Chapter-2 Traya Upastambha The Three supportive pillars of Human life TRAYA UPASTAMBHA (Three supportive pillars of human Life) Aahara Nidra Brahmacharya Brahmacharya (Diet) (Sleep) (Chastity) . Nidra 3.Traya Upastambha (Three supports) 1. Aahara 2. AAHARA (DIET) . Definition of Aahara – The solid and liquid food swallowed and drunk through mouth and passed through esophagus is called Aahara. . 1 Importance of Aahara: . Shukra) . Majja. Mansa. Kapha) .IMPORTANCE OF AAHARA . Pitta.7 Dhatu (Rasa. Purisha and Sweda) Are the roots of human body. Rakta. . Asthi.3 Malas (Mutra.3 Doshas (Vata. Meda. . which is necessary to prevent the disease.2 As the roots of the plants give support to and nourish the plant. similarly Dosha-Dhatu-Mala support the body. they need nourishment. . . which is supplied by appropriate Aahara.In this process.Aahara keeps equilibrium of Dosh-Dhatu-Mala.IMPORTANCE OF AAHARA . Liquid . Semisolid 3. Solid 2.Proper diet Improper diet Health Disease Diet 1. Rice) 2.Diet 1. Khadeetam (To cut e. Asheetam (Particles e. Bread) .g.g. Lidham (Apply on tongue e. Soup) 4. Pickles) . Pitam (To drink e.g.g.3. CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET) . Milk. Oil Grains. 1 On the basis of Consistency of food Classification 1) 2) 3) 1) 2) 3) 4) 1) 2) Ghana (Solid) Alpa Ghana (Semisolid) Drava (Liquid) Ashita Khadita Peeta Leedha Ushna (Hot) Sheeta (Cold) Examples 1) Almond 2) Gruel 3) Milk 1) 2) 3) 4) 1) 2) Rice Bread Milk Jam Black pepper Ghruta 2 Nature of food 3 Potency of food 4 Rasa (Taste) of food 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 1) 2) Madhura (Sweet) Amla (Sour) Lavana (Salt) Katu (Pungent) Tikta (Bitter) Kashaya (Astringent) Dravadravya (Liquid) Annadravya (Solid) 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 1) 2) Sugar Lemon Salt Ginger Fenu greek Coffee Water.Beans.Classification of Aahara (Diet) N o. Vegetables 5 Consistency – Mainly of original food items . Jaggery Drakshasava. Ghruta.CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET) DRAVADRAVYA (LIQUID) Varga Class of Examples 1) Jala Varga 2) Dugdha Varga 3) Taila Varga 4) Ikshu Varga 5) Madya Varga Different varieties of water Milk & Milk products Oils Sugarcane products Wine / Alcoholic beverages prepared from food Urine of Different animals Rain water. Almond oil Sugar. Butter Sesame oil. Goat’s urine 6) Mutra Varga . Kharjurasava Cow’s urine. Boiled water Cow’s milk. Lentil Spinach. Wheat. Chicken Clove. cumin seeds Moong Soup. Red Pumpkin Goat meat. Khichadi 2) Shimbi Dhanya Beans. Maize Green gram. Black pepper. Pulses 3) Shaka Varga 4) Mansa Varga 5) Haritaka Varga Vegetables Meat Condiments/ Spices 6) Krutanna Varga Receipes .CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET) GHANADRAVYA (SOLIDS) Varga Class of Examples 1) Shuka Dhanya Grains Rice. .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) e) f) g) Qualities of food substances Rules for taking diet Utensils Incompatibility . The two ways are as follows : 1. According to time span between two meals .I) a. Ayurved describes two ways for Deciding the time of having meals. Proper time for having meals Hunger is a natural urge When previous meal is completely and properly digested. According to symptoms 2. one experiences intense hunger or appetite. Belching without bad smell & taste 2. Evacuation of bowel and bladder without any discomfort 4. Feels energetic 3.Characteristic symptoms of complete digestion are – 1. Feeling of lightness 5. Feeling of intense hunger and thirst If one feels above symptoms then and then only one must take a meal . 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 . Proper time for having meals o Duration between two meals should be minimum three hrs.I) b. should be kept empty for moments of Doshas .consider three parts of stomach 1 Part for solid food 1 Part for liquid food 1 Part.g.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.-Heavy substances should be taken in less quantity On an average . e..g.Heavy food articles Predominant qualities of Prithvi ( Earth element) Intake should be 1/3 or 1/2 of the saturation point.III) Qualities of Diet (Food substances) Qualities of food substances are dependent on dominance of Mahabhutas. 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 . warm and moist 3. conflicts while enjoying meals. One should not indulge in excessive laughing or talking controversies. One should not eat in a hurry or loitering 4.IV) Rules for taking healthy Diet . All the six tastes should be included in the diet 2. . Food should be fresh.1 1. One should always know self constitution (Prakriti) and give due consideration to suitability of food substances. . One should be happy and joy’s mood while taking meals and should concentrate on it.IV) Rules for taking healthy Diet . 8. 6.2 5. Cleanliness and hygiene should be maintained at the time of meals. favorable places in good company. 