Rajas, Tamas, Sattva

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Can someone inform me

1)How the gunas Rajas, Tamas and Sattva are related to the doshas.

2)Besides food how are imbalances of the gunas treated or does one

always focus treatment on the doshas.

3)Is the trigunas mentioned in the Gita? and how is this related to

therapeutic treatment both in Ayurveda, Yoga and Jyotish

4) Furthermore what effect does Shirodhara have on the trigunas.

 

Hope you can assist my understanding

Thanks

Ray

[Guest guest]

Dear Ray

You have raised a basic question.

Satva, Raja and Tama are the 3 gunas or characteristics of Mind. These

characteristic should be considered while treating disorders of the Mind. [

Psychiatric disorders]

We called Prakruti i.e constitution of human body is of Vata, Pitta and Kafa

dominance. Like wise we could lable Satvic, Rajas and Tamasa prakruti of the

Mind. You have mentioned Jyotish in your post. Yes we could analyze a person's

horoscope and conclude one's prakruti of Mind and treat mental disorders

accordingly.

 

Vaidya Upadhye

http://www.astroayurvedalogy.com

http://www.astrotreat.blogspot.com 

________________

 

1)How the gunas Rajas, Tamas and Sattva are related to the doshas.

2)Besides food how are imbalances of the gunas treated or does one

always focus treatment on the doshas.

3)Is the trigunas mentioned in the Gita? and how is this related to

therapeutic treatment both in Ayurveda, Yoga and Jyotish

4) Furthermore what effect does Shirodhara have on the trigunas.

[Guest guest]

Dear Ray,

I agree with Vaidya Upadhye

 

Basically in treating manasika (diseases) dosha's 1) Devayapasraya 2) Satvajaya

3) Yukthaja Chikitsa is done

 

Shirodhara is one of the panchakarma procedure, Since manasika dhosha do effect

the shareerika doshas too. When treated with shirodhara based on the dosha

affected there by the balance of dosha's can be achieved. Thats how treatment is

done in UNMADA, APSAMARA etc

 

Regards

Suresh

_________________

1)How the gunas Rajas, Tamas and Sattva are related to the doshas.

2)Besides food how are imbalances of the gunas treated or does one

always focus treatment on the doshas.

3)Is the trigunas mentioned in the Gita? and how is this related to

therapeutic treatment both in Ayurveda, Yoga and Jyotish

4) Furthermore what effect does Shirodhara have on the trigunas.

[Guest guest]

Go to files and check out the first page in Ayurvedic Chinese food

list.doc Look and the bottom of the page and this will give you some

idea of of the relationship... Noel

_____________

 

Can someone inform me

1)How the gunas Rajas, Tamas and Sattva are related to the doshas.

[Guest guest]

Dear friend,

You need to develop an holistic vision. There might be a variation in opinions

from different members to your question but I feel you need an answer in a

innocent and simple language.

 

The Gunas are three biological qualities and the Doshas are three

patho-physiological forces.  The Force when becomes activated it turn in to

power and vice versa. Ayurvedic therapeutic strategies revolve round the Panch

Mahabhutas and Panchdoshas (V, P, K R, and Tamas). The five dosha are five major

catogories of morbidities.

 

Charak says just as the tree is involved in the seed, so also human body

(Anatomy and Physiology) is involved in the " Mula-Prikriti " which is made of

Sattava, Rajas and Tamas, the basic human qualities.

The Rajas quality is symbolic of  motion, passion, excitement and struggle hence

can be attributed to influence Vattic force and Vata dosha.

 

Tamas being symbolic of inertia, ignorance, delusion (Moha) can be attributed to

influence the Kapha manifestation.

 

Sattava quality is embodiment of well balanced Pitta force, thus not regarded as

dosha.

 

Remember, there is no manifestation of single force or quality  rather it is a

combination of  five dosha in terms of predominance.

 

As far as is Shirdhara therapy is concerned, it can influence all the three

doshas depending on material used.

 

Mukesh D Jain MD (Ayurveda)

www.sanjivaniwellness.org/Profile.htm

http://www.ayurvednews.com/archives/170

drmjainbhilai

 

 

Dr Mukesh D Jain MD

Panch Karma & Yoga Division,

Sanjivani Wellness Center Bhilai 490023 India

Visit us at  http://www.sanjivaniwellness.org

________________

 

You have raised a basic question.

 

Satva, Raja and Tama are the 3 gunas or characteristics of Mind. These

characteristic should be considered while treating disorders of the Mind. [

Psychiatric disorders]

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Jain,

I fully understand the concept. My confusion lies in the fact that

most Western Ayurveda books talk about Doshas of the Mind, so is this

latter concept incorrect. Also many questionaires from India and the

West have Prakruti determination on qualities of the mind related to

the Dosha i.e determine your dosha from Mind -Body questionaire. I

know the ultimate way is the pulse, but please be so goodas to

clarify this issue for me.

Thanks

Ray

 

_________

 

You need to develop an holistic vision. There might be a variation

in opinions from different members to your question but I feel you

need an answer in a innocent and simple language.

