THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA

ആയുര്‍വേദത്തിനെ കുറിച്ച്‌ ഇത്രയൊക്കെ എഴുതുന്നതും , പറയുന്നതും ഒക്കെ കേട്ടിട്ട്‌, ഞാന്‍ ആയുര്‍വേദം മുഴുവന്‍ അരച്ചു കലക്കി കുടിച്ചു എന്നു ഞാന്‍ ധരിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്‌ എന്ന്‌ ആരും ധരിക്കല്ലേ.

ആയുര്‍വേദത്തില്‍ എന്തൊക്കെയോ സാധ്യതകള്‍ ഉണ്ട്‌ എന്നു മനസ്സിലായി. ആ സാധ്യതകള്‍ തുടര്‍ന്ന്‌ പരീക്ഷിച്ചാല്‍ ഇതിലും വലിയ സാധ്യതകള്‍ ഇനിയും തെളിയുവാന്‍ സാധ്യതകള്‍ ഉണ്ട്‌ എന്നും തോന്നുന്നതു കൊണ്ട്‌ ഇതൊക്കെ പൊതുസമക്ഷം വയ്ക്കുന്നു എന്നേ ഉള്ളു.

താല്‍പര്യമുള്ളവര്‍ക്ക്‌ വായിക്കുവാന്‍ വേടി ഞാന്‍, 90കളില്‍ മംഗലാപുരത്തു നിന്നും പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ച ഒരു മാസികയില്‍ പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ച ഒരു ചെറിയ ലേഖനം ഇതോടൊപ്പം കൊടുക്കുന്നു. ഈ ബ്ലോഗില്‍ തന്നെ മുമ്പ്‌ രണ്ടു പ്രാവശ്യം ഇത്‌ പബ്ലിഷ്‌ ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട്‌ എന്നു തോന്നുന്നു. അന്നൊന്നും പലരും വായിച്ചിരിക്കുവാന്‍ സാധ്യതയില്ലാത്തതുകൊണ്ട്‌ ഒന്നു കൂടി.


THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is the science of life. Lord Brahma is said to have remembered it which means that Ayurveda existed even before Him or in other words the principles governing this science are eternal. Ayurveda is founded on the Thridosha theory. This theory says that the existence of a body is dependent upon the balance between the three doshas - Vatha, Pittha & Kapha. When we examine the texts of Ayurveda we can see the commentators trying to compare these with Bile, serous exudates, mucous and what not? This is because of their ignorance.

To have a thorough knowledge of Thridoshas we have to go to the Panchabhootha theory. It says that anything and everything in this universe is made up of five Bhoothas, the Akasa, Vayu, Agni, Jala and Prithvi. Here we have to bear in mind that these five are not separate elements, but are only five so-called aspects of the single Absolute Truth. The Absolute truth has no aspects or attributes, but for the phenomenal world we have to assume certain aspects, without which science cannot exist. Hence the so-called aspects. This is what is known as Maya.

Names and Forms where given to the nameless and formless Absolute i.e. the Absolute is not confined to names or forms, when you are limiting anything based on some criteria, there arise names, forms and thus Plurality. This is the Phenomenal world. There science exists which assumes the plurality to be true for the time being and through these assumptions helps the individuals to experience the Absolute World, where even these assumptions and science are false.

In this Phenomenal world we assume that matter exists. A matter is formed from its raw materials. This formed matter is called as KAARYAM and the raw materials are called as KAARANAM. In the absolute world both Kaaryam and Kaaranam are identified to be one and the same without any difference as is the case of waves, surf etc. in water. But in the phenomenal world we assume that there is difference between these two, otherwise the same name must be given to both - where the expression of science becomes impossible.

The findings of modern science have made my job very simple. They say that the particles electrons, protons etc. are not actually particles but only condensed or whirlpool form of energy. Thus in our science the universal energy in its Maya form exhibits the panchabhoothas. Akaasa is the space which gives room for the others to exist. Vayu is the driving force. Agni is the energy utilized or given out when one form of matter changes to another. Jalam is the Kaaranam from which matter is made. Prithvi is the foundation, i.e. the unit matter which possesses characteristics and properties. Asamavaayi Kaaranam also is an attribute of Prithvi. E.g. Knitting of thread gives rise to cloth. A specific arrangement of the threads gives a specific quality to the cloth. Here the mode of arrangement is the asamavayi kaaranam.

