AYURVEDA - Science of life
AYURVEDA - Science of life
INTRODUCTION
Ayurveda is a science of life developed by Ancient Ayurvedic Acharyas about 5000 years ago with the aim of providing relief to persons suffering from one disease or the other and for maintaining the health of a healthy person.
DEFINATION OF AYURVEDA
Hitahitam sukham dukhmayusatsya |
Mana ch tacch yatrokatamayurvedasya:s uchaytey ||
Ayurveda is the science of life that not only deals with Sukha Ayu, Dukkha Ayu, Hita Ayu, Ahita Ayu but also deals with the ways and means to achieve health and the path that leads to disease free health
Swasthasya Swathya Rakshanam
Aturasya Vikar Prashamanam
Ayurveda has not restricted itself as the path, which treats diseases but being the science of life has covered all the aspects necessary to maintain health and to restore it when inflicted with a disease
BASICS OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda science of life is based on the concept of three Doshas known as Tridosha.In Ayurveda our body is believed to be made of five elements-Prithvi(earth),Jal(water),Agni(Fire),Akash(space) but its functions are governed by three biological humors known as tridosha.
The three Doshas described in Ayurveda are:
1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
According to Ayurveda all the functions of body are being governed by a balance of these three specific humors termed as “Tridosha”. Dosha means a fault which can easily go out of balance leading to a disorder in the body or mind.According to the philosphy of Ayurveda body and mind remain healthy only if doshas remain in balance, thus disease occurs only after imbalance of doshas.
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VATA DOSHA
The air or nervous system humor
In Ayurveda doshas are believed to be the manifesters of energy , vata is equated with kinetic energy it regulates movement and is represented by nervous system.
Properties of vata
Vata is –
• Dry
• Light
• Cold
• Mobile
• Active
• Clear
• Astringent
• Dispersing in nature.
TYPES OF VATA AND IT’S FUNCTIONS
Vata is classified into five types according to it’s place and functions which Vata performs.
PRANA VATA
It is situated in –
• Head
• Heart
• Lungs
• Throat
• Tongue
• Mouth
• Nose
Prana vata governs senses,thinking reasoning,enthusiasm,controls the activities of lungs and heart,takes food from mouth to stomach through oesophagus,spitting and sneezing are also controlled by it.
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UDANA VATA
It is situated at-
• Lungs
• Heart
• Throat
• Umbilicus
Udana vata governs quality of voice, respiration,formation of energy,memory ,movements of thoughts.
SAMANA VATA
It is situated in-
• Stomach
• Intestine
• Sweat glands
• Kidneys
Samana vata governs movement of food through digestive tract, seperates faeces and allow them to go through there respective paths out of the body.
VAYANA VATA
It is situated in whole body.
Vayana vata governs heart rhythm,nutrition of tissues,circulation of blood,perspiration and touch.
APANA VATA
It is situated in –
• Intestine
• Kidneys
• Penis
• Umbilicus
• Pelvis
• Anus.
Apana vata controls movement of semen, elimination of wastes,discharge of menstrual blood,pregnancy and delivery of baby.
PITTA DOSHA
The fire humor.
Pitta representes the somatic energy in all living forms and is responsible for all types of transformations in the body.
PROPERTIES OF PITTA
Pitta is-
• Hot
• Sharp
• Light
• Liquid
• Sour
• Oily
• Spreading in nature.
TYPES OF PITTA AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Pitta is classified into five types on the basis of it’s place and functions which pitta performs.
PACHAKA PITTA
It is situated in-
• Intestine
Pachak pitta is responsible for digestion ,assimilation,metabolism of healthy nutrients and tissues.
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RANJAKA PITTA
It is situated in-
• Liver
• Spleen
• Intestine
• Heart
Ranjaka pitta is responsible for healthy and toxin free blood.
SADHAKA PITTA
It is situated in –
• Heart.
Sadhaka pitta controls desire and spirituality.
ALOCHAKA PITTA
It is situated in-
• Eyes.
Alochaka pitta controls the functioning of eyes.
BHARAJAKA PITTA
It is situated in-
• Skin.
Bharajaka pitta is responsible for healthy glow of the skin.
KAPHA
The water humor.
Kapha represents kinetic energy provides mental strength and resistance to diseases.
Properties of kapha
Kapha is-
• Heavy
• Slow
• Cool
• Liquid
• Dense
• Thick
• Static
• Cloudy in nature.
TYPES OF KAPHA AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Kapha has been classified into five types on the basis of it’s place and functions.
KALEDAKA KAPHA
Kledaka kapha is situated in-
• Stomach.
• Intestine
Kaledaka kapha controls moisture of the stomach and intestinal mucosa lining.
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AVALAMBAK KAPHA
It is situated in the- • Chest Avalambaka kapha protects the heart,strong muscles,healthy lungs.
BHODAKA KAPHA
It is situated in the- • Tongue. Bodhaka kapha governs sense of taste.
TARPAKA KAPHA
It is situated in the- • Head. Tarpaka kapha is responsible for moisture for nose,mouth,eyes and brain.
SLESHAKA KAPHA
It is situated in- • Joints. Sleshaka kapha lubricates the joints.
