The
Science of Life - Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Guidelines
for Holistic Living
Ayurveda prescribes three
major guidelines for Healthy Living. They are Dinacharya, Ritucharya &
Brahmacharya
One should get up early in the
morning at 0430 AM , the time prescribed for Meditation. After brushing the
teeth, one should take an oil bath.
Oil, preferably coconut oil,
should be put all over the body and one should relax for 30-60 minutes for the
oil to sink in. Oil Bath is known in Ayurveda as Abhyanga. Because of the oil
bath, you will get proper sleep. The body becomes fresh. The body is fortified
and becomes cool. Oil will take care of all the diseases of the scalp. It will
prevent hair loss. The hair becomes blacker and more healthy.
After Abhyanga, one should do
exercise. Exercise will increase the digestive capacity and obesity will be
controlled. After doing exercise ( Yoga exercises are the best ), one should
massage the body mildly. One should not do excess exercise. Excess exercise can
result in weakness, thirst, fever and vomiting. Mild massage can destroy phlegm
and reduce fat.
Taking oil bath daily
increases the digestive fire. It will increase the sexual capacity. More energy
and strength will be imparted by an oil bath. Physical weakness will disappear.
One should pour only cold water over the head . Hot water bath is ideal for the
rest of the body.
Western system of Astrology
which follows the Tropical Zodiac identifies four major seasons - Spring,
Summer, Autumn and Winter.
From March 21 we have the
beginning of summer, after the Spring Equinox. From June 21 we have autumn,
after the Summer Solstice. From Sept 22 we have Winter, after the Autumnal
Equinox and after Dec 22, which is the pagan festival of Winter Solstice, we
have Spring
The Indian system of Astrology
which follows the Sidereal Zodiac identifies six major seasons known as Rithus.
Two months constitute a Rithu. ( Tau Dwau Rithu ).
They are Sisira ( January
& February), Vasantha ( March & April), Greeshma ( May & June ),
Varsha ( July & August ), Sharath ( September & October ) & Hemantha
( November & December ).
The Three Humurs of Ayurveda
are Wind ( Vata ), Bile ( Pitta ) & Phlegm ( Kapha ). Their equilibrium is
Health and their disharmony is ill-health.
During Sharath Rithu,
Pitta will be more.
During Hemanta Rithu,
Kapha will be more.
During Greeshma, Vata will be
more.
During Varsha, Vata will
be more.
During the hot Greeshma Rithu,
one should avoid hard labour which gives a tough time for the body. The ideal
foods during Greeshma are Fruit juices, buttermilk, lime juice and
these should be taken extensively. Can have cold water bath. Water Melon,
plantains, bananas, cucumber, tomatoes, jackfruit and leafy vegetables can
be taken in.
Uttarayana ( the Northern
Progress of the Sun ) involve the six solar sidereal months from Capricorn to
Cancer. During this phase, one should take abundant fruits like pomegranate,
water melon, orange, grapes and tender coconut water. This phase is known as
Adana Kala because much strength is lost from the body due to the hot season.
Plantains and bananas should also be taken in. Rice, wheat, gooseberry ( which
is a rich source of Vitamin C ), pineapple, mangoes, cashew, groundnut, carrot,
pumpkin,honey, milk and leafy vegetables should also be
consumed.
Dakshinayana ( the Southern
Progress of the Sun ) involve the six solar sidereal months from Cancer to
Capricorn. This phase is known as Visarga Kala , as this is a period which
augments physical strength. Bittergourd, gooseberry, chilli, wheat, honey, rice
and vegetables can be taken in during this period.
Brahmacharya means to roam in
Brahman, the Absolute, to embrace none but Him.
Lustre and virility are all
dependent on the seventh Tissue Element, Semen. If there is a weaking of this
tissue element, the body loses potency. Hence the need for preserving this
vital Tissue Element through proper celibacy.
Havelock Ellis in his
"Psychology of Sex " has demonstrated that preservation of semen can result in
increased creativity, high MQ & high IQ.
High Emotional Quotient and
Spiritual Quotient are also the boons of Brahmacharya.
