Ayushkameeya Adhyaya “Desire for long life.” आयुष्कामीय अध्याय : Ashtanga Hridayam Sutra Sthana Chapter 1

Ashtanga Hridayam आयुष्कामीय अध्याय

The term “आयुष्कामीय अध्याय” can be translated to “chapter on longevity” in English. It refers to a section of Ayurvedic literature that focuses on promoting longevity and preventing diseases. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that has been practiced for over 5,000 years and draws attention to the importance of maintaining balance in the body and mind through diet, lifestyle, and Ayurvedic remedies.

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आयुष्कामीय अध्याय अष्टांग हृदय सूत्रस्थान

The “आयुष्कामीय अध्याय” contains information on various aspects of health and wellness, including diet, exercise, meditation, and the use of herbs and spices for healing. It also provides guidelines for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing disease.

Overall, the “आयुष्कामीय अध्याय” emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to health and wellness, which includes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Head bows before that matchless and rare (apūrva) physician (vaidya) who has completely wiped out diseases like passion (raga) that remained associated with one from the birth itself and that spread across the body, thus generating anxiety (autsukya), delusion

(moha) and restlessness(arati). 1

Purpose of life: Necessary qualities to learn Ayurveda

These things are required to achieve the purpose of life

1. Dharma – following the path of righteousness
2. Artha – earning money in a legitimate way
3. Kama – fulfilling our desire
4. Moksha – achieving Salvation

We shall now discuss the Chapter called “For a long life”(Ayuskāmīya), as preached by Atreya and other great sages. The realization of righteousness(dharma), wealth (artha), and happiness (sukha) depend on the long life only. Hence, persons desirous of long life should follow the lessons of Ayurveda in the highest esteem. 2

Origin of Ayurveda

Brahma, who internalized Ayurveda, taught the same to the Ashwin twins; they passed its knowledge to Indra (Sahasrākṣa), who, in turn, taught this science to Atri’s son, known as

Atreya Punarvasu or Krsna Atreya and other sages. These seers taught Ayurveda to Agnivesa and others. Agnivesa and other disciples subsequently composed separate treatises on this science. 3

Importance of Ashtanga Hridayam

These treatises were quite intricate and not easy to learn. Hence, the essence there of has been collected and the present treatise Astanga Hridayam has been prepared. This work has been authored in a manner so that it could appear neither too concise nor too complicated. 4

Branches of Ayurveda

1. Kaya Chikitsa – General medicine
2. Bala Chikitsa – Paediatrics
3. Graha Chikitsa – Psychiatry
4. Urdhvanga Chikitsa – Diseases and treatment of urdhvajatru (Upper Body) Ear, Nose, Throat, Eyes and Head (neck and above region)
5. Shalya Chikitsa – Surgery
6. Damshrta Chikitsa – Toxicology
7. Jara Chikitsa – Geriatrics
8. Vrushya Chikitsa – Aphrodisiac therapy

These are the eight branches of Ayurveda.

Tridosha

The three doshas are Vayu (or vata), pitta and kapha. These are the principal elements that destroy, support and maintain the body. When doshas are abnormal, they destroy the body, while when normal, they maintain the same. 6

Tridosha avastha in a day

These doshas are present all over the body. Nonetheless, they are mainly located in the region between the heart and the umbilicus and are seated in the lower (vata), middle (pitta) and upper (kapha) parts of this portion of the body.

These doshas have pre-dominant roles in human life in the following manner: During the last phase of life, it is the vata that is dominant. In the middle phase of life, it is pitta and during the early phase of life, it is the kapha that remains dominant.

In the early (kapha), middle (pitta) and late (vata) phases of the day, of the night, and during the early age (kapha), middle age(pitta) and late age(vata) phases of the process of digestion of the eatable, these doshas remain predominant likewise as indicated. 7

Types of digestive fire / Agni types

As regards the effects of these dosas on digestion (that is the most important aspect of metabolism), it is noted that when the vata remains dominant in one’s body, the digestive faculty remains in an unequal state. When the pitta remains dominant in the body, the digestive activity is quite sharp, and when the kapha remains dominant in one’s body, there is low digestion respectively. When there is an equilibrium among the dosas in the body, proper digestion is maintained. 8.

Ref. For discussion on this topic, the readers could also consult CS., Sū. 1/44, AH., Sa. 3/74, AS., Sū. 11 and 21.

Types of Kostha/ Digestive tracks/nature of bowels

Kinds of the alimentary tract

There are three types of the nature of alimentary tract (Kostha): It is hard (krura) when the body is dominated by vata. It is soft (mrdu), when the body is dominated by pitta and it is moderate or medium (madhya) when the body remains dominated by kapha. If there is an equilibrium of all three doshas, the kostha functions on a medium (Madhya) scale. 8

Types of Prakruti – Body Types

What is Prakruti in Ayurveda?