Now let us try to put all these into an e.g.: of a hydrogen atom. It has a proton nucleus and an electron revolving around it. Two such atoms fuse to give a Helium atom. In this hydrogen atom the potential energy constituting the whirlpools of proton and electron is the Upaadaana kaaranam and hence is the Jalabhootham. The whirlpool like activity which makes the proton and electron, the revolution of electron etc. is the Vayubhootham. When two hydrogen atoms fuse an amount of energy is liberated. Thus the energy used up or liberated during a change of matter is the Agnibhootham. Akasa is the empty space where this exists. Prithvi is the structure of the particles and the atom as such which gives it the characteristics and properties.

The same holds true for any unit of matter, whether it be atoms or sub-atomic particles or even mountains. Thus we see that there are three principles important in the formation and existence of matter.


1. The Upaadaana Kaaranam.
2. The Driving Force.
3. The Agni which effected the change.

These three are the Jalam, Vayu and the Agni respectively. In the Thridosha Theory, Akasa and Vayu are together called as Vatha Dosham, Agni is called Pittha Dosham and Jalam and Prithvi are together called Kapha Dosham.

In the body also this is the rule. If these three principles are working harmoniously the body will be healthy.

Now let us consider the inter-action between the environment and the body. The whole universe is made of panchabhoothas and hence whatever material we consume will increase the corresponding bhoothas in the body. How to know the general bhootha composition of a material is to study its properties. The first to be tested is the Taste. We accept six tastes.


1. Swadu (sweet - composed of Prithvi + Jalam)
2. Amla (sour - composed of Prithvi + Agni)
3. Lavana (salt - composed of Jala + Agni)
4. Thiktha (bitter - composed of Akasa + Vayu)
5. Ooshana (chilly - composed of Agni + Vayu)
6. Kashaya (?metallic composed of Prithvi + Vayu)

The tastes are produced when the material contains the said bhoothas predominantly. Of course there are certain exceptions also for this rule but these are beyond the scope of this work. Now if we consume more of pepper containing curries which are hot we experience Hiccup. This is because pepper has oosahana taste which increases the Agni and Vayu in the body abruptly. Vayu is the driving force and has initiative and hence muscle contractions start. The direction of movement is decided by the associate bhootha which in this case is Agni. Hence here it is directed upwards. This is the Hiccup.

Now what we can do to control this is also easily understood.
1. Either normalize the proportion of panchabhoothas in the body by giving more of akasa, prithvi and jalam or,
2. Direct the movement of vayu downwards which is normal for the intestinal tract (Anuloma)

Normalizing the proportion of panchabhoothas in the body can be achieved by giving materials which are rich in prithvi and jalam. As we have seen earlier such materials will be sweet in taste. This is why this type of hiccup subsides if we put some sugar into the mouth and keep it there for some time.

Anulomana of vayu is achieved by giving cold water. It antagonizes the agni and forces the vayu downwards. Hot water will only aggravate this hiccup.

Here I have shown an example which picturises the essence of the Thridosha theory.

Now coming to the body and health we know that positive health is the result of the harmonious functioning of these three.

Factors which can affect the harmony of them are many.


1. We have got this life to enjoy or suffer the outcomes of what we have done in the previous lives. So the genetic make up, family background, social background etc. will be in accordance to this "Daivam" (poorvajanma karma phalam). Purushakaaram (what we do in this lifetime) has got a nullifying or boosting effect on Daivam as the case may be. Hence Think, Tell out and Do only Dharma.
2. Food Habits. Eat only as much as is needed for the body. Don't go behind taste. Fill the stomach only half with food. Eat raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, leaves, sprouted grains, tubers. Nature gives the right crop at the right time e.g. Mangoes and Watermelon in Summer. Don't believe in people who advise in T.V. to throw away oranges and drink only their products. Believe in Mother nature. Cutting, washing, cooking etc. destroys the nutrients as in the e.g. of Vit. C, B complex etc.. Unscientific mixture of various food materials may prove harmful e.g. milk + fruit which Ayurveda calls "Viruddham". Don't take non-vegetarian diet if possible. It will spoil your mind also. Your thinking will become carnivorous and you will not have mental peace.
3. Working of the eleven Indriyas should be regulated. Athiyoga, Heenayoga and Midhya yoga are the three abnormal ways, to be avoided. E.g. for the eyes Athiyoga - Looking constantly at minute objects. Heenayoga - Not using the eye at all. Midhya yoga - Looking at the Sun, Welding flam etc. Similarly for the other organs also.
4. Our body knows what to do and when. There are fourteen 'Vegas' which are physical like sleep, urge to urine, stools etc. We have to be watchful about these. Obey them. Mental 'vegas' viz., jealousy etc. are harmful commands of the mind which are to be neglected and kept under control.
5. Do moderate exercise regularly.
6. Keep the company of old and knowledgeable people.

In a nutshell if we can follow these rules, positive health is within our reach.