Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Grasp Charaka has given 5 finest rules for prevention and efficient administration of psychological issues. They’re additionally one of the best treatments to heal the thoughts and to carry the doshas of thoughts i.e. rajas and tamas to a state of steadiness. They’re – Jnana, Vijnana, Dhairya, Smriti and Samadhi.
Context and reference
वायुः पित्तं कफश्चोक्तः शारीरो दोषसङ्ग्रहः|
मानसः पुनरुद्दिष्टो रजश्च तम एव च||५७||
There are three sorts of sharira doshas i.e. bodily doshas – they’re, vata, pitta and kapha. The manasika doshas i.e. psychological doshas are two in quantity – they’re, raja and tama. (Charaka Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1, Verse 57)
Within the very subsequent verse, Grasp Charaka gives treatments / therapy for each units of doshas and therefore the illnesses attributable to them.
प्रशाम्यत्यौषधैः पूर्वो दैवयुक्तिव्यपाश्रयैः|
मानसो ज्ञानविज्ञानधैर्यस्मृतिसमाधिभिः||५८||
The disturbances and imbalances occurring within the bodily doshas are pacified by daiva vyapashraya i.e. divine therapies and yukti vyapashraya chikitsa i.e. rational therapies. Alternatively, the psychological doshas are handled with the assistance of –
– Jnana – data of self
– Vijnana – scientific data
– Dhairya – temperance or restraint, braveness
– Smriti – reminiscence and
– Samadhi – focus and focus / focus (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1, verse 58)
Right here, it’s attention-grabbing to see that Grasp Charaka has not talked about Sattvavajaya Chikitsa – psychotherapy, the third predominant sort of therapy which Ayurveda has accepted. Later, in Sutra Sthana Chapter 11, verse 54, whereas mentioning three sorts of therapy modalities i.e. daivavyapashraya, yuktivyapashraya and sattvavajaya chikitsa.
त्रिविधमौषधमिति- दैवव्यपाश्रयं, युक्तिव्यपाश्रयं, सत्त्वावजयश्च| तत्र दैवव्यपाश्रयं- मन्त्रौषधिमणिमङ्गलबल्युपहारहोमनियमप्रायश्चित्तोपवासस्वस्त्ययनप्रणिपातगमनादि,युक्तिव्यपाश्रयं- पुनराहारौषधद्रव्याणां योजना, सत्त्वावजयः- पुनरहितेभ्योऽर्थेभ्यो मनोनिग्रहः||५४||
On this context Charaka offers examples of Daivavyapashraya and Yuktivyapashraya Chikitsa and ends the verse by defining Sattvavajaya Chikitsa as ‘a therapy or strategy by which the thoughts is withdrawn from dangerous and unwholesome objects’.
Taking all these contexts in dialogue, we are able to mathematically conclude that the Jnana, Vijnana and many others talked about earlier in chapter 1 are the measures included below Sattvavajaya. He has given examples or measures firstly in chapter 1 and outlined Sattvavajaya in chapter 11. He has additionally talked about the phrase Sattvavajaya within the reference given from chapter 11, which he had missed out in chapter 1.
So, the 5 measures – Jnana, Vijnana, Dhairya, Smriti and Samadi can collectively be thought of as parts of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa, completely different measures which can be utilized to deal with the thoughts and produce it right into a state of steadiness.
So, Jnana and many others may be thought of as particular person therapies contributing in the direction of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa and collectively contributing in the direction of complete thoughts therapeutic and remedy of psychological issues.
So, we’ll talk about these 5 parts / therapy measures of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa in short.
5 parts of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa
1. Jnana – Religious Information / Religious Understanding – Perception oriented therapy strategy
Jnana is outlined as ‘Adyatma Jnanam’ which suggests non secular data or figuring out about self. Whereas bringing Jnana as a remedy into play in psychological issues, the particular person is skilled to introspect and look inwards. It’s undoubtedly a sport changer in how an individual begins taking a look at himself and the world round himself. It is rather essential to introduce the particular person to himself or herself and the life ingredient or atman in them and the relation of atman with the larger life vitality i.e. paramatma. Jnana, identical to its different counterparts, is therapeutic in addition to preventive remedy. Jnana additionally means consciousness, conscience, data, knowledge, thought course of or intelligence.
Jnana, as a remedy, goals at enhancing these entities associated to thoughts.
On this remedy, the doctor guides the affected person or wholesome particular person looking for psychotherapy to develop and enhance the perception about themselves. This may be achieved by self-monitoring and evaluating regularly which can in flip assist them to adapt to nerve-racking conditions.
