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| === Introduction === | | === Introduction === |
| <div style="text-align:justify;"> | | <div style="text-align:justify;"> |
− | The term ''purusha vichayam'' means the search of the purusha (individual person’s living body) or the analytical study of the ''purusha''. Since Vedic times, sages and practitioners of Ayurveda studied the environment and the various features that constituted the ''loka'' (realm or world) and its impact on the ''purusha'' (person). Many civilizations have acknowledged the relationship between man and his environment, but Vedic scholars recorded their observations of the similarities in the ''avyava'' (component) of ''loka'' and ''purusha'', concluding that the person is the replica of the universe (''Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande''). Lord Atreya dedicated this chapter to the study of the purusha underscoring this belief. Charak advised maintaining a harmony between man and his environment to attain the prime objectives of a human life – blissful life (''sukhayu''), useful life (''hitayu''), and salvation (''moksha''). | + | The term ''purusha vichayam'' means the search of the purusha (individual person’s living body) or the analytical study of the ''purusha''. Since Vedic times, sages and practitioners of [[Ayurveda]] studied the environment and the various features that constituted the ''loka'' (realm or world) and its impact on the ''purusha'' (person). Many civilizations have acknowledged the relationship between man and his environment, but Vedic scholars recorded their observations of the similarities in the ''avyava'' (component) of ''loka'' and ''purusha'', concluding that the person is the replica of the universe (''Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande''). Lord Atreya dedicated this chapter to the study of the purusha underscoring this belief. Charak advised maintaining a harmony between man and his environment to attain the prime objectives of a human life – blissful life (''sukhayu''), useful life (''hitayu''), and salvation (''moksha''). |
| </div> | | </div> |
| ===Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation=== | | ===Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation=== |
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| ''Anupaya'', or inefficient religious rituals such as ''prokshana'' (consecration), ''anashana'' (fasting), ''agnihotra'' (oblation to the fire), ''trishavana'' (worship with ''soma'' thrice a day while performing sacrifice), ''abhyukshana'' (wetting), ''aavahana'' (invocation), ''yajana'' (leading or guiding sacrificial rituals), ''yajna'' (sacrificial rituals), ''yachana'' (begging) and entering into water and fire. | | ''Anupaya'', or inefficient religious rituals such as ''prokshana'' (consecration), ''anashana'' (fasting), ''agnihotra'' (oblation to the fire), ''trishavana'' (worship with ''soma'' thrice a day while performing sacrifice), ''abhyukshana'' (wetting), ''aavahana'' (invocation), ''yajana'' (leading or guiding sacrificial rituals), ''yajna'' (sacrificial rituals), ''yachana'' (begging) and entering into water and fire. |
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− | Thus, if a person is devoid of intellect, restraint and memory, but is egoistic, skeptic, self-centered, is attached (to objects or actions), and is unable to discern between good or bad, self and the physical body, etc. he is an abode of all miseries. Such feelings are the root cause of vitiation of ''doshas'' relating to the mind and body. Such a person is trapped in the cycle of life and death and cannot attain salvation (from miseries). The ultimate goal of Ayurveda is salvation from all sorts of miseries which depends upon the wellbeing of the ''purusha'' - individually as well as socially. [10] | + | Thus, if a person is devoid of intellect, restraint and memory, but is egoistic, skeptic, self-centered, is attached (to objects or actions), and is unable to discern between good or bad, self and the physical body, etc. he is an abode of all miseries. Such feelings are the root cause of vitiation of ''doshas'' relating to the mind and body. Such a person is trapped in the cycle of life and death and cannot attain salvation (from miseries). The ultimate goal of [[Ayurveda]] is salvation from all sorts of miseries which depends upon the wellbeing of the ''purusha'' - individually as well as socially. [10] |
| </div> | | </div> |
| ==== ''Moksha'' (Salvation) and ways and means of attaining it ==== | | ==== ''Moksha'' (Salvation) and ways and means of attaining it ==== |
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| *''Ahamkara'' (ego), ''sanga'' (attachment), ''samshaya'' (skepticism), ''abhisamplava'' (mistaken self-identity), ''abhyavapata'' (false sense of ownership), ''vipratyaya'' (sensing opposite of reality), ''avishesha'' (inability to distinguish between consciousness/unconsciousness) and ''anupaya'' (believing in outdated traditions) are self-destructive factors arouse due to above said attachment. These are the origins of all evils in the world. | | *''Ahamkara'' (ego), ''sanga'' (attachment), ''samshaya'' (skepticism), ''abhisamplava'' (mistaken self-identity), ''abhyavapata'' (false sense of ownership), ''vipratyaya'' (sensing opposite of reality), ''avishesha'' (inability to distinguish between consciousness/unconsciousness) and ''anupaya'' (believing in outdated traditions) are self-destructive factors arouse due to above said attachment. These are the origins of all evils in the world. |
| *Disinclination/detachment from worldly affairs is ''apavarga'' (salvation). It is the ''para'' (the supreme), ''prashanta'' (the serene), ''akshara'' (the immutable), the ''Brahman'' (the super-consciousness), and the ''moksha'' (emancipation). | | *Disinclination/detachment from worldly affairs is ''apavarga'' (salvation). It is the ''para'' (the supreme), ''prashanta'' (the serene), ''akshara'' (the immutable), the ''Brahman'' (the super-consciousness), and the ''moksha'' (emancipation). |
