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#### Principles of Ayurveda

#### Pancha Mahabhoot Theory

The basic premise of Ayurveda is that the entire cosmos or universe is part of one singular absolute. Everything that exists in the vast external universe (macrocosm), also appears in the internal cosmos of the human body (microcosm). Man is the epitome of the universe. Within man, there is as much diversity as in the world outside. Similarly, the outside world is as diverse as human beings themselves. In other words, all human beings are a living microcosm of the universe and the universe is a living macrocosm of the human beings.

The Pancha Mahabhuta, or "five great elements" , of Ayurveda are:

- Prithvi or Bhumi (Earth)
- Ap or Jala (Water)
- Agni or Tejas (Fire)
- Vayu or Pavan (Air or Wind)
- Akasha (Aether)

Hence, Ayurveda advocates: "YatPinde, Tat Bramhande"

The universe consists of 5 elements called the Panchabhutal. Our bodies, as a part of the universe, are also composed of these 5 elements:

- Space
  It accommodates all the components of the tripod of life - the Spirit, Mind & Body.
- Air
  It accommodates all the components of the tripod of life - the Spirit, Mind & Body.
- Fire
  our body is made of food, sustained by it and ends up as food.

- All these transformations in metabolism is governed by the fire of life.
- Water
  The elixir of life, the energy that governs cohesive and adhesive integrity the flow that cleanses and transports vital elements.
- Earth
  The structural arena where the orchestra of life exists with all its vibrancy.

#### Tridosha Theory

The central concept ayurveda is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humours or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata is the air principle necessary to mobilize the function of the nervous system.

Pitta is the fire principle which uses bile to direct digestion and hence metabolism into the venous system.

Kapha is the water principle which relates to mucous, lubrication and the carrier of nutrients into the arterial system.

Derived from the basic eternal elements - the pancha Mahabhutsa, these three biological energies govern every aspect of a living being.

##### Vata:
Represents Space and Air, Controls the Mind and Body.

##### Pitta:
Represents Fire and governs metabolic activities.

##### Kapha:
Represents Water and Earth, governs structural integrity and imparts vital strength.

In Ayurvedic philosophy, the five elements combine in pairs to form three dynamic forces or interactions called doshas. Dosha means "that which changes." It is a word derived from the root dus, which is equivalent to the English prefix 'dys', such as in dysfunction, dystrophy, etc. In this sense, dosha can be regarded as a fault, mistake, error, or a transgression against the cosmic rhythm. The doshas are constantly moving in dynamic balance, one with the others. Doshas are required for the life to happen. In Ayurveda, dosha is also known as the governing principles as every living thing in nature is characterized by the dosha.

- Vata: Air and Ether
- Pitta: Fire and Water
- Kapha: Water and Earth

Vata is a Sanskrit word that means "wind" or "that which moves".It is the dosha of movement or change.

##### Vata Combination of Vayu (Air) + Jala (Water)

When imbalanced it produces pain in various parts of the body. They have inability to sleep through the night, inability to concentrate and stay on task.

A balanced person with Vata dosha can be very creative.

Pitta is often translated as "Fire" or "Heat". It is responsible for transformation, metabolism. Pitta is a combination of Agni (Fire) + Jal (Water).

This functional unit is often characterized by heat, temperature and digestion in the body when it is out of balance, it makes a person sarcastic, sharp tongue and fidgety. When in balance, a person shows signs of being competitive, assertive, and self-confident. bin balance, it has power and energy to transform the life of an individual and also lives of others. This dosha sustains the body when it is in balance, but creates many diseases when imbalanced.

It is one of the three doshas, which can be translated as "that which holds things together". This is made of earth and water in our body and is characterized by fluidity, strength and nourishment. When imbalanced, it produces heaviness and phlegm in the body. When Kapha dosha is in balance, a person tends to be slow and stable and excel in jobs and situation that require logical analysis. When out of balance, a person can't sleep and gets easily intimidated.

#### The Sapta Dhatus

The Sapta (seven) Dhatus (tissues) elements form the pillars of the body that form the means of nourishment and growth while providing support to the body as well as the mind.

- Rasa (fluid) Dhatu -
  Derived from the digested food, it nourishes each and every tissue and cell of the body and is analogous to the plasma.
- Rakta (blood) Dhatu -
  Regarded as the basic of life, it is analogous to the circulating blood cells. It not only nourishes the body tissues, but provides physical strength and colour to the body.
- Masma Dhatu -
  The muscle tissue, its main function is to provide physical strength and support for the meda dhatu.
- Meda (fat) Dhatu -
  Consists of adipose tissue providing support to ashti dhatu. It also lubricates the body.
- Ashti Dhatu -
  Comprising of bone tissues, including cartilages, its main function is to give support to the majja dhatu and provide support to the masma dhatu.
- Majja Dhatu -
  Denoting the yellow and red bone marrow tissue, its main function is to fill up the ashti and to oleate the body.
- Shukra Dhatu -
  The main aim of this reproductive tissue is to help reproduction and strengthen the body.

#### The Tri Malas

Malas are various waste products of the dhatus produce during the normal metabolic process.

##### The three malas are

- Purisha(Faeces)
  Purisha is the waste left back after nutrients of digested food have been absorbed in the small intestine. While water & salt got absorbed in the large intestine, the residue converted into solid faeces excreted from body.
- Mutra (urine)
- Sweda (sweat)

#### The Trigunas

The three gunas Satva, Rajas and Tamas- are the three essential components or energies of the mind. Ayurveda provides a distinct description of people on the basis of their Manasa (psychological) Prakriti (constitution). Genetically determined, these psychological characteristics are dependent on the relative dominance of the three gunas.

##### The psyche is of three types - Pure or Satva, Rajas and Tamasa

While all individuals have mixed amounts of the three, the predominant guna determines an individual's mansa prakriti.In equilibrium, the three gunas preserve the mind (and indirectly the body), maintaining it in a healthy state. Any disturbance in this equilibrium results in various types of mental disorders.

Satva characterised by lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity, is pure, free from disease and cannot be disturbed in any way. It activates the senses and is responsible for the perception of knowledge.

Rajas, the most active of the gunas, has motion and stimulation as its characteristics.All desires, wishes, ambitions and fickle-mindedness are a result of the same.

Tamas is characterised by heaviness and resistance.It produces disturbances in the process of perception and activities of the mind. Delusion, false knowledge, laziness, apathy, sleep and drowsiness are due to it.

ajas and Tamas as with the dosas, can be unbalanced by stress and negative desires as kama (lust), irshya (malice), moha (delusion and hallucination), lobha (greed), cinta (anxiety), bhaya (fear) and krodha(anger).