Healthy Life through Ayurveda

Objective of Ayurveda

प्रयोजनं  चास्य  स्वस्थस्य  स्वास्थ्यरक्षणमातुरस्य  विकार- प्रशमनं च || (Ch. Su. 30/26) The objective of Ayurveda is to preserve the health of the healthy & cure the disease of the unhealthy [1].

Definition of Healthy

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः | प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते || (Su. Su. 15/41) He, in whom the doshas, agni (digestive power), dhatus (tissues), malas (waste products), and their activities are normal; his soul, sense organs and mind are calm / clear, is called ‘Swastha’ (happy person) [2].

Diet- Root cause of disease & Health

आहारसम्भवं वस्तु रोगाश्चाहारसम्भवाः | हिताहितविशेषाच्च विशेषः सुखदुःखयोः || (Ch. Su. 28/45) It is the food which if taken in proper manner responsible for the development of healthy state, while if taken in improper manner may cause different diseases. Wholesome is the cause of hita (healthy state) and unwholesome is responsible for dukha (diseased state) [3].

Asthau aharavidhi vishesha ayatana

तत्र खल्विमान्यष्टावाहारविधिविशेषायतना- नि भवन्ति; तद्यथा- प्रकृतिकरणसंयोगराशिदेशकालोपयोगसं- स्थोपयोक्त्रष्टमानि (भवन्ति) ||  (Ch. Vi. 1/21) These are eight specific factors of method of dieting -

• Prakriti (nature)
• Karana (processing)
• Samyoga (combination)
• Rashi (quantity)
• Desha (place) Poetry
• Kala (time/ stage of the disease)
• Upayoga -samstha (rules for use)
• Upayoktra (consumer) [4]

Prakriti

तत्र प्रकृतिरुच्यते स्वभावो यः, स पुनराहारौषधद्रव्याणां स्वा- भाविको गुर्वादिगुणयोगः; तद्यथामाषमुद्गयोः, शूकरैणयोश्च || Prakriti  is  swabhava, or the natural attribute or trait of a substance, such as heaviness, etc. For example, the prakriti of black gram or pork is heavy, while that of green gram or deer meat is light [5].

Karana

करणं पुनः स्वाभाविकानां द्रव्याणामभिसंस्कारः | संस्कारो हि गुणान्तराधानमुच्यते | ते गुणास्तोयाग्निसन्निक- र्षशौचमन्थनदेशकालवासनभावनादिभिः  [१] कालप्रकर्ष- भाजनादिभिश्चाधीयन्ते || Karana  (processing) is the making or refinement of the dravya, or the samskara that are added to the properties of those substances. These properties are imparted by contact of water and fire, by cleansing, churning, place, time, infusing, steeping, etc. and also by the medium used for storage or processing (e.g., copper vessel, or earthen pot), etc [6].

Samyoga

संयोगः पुनर्द्वयोर्बहूनां वा द्रव्याणां संहतीभावः, स विशेषमा- रभते,  यं  पुनर्नैकैकशो  द्रव्याण्यारभन्ते;  तद्यथा- मधुसर्पि- षोः, मधुमत्स्यपयसां च संयोगः || Samyoga (combination) is the aggregation or combination of two or more dravya. This exhibits peculiarities that are not seen in case of individual substances, such as combination of honey and ghee, and that of honey, fish and milk6. Importance of sanyoga is that if one ignoring the Principals it will not only be difficult to digest but May cause different types of diseases in the body,one should be very perticular to Ayurvedic texts with the help of an Ay. Physician.

Rashi

राशिस्तु  सर्वग्रहपरिग्रहौ  मात्रामात्रफलविनिश्चयार्थः  | तत्र सर्वस्याहारस्य प्रमाणग्रहणमेकपिण्डेन सर्वग्र- हः,  परिग्रहः  पुनः  प्रमाणग्रहणमेकैकश्येनाहारद्रव्याणाम्  | सर्वस्य हि ग्रहः सर्वग्रहः, सर्वतश्च ग्रहः परिग्रह उच्यते || Rashi (quantity) consists of sarvagraha (account of a whole amount or unit) and parigraha (account of part of a substance, or of individual parts (in case the substance is a combination of multiple ingredients or parts)) which ascertain the effect of any food article taken in proper or improper quantity [6].

