Translations of Ayurvedic Principles

This post will just discuss along the lines of constitution and imbalances and how they translate into our language. It is soothing to know that all of us suffer the slight imbalances and distortions, with wisdom and courage we can act as is optimal to our nature. It is better to start acting inoff-balance the first stages of disease before they accumulate. We call that preventive medicine and lifestyle intervention in west. So let's keep studying the eastern ways.

Dosha is the energy that pervades the body and mind, each type of dosha is with different ways of functioning and connected with specific elements Every person has all three doshas, just in different harmony with each other. The balance and integration between different doshas determines the constitution of the person.

Doshas ("defect," or "that which darkens") are energy forms that in a balanced state will give you an overview of you personal constitution, prakruti. Prakruti translates from Sanskrit to English as “nature”. It refers to those characteristics that are unique to you and the way they are expressed depends on that trilateral balance between the three doshas. Often, the most dominant dosha or doshas also tend to be the ones that are the most imbalanced. In every being at times there is some level of vyadhi – problems associated with accumulation of a certain dosha. If that is not addressed well, then these dosha accumulations may cause further symptoms and in later phase, manifest as a disease.

Another aspect of Ayurvedic understanding is the vikruti (“that which easily goes off balance”) is the imbalances in doshas. These imbalances cause a deviation from your constitution. So the vikruti is always present. When the imbalances get high, it will serve as catalyst for vyadhi (“disease”). In this process, external and internal catalysts affects ama ("unripe" or "immature").

Negatively affected ama causes the accumulation of malas (“byproducts”). That disturbs the digestive system, and through affecting the agni, digestive fire, causes impairment of dhaatus (“nourishment”) and clogs the srotas (“the channels of the mind-body”). This is causing the cycle of further elevation of vikruti. These imbalances now work with ama and now the toxins get released into mind and body. That is the beginning stage of vyadhi.

Vyadhi Vyadhi is a condition of the mind-body that has deviated from it's optimal well-being state. In Ayurveda, there are six stages of vyadhi states.

1. Sanchaya – accumulation of the dosha. One might experience tiredness and lack of clarity. 2. Prakopa – provocation of the dosha. Often accumulating in the digestive tract, food aversion and relates to the imbalanced dosha symptoms. 3. Prasara – spreading of the dosha to other parts of the mind-body (e.g abdominal distension, acid reflux, oral ulcers) 4. Sthana Samashrya – localization of the dosha. It means that dosha accumulation takes root in the weakest tissues of the constitution, often causing pain, especially in the formerly traumatized areas. 5. Vyakti – the manifestation of vyadhi – developing a state of disease, usually relates to chronic disease (such as heart failure, diabetes etc). Symptoms may be wave-like and often the state of disease can be reversed with some proper lifestyle changes. This is the vyadhi when you may get a diagnosis in western medicine. 6. Bheda – permanent disease state. Complex or chronic disease manifestation. It relates to any chronic illness and often becomes a vicious cycle and needs a multifaceted approach.

Hope you have enjoyed these perspectives.

You can read further related translationals post here:

• Translations of the Ayurvedic Principles Part II

• Translations of Ayurvedic Principles III - the Physical and Mental Metabolism

• Immunity in the Ayurvedic Translation

Main References for used materials:

• Ojas: Modern Recipes and Ancient Wisdom for Everyday Ayurveda Author: Nira Kehar; Publisher: Dovetail, 2018 • Practical Ayurveda: Find Out Who You Are and What You Need to Bring Balance to Your Life Author: Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre; Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 2018 • Ayurveda Author: Reenita Malhotra Hora; Publisher: Mandala Publishing Group, 2018 • Ayurveda: Unlocking the Secrets of Hindu Healing Through the Ayurveda Diet, Yoga, Aromatherapy, and Meditation; Bravex Publications 2019 • Handbook of Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda: An Integrated Practice of Ancient Healing Traditions, Healing Arts Press 2019