Composition of Ayurvedic Sutras -
To learn the science of Ayurveda
Prayer to Lord Śri Dhanvantari
नमामि धन्वन्तरिमादिदेवम्
सुरासुरैर्वन्दित पादपद्मम् ।
लोके चरारुग्भयमृत्यु नाशम्
धातारमीशम् विविधौशधिनाम् ॥
Namāmi dhanvantarimādidevam
surāsurairvandita pādapadmam ।
Loke carārugbhayamṛtyu nāśam
dhātāramīśam vividhauśadhinām ॥
I surrender to Bhagwan Dhanvantari, at whose Lotus feet all the Devas and Asuras pray for a long life. May the world be rid of old age, the fear of death, and be healed of various diseases through your medicines.
Salutations to the Unparalleled Physician
रागादिरोगान् सततानुषक्तानशेष काय प्रसृतानशेषान् ।
औत्सुक्यमोहारतिदाञ्जघान योऽपूर्ववैद्याय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै ॥
Rāgādi rogān satatānuṣaktān aśeṣa kāya prasṛtān aśeṣān ।
Autsukya mohāratidāñjaghāna yo’pūrvavaidyāya namo’stutasmai ॥
Salutations to that unparalleled physician who has entirely destroyed that group of diseases beginning with rāga, which are constantly connected with/spreading all over the body, giving rise to anxiety, delusion and restlessness.
Ayurveda (the science of life) - Lineage of teachers & students
ब्रह्मा स्मृत्वायुषो वेदं प्रजापतिम् अजिग्रहत् ।
सोऽश्विनौ तौ शहश्राक्षं सोऽत्रिपुत्रादिकान्मुनिन् ।
तेऽग्निवेशादिकांस्ते तु पृथक् तन्त्राणि तेनिरे ॥
Brahmā smṛtvāyuṣo vedaṃ prajāpratim ajigrahat ।
So’śvinau tau śahaśrākṣhaṃ so’triputrādikānmunin ।
Te’gniveśādikāṃste tu pṛthak tantrāṇi tenire ॥
Brahma, remembering Ayurveda, taught it to Prajapati. He taught this to the Aświn brothers, they taught it to Indra. He (Indra) taught this to Atri’s son and other sages. They gave this knowledge to Agniveśa and others who each composed their own treaties.
Saṃkhyā Philosophy - 24 principles of creation
खादिनि बुद्धिरव्यक्तम् अहङ्कारस्तथोऽष्टमः । भूतप्रकृतिरुद्दिष्टा विकाराश्चैव षोडश ।
बुद्धीन्द्रियाणि पञ्न्चैव पञ्च कर्मेन्द्रियाणि च । समनस्काश्च पश्चार्था विकारा इति संज्ञिताः ॥
Khādini buddhiravyaktam ahaṅkārastatho’ṣṭamaḥ । bhūtaprakṛtiruddiṣṭā vikārāścaiva ṣoḍaśa ॥
Buddhīndriyāṇi pañcaiva pañca karmendriyāṇi ca । Samanaskāśca paścārthā vikārā iti saṃjñitāḥ ॥
The five subtle elements (tanmatrās - sound, touch, vision, taste & smell), intellect (buddhi), prakṛti in unmanifested form (avyakta) and the “I” former (ahaṃkāra) are the eight sources of creation. Created objects (vikārā) are sixteen in number: the five sense faculties (to observe the 5 tanmatras), five motor faculties (to create the 5 tanmatras), mind and the five elements - space, air, fire, water, earth (to be observed).
Definition of Life (Ayu)
शरिरेन्द्रियाणि सत्वात्मा संयोगोधारि जीवितम् । नित्यागश्चानुबन्धश्च पर्यायैरायुरुच्यते ॥
Śarirendriyāṇi satvātmā saṃyogodhāri jivitam । nitragaścānubandhaśca paryāyairāyurucyate ॥
The term ayuh expresses the combination/conjunction of the physical body, the sense organs, the mind and the Self and is described by the synonyms: dhāri, jīvitam, nityagaḥ, and anubandhaḥ.