Desha

देशः पुनः स्थानं; स द्रव्याणामुत्पत्तिप्रचारौ देशसा- त्म्यं चाचष्टे || Desha  denotes the geographic region relating that the substance(s) are local or endemic to, and thus, are suitable to6. There are three types of desha first SADHARAN DESHA where the atmosphere remains very pleasant,second is ANUP DESHA where there is heavy rain falls and large number of ponds, rivers and other water reservoirs and there is much humidity in atmosphere,third one is JANGALA DSHA where there is very dense forest.SADHARANA Desha is best to live.

Kala

कालो  हि  नित्यगश्चावस्थिकश्च;  तत्रावस्थिको  विकारमपे- क्षते, नित्यगस्तु ऋतुसात्म्यापेक्षः || Kala is time. It can be taken to be the ever moving time, as in seasons (e.g., suitable to seasons), or as duration from the standpoint of a condition (e.g., a condition that does not get treated within a specific duration becomes incurable) [6].

Upayokta

उपयोक्ता पुनर्यस्तमाहारमुपयुङ्क्ते, यदायत्तमोकसात्म्यम् | इत्यष्टावाहारविधिविशेषायतनानि व्याख्यातानि भवन्ति || Upayokta is the one who consumes the food. On him depends the oka-satmya (i.e.,habituation developed by practice). Thus, are described the specific factors of the method of dieting [6].

Upayoga sanstha

उपयोगसंस्था तूपयोगनियमः; स जीर्णलक्षणापेक्षः || This stands for the dietetic rules. These are important for proper digestion. If all the rules and regulations are ob- served, then the food is properly digested, otherwise there may be ama formation, which leads to disease formation [6].

तत्रेदमाहारविधिविधानमरोगाणामातुराणां चापि केषाञ्चि- त् काले प्रकृत्यैव हिततमं भुञ्जानानां भवति-उष्णं, स्निग्धं, मा- त्रावत्,  जीर्णे  वीर्याविरुद्धम्,  इष्टे  देशे,  इष्टसर्वोपकर- णं,  नातिद्रुतं,नातिविलम्बितम्,  अजल्पन्,  अहसन्,  तन्मन- ा भुञ्जीत, आत्मानमभिसमीक्ष्य सम्यक् || All persons should follow these rules while eating the food to remain healthy and enhance the span of life [6].

उष्णमश्नीयात्; उष्णं हि भुज्यमानं स्वदते, भुक्तं चाग्निमौद- र्यमुदीरयति,  क्षिप्रं  जरां  गच्छति,  वातमनुलोमयति,  श्लेष्मा- णं च परिह्राससयति ; तस्मादुष्णमश्नीयात् || Food should be warm and freshly prepared. One should eat warm (food) because it tastes well and the food consumed stimulates the digestive fire, gets digested quickly, and reduces mucus [7].

स्निग्धमश्नीयात्;  स्निग्धं  हि  भुज्यमानं  स्वदते,  भुक्तं  चा- नुदीर्णमग्निमुदीरयति  ,  क्षिप्रं  जरां  गच्छति,  वातमनुलोमय- ति, शरीरमुपचिनोति, दृढीकरोतीन्द्रियाणि, बलाभिवृद्धिमुपजनय- ति, वर्णप्रसादंचाभिनिर्वर्तयति; तस्मात् स्निग्धमश्नीयात् || One should eat unctuous because it tastes well, the food consumed stimulates any unstimulated digestive fire, gets digested quickly, helps in passing flatulence, develops the body, provides firmness to sense organs, increases strength, and enhances complexion [8].

