Post on 26-Mar-2015
Chapter-2
Traya Upastambha
The Three supportive pillars of Human life
TRAYA UPASTAMBHA(Three supportive pillars of human Life)
Aahara
Nidra Brahmacharya
Traya Upastambha (Three supports)
1. Aahara (Diet)
2. Nidra (Sleep)
3. Brahmacharya (Chastity)
AAHARA (DIET)
Definition of Aahara – The solid and liquid food swallowed and drunk
through mouth and passed through esophagus is called Aahara.
IMPORTANCE OF AAHARA - 1
Importance of Aahara:
- 3 Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) - 7 Dhatu (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, Shukra)
- 3 Malas (Mutra, Purisha and Sweda)
Are the roots of human body.
IMPORTANCE OF AAHARA - 2As the roots of the plants give support to
and nourish the plant, similarly Dosha-Dhatu-Mala support the body.
- In this process, they need nourishment,
which is supplied by appropriate Aahara. - Aahara keeps equilibrium of Dosh-Dhatu-
Mala, which is necessary to prevent the disease.
Proper diet Improper diet
Health Disease
Diet
1. Solid
2. Semisolid
3. Liquid
Diet
1. Asheetam (Particles e.g. Rice)
2. Khadeetam (To cut e.g. Bread)
3. Pitam (To drink e.g. Soup)
4. Lidham (Apply on tongue e.g. Pickles)
CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET)
No.
On the basis of Classification Examples
1 Consistency of food 1) Ghana (Solid)
2) Alpa Ghana (Semisolid)
3) Drava (Liquid)
1) Almond
2) Gruel
3) Milk
2 Nature of food 1) Ashita
2) Khadita
3) Peeta
4) Leedha
1) Rice
2) Bread
3) Milk
4) Jam
3 Potency of food 1) Ushna (Hot)
2) Sheeta (Cold)
1) Black pepper
2) Ghruta
4 Rasa (Taste) of food 1) Madhura (Sweet)
2) Amla (Sour)
3) Lavana (Salt)
4) Katu (Pungent)
5) Tikta (Bitter)
6) Kashaya (Astringent)
1) Sugar
2) Lemon
3) Salt
4) Ginger
5) Fenu greek
6) Coffee
5 Consistency – Mainly of original food items
1) Dravadravya (Liquid)
2) Annadravya (Solid)
1) Water, Milk, Oil
2) Grains,Beans,
Vegetables
Classification of Aahara (Diet)
CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET)DRAVADRAVYA (LIQUID)
Varga Class of - Examples
1) Jala Varga Different varieties of water
Rain water, Boiled water
2) Dugdha Varga Milk & Milk products Cow’s milk, Ghruta, Butter
3) Taila Varga Oils Sesame oil, Almond oil
4) Ikshu Varga Sugarcane products Sugar, Jaggery
5) Madya Varga Wine / Alcoholic beverages prepared from food
Drakshasava, Kharjurasava
6) Mutra Varga Urine of Different animals
Cow’s urine, Goat’s urine
CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET)GHANADRAVYA (SOLIDS)
Varga Class of - Examples
1) Shuka Dhanya Grains Rice, Wheat, Maize
2) Shimbi Dhanya Beans, Pulses Green gram, Lentil
3) Shaka Varga Vegetables Spinach, Red Pumpkin
4) Mansa Varga Meat Goat meat, Chicken
5) Haritaka Varga Condiments/ Spices
Clove, Black pepper, cumin seeds
6) Krutanna Varga Receipes Moong Soup, Khichadi
Diet
One of the three supportive pillars of Human Life
Diet(Aahar)
Sleep( Nidra)
Celibacy ( Brahmacharya)
Diet is the fuel of body machine.
Points to be considered regarding diet
a) Classification of diet
b) Proper time for having meals
c) Quantity of Diet
d) Qualities of food substances
e) Rules for taking diet
f) Utensils
g) Incompatibility
I) a. Proper time for having meals
Hunger is a natural urge
When previous meal is completely and properly digested, one experiences intense hunger or appetite.
Ayurved describes two ways for Deciding the time of having meals.