Four Aims (Pillars) of Life
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां आरोग्यं मुलमुत्तमम् । रोगास्तस्यापहारश्च श्रेयसो जिवितस्य च ॥
Dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ ārogyaṃ mulamuttamam । rogāstasyāpahāraśca śreyaso jivitasya ca ॥
Health is the best foundation for the four aims of human life: dharma, artha, kāma, and mokśa. Diseases take this away, as well as goodness and life itself.
Definition of Health
समदोष समअग्निश्च समधातु मल क्रिया
प्रसन्न आत्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिदियते ।
sama doṣa sama agniśca sama dhātu mala kriyā
prasanna ātmendriyamanāḥ swastha ityabhidiyate |
Healthy (swastha) is said to be one (person) who has balance in the body’s humor (doṣa), balanced digestive fire (agni), balanced tissues (dhātu), balanced wastes (mala - urine, feces, sweat etc) and a happy (prasanna) soul (ātmā), happy mind (manāḥ), happy senses (indriya).
Scope of Ayurveda
हिताहितं सुखंदुःखं आयुस्तस्य हिताहितम् । मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तम् आयुर्वेदः च उच्यते ॥
Hitāhitaṃ sukhaṃduḥkhaṃ ayustasya hitāhitam । Mānaṃ ca tacca yatrotkam āyurvedaḥ ca ucyate ॥
Ayurveda is said to be that science where what is useful and detrimental (to health and life), the happy and unhappy (states of life), what is good and bad for life, its measurement (span/length) and life itself are described.
Eight Branches of Ayurveda
कायबालग्रहोर्ध्वाङ्ग शल्यदंष्ट्राजरावृषान् । अष्टावङ्गानि तस्याहुश्चिकित्सा येषु संश्रिताः॥
Kāyabāla grahordhvāṅga śalyadaṃṣṭrājarāvṛṣān । Aśṭāvaṅgāni tasyāhuścikitsā yeṣu saṃśritāḥ ||
Internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatrist, ENT, surgery, toxicology, geriatrics, and virilization and the eight branches (of Ayurveda) in which treatment of disease is explained/embodied.
20 Universal Gunas - 10 pairs of opposites
गुरु लघु मन्द तिक्ष्ण शित उष्ण स्निग्ध रुक्षकाः । श्लख्ण खर द्रव सान्द्र मृदु कठिन एव च ।
सुख्स्म स्थुल स्थिर चलाः विषाद अविल गुणाः ॥
guru laghu manda tikshṇa śita uṣṇa snigdha rukṣakāḥ । ślakhṇa khara drava sāndra mṛdu kaṭhina eva ca ।
sukhsma sthula sthira chalāḥ viṣāda avila guṇāḥ ॥
Heavy, Light, Slow, Sharp, Cold, Hot, Oily, Dry, Slimy, Rough, Liquidity, Solidity, Soft, Hard
Subtle, Gross, Stable, Movement, Clear and Cloudy (Unclear) are the GUNAs.
Doṣas & it's functions
वायुः पित्तं कफश्चेति त्रयो दोषाः समासतः । विकृताविकृता देहं घ्नन्ति ते वर्तयन्ति च ।
ते व्यापिनोऽपि हृद्याभ्योरधो मध्योर्ध्वसंश्रयाः । वयोऽहोरात्रिभुक्तानामन्तमध्यादिगाः क्रमात् ॥
vāyuḥ pittaṃ kaphaśceti trayo doṣāḥ samāsataḥ ।
vikṛtāvikṛtā dehaṃ ghnanti te vartayanti ca ।
te vyāpi’nopi hṛdyābhyoradho madhyordhvasaṃzrayāḥ ।
vayo’horātribhuktānāmantamadhyādigāḥ kramāt ॥
Vata, Pitta, Kapha are the 3 doṣas; when in balance they maintain bodily functions, when not in balance, they create pathologies/disease. They are situated below (Vata), between (Pitta) and above the Heart/hṛdaya (Kapha). They perform their best functions in the beginning (Kapha), middle (Pitta) and end (Vata) of day, night and food.