Eat food which is not roasted, hard to eat & dry to eat

मात्रावदश्नीयात्;  मात्रावद्धि  भुक्तं  वातपित्तकफानपीडय- दायुरेव विवर्धयति केवलं, सुखं गुदमनुपर्येति, न चोष्माणमुपह- न्ति, अव्यथं च परिपाकमेति; तस्मान्मात्रावदश्नीयात् || One should eat in proper quantity without disturbing vata, pitta  and  kapha  because that only helps promote one’s life-span, easily passes down the bowels, does not disturb the agni (digestive fire), and gets digested without discomfort [8].

Adequate Quantity Neither Less or More

जीर्णेऽश्नीयात्; अजीर्णे  हि  भुञ्जानस्याभ्यवहृतमाहार- जातं पूर्वस्याहारस्य रसमपरिणतमुत्तरेणाहाररसेनोपसृज- त्  सर्वान्  दोषान्  प्रकोपयत्याशु,  जीर्णे  तु  भुञ्जानस्य  स्व- स्थानस्थेषु दोषेष्वग्नौ चोदीर्णेजातायां च बुभुक्षा- यां विवृतेषु च स्रोतसां मुखेषु विशुद्धे चोद्गारे हृदये विशुद्धे वा- तानुलोम्ये  विसृष्टेषु  च  वातमूत्रपुरीषवेगेष्वभ्यवहृतमाहार- जातं सर्वशरीरधातूनप्रदूषयदायुरेवाभिवर्धयति केवलं; तस्माज्जीर्णेऽश्नीयात् || One should eat when the previous meal is digested because if one eats before earlier meal is digested, mixing with un- digested food will vitiate all the dosha quickly. On the other hand, when one eats after the previous meal is well digested, the dosha do not get vitiated or unsettled from their natural locations, agni is stimulated, appetite is increased, entrances of the channels get cleared, eructation is pure, heart is nor- mal, there are natural urges to pass bodily wastes and there is no obstruction to their passage, and the eaten food en- hances one’s life without afflicting any dhatu [8].

Eat only when the food taken is digested (don’t munch too much in between) Charaka- Ajirna bhojana-dosha prakopaka Jirna- Ayuvardhak Digestion process has its own biological clock and pattern. Honoring it is very important to ensure smooth functioning of the organism.

वीर्याविरुद्धमश्नीयात्;  अविरुद्धवीर्यमश्नन्  हि  विरुद्धवी- र्याहारजैर्विकारैर्नोपसृज्यते;  तस्माद्वीर्याविरुद्धमश्नीया- त् || One should take food consisting of the items that are non- antagonistic in nature to ensure one is not afflicted with the disorders caused by food that is unsuitable to the individual [8]. Do not take food which is incompatible whereby Virudha ahara janya diseases can be avoided. Incompatibility of food must be viewed in light of bio- availability of nutrients. Sometimes the combination of different kinds of food together may cause local irritation or may result in toxic substances which may cause more harm than good.

इष्टे देशे इष्टसर्वोपकरणं चाश्नीया- त्;  इष्टे  हि  देशे  भुञ्जानो  नानिष्टदेशजैर्मनोविघातकरैर्भावै- र्मनोविघातं  प्राप्नोति,  तथैवेष्टैः  सर्वोपकरणैः;  तस्मादिष्ट- े देशे तथेष्टसर्वोपकरणं चाश्नीयात् || One should eat in a favorable place and with favorable accessories because it is important to feel comfortable and satisfied while eating [8].

Eat at a suitable and pleasant place where you are comfortable and happy. Mood plays a vital role in eating digestion and even assimilation of food. Digestion is predominantly a parasympathetic activity which is activated and functions at its best when the organism is relaxed and calm. Hence it is must to be very relaxed clean and well settled before taking food.