The two ways are as follows :
1. According to symptoms
2. According to time span between two meals
Characteristic symptoms of complete digestion are –
1. Belching without bad smell & taste
2. Feels energetic
3. Evacuation of bowel and bladder without any discomfort
4. Feeling of lightness
5. Feeling of intense hunger and thirst
If one feels above symptoms then and then only one must take a meal
I) b. Proper time for having meals
o Duration between two meals should be minimum three hrs. and one should not starve for more than six hrs.
o For dinner – Timing should be as such that there should be a gap of 2 hrs between meal and bedtime
II) Quantity of diet
Quantity should be proper
Depends on one’s digestive capacity (Agni)
Quantity also depends on properties of food substances
for e.g.-Heavy substances should be taken in less quantity
On an average - consider three parts of stomach
1 Part for solid food
1 Part for liquid food
1 Part- should be kept empty for moments of Doshas
III) Qualities of Diet (Food substances)
Qualities of food substances are dependent on dominance of Mahabhutas.
e.g.- Heavy food articles -
Predominant qualities of Prithvi ( Earth element)
Intake should be 1/3 or 1/2 of the saturation point.
Light food articles -
Predominant qualities of Vayu (Air element) and
Agni (Fire element)
Intake should not exceed the saturation point for
proper strength of Agni
The Food Taken
In Proper Quantity
Provides Certainly-
Strength
Complexion
Happy life With Normalcy
IV) Rules for taking healthy Diet - 1
1. All the six tastes should be included in the diet
2. Food should be fresh, warm and moist
3. One should not eat in a hurry or loitering
4. One should not indulge in excessive laughing or
talking controversies, conflicts while enjoying
meals.
IV) Rules for taking healthy Diet - 2
5. One should eat in a pleasant, favorable places
in good company.
6. One should always know self constitution
(Prakriti) and give due consideration to
suitability of food substances.
7. One should be happy and joy’s mood while
taking meals and should concentrate on it.
8. Cleanliness and hygiene should be maintained
at the time of meals.
DIET WHICH IS BENEFICIAL IN GENERAL
Cereals Shashti-Shali (Rice), Godhuma (Wheat), Ragi (Red millet), Rakta shali (Red rice)
Pulses Mudga (Green gram), Makushthaka (Lentil)
Meat Goat, Deer, Pigeon, Common quail, Chicken
Vegetables Patola (Snake-gourd), Moolaka (Radish)
Fruits Amalaki (Indian gooseberry), Dadima (Pomegranate), Draksha (Grapes)
Sugar Puran Guda (Old jaggery), Madhu (Honey)
Milk-milk products
Godugdha (cow’s milk), Goghruta (Clarified-butter of cow’s milk)
Water Clean and sterile rain-water.
Salt Saindhava (Rock-salt)
Oil Groundnut oil, olive oil
Dry Fruits Vatam (Almond), Akshot (Walnut), Angira (Fig)
Spices Ardraka (Ginger), Hingu(Asafetida), Dhanyaka (Coriander), Jeeraka (Cumin seeds), Ela (cardamom)
DIET WHICH SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN GENERAL:-
Cereals Yava (Barley), heavy preparation of flour, rice and flattened rice.
Pulses Masha (Black gram)
Meat Pork, Beef, Buffalo meat, Fish, Dried meat, Meat of emaciated animals
Vegetables Dried vegetables, Lotus tuber , stem; Leafy vegetables.
Fruits Nikucha (Wild jack fruit), unripe Kapithha (Raw wood apple)
Sugar Kakvi (Boiled concentrated sugar cane juice)
Milk-milk products
Kurchika & Kilata (Milk products like Paneer), Mandaka Dadhi (Immature curds)
Water River water in rainy season
Salt Saindhava ( rock-salt)
Oil Sunflower oil
Spices Chilly powder
8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) - 1
There are eight specific factors of dietetics such as nature, processing, combination, quantity, place, time, rules for use and consumer.
Prakriti, svabhava (nature): The natural existence of properties like guru etc. in substances used as food and drugs, such as Black gram (heavy) and green gram (light); for nonvegetarians: pork (heavy) and meat of deer (light)
Karana (processing): The making or refinement of natural products, which means imparting other properties. These properties are infused by contact of water and fire, cleansing, churning, place, time, infusing, sleeping etc. and also long duration, utensil etc.
Samyoga (combination): A combination of two or more substances. This exhibits peculiarities, which are not seen in the case of individual substances such as combination of honey and ghee and that of honey, fish and milk.
8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) - 2
Rashi (Quantity): Rashi can be termed as quantity. It is again divided as sarvagraha (total count) and parigraha (individual amount), which ascertain the result of the food taken in proper and improper quantity. The accounting of the quantity of the entire food in totality is sarvaghraha while parighraha is that of the individual items in the food. Thus accounting of the entire is sarvgraha while that of all individual food items is parigraha.
Desha (Place): Denotes place related to growth as well as distribution of the substances and also the suitability in respect of place.
8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) - 3
Kala (Time): Kala is eternally moving (time) as well as conditional. The conditional one is related to disorder while the eternally moving one to seasonal suitability.