Guṇas of each Doṣa
तत्र रुक्षो लघुः शितः खरः सुक्ष्मश्चलोऽनिलः ।
पित्तं सस्नेहतिक्ष्णोष्णं लघु विष्रं सरं द्रवम् ।
स्निग्धः शितो गुरुर्मन्द स्लक्ष्णो मृत्स्नः स्थिरः कफः ॥
tatra rukṣo laghuḥ śitaḥ kharaḥ sukṣmaścalo'nilaḥ ।
pittaṃ sasnehatikṣṇoṣṇaṃ laghu viṣraṃ saraṃ dravam ।
snigdhaḥ śito gururmanda slakṣṇo mṛtsnaḥ sthiraḥ kaphaḥ ॥
The qualities of Vata are dry, light, cold, rough, subtle and mobile.
The qualities of Pitta doṣa are slightly unctuous, sharp, hot, light, sour/fleshy/metallic smell, free flowing and liquid.
The qualities of Kapha Doṣa are unctuous, cold, heavy, slow, clay-like and stable, strong.
Vata Doṣa
Locations of Vata Doṣa
पक्वाशयकटीसक्थिश्रोत्रास्थिस्पर्शनेन्द्रियम् । स्थानं वातस्य तत्रापि पक्वाधानं विशेषतः ॥
pakvāśayakatīsakthiśrotrāsthisparśanendriyam । sthānaṃ vātasya tatrāpi pakvādhānaṃ viśeṣataḥ ॥
Colon, waist (hip), thigh, ear, skin and senses are the places of Vata, among them Colon is special.
Physiological Functions
उत्साहोत्स्वास निस्वास चेष्टा वेग प्रवर्तनैः । सम्यग्गत्या च दोशाणाम् अक्षाणाम् पाटवेन च ॥
utsāhotsvāsa nisvāsa ceṣṭā vega pravartanaiḥ । samyaggatyā ca dośāṇām akṣāṇām pāṭavena ca ॥
Vāta in its normal state protects the body, bestowing enthusiasm, exhalation and inhalation, all activities (of the body), initiation (& execution) of bodily urges (defecation, urination, cough, burps, sneeze etc), maintenance of dhatus (tissues),
and proper functioning of senses.
Prana Vayu Functions
प्राणोऽत्र मूर्धगः । उरः कण्ठचरो बुद्धि हृदयेन्द्रिय चित्तधृक् | ष्ठीवन क्षवथूद्गारनिः श्वासान्नप्रवेशकृत् ॥
prāṇo'tra mūrdhagaḥ uraḥ । kaṇṭhacaro buddhi hṛdayendriya cittadhṛk ।
ṣṭhivana kṣavathūdgāraniḥ śvāsānnapraveśakṛt ॥
Prana is situated in the Head, it moves into the Chest, Throat. It carries Intelligence, feelings, senses and mind. It does expectoration, sneezing, belching, breathing and entrance of food.
Udana Vayu Functions
उरः स्थानमुदानस्य नासा नाभि गलाश्चरेत् । वाक्प्रवृत्ति प्रयत्नोर्जाबलवर्नस्मृतिक्रियः ॥
uraḥ sthānamudānasya nāsā nābhi galāścaret । vākpravṛtti prayatnorjābalavarnasmṛtikriyaḥ ॥
Chest is the location of Udana. It can move in the Nose, umbilicus and neck. It creates speech, effort, enthusiasm, energy, color complexion and memory.
Vyana Vayu Functions
व्यानो हृदि स्थितः कृत्स्न देहचारी महाजवः । गत्यपक्षेपण उत्क्षेप निमेषोन्मेषणादिकाः । प्रायः सर्वाः क्रियास्तस्मिन् प्रतिबद्धाः शरीरिणाम् ॥
vyāno hṛdi sthitaḥ kṛtsna dehacāri mahājavaḥ । gatyapakṣepaṇa utkṣepa nimeṣonmeṣaṇādikāḥ ।
prāyaḥ sarvāḥ kriyāstasmin pratibaddhāḥ śarīriṇām ॥
Vyana’s location is the heart, it moves in the entire body at a very rapid rate, movement of the limbs, opening and closing of the eyes, appears and disappears in a moment; almost all the functions of the body are done by it (Vyana).