7. One should eat in a pleasant. Ela (cardamom) . Madhu (Honey) Godugdha (cow’s milk). Moolaka (Radish) Amalaki (Indian gooseberry). Jeeraka (Cumin seeds). Draksha (Grapes) Puran Guda (Old jaggery). Dadima (Pomegranate). Godhuma (Wheat). Saindhava (Rock-salt) Oil Dry Fruits Spices Groundnut oil. Ragi (Red millet). Chicken Patola (Snake-gourd). olive oil Vatam (Almond). Makushthaka (Lentil) Goat. Rakta shali (Red rice) Mudga (Green gram). Angira (Fig) Ardraka (Ginger). Deer. Pigeon.DIET WHICH IS BENEFICIAL IN GENERAL Cereals Pulses Meat Vegetables Fruits Sugar Milk-milk products Water Salt Shashti-Shali (Rice). Dhanyaka (Coriander). Akshot (Walnut). Common quail. Hingu(Asafetida). Goghruta (Clarified-butter of cow’s milk) Clean and sterile rain-water. Leafy vegetables. unripe Kapithha (Raw wood apple) Kakvi (Boiled concentrated sugar cane juice) Kurchika & Kilata (Milk products like Paneer). rice and flattened rice. Masha (Black gram) Pork.DIET WHICH SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN GENERAL:Cereals Pulses Meat Vegetables Fruits Sugar Milk-milk products Water Salt Oil Spices Yava (Barley). stem. Fish. Lotus tuber . heavy preparation of flour. Buffalo meat. Dried meat. Mandaka Dadhi (Immature curds) River water in rainy season Saindhava ( rock-salt) Sunflower oil Chilly powder . Meat of emaciated animals Dried vegetables. Beef. Nikucha (Wild jack fruit). cleansing. rules for use and consumer. which are not seen in the case of individual substances such as combination of honey and ghee and that of honey. time. infusing. in substances used as food and drugs. utensil etc. for nonvegetarians: pork (heavy) and meat of deer (light) Karana (processing): The making or refinement of natural products. fish and milk. combination. These properties are infused by contact of water and fire. such as Black gram (heavy) and green gram (light). place. and also long duration. sleeping etc. churning. svabhava (nature): The natural existence of properties like guru etc. processing. which means imparting other properties. Samyoga (combination): A combination of two or more substances. place.1 There are eight specific factors of dietetics such as nature.8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) . . Prakriti. This exhibits peculiarities. quantity. time. Thus accounting of the entire is sarvgraha while that of all individual food items is parigraha. It is again divided as sarvagraha (total count) and parigraha (individual amount). Desha (Place): Denotes place related to growth as well as distribution of the substances and also the suitability in respect of place. The accounting of the quantity of the entire food in totality is sarvaghraha while parighraha is that of the individual items in the food.2 Rashi (Quantity): Rashi can be termed as quantity. .8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) . which ascertain the result of the food taken in proper and improper quantity. 8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) . The conditional one is related to disorder while the eternally moving one to seasonal suitability. Upyogsamstha: This denotes the rules of dietetics. On him depends the “ok-satmya’ (suitability developed by practice). Upyokta : It is the person who consumes the food. .3 Kala (Time): Kala is eternally moving (time) as well as conditional. 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 body Type of Utensil Beneficial effect on the Body Gold Best from medicinal point of view Promotes Liver Functions Improves Intelligence & Appetite Promotes Vata and Agni but cures Kapha Useful in Jaundice Cooling effect Antidote against poison. Silver Zinc Brass Steel Glass Plates made from plant leaves . Specific Use of Utensils for various foods Name of the Food item Ghee Curd preparations Juices and fruit syrups Fruits and confectionary Boiled and cooled milk Wines. Beverages Peyas (Porridge). Edible fluids Type of utensil best for storage Steel vessel Stone utensils Glass and crystal ware Leaves Copper vessels Earthen pots 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 (ViruddhaAahara). 1) One should not take fish along with milk because this combination is Abhishyandi (great obstructer for channels). garlic.g. 3) All sour liquids are antagonistic to milk. place.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. combination. 5) Likewise honey and ghee in equal quantity. (Viruddha Ahara) This antagonism may be in terms of properties. it vitiates blood. time. basil one should not take milk because of the risk of skin disorders. Dosha etc. processing. Many food combinations are given in the texts as incompatible with proper explanation For e. hot water after taking honey are antagonistic. . or natural composition. 4) Hot honey taken by a person induces toxicity and lead to death. 2) After eating raddish. .3 The 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 . Honey + Cow’s ghee . 7) Samyoga viruddha.mixed in equal proportion.(Processing incompatibility) Heated Honey 3) Matra viruddha.(Time incompatibility) Pungent substance in summer & Cold substances in winter 6) Krama viruddha-(Order incompatibility)-Consuming curd at night.Hot water after taking honey 5) Kala viruddha.(potency incompatibility)-Fish + milk 2) Sanskar viruddha.(Combination incompatibility).Fruit Salad / Milk+ Banana 8) Parihar viruddha (contraindication incompatibility)Consuming cold water immediately after having hot tea or Coffee.4 Examples of Incompatibility/ Antagonistic (Viruddha -Aahara) 1) Veerya viruddha. 4) Krama viruddha .Food Incompatibility .