Prakruti is a Sanskrit term that refers to the unique body constitution of an individual. According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, every person has a unique combination of three doshas or biological energies – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – that determine their physical, mental, and emotional traits. These doshas are present in varying degrees in each individual, resulting in different body constitutions or Prakruti.

Tridoshaja Prakruti

Vata Prakruti

Vata Prakruti is characterized by the predominance of the Vata dosha, which represents movement and change in the body. Individuals with Vata Prakruti tend to be thin, light, and agile, with a tendency towards dryness and coldness. They are creative, enthusiastic, and quick to learn but can also be anxious, restless, and forgetful. Vata Prakruti individuals benefit from warm, nourishing foods, calming activities, and regular routines to balance their Vata dosha.

Pitta Prakruti

Pitta Prakruti is characterized by the predominance of the Pitta dosha, which represents metabolism and transformation in the body. Individuals with Pitta Prakruti tend to be medium-built, with a tendency towards heat and acidity. They are intelligent, ambitious, and confident but can also be critical, irritable, and perfectionistic. Pitta Prakruti individuals benefit from cooling, hydrating foods, moderate exercise, and stress-management techniques to balance their Pitta dosha.

Kapha Prakruti

Kapha Prakruti is characterized by the predominance of the Kapha dosha, which represents structure and stability in the body. Individuals with Kapha Prakruti tend to be heavy-set, with a tendency towards coldness and sluggishness. They are calm, compassionate, and loyal but can also be possessive, stubborn, and resistant to change. Kapha Prakruti individuals benefit from light, warm foods, invigorating activities, and regular detoxification to balance their Kapha dosha.

Qualities of Vata Dosha / Vata Dosha Lakshana

The properties of vata dosha are dryness ruksha, coldness shita, roughness khara, subtleness suksma and movement chala.

Qualities of Pitta Dosha

Pitta is slightly unctuous (sasneha), capable of penetrating deep (tiksna), hot, heat-producing (ushna), light in weight (laghu), bad in smell (visra) is free flowing (sara) and liquid (drava).

Qualities of Kapha Dosha

Kapha is unctuous (snighdha), cold (Shita), heavy (guru), slow in action (manda), smooth (slakshana), slimy (mrtsna) and stable (sthira).

The combination of any two dosas, when both are in their decreased and increased states, is known as samsara, while sannipata means the combination of all the three dosas. 11-12

Dushya : Dhatu and Mala : Body tissues and waste products

Body tissues and waste products are called Dushyas. This means the one that can be affected by Three doshas and cause disease.

SAPTA DHATU :

1. Rasa – is the first after digestion of the food, which can be correlated with plasma (Body Fluids.)
2. Rakta – Also called as Asruk. – Blood
3. Mamsa – Muscle
4. Meda – Fat tissue
5. Asthi – Bones and cartilages
6. Majja – Bone marrow
7. Shukra – Semen / Ovum. According to Ayurveda, Shukra is present all over the body.

THREE MALA :

Mala – waste products

Mootra (urine), Pureesha – (faeces), and Sweda (sweat) are the three waste products of the body.

The nourishment of the body

Use or intake of similar (Samana) and dissimilar (vipanta) properties result in the
increase or decrease of all dosas, dhatus and malas. 13
Ref. The above passage has been quoted verbatim from AS., Su. 1/32. For a comparative
analysis of this topic, the readers could also consult CS., Su. 1/44.

Shad Rasa : Six Tastes

The six varieties of tastes are as follows:

1. sweet (svadu),

2. sour (amla),

3. salty(lavana),

4. bitter (tikta),

5. pungent (usna)

6. astringent (kasaya).

Each one of the above is more strengthening to the body in their order of precedence. Thus, the sweet taste is the most overwhelming, while the astringent taste is the least powerful.

Effect of Rasa on Tridosha

Alleviation of doshas by the tastes
The vata dosa is alleviated by the first three tastes as appearing in above order: svadu, amla and lavana. The kapha dosa is actuated by the kasaya, tikta and madhura tastes. Pitta dosha is subsided by kashaya, tikta and madhura rasa.

Trividha dravya

All the substances, such as the eatable, herbs and the like, are divided into three catego­ries viz.