Samana Vayu Functions
समानोऽग्निसमीपस्थ कोष्ठे चरति सर्वतः । अन्नं गृह्णाति पचति विवेचयति मुञ्चति ॥
samāno'gnisamīpastha koṣṭhe carati sarvataḥ । annaṃ gṛhyati pacati vivecayati muñcati ॥
Samana stays near Agni, and moves everywhere in the viscera. It accepts food, digests, identifies what to eliminate.
Apana Vayu Functions
अपानोऽपानगः श्रोणि वस्ति मेढ्रो रुगोचरः । शुक्रार्तवशकृन्मूत्रगर्भनिष्क्रमण क्रियः ॥
apāno'pānagaḥ śroṇi vasti meḍhro rugācaraḥ । śukrārtavaśakṛnmūtragarbhaniṣkramaṇaḥ kriyaḥ ॥
Apana is located in Apana (large intestine), and hips, bladder, penis, legs, and a range of other perceptible senses (of Shukra & Artava??). Its activities are elimination of semen, mensuration, feces, urine, and child-birth.
Symptoms of Vata Vriddhi
कार्ष्यकार्ष्ण्योष्ण कामत्व कम्पानाह शकृद्गृहान् । बलनिद्रेन्द्रिय भ्रंष प्रलाप भ्रम दिनताः ॥
kārṣyakārṣṇyoṣṇa kāmatva kampānāha śakṛdgṛhān । balanidrendriya bhraṃṣa pralāpa bhrama dinatāḥ ॥
Increased Vāta produces emaciation, black discoloration, desire for hot things, tremors, distension of the abdomen, constipation, reduced strength, sleep and sensory function, excessive irrelevant speech, giddiness & faint heartedness.
Etiological Reasons for Vata Vriddhi
तिक्तोषण कषायाल्प रुक्ष प्रमित भोजनैः । धारणोदिरण नीशा जागरात्युच्च भाषणैः ।
क्रियातियोग भी शोक चिन्ताव्यायम मैथुनैः । ग्रीश्माहो रात्रि भुक्तान्ते प्रकुप्यति समिरणः ॥
tiktoṣaṇa kaṣāyālpa rukṣa pranita bhojanaiḥ । dhāraṇodiraṇa nīśā jāgarātyucca bhāṣaṇaiḥ ।
kriyātiroga bhi śoka cintāvyāyāma maithunaiḥ । grīśmāho rātri bhuktānto prakupyati samiraṇaḥ ॥
Vāta gets aggravated from consuming food that's bitter, pungent, and astringent in taste, dry and in limited quantity. Also by suppressing or forcing natural urges, staying awake at night, and speaking a lot or in high-pitched or loud-voice. Excessive activity, excessive yogā or exercise, fear, grief, worries or thinking, and sex increase Vāta. The end of summer, the end of the day, the end of the night, and the end of digestion of meals all aggravate Vāta dosa.
Pitta Doṣa
Locations of Pitta Doṣa
नाभिरामाशयः स्वेदो लसीका रुधिरं रसः । दृक्स्पर्शनं च पित्तस्त नाभिरत्र विशेषतः ॥
nābhirāmāśayaḥ svedo lasīkā rudhiraṃ rasaḥ । dṛksparśanaṃ ca pittasta nābhiratra viśeṣataḥ ॥
Naval, Stomach, sweat, sebaceous secretions, blood, plasma, eye, skin are the places of Pitta; here Nabhi is special.
Physiological Functions
अनुगृह्णत्यविकृताः पित्तं पक्त्युष्ण दर्षनैः । क्षुद्तृड् रुचि प्रभामेधा धीशौर्यतनु मार्दवैः ॥
anugṛhṇatyavikṛtāḥ pittaṃ paktyuṣṇa darṣanaiḥ । kṣudtṛḍruci prabhāmedhā dhīśauryatanu mārdavaiḥ ॥
Pitta in its normal state maintains digestion, body temperature, vision, production of hunger, thirst, appetite, complexion, intelligence, courage, valor, and softness of the body.
