|
According to a notified
scholar of Ayurveda – Sushrut “A healthy
person, is one whose doshas are in balance,
appetite is good, all tissues of the body
and all natural urges are functioning
properly, and whose mind, body and spirit
are cheerful...”
Ayurveda is based on
believe that the universe is made up of five
elements: air, fire, water, earth and ether
that are represented in humans by three "doshas",
or energies: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. A
complete balance of all these doshas is
mandatory for health of an individual. Every
individual has a distinct balance, and the
health and well being of an individual
depend on right balance of the three doshas
("tridoshas"). When any of the doshas
accumulate in the body beyond the desirable
limit, the body loses its balance. Because
these five elements exist in us and in
nature as well, our doshas can become
aggravated or imbalanced due to
inappropriate or inadequate diet, change of
seasons, climate or lifestyle, and result in
disease in the body. The imbalance of doshas
can be determined by examination of ones
eyes, nails, tongue, skin, voice, and pulse
diagnosis. Ayurveda suggests specific
lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to help
individuals reduce the excess dosha.
Ayurveda also describes
three primary qualities of Nature, or gunas,
called Sattva (equilibrium, evolution,
intelligence), Rajas (activity, agitation)
and Tamas (inertia). These inner qualities
are considered essential for the creation of
all things in the material universe. These
are also known as the "mental doshas" as
they describe the qualities and activities
of the mind. The balance between these gunas
- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas is always
desirable because if imbalanced they can
result in a restless, agitated or dull mind,
which can result in imbalance of Vata, Pitta
and Kapha, leading to various ailments. |
