The Basics of Ayurveda ....... by - N.S.Parasuraman

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Ayurveda - The Basics Ayurveda is the world's oldest system of health. Ayu=Life; Veda=Knowledge or Science. It upholds the intimate connection between human life and cosmic life. There are 7 basic concepts that make Ayurveda a unique and complete 'Science of Life' :1. The unchanging nature even for the last thousands of years2. The subjective methods of understanding3. The Five-Element theory- Pancha Bhutas- Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth (Cosmic Elements) are common to both man and nature. 4. Theory of Three Doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha.5. Prakriti-constitutional type. Each human being is born with a unique combination of the 3 doshas.6. Effects of the seasons.7. Panchakarma- Science of Rejuvenation.The miracle of the human body is

that it has a natural healing intelligence, which is capable of rejuvenating itself. Panchakarma purifies the body from degenerating influence of the foreign substances. Panchakarma also works to eliminate the cause of disease.Ayu - 4 Aspects of Life:a) Atma - Soulb) Manas - Mindc) Indriyas - Sensesd) Sarira - BodyAyurveda focusses on maintaining a balanced, integrated relationship among the above 4 aspects.Atma - SoulThe Atma is the least tangible part of life. Each soul's inherent preferences lead to make choices which are consistent with its dharma. A life that is lived in accord with dharma is a life that is in harmony with Ayu, the totality of life. The most obvious sign that life is being lived in accord with dharma is the joy that comes from doing those things that are most closely aligned with our soul's purpose. Pregnant

woman will have different food habits, influenced by the soul of the baby in the womb. Similarly, just before dying, the food habits change, as the soul gradually withdraws from the body. Soul is the Director of Life.Manas - MindMind is the controller of the senses and the body. Mind is responsible for maintaining the harmony between the parts of human life and the universal intelligence. The 3 Gunas - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas - regulate our mind. Creative thinking - SattvaBuilding Activity - RajasCompletion of work - TamasThe Sattvic Mind always chooses those things that promote growth and fulfillment.It is in the improper functioning of the mind that the seeds of disease are sown.Frustrated mind makes the man less efficient. He loses clarity, inspiration and motivation. Finally, he becomes an anchorless , rudderless ship, set adrift on a stormy ocean.Ayurveda's gift is the removal

of the 'Tamas' or Ignorance.What we eat and what we do play a very important role in who we are.The physician first assesses the nature of a patient's mind . Then he can design a suitable treatment for the patient.Indriyas - The 5 SensesThe Indriyas act as a bridge between the non-physical atma and mind on one side and the physical body and prakriti on the other. Primary cause of disease is the improper use of the senses. Indriyas gather informations from the outer world. Insufficient sensory inputs is another cause. The third cause is sensory intakes which are morally or emotionally repugnant. Function Sense Organ of

perception Element Sound Hearing Ear Akash Movement Touch Skin Vayu Conversion Sight Eye Agni Liquidity Taste Tongue Jala Solidity Smell Nose PrithviEach sense organ is highly specialised, which no other organ can do.The senses carry information from the outside to the inside and back again, with remarkable ease and speed.

Accordingly, mind can act or react.Proper functioning of the Indriyas is crucial to the maintenance of good health.With a sattvic mind, the senses are finely tuned receptors. Guided by the soul, the sattvic mind selects things which protect, nourish and strengthen the parts of life and their connections. Ayurveda sees this vital, integrated mode of functioning as the basis of health and happiness.Sarira - The BodyThe body serves as the vehicle for the senses.The sequential flow of elements is from:Akash to Vayu to Agni to Jala to PrithviSpace Air Fire Water EarthThe flow is from subtle to material nature.AkashAkash has the most expansive and least concrete value. Jala and Earth are more

concrete than the other preceding elements. When a seed grows to become a tree, it follows these 5 stages. Similarly the sperm to become man as well.Akash is non-resistant. It is the subtlest of the bhutas. It serves as a medium in which other bhutas can manifest. Without Akash, nothing in the universe can exist nor can any process take place.After non-resistance, Sound is the second fundamental quality of Akash. Sound propagates by virtue of space. Actually, sound is born out of the creation of space.VayuMovement is the essential principle behind the bhuta-Vayu. Movement implies direction also. Vayu originates and gives direction to all motion and change and as a result to all processes and functions in creation.Movement also generates a drying influence, which in turn produces separation or disintegration. Colon, uterus, urinary bladder, heart, muscular movement, blinking of eyes, transmission of impulses to and