5 types of Pitta
पित्तं पञ्चात्मकंतत्र पक्वामाशयमध्यगम् । पञ्चभुतात्मकत्वेऽपि यत्तैजसगुणोदयात् ॥
त्यक्तद्रवत्वं पाकादिकर्मणाऽनलशब्दितम् । पचत्यत्रं विभजते सारकिट्टौ पृथक् तथा ॥
pittaṃ pañcātmakaṃtatra pakvāmāsayamadhyagam । pañcabhutātmakatve'pi yattaijasaguṇodayāt ॥
tyaktadravatvaṃ pākādikarmaṇā'nalaśabditam । pacatyatraṃ vibhajate sārakiṭṭau pṛthak tathā ॥
Pitta is of five types. There, in the middle of the large intestine and stomach, five elements of consciousness and that which gives the qualities of fire (or tejas). Pungent, flowing fluid that does digestion, is known as fire. It cooks, and separates the best part, excretes the rest.
Pacaka Pitta Functions
तत्रस्थमेव पित्तानां शेषाणामप्यनुग्रहम् । करोति बलदानेन पाचकं नाम तत्त्स्मृतम् ॥
tatrasthameva pittānāṃ śeṣāṇāmapyanugraham । karoti baladānena pācakaṃ nāma tattsmṛtam ॥
And there present, the blessing/benediction of the remaining Pitta, that works by giving energy (to the remaining Pitta), Pacaka is the name as it is accepted.
Ranjaka Pitta Functions
आमाशयाश्रयं पित्तं रन्जकं रसरञ्जनात् ।
āmāsayāśrayaṃ pittaṃ ranjakaṃ rasarañjanāt ॥
Stomach is the home of Ranjaka Pitta, it’s Rasa’s color.
Sadhaka Pitta Functions
बुद्धिमेधाभिमानाद्यैरभिप्रेतार्थसाधनात् । साधकं हृद्गतं पित्तं रुपालोचनतः स्मृतम् ॥
buddhimedhābhimānādyairabhipretārthasādhanāt । sādhakaṃ hṛdgataṃ pittaṃ rupālocanataḥ smṛtam ॥
Intelligence, mental capacity, ego etc and the agent that gives meaning to life (after death) etc is Sadhaka Pitta, it is in the heart and it is known to give us the perception of color and vision to see things (differently).
Alochaka & Bhrajaka Pitta Functions
दृक्स्थमालोचक त्वक्स्थं भ्राजकं भ्राजनात्त्वचः ।
dṛksthamālocaka tvaksthaṃ bhrājakaṃ bhrājanātvacaḥ ॥
Alocaka is present in Vision and Bhrajaka is present in the skin and gives color and luster to the skin.
Symptoms of Pitta Vriddhi
श्लेस्माग्नि सदन प्रसेकालस्य गौरवम् । श्वैत्य शैत्य स्लथान्गत्वा श्वास कास अति निद्रता ॥
pitta vṛdhau pitāvibhāṣatā santāpaḥ । śita kāmatva alpanidratā murchā ।
balahāni indriya daurbalyaṃ pitavinmutranetratvam॥
Increased pitta will show yellowing discoloration, anger, impatience, irritability, and general body heat, cravings for cold things, scanty sleep (insomnia), dizziness, fatigue, sensory weakness (hypersensitivity) and yellow colored feces, urine and eyes.
Etiological Reasons for Pitta Vriddhi
स्वद्वम्ल लवण स्निग्ध गुर्वाभिष्यन्दि सितलैः । आस्यास्वप्न सुखाजिर्णं दिवास्वप्नति बृह्मणैः ।
प्रछर्दनादि योगेन भुक्तमात्रे वसन्तयोः । पुर्वाह्णे पुर्व रात्रे च श्लेस्मा ॥
pittaṃ kaṭvamla tikṣoṣṇam paṭu krodha vidāhibhiḥ । śaraṇmadhyāhne rātrerdha vidāha samayeṣu ca ।
śirṣāsanaṃ tībrabhāṣaṃ suryātapasya sevanam । bhuktamadhye grīṣmakāle pittam prakupyati nare ॥
Pitta is aggravated by consuming foods that are pungent, sour, sharp, hot, fermented, or that cause burning sensation or anger. It is increased during late spring, midday, midnight, and the middle part of digestion. Headstand, heated discussions, exposure to the sun's heat, mid-meal and summer time all aggravate pitta in the person.