Upyogsamstha: This denotes the rules of dietetics.
Upyokta : It is the person who consumes the
food. On him depends the “ok-satmya’ (suitability developed by practice).
V) Utensils
Various metallic and nonmetallic utensils are used-
For cooking
For serving
For storage.
Utensils does have desired or undesired effects on
food substances which are cooked in them.
Utensils
Utensils & their Effects on bodyType of Utensil Beneficial effect on the Body
Gold Best from medicinal point of view
Silver Promotes Liver Functions
Zinc Improves Intelligence & Appetite
Brass Promotes Vata and Agni but cures Kapha
Steel Useful in Jaundice
Glass Cooling effect
Plates made from plant leaves Antidote against poison.
Specific Use of Utensils for various foodsName of the Food item Type of utensil best for storage
Ghee Steel vessel
Curd preparations Stone utensils
Juices and fruit syrups Glass and crystal ware
Fruits and confectionary Leaves
Boiled and cooled milk Copper vessels
Wines, Beverages Earthen pots
Peyas (Porridge), Edible fluids Silver bowl
Incompatibility/ Antagonistic
(Viruddha -Aahara) - 1
Definition :
Substances which are contrary to physiological tissues, behave with antagonism to them are called Antagonistic or incompatible (Viruddha- Aahara).
Food Incompatibility - 2 (Viruddha Aahara)
The substances which are contrary to physiological tissues (Deha Dhatus) or behave with antagonism to them are called antagonistic or incompatible. (Viruddha Ahara)
This antagonism may be in terms of properties, combination, processing, place, time, Dosha etc. or natural composition.
Many food combinations are given in the texts as incompatible with proper explanation For e.g.
1) One should not take fish along with milk because this combination is Abhishyandi (great obstructer for channels), it vitiates blood.
2) After eating raddish, garlic, basil one should not take milk because of the risk of skin disorders.
3) All sour liquids are antagonistic to milk.4) Hot honey taken by a person induces toxicity and
lead to death.5) Likewise honey and ghee in equal quantity, hot
water after taking honey are antagonistic.
Food Incompatibility - 3The diet which is antagonistic with respect to Place Time Agni Dose Suitability Dosha Processing Potency Bowels Health conditions Order Contra-indication Cooking Combination Palatability Richness (in properties) Rules of eating is not wholesome for the person.
Food Incompatibility - 4Examples of Incompatibility/ Antagonistic
(Viruddha -Aahara)
1) Veerya viruddha- (potency incompatibility)-Fish + milk
2) Sanskar viruddha- (Processing incompatibility) Heated Honey
3) Matra viruddha- (dose incompatibility) - Honey + Cow’s ghee - mixed in equal proportion.
4) Krama viruddha - Hot water after taking honey5) Kala viruddha- (Time incompatibility) Pungent
substance in summer & Cold substances in winter
6) Krama viruddha-(Order incompatibility)-Consuming curd at night.
7) Samyoga viruddha- (Combination incompatibility)- Fruit Salad / Milk+ Banana
8) Parihar viruddha (contraindication incompatibility)-Consuming cold water immediately after having hot tea or Coffee.
If one consumes above kind of Incompatible diet-
Frequently &
In excess quantity
one definitely suffers from -
Blood Disorders
Skin Disorders
Digestive Disorders
NIDRA
(SLEEP)
Nidra – (Sleep) Definition
When srotas of the body obstructed by Kapha Dosha,
When the body fatigued by exertion, When the sense organs (Indriya)- not
functioning due to exertion, sleep manifests in the body.
Merits & Demerits Happiness and Misery
Nourishment and Emaciation
Strength and Weakness
Potency and Impotency
Knowledge and Ignorance
Life and Death --------------------------Depend on Sleep.
Nidra (Sleep)One of the 14 Adharaniya Vegas
(Natural Urges) of the body
Being an Adharniya Vega (Natural urge which should not be controlled) - Should not be controlled when manifests - Should not be taken forcefully when not manifested.
Abnormal patterns (modes) of the Nidra (Sleep)
Atinidra (Excess Sleep)
Anidra (Less Sleep)
Deewaswapa (Day Sleep)
Akalanidra (Not on appropriate time) - Leads to diseases if followed regularly
Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
• Brahmacharya or Celibacy’ - a topic which is
not much or is adversely discussed.
• Definition - Brahmacharya or celibacy, means
abstinence from physical relationship.
• This statement seems very stern and unrealistic
in ordinance with reality. Well, as the myth
goes, this word is generally defined in an
incorrect manner.