(i) Those which actuate the dosas are the ones known as the samana,

(ii) those which provoke the dosas are the ones known as the kopana,

(iii) those that are helpful
for health are the ones known as the svasthahita. The dravyas under the last category above
are suitable for health, and they help one keep good health. 16

Veerya (Potency) Types / Dwividha virya

The component of the substance that is responsible for its action in the human body is
Virya/Veerya is of two kinds: 1. the one pertaining to heat (usna) and 2. the other related to coldness (shita)
Ushna veerya (Hot potency) pepper.

Sheeta veerya (cold potency) – milk.

Generally, Astringent, bitter and sweet taste substances are Sheeta virya, and Sour, salt, and pungent tastes are Ushna Virya.

Vipaka Types

The end product of digestion
The end product of digestion is called Vipaka. The sweet (svadu), sour (amla), and
pungent (katu) is the three kinds of vipaka.17

Madhura Vipaka (sweet) – Sweet and salt tastes undergo Madhura Vipaka.

Amla Vipaka (Sour) – Sour taste undergoes Amla Vipaka

Katu Vipaka – rest of the tastes – Bitter, astringent and pungent tastes undergo Katu Vipaka.

Gurvadi guna : Twenty types of qualities

Guru(heavy) X laghu (light in weight)

Manda(slow) X tiksna(quick,fast)

Hima (cold) X ushna (hot)
Snighda (unctuous) X ruksa (dry)

Slaksna (smooth) X khara (rough)

Sandra (solid) X drava (liquid)

Mrdu (soft) X kathina (hard)
Sthira (stable) X cala (moving, unstable)

Suksma (stable, small) X sthula (big,gross)

Vishada (non slimy) X picchila (slimy)

Cause for disease and health:

The basis of health is none but a proper combination of yoga of the season (kala),
the object of sense (artha) and activities (karmas). An inadequate, poor (hina), inappropriate
(mithya) and excessive (ati) yoga of these factors produces disease. 19

Definition of health and disease

Imbalance in Tridosha is the disease. The perfect balance of these three dosha is health.

Types of disease:

Disease (roga) is the outcome of a disequilibrium of the dosas, while the equilibrium of The dosas form the basis of health. Disease (roga) is considered to be of two kinds, organic, arising from the body itself (nija) and arising from external causes (agantu). The location
(adhisthana) of diseases is also two, namely the body (kaya) and the mind (manas). 20

Types of mental Doshas

Rajas – the quality of mind that drives us to take action,

Tamas – that leads to inaction and lethargy

How to examine patients? Darshana Sparshana Prashna Pariksha : Trividha Pariksha

Darshana – by inspection, observation.

Sparshana – by touching
Prashna – by asking

Examination of disease: Roga Pariksha

By its causes, aetiology (nidana), prodormata, premonitory symptoms (pragriipa), specific indications and symptoms, clinical features (laksana), diagnostic tests (upasaya) and pathogenesis (samprapti) the disease (roga) might be examined. 22
Ref. For further discussion on this topic, the readers could also consult AH. Ni. 1.

Types of Desha

The term desha is used in Ayurveda to denote the body (the deha) and the countries or
locals (bhumidesa).
Ayurveda classifies the countries or locals (bhumidesa) into three types: viz 1 .jangala,2.anupa and 3. the sadharana. Of them, the jangala is pre-dominated by vata. The anupa is pre-dominated by kapha. The sadharana type of land is pre-dominated by the equal position of all three dosas. 23

Kala types:

The time (kala) is of two kinds. The one is that begins with moment (ksana) and the
like. The other is relevant to the administration and selection of the medicine or therapies. It also pertains to the different stages of the disease. 24

Types of medicines:

Therapies (ausadha) which have been
explained in brief: the ones that are purposeful for purificatory (sodhana) therapy and the other meant for palliative (Samana) therapy.

Therapies Types : Panchkarma for Three Dosha

Enema (basti), purgation (virechana) and emesis (vamana) are the best therapies respec­tively for the three dosas of the body. In other words, to cure the vitiated vata, the basti (enema) therapy is the best. For the vitiated pitta the virechana (purgation) therapy is the best. For the vitiated kapha, the emesis (vamana) therapy is the best. Likewise, oil (taila) is the best to control the vitiated vata, butterfat (ghrita) is considered the best to check the pro­voked pitta while honey (madhu) is the most effective stuff in balancing kapha related prob­lems.

Treatment for mental imbalance:

The ideal therapies for the mind are discrimination (dhi), courage, strong will (dhairya), and knowledge of the soul and the self. 25-26

Chikitsa Chatushpada : Four Pillars of Treatment

Four limbs of treatment
The four limbs (pada) of treatment are the physician, the nurse, the herbs and the patient.
Each one of them has four qualities. 27

Qualities of doctor:

As regards the prerequisites of the physician, he should be efficient. He must have learnt the science in all its branches from an able preceptor; he must have witnessed the therapies and thus gained practical experience. He should also possess a pure body, a clean mind and a pure speech.

