Dhriti is one of the principal faculties of the mind (manas) that help to assert a restraining force over itself to prevent the yielding of senses (gyanendriya) to their subjects. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 1/144] Atma (soul), manas (mind), and sharira (physical body) are the tripods of life. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/46]. Atma controls and regulates manas, and indriya [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana 1/22] through its chaitanya bhava (consciousness).[Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 2/32]. Mind acts as a vehicle of expression for soul’s desires. Soul has no restraints once it comes into physiological momentum. Hence, in this condition, the mind can control itself (swasya nigraha) with an intellectual component called 'dhriti’. This article describes the concept of dhriti and its physiological functions.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts/Dhriti |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Bhojani M. K. 1, Verma Swati1 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.2, |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.3 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence emails |
meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of publication: | April 04, 2023 |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.134 |
Etymology and derivation
The word dhriti is derived from the root ‘dhriyan dharane’ with the pratyaya ‘ktin’ which means to withhold.
Various dictionaries such as Monier Williams, Yates, Vachaspatya and shabdkalpadruma translate the word ‘dhriti’ as firmness, resolution, or willpower to keep ground or stand still to find contentment or satisfaction[1] i.e. tushti[2].
Thus, Dhriti can be understood as the property which protects from constantly indulging in diversions of life, thereby aiding to stay focussed on the task at hand or any long-term goal.
Contextual meanings
The term dhriti can be exemplified as follows in various contexts:
- Patron of knowledge (jnanadevta) [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/39]
- Stage of cognition (prajna) [Chakrapani on Cha. Sa.Sharira Sthana1/98]
- Characteristics of prakriti types (physical and mental constitution) and atma (soul)
- Quality of an ideal student or a desirable teacher
- One of the characteristic feature of best quality muscular tissue (mamsa dhatu sara) [Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/105]
- Tendency to withhold mind from wandering amidst material desires
- A path to salvation (mokshasya upaya) [Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 1/144]
- Soul-origin constituent of human beings (atmaja bhava) [Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 3/10]