नातिद्रुतमश्नीयात्;  अतिद्रुतं  हि  भुञ्जानस्योत्स्नेहनमव- सादनं  भोजनस्याप्रतिष्ठानं  च,  भोज्यदोषसाद्गण्योपलब्धि- श्च न नियता; तस्मान्नातिद्रुतमश्नीयात् || One should not eat too quickly to ensure the food does not get into the wrong passage, and that the person is able to ascertain the qualities and taste of the food or even detect any defects in the food [8]. Avoid eating too fast (not paying attention to what you are eating and how much you are eating) नातिविलम्बितमश्नीयात्; अतिविलम्बितं हि भुञ्जानो न तृप्ति- मधिगच्छति, बहु भुङ्क्ते, शीतीभवत्याहारजातं, विषमं च पच्यते; तस्मान्नातिविलम्बितमश्नीयात् || One should not eat too slow, because by eating too slow one does not get satisfaction, eats much, and the food becomes cold and is digested irregularly [8]. Too slow eating may result in excess food intake, hence must be avoided. It may indicate depression and lack of attention. Hence must be attended appropriately.

अजल्पन्नहसन्  तन्मना  भुञ्जीत;  जल्पतो  हसतोऽन्यमन- सो वा भुञ्जानस्य त एव हि दोषा भवन्ति, य एवातिद्रुतमश्न- तः; तस्मादजल्पन्नहसंस्तन्मना भुञ्जीत || One should eat with utmost concentration on the food, while not talking or laughing. By taking food while talking or laughing or with mind elsewhere, he is inflicted with the same defects as by eating too fast [8]. If the person keeps continue either talking or laughing, the food material may go to wind pipe and eating silently without taking laughing will avoid aerophagy (engulfing air) and ensure proper eating and early satisfaction.

आत्मानमभिसमीक्ष्य भुञ्जीत सम्यक्; इदं ममोप- शेते  इदं  नोपशेत  इत्येवं विदितं  ह्यस्यात्मन  आत्मसा- त्म्यं भवति; तस्मादात्मानमभिसमीक्ष्य भुञ्जीत सम्यगिति || One should eat with due consideration to self, i.e., knowing one’s own constitution and tastes. He/she should take food that is suitable to him/her. Paying total attention while you take food is essential it include what is your choice of food and adds spiritual dimension to the food. Not merely physical condition but mental condition of individual is very important for digestion otherwise proper digestion may not take place.

Mental factors & Digestion मात्रयाऽप्यभ्यवहृतं पथ्यं चान्नं न जीर्यति | चिन्ताशोकभयक्रोधदुःखशय्याप्रजागरैः || (Ch. Vi. 2/9) Any wholesome food, even if taken in the right amount, does not get digested if the mental state of the person is riddled with anxiety, grief, fear, anger, or restless and irritable due to lack of sleep [8]. Grahani is the main part of intestinal tract where the digestion takes place, if functioning of the intestine part due to faulty diet habits, become disturbed the proper digestion of food materials may not be completed, so there will be macro and micro deficiency of nutrients in the body inspite of adequate quantity of food is taken in, which will lead to various diseases.

यो हि भुङ्क्ते विधिं त्याक्त्वा ग्रहणीदोषजान् गदान् | स लौल्याल्लभते शीघ्रं, वक्ष्यन्तेऽतः परं तु ते || (Ch.Chi.15/41) If an individual indulges in food without following the rules and regulation of diet intake, then he quickly suffers from diseases caused by the vitiation of  Grahani  because of his greedy habits [9]. हिताशी स्यान्मिताशी स्यात्कालभोजी जितेन्द्रियः | पश्यन् रोगान् बहून् कष्टान् बुद्धिमान् विषमाशनात् || (Ch.Ni.6/11) Observing many troublesome diseases caused by irregular dieting, the wise should eat wholesome, measured and timely food with self-restraint [10]. So it is very essential to follow the instructions mentioned in Ayurvedic text to remain healthy. Need of hour is to propagate these regimen so that maximum people all over the world may remain healthy.