell of the living being is living. When we compare the living body with the non living  the difference that we conclude is the manifestation of life.

The above mentioned basic elements have to be understood. They have to be studied in detail. These five elements are derived from one creative principle. These elements are expressions of an undifferentiated creative principle. When we try to understand these five elements both senses, the material sense as well as the subtle sense are of prime importance.  The meaning of these words are not restricted or limited to their physical meanings. Their meanings have to be studied and known in depth.

1.  Air or Vayu : Air is the kinetic force that is transparent and which is resoponsible to set the universe in motion. It moves in the blood, as well as removes the wasted from the body. According to Ayurveda the thoughts move through the mind because of air. Air is responsible for the birds to migrate from the colder region to the warmer region and is also responsible for the movement of the planet around the sun.

2.  Space or Akasha : This is the most delicate element that is omnipresent. It is a container in mind that receives the impressions. This element accepts love in the heart. Space is always ready to accept the truth.

3. Fire or Tejas : This element radiates light and produces heat . It portrays our commitment to pursue an objective by overcoming obstacles. It is that element which makes us void of ignorance and allows the truth to prevail.

4. Earth or Prithvi:  The element of Earth or Prithvi means the iron in our spleen and red blood corpuscles, the land of our planet, strength of one’s moral character, the quality of devotion of mind, the defiance to the act of showing off of others and one’s quiet, slow and persistent advancement in the direction of the set goal.

5. Water or Apa: The element of water or Apa means Implication of the cohesive aspects of reality which flows into the body and binds things together.

Directly or indirectly, we all use Ayurveda in our regular life. Do you add, mint leaves, tulsi (ocimum sanctum), ginger into your tea? If you do, then you follow ayurveda regularly.

Ayurveda is a self care system which originated more than 5000 years ago in India. Ayurveda uses herbal plants in various forms and combinations to cure a wide range of illnesses and sickness. Slowly, but consistently ayurveda is becoming popular all around the world with many practitioners adding various new practices, well researched and experienced principles and also therapies to improve the life. Thus it can be in a simple line said as the art of healthy living.

Ayurveda- The word can be divided into two root words “ayu” and “veda” which combine together to form the magical medical treatment method named ayurveda that uses various herbs. Ayurveda when translated means “the science of life”. This simple definition of ayurveda is further expanded by the experts making us understand the new meaning of ayurveda.

According to the great ayurveda experts, the meaning of “ayu” is not just restricted to life. According to the principles of ayurveda, when our complete body, all five senses, heart, mind and spirit function properly in a coordinated manner and are in proper balance only then it can be truly said as a true life or the living body. Similarly, “Veda” does not exactly mean science. It means an ageless never changing knowledge which is based on basic fundamental properties. Veda is also a map which will guide you onto how to benefit from knowledge.

Ayurveda not just provides you the basic information to cure disease and illness but also teaches us what life is and how to sustain the physical health and also our mind, heart senses and spirit. It helps provides a wide range of information from what a person should eat, drink and what type of lifestyle to follow to achieve maximum amount of benefit for a healthy living. Thus even if you don’t want to get too much into depth of ayurveda some small amount of knowledge is still necessary for a healthy problem free life.

There are two basic objectives of Ayurveda.

• The first objective of ayurveda is to keep an already healthy person healthy for life.
• While the next objective of ayurveda is to teach a person who does not have any knowledge of ayurveda or how to keep healthy the right method to get rid of the bodies imbalance and thus live a healthy life.

So, if you don’t have much knowledge about the science of healthy living, you better start taking your life a bit seriously and follow the ayurvedic principles to sustain the good health.