[Guest guest]

This query has received many replies and there is a divergence

of opinion. The practical assessment remains to be discussed, as

several online questionnaires also produce different numbers depending on the

source. And most questionnaires try to estimate doshas, not gunas. The addition

of the practitioners using modern tests stretches ayurveda to its modern

limits. As stated by the member, considerable confusion exists. Only the pulse

gives some guidance to the serious practitioner.

 

Although we remain unaware of the intense activity which may be important to our

existence beyond our body's cells, tissues and organs and which continues 24

hours a day. It's complex patterns can be perceived through the sense of touch

as well as the mind. Proficiency in reading the pulse is gained through long

practice, alertness and guidance from the Guru. Learning to detect disease from

the pulse is a skill belonging to the vaidya, who memorizes and logically

classifies various disease conditions with specific pulse-signatures, just as

scientists classify basic elements in distant stars through spectroscopy

signatures.

 

Depending upon the alertness of the mind as well as long practice the pulse can

also guide to the gunas of the mind. To understand the

relationship between doshas and Gunas, it may help to recapitulate

the basics through original verses in ancient texts in Sanskrit, but

since English translations are also provided, proficiency in Sanskrit

is not a must for visiting:

 

http://www.gdpau.com/ayurveda.html

 

To understand the relationship between manas gunas and doshas, the

route is provided by defining doshas in terms of panchmahabhutas and

then attaching panchmahabhutas with gunas. Denoting Satva, Rajas,

Tamas by S,R,T respectively:

 

Vata > Vayu ® + Space (S) = RS

Pitta > Agni (SR) + Jala (ST) = SSRT

Kapha > Jala (ST) + Earth (T) = STT

 

Based on above the constitution of balanced doshas in terms of

Gunas, the state of the mind can be estimated as follows:

 

Dosha Satva (%) Rajas(%) Tamas(%)

Vata 50 50 0

Pitta 50 25 25

Kapha 35 0 65

 

There can be variations in these numbers based on individual vaidya

experience, since in contrast to modern science, ayurveda is not a

science of numbers.

 

An important point is that the gunas of the mind are related to doshas and can

be estimated through the pulse. As the blood moves away from the heart, carrying

nutrients and neurochemicals to all cells, the signals of the central nervous

system are also carried through neurotransmitters. The intelligence carried by

the blood is made up of panchmahabhutas. Having understood the relationship

between panchmahabhutas and doshas, it can be understood how manas gunas are

being carried through the blood. Since doshas are made up of panchmahabhutas

existing not only in body but also in the environment, the effect of the seasons

and the time of day also becomes obvious. While the pulse can be thought of as

indicating dosha/manas guna force as well as its quality, it can be equated to a

cardiogram. If one can read and estimate the presence of dosha balance in

percentages, multiply those factors in the above table and work out the

percentages of manas gunas. Prakruti/Vikruti is then based on whether Doshas

were estimated at Prakruti or vikuti level.

 

If the pulse is analyzed at multiple levels, gunas of the mind can

also be assessed directly instead of the above more complex assessment.Dr Vasant

Lad suggests reading the pulse at seven different levels. The deepest level

defines the prakruti and the surface level reads vikruti. The second level

defines manas prakruti while 6th level represents manas vikuti. The totality of

the two define the flow of consciousness and its imbalance if any. While 3rd

and 5th levels define dhatu balance and subdoshas balance respectively, the 4th

level indicates Ojas/Tejas/Prana status. Experiencing these many sensations

requires advanced practice, as the feeling of the beats occurs first in the mind

and then in the fingers. Unless the mind's eye (agya chakra) is open, the

reading is not felt in fingers.

 

Since 2nd and sixth levels are tuned to the mind, one can discover

mental imbalance and identify the deeper flow of consciousness as

activated by chakras. Ultimately the mind converts objective reality

into subjective reality through the senses and perceptions. The seven

Chakras which lie along the spine are the energy centers (also

connected to endocrine glands) of the subtle body. They show how the

life force directs and guides the physical body through the nervous

system. Manas prakruti does not change unless chakras are open and

one becomes enlightened. According to Lad, the spike in the pulse at

2nd and 6th levels shows imbalance in the chakras. The relationship

between the chakras, the sensory and action organs has been discussed by this

author in the Iron Rules of Health series posts. It is here that yoga and

ayurveda meet. The manas prakruti and vikruti levels

bridge the body and the mind, the objective and subjective. The subtlety of this

technique makes it difficult to adequately describe in a technical way. While

the pulse can be equated to an ECG, reading these two levels is like reading an

EEG. One of the several experts in India, Vd. Brahaspati Dev Triguna, was

awarded Padma Viubhusan by Govt. of India, in 2003 for his work on the subject.

 

In addition to the pulse, one can use natal and dynamic charts to

estimate manas prakruti and vikruti also. Some clues using

astrological configurations were mentioned in a post on " management

of anxiety and panic attacks " in the ayurveda archives. The

assessment of the panchmahabhutas present in the person's manas

prakruti and vikruti can also be made by examining the ridge patterns

on finger tips, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. But the assessments by

each individual can differ slightly, as these judgements remain qualitative.