The data which helps an individual to grasp and notice that Brahma or absolute atma is the one reality and nothing else is called Adyatma Jnana, which is a vital a part of Jnana remedy. The instrument for attaining this Adyatma Jnana in accordance with Grasp Charaka is ‘Satya Buddhi’ i.e. true data. This true data will assist in eliminating one’s egoism which in flip destroys upadha i.e. untoward needs – which is the basis reason for every kind of miseries. By doing so, the particular person will do away with all psychological illnesses and also will obtain rajas-tamas steadiness.
Associated Studying – ‘Jnana – non secular data, function in Sattvavajaya Chikitsa’
2. Vijnana – Scriptural / Particular Information – Educative strategy
Vijnana is outlined as ‘Shastra Jnanam’ which suggests scriptural or textual data. Vijnana can also be scientific data. In Ayurveda, the scriptures and texts are thought of as crucial testimonials. They characterize ‘true and unadulterated data’.
Vijnana is a information in the direction of attaining this true data. From a thoughts ‘s perspective, it helps in understanding the nuances and subtleties of the thoughts, the imbalances occurring therein, the stress parts – their causes and triggers. It additionally trains one and improves functionality to manage up with stress, adverse feelings and thoughts imbalances.
One will get to study the paths of indulgence, attachment or engagement or renunciation with respect to worldly pleasures and in addition to discriminate between good and unhealthy and in addition imbibe them into their life from Vijnana. The identical data will practice the individuals concerning the appropriate methods of responding and behaving to numerous stimuli.
Vijnana helps in balancing rajas and tamas doshas of the thoughts. It’s going to additionally improve the sattva high quality and in addition assist in eliminating psychological issues. Vijnana is a remedy falling within the class of sattvavajaya and seeing its advantages it may be correlated with Cognitive Behavioural Remedy.
Completely different meanings of Vijnana are – comprehension, notion, judgment, profane understanding, discernment or consciousness. And Vijnana goals at enhancing these virtues.
Associated Studying – ‘Vijnana – Scriptural, Scientific or Worldly Information – Educative strategy and its function in Sattvavajaya Chikitsa’
3. Dhairya – braveness, persistence, controlling energy, persistence – Supportive strategy
Dhairya is outlined as ‘Dhairyan anunati chestasaha’. It means ‘a state whereby one has capability to keep up a state of psychological steadiness despite the fact that she or he is below an immense nerve-racking scenario’.
We are able to see that individuals with alpa / hina sattva i.e. weak minds lack braveness and are timid by nature. They have an inclination to blow easy issues out of proportions. They can not tolerate any sorts of bodily or psychological illnesses or hardships of life. They want fixed encouragement, by docs, household or buddies as a result of their braveness and tolerance energy is just too low.
The affected person is reassured and counselled often as part of dhairya remedy. The doctor ought to put all potential efforts to switch the adverse ideas of the affected person with optimistic ones. He additionally ought to attempt to channelize the thought strategy of the sufferers in a optimistic course. Even in trendy medication we are able to see that counselling is a vital and necessary a part of psychotherapy. This may be equated with the dhairya element or strategy of sattvavajaya chikitsa.
The primary goal of dhairya remedy shall be to relax the hyper-excitation and disturbances of the thoughts and in addition to carry power, steadiness and firmness to the thoughts.
The persistence and braveness of the affected person may be elevated with the assistance of counselling and meditation that are included in dhairya remedy. With the assistance of this braveness, the particular person would collect braveness to tolerate ache, grief and different hardships and challenges that she or he would encounter of their lives.
The sound remedy which is part of thoughts therapeutic periods these days, may help in creating optimistic vibrations to relax the thoughts. It will create a pathway in the direction of regeneration of braveness and hope within the affected person. From the doctor or therapist’s perspective, dhairya remedy gives most encouragement, empathy and a spotlight to the affected person. This remedy creates a belief worth and in addition a matured degree of consciousness and judgment. It additionally improves a major quantity of persistence and consciousness of self-worth.
Associated Studying – ‘Dhairya / Aashvasana Chikitsa – reassurance and braveness remedy, Position in Sattvavajaya Chikitsa’
4. Smriti – reminiscence, recall – Cognitive Method
Smriti is outlined as – ‘Smritih Anubhuthartha Smaranam’ which suggests remembering or recalling the article of previous expertise. Right here, the doctor adopts completely different measures to appropriate the reminiscence strategy of the affected person and in addition to boost and restore the reminiscence.
