Ojas and Tejas

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There are 2 terms Ojas and Tejas, which appear to be synonymous, and in some

cases do co-exist, but are not really synonymous.

 

Ojas is the end point of Kapha metabolism, while Tejas is the endpoint of Pitta

metabolism. Kapha is inherent strength, while Pitta is the basic energy,

therefore Ojas is the subtle end point responsible for strength of immunity,

while Tejas is the subtle end point of physical strength. One may have physical

strength, and still lack mental Ojas, or vice vresa. A weak child may be

intelligent, and have Ojas, and yet lack physical strength, Tejas. Tejas is also

the lustre on the face or in the eyes, which is again a Pitta component. While

mental Ojas increases with meditation, and by developing a state of mind that

can easily deal with any kind of stress. It is a Satvic dhatu.

 

In modern terms, as I explain, in Energy metabolism, 1 unit of Glycogen is

converted into 2 units of ATP in the absence of Oxygen, but into 24 units of ATP

in the presence of Oxygen. Oxygenation is obviously good. But, if there is too

much Vata, Oxygen, the Glycogen stores do get depleted. Glycogen, is like Ojas,

ATP is like Tejas. There is perhaps an ideal state , of Pitta / Kapha and Vata,

where you do use oxygen, but do not wipe out the utilizable glycogen storage,

which varies from person to person.

 

During pregnancy, unless it is a complicated one, ingestion of dry fruits,

nuts, and certain herbals will increase your healthy "glycogen" storage. The

mental attitude towards one's pregnancy, the support from one's spouse, family

and friends, are all responsible for developing one's Ojas. In India, the

friends and family have several "fun" occasions geared towards the pregnant

woman and the baby, every so often, much like the " baby shower", only more

often. The mental attitude is as important towards the development of Ojas as

the physical one. Post delivery, it is a mental attitude towards the child,

along with the physical one ofcourse, that will help in not depleting your

mental Ojas. Our society here has no time for anyone. Perhaps we need to develop

an attitude of tolerance of stress, if we do not want to lose our Ojas. When we

talk about energy, it is the Tejas that we lose. And if we do lose too much

Tejas, we can lose Ojas too, although they are not synonymous terms.

 

According to Ashtanga Hridaya, Ojas is the sara--essence of all dhatus, ending

with shukra dhatu, but located in Hridaya. Although Hridaya is translated as

Heart, it is actually located in one's emotional center. It pervades all over

the body and controls/ regulates the working of the body. It is viscous and

preponderant in water principle. It is clear, transparent, slight reddish in

color, and its loss ( without replenishment) will lead to loss of life

ultimately ( as in AIDS in our current contemporary context )

 

Ojas decreases with anger, hunger ( starvation ), worry, grief, exertion, etc.

Even over exertion or Over exercising can deplete one's Ojas---ativyayama .

Other causes of loss of Ojas may be extreme hunger ( starvation), extreme loss

of sleep, injury, excesss hemorrhage, excess fear, infection , too much

elimination ( diarrhea), or excess elimination of semen, or malas.

 

Increase of Ojas makes for contentment, nourishment of body and increase of

immune strength, and eventually of physical strength. Sattvic attitude, proper

diet, "Jivaniya" herbs, regular exercise, proper sleep and regular oleation of

the body are all responsible

for maintaining or replenishing our Ojas.

 

One's mental attitude to stress is as responsible for its replenishment as all

of the above.