(dose incompatibility) . . If one consumes above kind of Incompatible diet Frequently & In excess quantity one definitely suffers from Blood Disorders Skin Disorders Digestive Disorders . NIDRA (SLEEP) . When the body fatigued by exertion. .Nidra – (Sleep) Definition When srotas of the body obstructed by Kapha Dosha. sleep manifests in the body. When the sense organs (Indriya).not functioning due to exertion. .Merits & Demerits Happiness and Misery Nourishment and Emaciation Strength and Weakness Potency and Impotency Knowledge and Ignorance Life and Death --------------------------Depend on Sleep. Should not be taken forcefully when not manifested.Should not be controlled when manifests . .Nidra (Sleep) One of the 14 Adharaniya Vegas (Natural Urges) of the body Being an Adharniya Vega (Natural urge which should not be controlled) . Leads to diseases if followed regularly .Abnormal patterns (modes) of the Nidra (Sleep) Atinidra (Excess Sleep) Anidra (Less Sleep) Deewaswapa (Day Sleep) Akalanidra (Not on appropriate time) . . . • Definition . as the myth goes. means abstinence from physical relationship.Brahmacharya or celibacy. Well. • This statement seems very stern and unrealistic in ordinance with reality.a topic which is not much or is adversely discussed. this word is generally defined in an incorrect manner.Brahmacharya (Celibacy) • Brahmacharya or Celibacy’ . .• 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. other than your own spouse is considered within Brahmacharya. Gruhasthashram phase • Marriage and family life • Here abstinence from any partner. • Coitus should be preferred at night.Important rules Gruhasthashram to maintain in • Coitus should be done with one’s own wife. • There is natural coolness and quietness at night. . Nowadays there is a trend to enjoy a multipartner relationship. Abstinence from such is suggested. which helps to relax the mind naturally. while heat is not as much favorable for survival of the sperms.are warmer. afternoon and past midnight. and it is the Pitta Kala.also the Pitta Kala. • Body heat during the Pitta Kala is higher. Afternoons .a prime work time. .• Coitus should not be done in the morning. it can also make conception difficult. besides the time to rest for revival. There should not be distractions during it. Morning . Past midnight . • Abnormal.Important rules Gruhasthashram to maintain in • Do not have coitus while menstruation. while ill . . Failing which one suffers from sexually transmitted diseases. as to avoid infections. a partner other than your spouse. it could also hamper conception. awkward positions should be avoided. • This is said so. AIDS being very predominant today. Other than causing strain. during pregnancy. • Suppression leads to the elevation of the Vata Dosha. also disturbs the harmony between the other Doshas. pain.Important rules Gruhasthashram to maintain in • 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. which can not only cause dryness. . Climate is cool. Hemant and Shishir are winter months. . pleasant.One can have a relation more frequently. Mind is relaxed and the health is at optimum.Important rules Gruhasthashram to maintain in • In accordance with the seasons • Hemant and Shishir rutu . for about 15 days needs to be maintained. • Varsha and Grishma rutu . humid and stuffy.Abstinence. Health is not so sound. so frequency can cause weakness.Important rules Gruhasthashram to maintain in • In accordance with the seasons • Vasant and Sharad rutu .Frequency should be 2-3 times a week. . The climate is very hot. The climate starts getting warmer. Cleaning is for a good hygiene. clean the genital organs. Milk helps to revive the energy.Regime after having coitus • After coitus. Cool herbs give solace to the mind. • Have milk or milk products. • Use cool and scented herbs. . at the same time one can enjoy the fullness of life. Like any others. this too is a natural urge. These are basically simple norms. which have been very thoughtfully framed in interest of the society. keeping in mind the natural requirements of the Gruhasthashram • • • phase. Thus one must keep a realistic approach. Following these gives absolute safety.Point to ponder • • • Total abstinence may also cause mental stress. It rewards in better health of the individual and also the entire society. . These rules about Brahmacharya. and physical illness. have been framed. Vanaprasthashram • The age factor has progressed.3. . • Here one should learn to slowly detach oneself from family bonds. the family duties are quite fulfilled. emotional attachments. physical requirements etc. • One is in a totally detached state from the worldly pleasures and seeks enlightenment. as he prepares for Moksha.4. about the almighty. It includes both physical & emotional attachments. Sanyasashram • One is now prepared to totally abstain from all enticements of life. . • The occurrence of diseases like AIDS perked up. The society by and large is affected. Not just an individual threat. but a threat to the entire society. . as well as the next generation.The untoward effects of changing trends • The trend to choose a multi-partner relationship. Transmission of this disease from mother to the foetus. • We can therefore conclude that such liberal activities not only harm the current generation.