from brain- are all Vayu.AgniAgni causes all conversions or transformation in creation. This manifests as the qualities of heat and light as well as that which gives colour and visual form to all things. Digestion is Agni. Radiance, lustre, complexion, shine, dynamism, dull, brilliance of the eyes, sight, colour- are all Agni.Without Akash, Agni and Vayu cannot function.JalaJala embodies liquidity and cohesion. It governs a substance's ability to change shape, without separating or losing its integrity. Jala's nature is to bind or hold together. Volcanic lava, gasolene, blood in vein- all represent Jala. Jala acts as a medium through which vayu carries nutrients to leaves and branches. Blood, saliva, digestive secretions- are all Jala. Jala protects mucous membranes of the body and lubricates the joints. Ability to taste depends on the liquidity as saliva in the tongue. It

gauges the proportion of solids to liquids. The body favours those foods that reflect its specific elemental make up.PrithviThe sequential manifestation of elements moves from subtle and abstract to gross and concrete. Prithvi is most solid and hence the last to emerge. Any substance or particle with shape indicates the presence of Prithvi bhuta. Atom, molecule, rock, mountain, planet, solar system, galaxy, leaf, flower, tendon, muscle, bone- are all Prithvi.When Vayu's drying influence removes the cohesion of Jala, particles begin to separate and give more smell. Dry and powdered items have more smell. Whenever an odour is detected, Prithvi is there.Prithvi's presence can be determined by hardness and shape of things also. Prithvi helps us to reject harmful things. The 5 universal elements and their corresponding physical elements allow the Ayurvedic physician to use his senses to diagnose, avoiding costlier

and invasive procedures. The most versatile of all senses, for diagnostic purposes, is the 'Touch'. In addition to its own functioning, it can inform the physician of the state of the other 4 elements. This is 'Nadi Vigyan'- the most exceptional diagnostic tool. It is based on the principle that (Quantum Physics) the physical universe is essentially vibrational in nature. Every organ and tissue in the body has its own unique vibrational signature, which carries the information of its state of functioning. The fluid forms of lymph and blood circulate throughout the body, picking up these vibrations and conducting them through Vayu's 5 different functions in the body.Visual inspection of patient's body-eyes, tongue, stool, urine samples etc- determine deficiency or excess of Agni.Odour occurs as the Earth element loses its cohesion.The Pancha Maha Bhuta theory gives us a theoritical framework for understanding sarira. Human physiology is determined by the 3

Doshas, which help diagnosis and treatment.The 5 bhutas have a natural balance in the body. Jala and Prithvi predominate.Dosha, Dhatu and MalaAyurveda explains the body composition by 3 basic systems- Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Dhatu covers function, structure and substance. Mala is defined as substance. Dosha is not easily objectifiable. It needs extensive observation. It compares the happenings in nature to what is going on in the body. Dhatus are those substances which are retained in the body and always rejuvenated or replenished. Mala are substances naturally expelled from the body. Only Dhatus support the body's functioning. Extensive loss of dhatus lead to death; as in injuries, illness, accidents etc.The 7 Dhatus and their functions. Dhatu Function Rasa Nutritional fluid - Plasma Rakta Blood - Life Force Mamsa Muscles - Cover bones Meda Adipose Tissue - Lubrication Asthi Bone - Help to stand and walk Majja Bone Marrow - Nerve tissue nourishment Shukra Semen / Ovaries - ReproductionEach succeeding dhatu is a metabolic refinement of the previous dhatu and gets nourished by it. Asthi is most solid and Shukra the most refined.MalasThey are the eliminated wastes- substances discharged during the processing and maintenance of dhatus. The 3 malas and their functions are given below: Mala Function Purisha (Feces) Eliminates toxins in solid form through colon Mutra (Urine) Eliminates toxins in liquid form through kidney Sweda (Sweat) Eliminates toxins through pores of skinMalas naturally arise as the unusable by-products of the digestive process, associated with the formation of each of the 7 dhatus. The action of the doshas separates these waste materials from the dhatus at each stage of metabolism. Accumulation of malas causes imbalance that damages functioning of the dhatus. Their elimination is essential. We should not restrain any bodily urge to eliminate the malas.The 3 Doshas - Vata, Pitta, Kapha.The Tridosha theory is unique to Ayurveda. Of the 5 great elements, Akash and Prithvi do not change. Hence, the Vayu, Agni and Jala represent the 3 Doshas:Akash + Vayu - Vata DoshaAgni