Semen consists of the triune properties of
Heat ( Tejas ), Light ( Ojas) and Electricity ( Vidyut ). Sublimation of this
vital fluid can result in increased longevity. It will fortify the Immune system
and body can be saved from wrinkles. Intuition and the discriminative intellect
will function more during celibacy. Hence controlled Brahmacharya is a must for
Healthy Living.
There is a popular saying in
Ayurveda that there no cure for 2 types of people. People who observe Pathya (
Diet Control ) and people who do not follow Pathya ! If a man has hyperacidity
and do not observe Pathya ( if he takes in spicy, hot foods, alcohol and
beverages ), how can he be cured. even with a plethora of medicines ? If the
same man follows Pathya ( he avoids spicy foods, alcohol & beverages ), he
doesnt need medicines !
Diet Control is all in
all
Even for disease
chronic, Diet Control can cure
Without Diet Control, useless
is the highest Therapy !
Hence the need for Foods Vedic
!
For every
disease there is Pathya. The Ayurvedic Physician will say dont take such and
such food. Foods that are to be avoided in general are spicy foods, alcohol, non
veg like beef, eggs and fish, carbonated drinks and processed foods
Fruits and
vegetables contain Carotenoids and Bioflavonoids which are cancer preventing or
disease preventing. They contain fibres that are vital for the body. The popular
notion that eggs are cheap and contain proteins and high calories is a flawed
notion. 100 gms of egg contains 13.3 % protein and 137 calories. 100 gms of
vegetables contain 25.1% protein and 334 calories !
Why avoid Non Vegetarian
Food
Because of the high
cholesterol content, non veg food is not okayed by Ayurveda. A 100 gms of
Mackerel contains 95 mgs of cholesterol, haddock 65 mg, tuna 63 mg , halibut 50
mg, beef 70 mg, chicken 60 mg and pork 70 mg. And when the comparison is made
based on calories, fish ( 50mg/100 calories) is much higher in cholesterol than
pork (24mg/100 calories), beef ( 29 mg /100 calories ) or chicken ( 44 mg /100
calories ). Animal protein causes osteoporosis or bone loss. Fish contains
neither fibre nor carbohydrate. A recent article in the New England Journal of
Medicine warned that many fish contain high levels of Mercury, which may
increase risk of a heart attack. There is evidence that fish fat ( Omega-3 fat )
will increase a person's risk of cancer and the risk of metastasis ( spread of
cancer to other parts of the body ).
Naturopathy - The
Prophylactic Aspect of Ayurveda
Naturopathy or Prakrithi
Therapy is the Swastha Vritta ( Prophylactic Aspect ) of the Science of
Life.
The Five Great Elements
are the Five Doctors ( Annam Brahma ). Food is medicine and medicine is food. By
food we mean Naturopathic food, the food that cometh from Nature. The Five Great
Elements ( Pancha Maha Bhootas ) are prior to everything. Hence they are known
as the Five Great Doctors ( Annam Hi Bhoothanam Jyeshtyam Thasmad
Sarvoushadhamuchyathe ).
The Five Great Doctors can
cure any disease. Exposure to Sunlight is Thejopasana. The body gets abundance
of Vitamin D. Daily at least 10 minutes one should bathe in the
Sun.
The Fivefold Worship of
Naturopathy
Thejopasana - Sun bathing. Sunlight is a rich
source of Vitamin D
Akasopasana - Fasting, the best medicine. During fasting
the digestive system gets rest and diseases like ulcer are cured by
Fasting.
Jalopasana - Water is a universal medicine. At
least 12 glasses of water should be taken in daily and exercises like swimming
are excellent.
Vayopasana - Getting fresh air is a must.
Prithyopasana - Fruits and vegetables cometh from Nature
and are rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. They contain phytochemicals
which are cancer or disease preventing.
Article by G Kumar, astrologer, writer
and programmer of http://www.astrologiavedica.com/
. Highly experienced with many correct
predictions to his credit, he does professional natal charts http://www.astrologiavedica.com/html/vedichoroscope.htm
To subscribe to his Free highly
informative ezine, Z Files,click here. mailto:info@eastrovedica.com?subject=subscribeZF
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