Ayurveda for a healthy life
In the first book of Ayurveda, Charak Samhita, the health of the healthy is first included in the purposes of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is not just a medical science, but a science of life. It was written to achieve Purusharthas Chatushtaya. It is also said-
"Dharmarthakamokshanam arogyam moolamuttamam, Rogastasyapahartarah shreyaso jeevitasya cha." (Charaka Samhita).
Principles of Ayurveda to stay healthy:
In Ayurveda, some rules and regulations have been described to stay healthy and to prevent diseases, which are called healthy rules. Following the rules prescribed in Ayurveda daily provides health and longevity. These rules include Dincharya (day routine), Ratricharya (night routine), Ritucharya (seasonal routine), Savratta (occurrence), etc.
1. Under routine, there is an instruction to leave the bed first in Brahma muhurta. It is believed that leaving one's bed during Brahma Muhurta benefits the environment by providing a pure and pollution-free environment. But it has a scientific basis in Ayurveda. Brahmamuhurta time is the last hour of the night. This physical-biological unit is naturally dominated by Vayu, due to which the excretion of feces, urine, etc. happens very easily because all the work related to movement inside the body is done by Vayu.
2. On the other hand, sleeping for long hours increases physical phlegm. Due to its Guru quality, Kapha brings heaviness to the body, due to which gravity remains in the body throughout the day. Due to phlegm, there is obstruction of the water supply, and hence leprosy occurs.
In this sequence, the second important routine is brushing of teeth. For this, there is a rule of brushing the teeth by making a brush of twelve finger-long branches of usually bitter, astringent, and bitter trees (like- Neem, Babul, Karanja, etc.). this plant stick is called "Datoon" There is a special reason for this too.
The environment is dominated by sweet juice, which is phlegm-producing, and both night and sleep naturally increase phlegm. Bitter, bitter, and astringent juices, besides being the opposite of sweet juice, remove the covering of phlegm and create interest in food. On the other hand, modern pastes of today are mostly dominated by sweet juice, which attract germs, not repel them.
Apart from this, daily abhyanga, nasya, bath, tobacco-free medicinal smoking, Anjana, clean clothes, and wearing jewelry, etc. have been duly described. Regular observance of all these makes the body parts clean and free from problems.
3. A regular balanced diet should be taken according to nature and the strength of fire. The fire (ability to digest food) of every human being depends on his physical structure and nature of work. Accordingly, heavy or light substances should be taken. But any kind of food should not be taken in large quantities. It is necessary to have enough space in the stomach after eating so that the biological units involved in the digestion of food (Saman Vayu, digestive bile, and Kleedak Kapha) can perform their functions. If one-third of space is not kept in the stomach after taking food, then Ama Dosha is created and terrible diseases like diarrhea and ulcers occur. Apart from this, rules for taking food have been mentioned, which are healthy to follow and generate love for food. It is usually prescribed to have an evening meal in the first quarter of the night. Night meals should be less in quantity and easily digestible.
4. After eating, one should sleep in a happy mood on a comfortable, smooth, and soft bed. Sleep is considered one of the essential pillars of the body.
It is said that its daily intake in a proper quantity is necessary. Happiness- sorrow, strength, work, power, age, weakness, knowledge-ignorance, and life-death are all considered to be dependent on sleep.
5. The desire for sex arises in all living beings. There is a rule to have sex with one's wife as per the prescribed procedure at night. Not having sex causes gonorrhea, obesity, and weakness in the body. At what age and with whom sexual intercourse should be done, has also been described in detail in Ayurveda. After sexual intercourse is over, there is a rule to sleep after taking a bath, anulepan, cold air, consuming cold food, shitambu, milk, etc. By doing this one again gets speed and strength.
6. In Ayurveda, seasons are considered to be directly related to health. According to the six seasons of India, physical strength keeps on increasing and decreasing. The doshas (organic units) in the body keep on getting aggravated and pacified due to the effect of seasons. Different diets and lifestyles have been mentioned according to the condition of the bodily doshas, which automatically prevent diseases caused by seasons and time.
While the above-mentioned methods describe the ways to keep the body healthy and disease-free,
7. On the other hand, Ayurveda has laid special emphasis on following good habits. Body and mind continuously influence each other. If the functions of the mind are properly regulated, the body can be saved from being affected by mental diseases. Good habits have been described in Ayurveda for controlling mental defects - Raja and Tamas and for the prevention of mental diseases. Mental disorders like lust, anger, greed, fear, jealousy, attachment, happiness, grief, worry, etc. arise from the imbalance of Raja and Tamas. By following good habits, Sattva Guna remains dominant in the mind, due to which diseases are not generated by mental defects.
8. It has been proved through various research that by following the Ayurvedic health routine, health is maintained continuously.
For our country, regular observance of a healthy lifestyle is such a mantra, by which various diseases can be easily prevented. People of every class can follow it; because it does not require spending extra money. The only need is to spread these routines rules and regulations to the masses. It has also been said-
"Naro Hitahar Vihar Sevi Samikshyakari Visheshva- Saktah,| Daata Samah Satyaparah Kshamaavanaptopesevi Cha Bhavatyarogah." (Charaka Samhita).
Stay healthy, stay safe...