- Pitta "Jala + Prithvi - Kapha "Human body can be divided into 3 parts, w.r.t. the 3 Doshas:a) Upper portion - Kapha zone : consists of Sense organs, tongue, larynx, pherynx, esophagus, trachea, lungs, bronchi, heart, pericardium and upper part of stomach. Kapha does moisturing, mixing, binding, lubricating etc- Jala quality. It constitutes most of the heavy item- nature of Prithvi. Also secretions are Jala nature- saliva, mucus (dull whitish colour).b) Middle portion - Pitta zone : Diaphragm, lower part of stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, gall bladder, spleen - nature of Agni. They produce acids, enzymes, juices, bile etc. Primary function of this part is Conversion - Pitta Dosha. The secretions in this zone change the structure, colour and quality of whatever they contact with. Pitta zone produces substances in variety of coloures - yellow, red, green - nature of Agni.

Foods such as spices have high level of Agni.c) Lower portion - Vata zone : Navel downwards- large intestine, reproductive organs, organs of elimination, legs etc. Porosity, space, dryness, lightness and movement are the functions here. No secretions- actually, they re-absorbs fluids back into the body or hold fluids to be excreted from it. Here bones and organs are larger and spacious- nature of Akash and Vayu. Darker colour. Vata controls the mechanism involved in drying and separating food. Brown, purple and black colours. Beans, water melons etc are Vata foods. Vata is responsible for moving Kapha and Pitta throughout the body. Vata animates life. It initiates and maintains all of life's essential processes. All energy expenditure is orchestrated by Vata. When a baby is born, it first cries. Crying uses the energy that was stored in the baby's dhatu. This energy must be expended before the baby can draw in air to begin breathing on its own.The usual Life Cycle Dosha Kapha Pitta Vata Age Child - upto puberty Middle Age Old Age Activity Growth Grow ReproductionAmbitionCourageEnergyMotivation Reproduce Drive reducesSkin begins to dry and wrinkleBody loses weightMuscles lose flexibility DieThe 3 Doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the unseen forces that do all the transporting, transforming and packaging function in the body.Unlike the Dhatus, the Doshas can move from dhatus to gastro-intestinal tractThe following 4 premises describe Dosha's functioning:1. Doshas can move anywhere in the body.2. Dosha's intelligence discriminates- what should be retained and what should be eliminated3. Each dosha is most efficient in eliminating in its zone.4. The dosha's twice daily migration periods are the best times for the movement of waste products.Digestion - The Key to HealthOnly Vayu, Agni and Jala, acting

as Vata, Pitta and Kapha, possess the specific intelligence sufficient to conduct the digestion. Agni and Pitta - the digestive fire- is the process responsible for metabolic conversion within the body. In the context of the digestive processes that occur in the G.I.Tract, Agni bhuta is called 'Jathara Agni'.Indigestion and AmaAma is the undigested food stuff. First Ama forms in the G.I.Tract. It is different from Mala. Ama is later transported to dhatus by the 'dosha gati'. This will weaken the dhatus and cause infection. Ama formation leads to constipation.OjasThere are 2 phases of digestion:1. Prapaka metabolism - Digestion in the G.I.Tract.2. Vipaka metabolism - Digestion in the dhatus.In Vipaka Metabolism, the food passes through each dhatu after leaving the G.I.Tract, in order. Each dhatu gets nourished by this. The final stage is in Shukra Dhatu, where 'Ojas' is

produced. Ojas represents the essence of the entire digestive process and it is responsible for the body's immunity to disease. Ojas is a highly refined bio-chemical and is responsible for nourishing the non-physical parts of life- like senses, mind and soul. It creates spiritual feeling.For more details, please read the book:Ayurveda and Panchakarma by Dr. Sunil.V.Joshi M.D.(Ayu)

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