Qualities of medicine:

Bahukalpa – Able to formulate in different dosage forms, like decoction, powder, herbal oil etc
Bahuguna – Having infinite qualities
Sampanna – graced with virtues Yogya – suitable and appropriate for specific diseases.

Qualities of nurse

Anurakta – Compassion towards patients

Shuchi – Cleanliness
Daksha – Alert, active
Buddhiman – Intelligence

Qualities of patient

Adya – Rich
Bhishagvashya – fully obedient towards doctor
Jnapaka – Good memory
Satvavaan – The one who has good strength to tolerate any disease and treatment.

Types of diseases:

Two main types, which are further divided into two types.
Sadhya – Which can be cured. It is of two types –

Easy to cure (Sukha Sadhya), Difficult to get cured (Krichra Sadhya)

Asadhya – This can not be cured. Asadhya is again of two types – Yapya (medicine is required till patient is alive),

Anupakrama (No medicine will be effective in this condition. )

Sukhasadhya Vyadhi : Qualities of diseases which can be cured easily:

The sukhasadhya types of diseases are those that are present in an individual capable of withstanding all kinds of therapies, those are adults, the males; among those who are self Controlled The sukhasadhya diseases do not affect the vital organs. They are produced out of a few mild causes, prominent symptoms and specific features; that is uncomplicated, hav­ing no secondary disease or very troublesome symptoms which are dissimilar in respect of tissues (dosas, dushyas), habitat (desha), season (ritu) and body constitution (prakruti which have four limbs of treatment in excellent condition; which have very favourable planetary influence; that are arisen from only one dosa that are seen manifesting in one disease path­ way and that are of recent onset.

Curable with difficulty (krcchrasadhya) diseases :

Krccharasadhya vyadhi are that require the use of sharp
instruments and the like in treatment. They have a mixture of causative factors as well. 30 -31

The controllable (yapya) diseases

are those that persist till the remainder of life, but
can be controlled with a continuous good regimen of herbs, eatables, activities and the like.
They also possess qualities of easily curable diseases. 32

Asadhya Vyadhi / qualities of Incurable diseases

Incurable diseases
Incurable diseases possess features that are entirely opposite to those of curable diseases. They are the ones that have stayed long in the body involving all the important tissues and vital organs. Such diseases cause anxiety, fear of death, delusion and restlessness. They also manifest the fatal indications and cause the loss of sense organs and sensory functions. These diseases are anupakramya and are fit to be rejected; such disease leads to death, generally. 33

Which Patient Should be rejected for trearment:

The patient who is hated by the physician and the king or government should be avoided.
The patient who hates physicians should also be rejected. Physicians should avoid the pa­tient who hate themselves and who is not having the equipments and other facilities required for treatment, The ones who are busy with other activities and who are not giving the required attention for the treatment. They should also reject the disobedient patients whose life seems to have come to an end, who is of an evil mind and is violent and destructive, who is afflicted with great grief, which is full of fear, ungrateful and who in respect of selection of herb, therapies, eatables, activities etc. thinks himself to be a physician. 34

List of Ashtanga Hridayam chapters.

I. SUTRASTHANA

1. Ayuskamiya adhyaya (desire for long life).
2. Dinacarya adhyaya (daily regimen).
3. Rtucarya adhyaya (seasonal regimen).
4. Roganutpadaniya adhyaya (prevention of diseases).
5. Dravadravya vijnaniya adhyaya (knowledge of liquid materials). 6. Annasvarupa vijnaniya adhyaya (nature of food materials). 7. Annaraksadhyaya (Protection of foods).
8. Matrasitiyadhyaya (Proper quantity of food).
9. Dravyadi vijnaniya adhyaya (Knowledge of substances etc.).
10. Rasabhediya adhyaya (classification of tastes).
11. Dosadi vijnaniya adhyaya (Knowledge of dosas etc.).
12. Dosabhediya adhyaya (classification of dosas).
13. Dosopakramaniya adhyaya (treatment of the dosas).
14. Dvividhopakramaniya adhyaya (two kinds of treatments).
15. Sodhanadigana sangraha adhyaya (groups of drugs for purificatory therapies etc.). 16. Sneha vidhi adhyaya (oleation therapy).
17. Svedavidhi adhyaya (sudation therapy).
18. Vamana virecana vidhi adhyaya (emesis and purgation therapies).
19. Basti vidhi adhyaya (enema therapy).
20. Nasya vidhi adhyaya (nasal medication).
21. Dhumapana vidhi adhyaya (inhalation of smoke therapy).
22. Gandusadi vidhi adhyaya (mouth gargles and other therapies).
23. Ascyotana-anjana vidhi adhyaya (eye drops, collyrium therapies).
24. Tarpana-putapaka vidhi adhyaya (satiating the eye and other therapies).
25. Yantra vidhi adhyaya (use of blunt instruments).
26. Sastra vidhi adhyaya (use of sharp instruments).
27. Siravyadha vidhi adhyaya (venesection).
28. Salyaharana vidhi adhyaya (removal of foreign bodies).
29. Sastrakarma vidhi adhyaya (surgical operation).
30. Ksaragnikarma vidhi adhyaya (alkaline and thermal cautery).