Kapha Doṣa
Locations of Kapha Doṣa
ऊरः कन्ठशिरः क्लोम पर्वाण्यामाशयो रसः । मेदो घ्राणं च जिह्वा च कफस्य सुतरामुरः ॥
uraḥ kanṭha kloma parvāṇyāmāśayo rasaḥ । medro ghrāṇaṃ ca jihvā ca kaphasya sutarāmuraḥ ॥
Chest, throat, head, talu (Choroid plexus/Pancreas/Soft palate), joints, stomach, plasma, fat, nose and tongue (are places) of Kapha, though excessively in the chest.
Kapha Dosha - Physiological Functions
श्लेस्मा स्थिरत्वं स्निग्धत्वं सन्धिबन्ध क्षमादिभिः ॥
ślesmā sthiratvaṃ snigdhatvaṃ sandhibandha kṣamādibhiḥ ॥
Balanced Kapha gives stability, lubrication, firmness of joints, patience and forbearance.
Kapha Functions
श्लेष्मा तु पञ्चधा उरः स्थः स त्रिकस्य स्ववीर्यतः । हृदयस्यान्नवीर्याच्च तत्स्थ एवाम्बुकर्मणा ॥
ślesmā tu pañcadhā uraḥ sthaḥ sa trikasya svaviryataḥ । hṛdayasyānnavīryācca tatstha evāmbukarmaṇā ॥
Kapha is of five types. It's present in the chest, it’s the inner-strength of the triad of the heart, energy of the food, and by activities it is like water.
Avalambaka Kapha Functions
कफधाम्नां च शेषाणां यत्करोत्यवलम्बनम् । अतोऽवलम्बकः श्लेष्मा ||
kaphadhāmnāṃ ca śeṣāṇāṃ yatkarotyavalambanam । ato'valambakaḥ śleṣmā ॥
Kapha’s abode is the stomach; Avalambaka Kapha does the support of the remaining types of Kapha.
Kledaka, Bodhaka & Tarpaka Kapha Functions
यः त्व आमाशयसंस्थित क्लेदकः सः अन्न सङ्घात क्लेदनात् |
रसबोधनात् बोधको रसनास्थायी | शिरः संस्थोऽक्षतर्पणात् तर्पकः॥
yaḥ tva āmāśayasaṃsthita kledakaḥ saḥ anna saṅghāta kledanāt ।
rasabodhanāt bodhako rasanāsthāyī । śiraḥ saṃstho'kṣatarpaṇāt tarpakaḥ ॥
Kledaka kapha is present in the stomach, it breaks down food from moisture.
Bodhaka is situated in the taste organ (tongue) and identifies the taste of food.
Tarpaka is present in the head and nourishes the senses.
Symptoms of Kapha Vriddhi
श्लेष्माग्नि सदन प्रसेकालस्य गौरवम् । श्वैत्य शैत्य श्लथाङ्गत्वं श्वास कास अति निद्रता ॥
śleṣmāgni sadana prasekālasya gauravam । śvaitya śaitya ślathāngatvaṃ śvāsa kāsa ati nidratā ॥
The signs and symptoms of increased Kapha are: low agni, excess salivation, malaise, heaviness, pallor, coldness, flabby body, cough, breathlessness and excess sleep.
Etiological Reasons for Kapha Vriddhi
स्वद्वम्ल लवण स्निग्ध गुर्वभिष्यन्दि शीतलैः । आस्यास्वप्न सुखाजिर्णं दिवास्वप्नति बृह्मणैः ।
प्रच्छर्दनादि योगेन भुक्तमात्रे वसन्तयोः । पुर्वाह्णे पुर्व रात्रे च श्लेष्मा ॥
svadamla lavaṇa snigdha gurvabhiṣyandi śītalaiḥ । āsyāsvapna sukhājirṇaṃ divāsvapnati bṛhmaṇaiḥ ।
pracchardanādi yogena bhuktamātra vasantayoḥ । purvāhṇe purva rātre ca śleṣmā ।
Kapha is aggravated by sweet, sour, salty, oily, heavy, hydrophilic and cold foods, because of love for sleeping and eating, indigestion, sleeping during the day, anabolic therapies, by improper administration of pañcakarma, during spring time, in the morning and just before sunset.