• Ayurved defines the word ‘Brahmacharya’
with much greater depth.
Brahmacharya is composed of two words
-‘Brahma’ & ‘Charya’
Brahma = Optimum knowledge
and Charya = The behavior.
• Brahma also means ‘Tapa’, which means
‘Dedicated devotion’.
Importance of Brahmacharya
• Brahmacharya norms help to
- maintaining a good health
- maintaining a satisfied mind
- keeping in level with the spiritual development
thus maintaining the health of the society.
Phases of Life
• Four phases of human life –
- 1. Brahmacharyashram
- 2. Gruhasthashram
- 3. Vanaprasthashram
- 4. Sanyasashram
• The concept of Brahmacharya passes through
these phases with varying descriptions.
• 1. Brahmacharyashram phase
• Brahmacharya means dedication towards
acquiring knowledge.
• The education or knowledge required by a
person to attain his future means e.g a job,
business, trade etc., needs to be pursued
during this phase.
• Here abstinence from any other distractions is
defined as Bramhacharya.
2. Gruhasthashram phase
• Marriage and family life
• Here abstinence from any partner, other than
your own spouse is considered within
Brahmacharya.
Important rules to maintain in
Gruhasthashram
• Coitus should be done with one’s own wife.
Nowadays there is a trend to enjoy a multi-
partner relationship. Abstinence from such is
suggested.
• Coitus should be preferred at night.
• There is natural coolness and quietness at
night, which helps to relax the mind naturally.
• Coitus should not be done in the morning,
afternoon and past midnight.
Morning - a prime work time. There should not
be distractions during it.
Afternoons - are warmer, and it is the Pitta Kala.
Past midnight - also the Pitta Kala, besides the
time to rest for revival.
• Body heat during the Pitta Kala is higher, while
heat is not as much favorable for survival of the
sperms, it can also make conception difficult.
• Do not have coitus while menstruation, while ill , during pregnancy, a partner other than your spouse.
• This is said so, as to avoid infections. Failing which one suffers from sexually transmitted diseases. AIDS being very predominant today.
• Abnormal, awkward positions should be avoided. Other than causing strain, it could also hamper conception.
Important rules to maintain in
Gruhasthashram
• Coitus must not be done while suppressing
the natural urges of defecation or urination,
while hungry, when either partner does not
have the desire etc.
• Suppression leads to the elevation of the Vata
Dosha, which can not only cause dryness,
pain, also disturbs the harmony between the
other Doshas.
Important rules to maintain in
Gruhasthashram
• In accordance with the seasons
• Hemant and Shishir rutu - One can have a
relation more frequently.
Hemant and Shishir are winter months.
Climate is cool, pleasant. Mind is relaxed
and the health is at optimum.
Important rules to maintain in
Gruhasthashram
• In accordance with the seasons• Vasant and Sharad rutu - Frequency should be
2-3 times a week.
The climate starts getting warmer.• Varsha and Grishma rutu - Abstinence, for
about 15 days needs to be maintained.
The climate is very hot, humid and stuffy.
Health is not so sound, so frequency can cause
weakness.
Important rules to maintain in
Gruhasthashram
• After coitus, clean the genital organs.
Cleaning is for a good hygiene.
• Have milk or milk products. Milk helps to
revive the energy.
• Use cool and scented herbs. Cool herbs
give solace to the mind.
Regime after having coitus
• Total abstinence may also cause mental stress, and physical
illness.
• Like any others, this too is a natural urge. Thus one must keep
a realistic approach.
• These rules about Brahmacharya, have been framed, keeping
in mind the natural requirements of the Gruhasthashram
phase.
• Following these gives absolute safety, at the same time one
can enjoy the fullness of life.
• It rewards in better health of the individual and also the entire
society.
• These are basically simple norms, which have been very
thoughtfully framed in interest of the society.
Point to ponder
• The age factor has progressed, the family
duties are quite fulfilled.
• Here one should learn to slowly detach
oneself from family bonds, emotional
attachments, physical requirements etc.
3. Vanaprasthashram
• One is now prepared to totally abstain from all
enticements of life. It includes both physical &
emotional attachments.
• One is in a totally detached state from the
worldly pleasures and seeks enlightenment,
about the almighty, as he prepares for Moksha.
4. Sanyasashram
• The trend to choose a multi-partner
relationship. Not just an individual threat, but a
threat to the entire society. • The occurrence of diseases like AIDS perked
up. Transmission of this disease from mother to
the foetus.• We can therefore conclude that such liberal
activities not only harm the current generation,
as well as the next generation. The society by
and large is affected.
The untoward effects of changing trends