− | *In order to attain emancipation, one shall follow ''sadvritta'' i.e. instructions guided by Ayurveda. This will lead oneself to attain serenity, tranquility, freedom from all miseries. | + | *In order to attain emancipation, one shall follow ''sadvritta'' i.e. instructions guided by [[Ayurveda]]. This will lead oneself to attain serenity, tranquility, freedom from all miseries. |
| *The pure and true wisdom that originates from a pure mind dispels the excessively thick darkness of illusion caused by ignorance. | | *The pure and true wisdom that originates from a pure mind dispels the excessively thick darkness of illusion caused by ignorance. |
| *The supreme human being is the ''Brahman'', the Eternal, Immutable, Tranquil and Indestructible. It possesses the ultimate wisdom, also known as ''vidya'' (learning), ''siddhi'' (accomplishment), ''mati'' (wisdom), ''medha'' (power of retention), ''pranja'' (intellect) and ''jyana'' (knowledge). | | *The supreme human being is the ''Brahman'', the Eternal, Immutable, Tranquil and Indestructible. It possesses the ultimate wisdom, also known as ''vidya'' (learning), ''siddhi'' (accomplishment), ''mati'' (wisdom), ''medha'' (power of retention), ''pranja'' (intellect) and ''jyana'' (knowledge). |
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| ===== Connection of consciousness between man and the universe ===== | | ===== Connection of consciousness between man and the universe ===== |
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− | The neurologist Dr. David Wiebers in his book “Theory of reality” coined the terms ‘C’ unit as the unit of consciousness in human body and ‘C’ field as the cosmic consciousness. The C unit is always connected with C field to carry out certain functions. The person is a unit of cosmos. Ayurveda narrates Human beings are a microcosm of the planet and exhibit holographic phenomenon. The Self-conscious i.e. ‘C’ unit is a unitary part of ‘C’ field (consciousness) in the cosmos. This C unit is controlling and regulating intellect, that controls mind; and the mind controls sense organs which lead the body as the horses lead a chariot. The interaction of C field with C unit for fetching positive energy from cosmos is of utmost importance. Empowerment of the self-conscious for communication with intellect in brain and mind seated at heart is important mechanism for mental health in holistic view. Therefore promotion of positive mental health shall be focused with a holistic view of all these factors thinking beyond reductionist’s approaches of neurotransmitter, endocrinal and genetic biological theories. Hologram for mental health, the constituents of human being that make the humans real “Humans” are considered vital for complete health. | + | The neurologist Dr. David Wiebers in his book “Theory of reality” coined the terms ‘C’ unit as the unit of consciousness in human body and ‘C’ field as the cosmic consciousness. The C unit is always connected with C field to carry out certain functions. The person is a unit of cosmos. [[Ayurveda]] narrates Human beings are a microcosm of the planet and exhibit holographic phenomenon. The Self-conscious i.e. ‘C’ unit is a unitary part of ‘C’ field (consciousness) in the cosmos. This C unit is controlling and regulating intellect, that controls mind; and the mind controls sense organs which lead the body as the horses lead a chariot. The interaction of C field with C unit for fetching positive energy from cosmos is of utmost importance. Empowerment of the self-conscious for communication with intellect in brain and mind seated at heart is important mechanism for mental health in holistic view. Therefore promotion of positive mental health shall be focused with a holistic view of all these factors thinking beyond reductionist’s approaches of neurotransmitter, endocrinal and genetic biological theories. Hologram for mental health, the constituents of human being that make the humans real “Humans” are considered vital for complete health. |
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| ===== ''Panchamahabhuta'': the building blocks of the ''purusha'' and the ''loka'' ===== | | ===== ''Panchamahabhuta'': the building blocks of the ''purusha'' and the ''loka'' ===== |
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− | The ''purusha'' is a microcosm, made up of the same dhatus that constitute the universe: the ''panchamahabhuta'' and consciousness (''atman'', or the Self, within the ''purusha'', and ''Brahman'', or the super consciousness, within the universe) is central to Vedic philosophy in general and Ayurveda in particular. Bodily components – ''doshas, dhatus'', and ''mala'' – are also made up of ''mahabhutas'', and so are ''ahara'' (food), and ''aushadha'' (medicine). A disequilibrium between the environment and the person could therefore vitiate the constitution of the person, the food he eats, and the efficacy of the medication he takes, making him physically or mentally diseased. A society made up of diseased individuals would only make the environment more diseased. Thus, Ayurveda is not just about the health of an individual, but also the health of the planet. | + | The ''purusha'' is a microcosm, made up of the same dhatus that constitute the universe: the ''panchamahabhuta'' and consciousness (''atman'', or the Self, within the ''purusha'', and ''Brahman'', or the super consciousness, within the universe) is central to Vedic philosophy in general and [[Ayurveda]] in particular. Bodily components – ''doshas, dhatus'', and ''mala'' – are also made up of ''mahabhutas'', and so are ''ahara'' (food), and ''aushadha'' (medicine). A disequilibrium between the environment and the person could therefore vitiate the constitution of the person, the food he eats, and the efficacy of the medication he takes, making him physically or mentally diseased. A society made up of diseased individuals would only make the environment more diseased. Thus, [[Ayurveda]] is not just about the health of an individual, but also the health of the planet. |
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| ==== ''Panchabhautika chikitsa'' ==== | | ==== ''Panchabhautika chikitsa'' ==== |