 

Ref:

Lad, Vasant, Secrets of the Pulse: The ancient art of Ayurvedic Pulse

Diagnosis, 1996 The Ayurvedic Press

 

 

 

 

________________________________

 

I fully understand the concept. My confusion lies in the fact that

most Western Ayurveda books talk about Doshas of the Mind, so is this

latter concept incorrect. Also many questionaires from India and the

West have Prakruti determination on qualities of the mind related to

the Dosha i.e determine your dosha from Mind -Body questionaire. I

know the ultimate way is the pulse, but please be so goodas to

clarify this issue for me.

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Bhate,

Thankyou for your feedback.

Is it possible that you can clarify your statement for me please; as

I can take Prakruti and Vikruti pulse but I am not clear about the

calculation stated below.Does one treat the Manas first before the

physical imbalance?

 

" While the pulse can be thought of as indicating dosha/manas guna

force as well as its quality, it can be equated to a cardiogram. If

one can read and estimate the presence of dosha balance in

percentages, multiply those factors in the above table and work out

the percentages of manas gunas. Prakruti/Vikruti is then based on

whether Doshas were estimated at Prakruti or vikuti level " .

 

Thank you again

Ray

[Guest guest]

> 1)How the gunas Rajas, Tamas and Sattva are related to the doshas.

> 2)Besides food how are imbalances of the gunas treated or does one

> always focus treatment on the doshas.

> 3)Is the trigunas mentioned in the Gita? and how is this related to

> therapeutic treatment both in Ayurveda, Yoga and Jyotish

> 4) Furthermore what effect does Shirodhara have on the trigunas.

 

 

 

 

dear ray,

according to charak satva is guna and rajas and tamas are manas

doshas.

'tatra shuddham(satva) adosh makhyant kalayan anshtvat'ch-sha-4-means

the sattvika on is free from defects as it is endowed with

auspiciousness.

'rajas sadosh makhyant rosha anshtvat' means rajas type is defevtive

because it promotes wrathful dispositien.anger and attachment are sign

of rajas.

'tamas api sadosh makhyant mohan anshtvat' means tams one is similarly

devtive because it suffers from ignorance and lethargyness.

 

triguna also described in gita 'tryo gunatit adhyay'

 

warm regards

dr piyush shah

[Guest guest]

The proposition will become clear by taking an example.

Assume that prakruti/vikruti is estimated in terms of doshas by a

vaidya as follows:

Vata 40%

Pitta 60%

Kapha 0%

 

Now use the table given in earlier message:

Dosha Satva (%) Rajas(%) Tamas(%)

Vata 50 50 0

Pitta 50 25 25

Kapha 35 0 65

 

Since Vata dosha contains half Satva and Half Rajas, the patient will

have 20% Satva and 20% Rajas due to Vata(40%) alone.

 

Patient has 60% Pitta. Pitta distributes 50% on Satva, 25% on Rajas

and 25% on Tamas as per above table. Hence his 60% Pitta dosha should

distribute to 30% Satva, 15% Rajas and 15% Tamas. Since he has no

kapha unbalance we stop here. Otherwise kapha dosha also needs to be

dealt with in same manner. Total so far is:

Satva 20+30=50%

Rajas 20+15=35%

Tamas 0 +15=15%

 

Which is his estimated manas prakruti/vikruti, depending on whether

doshas represent prakruti or vikruti. These percentage may differ

slightly from one vaidya to next, depending on his mentor. However,

dominant and subdominant doshas would not differ amongst vaidyas.

 

A vaidya after long practice does not have to do these simple

calculations even mentally, as he learns to recognise manas vikruti by

several other characteristics of the patient(color of skin, hair,

their hardness/softness, profuse hair qunatity, feel of the touch

(hot,moist,dry), shade of the eyes, and lastly, the sixth sense.

Often body language gives clue to the vikruti, but vaidya needs

considerable practice of watching people. The knowledge of astrology,

especially how planets and stars leave their footprints on face, body

etc is very helpful in ayurveda practice too.

 

Vaidya should treat both body and manas together. Manas treatment

starts as soon as patient is observed, touched and spoken to by

vaidya. The vaidya knows whether patient is trusting vaidya or not by

pulse alone. The message 8610 in archives

ayurveda/message/8610

 

tells us how the pulse can be used to assess if the patient is

likely to get benefits of the treatment. It also explains why a

placebo works. Positive thoughts, assuring touch stir the immune

system. Skin is the largest seat of vata, the dosha which rules the

state of nervous system. That is the reason, pulse reading is carried

out thrice. In the beginning, in the middle of session and at the end

of session. Some academicians admit that they had thriving practice,

only after they mastered pulse reading from a traditional Guru.

Advanatage of pulse reading is that the disease can be caught well

before it has made the progress to show noticeable symptoms. When

super-speciality hospitals well equipped with high energy scans

differ in their diagnosis and miss the disease many a time, pulse is

the " Final Diagnosis " , if mastered by a vaidya.

 

Dr Bhate

___________

 

Is it possible that you can clarify your statement for me please; as

I can take Prakruti and Vikruti pulse but I am not clear about the

calculation stated below.Does one treat the Manas first before the

physical imbalance?