II. SARIRA STHANA (SECTION ON ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY ETC).

1. Garbhavakranti sarira (embryology).
2. Garbhavyapad sarira (disorders of pregnancy).
3. Anga vibhaga sarira (different parts of the body).
4. Marma vibhaga sarira (classification of vital spots).
5. Vikrti vijnaniya sarira (knowledge of bad prognosis). 6. Dutadi vijnaniya sarira (knowledge of messenger etc.).

III. NIDANA STHANA (DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASES):

1. Sarvroga nidanam (diagnosis of diseases in general).
2. Jvara nidanam (diagnosis of fever).
3. Raktapitta, Kasa nidanam (disease and cough).
4. Svasa-Hidhma nidanam (diagnosis of bleeding disease and cough). 5. Rajayaksmadi nidanam (diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis etc.). 6. Madatyaya nidanam (diagnosis of alcoholic intoxication). 7. Arsas nidanam (diagnosis of haemorrhoids).
8. Atisara-Grahani nidanam (diagnosis of diarrhoea and duodenal disorders).
9. Mutraghata nidanam (diagnosis of retention of urine).
10. Prameha nidanam (diagnosis of diabetes).
11. Vidradhi-Vrddhi-Gulma nidanam (diagnosis of abscess, enlargement of the scrotum and abdominal tumour).
12. Udara nidanam (diagnosis of enlargement of the abdomen).
13. Panduroga-sopha-visarpa nidanam (diagnosis of anaemia, dropsy and herpes).
14. Kustha-svitra-krimi nidanam (diagnosis of leprosy, leucoderma and parasites).
15. Vata vyadhi nidanam (diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system).
16. Vatasonita nidanam (diagnosis of gout).

IV. CHIKITSITA STHANA (THERAPEUTICS):

1. Jvara cikitsita (treatment of fevers).
2. Raktapitta cikitsita (treatment of bleeding disease). 3. Kasa cikitsita (treatment of cough). 4. Svasa-Hidhma cikitsita (treatment of dyspnoea and hiccup).
5. Rajayaksmadi cikitsita (treatment of pul. tuberculosis, etc.).
6. Chardi-Hrdroga-Trsna cikitsita (treatment of vomiting, heart disease and thirst).
7. Madatyaya cikitsita (treatment of alcoholic intoxication). 8. Arsas cikitsita (treatment of haemorrhoids).
9. Atisara cikitsita (treatment of diarrhoea).
10. Grahani dosa cikitsita (treatment of duodenal disorder).
11. Mutraghata cikitsita (treatment of retention of urine).
12. Prameha cikitsita (treatment of diabetes).
13. Vidradhi-vrddhi cikitsita (treatment of abscess, enlargement of the scrotum). 14. Gulma cikitsita (treatment of abdominal tumour).
15. Udara cikitsita (treatment of enlargement of the abdomen).
16. Pandu roga cikitsita (treatment of anaemia).
17. Svayathu (sopha) cikitsita (treatment of dropsy).
18. Visarpa cikitsita (treatment of herpes).
19. Kustha cikitsita (treatment of leprosy).
20. Svitra-krimi cikitsita (treatment of leucoderma and parasites).
21. Vata vyadhi cikitsita (treatment of diseases of the nervous system).
22. Vatasonita cikitsita (treatment of gout).

V. KALPASIDDHI STHANA (PURIFICATORY RECIPES, PHARMACEUTICS):

1. Vamana kalpa (emetic recipes).
2. Virecana kalpa (purgative recipes).
3. Vamana virecana vyapat siddhi (management of complications of emesis and purgation therapies).
4. Basti kalpa (enema recipes).
5. Basti vyapat siddhi (management of complications of enema therapy).
6. Dravya-kalpa (pharmaceutics).

VI. UTTARASTHANA:

End of the first chapter of Sutrasthana of Ashtanga Hridayam.

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