Reminiscences are information in our unconscious layers. They floor when wanted. Some could also be good, many could also be unhealthy and unwholesome. The doctor must also assist the affected person to do away with unhealthy and undesirable reminiscences and substitute them with new and good reminiscences. They need to even be guided how to not create and save reminiscences of unhealthy experiences, to disregard, forgive, neglect and transfer on.
Herein, as part of remedy, in smriti, the affected person is helped to withdraw and extract the unhealthy reminiscences and hidden conflicts from deep inside, which can be mighty dangerous in the long term and expel them completely. By continually doing this with will or being guided, the particular person will study to manage up together with his or her issues and can attempt to stay away from the unhealthy and adverse feelings, stimuli or triggers and develop a way of positivity inside.
Provided that the particular person remembers the actual nature of issues, he can do away with his reminiscences. There are eight causes for enchancment of Smriti in a optimistic course. This may be readily practiced as a therapeutic measure if the particular person has low reminiscence and if she or he requires reminiscence to do away with their illnesses. Smriti can also be wanted to comply with the directions given by the doctor in the direction of often taking medicines, way of life modifications, behavioural modifications, what to do and what to not, which is the bottom for whole restoration from any ailment. To alter right here
5. Samadhi – focus, restraining the thoughts, meditation – Psycho-philosophical strategy
Samadhi is outlined as ‘Vishayebhyo Nivruthya Atmani Manaso Niyamanam’ which suggests ‘restraining the thoughts and detaching it from its affiliation with worldly objects and diverting it in the direction of the atma in order to have it below non secular management and in addition meditating on the non secular dimension of 1’s character’.
The primary intention and purpose of samadhi is to get indifferent from numerous temptations of trivial nature, unwholesome points of interest, attachment with undesired issues and numerous sorts of stressors, to make the particular person to understand the significance of self and self-worth and diverting the thoughts inwards in the direction of the interior self and making an affiliation with the interior self.
Samadhi is taken into account as the final word stage in Yogic practices. It’s a state of reaching and being in a state of unwavering focus.
As a therapy, Samadhi may be included in treating the illnesses. The purpose shall be to reduce the psychological fluctuations and cut back the wavering of thoughts. It will in the end result in enhancement of focus and institution of a tranquilized thoughts. The stage of Samadhi may be achieved by diverting the senses i.e. indriyas in the direction of and into the thoughts i.e. manas in order to attain a stage of nonetheless and balanced thoughts. This in the end results in full destruction or cessation of every kind of vikaras – illnesses and dukhas – grief.
To sum up
The 5 therapy measures detailed above are extremely efficient in therapy of psychological issues and kind integral parts of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa – the Ayurveda model of Psychotherapy. They not solely heal the thoughts however will even instill braveness, persistence, calmness, confidence and steadiness within the thoughts and can preserve the rajas and tamas components in a state of steadiness. They will even improve the sattva attribute of the thoughts.
Subsequently, sattvavajaya chikitsa with these 5 therapy measures included below its umbrella is extremely useful in prevention and remedy of psychological issues and balancing the psychological attributes. It additionally strengthens the thoughts and modifications the angle of pondering, making choices and coping with not solely psychological but in addition psychosomatic issues. It’s of the best ordeal and strategy in coping with weak minded folks.
Amongst these 5 entities the successive ones are stated to be extremely useful than the earlier in that order. So, Vijnana is best than Jnana, Dhairya is best than Vijgnana, Smriti is best than Dhairya and Samadhi is best than Smriti. With this, we are able to perceive that Samadhi is the final word instrument in dealing with psychological issues via Sattvavaja Chikitsa and it encompasses the qualities of all the opposite Jnana and many others strategies. Alternatively, Jnana is taken into account as having lesser advantages and privileges compared to the opposite 4 measures.
So, the perfect manner of planning Sattvavajaya Chikitsa and implementing it’s making excellent and customised combos of two or extra of those approaches or taking all 5 in consideration in order to offer complete and full profit in coping with the thoughts imbalances as and when wanted. As particular person approaches, they kind excellent therapies however when successfully mixed, the outcomes shall be unparalleled and extra secure.
So, all these 5 steps of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa assist in balancing the psychological signs and normalize the physiological capabilities. That is achieved by the steadiness of doshas, hormones or neurotransmitters that’s caused by their implementation. These 5 features of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa as specified by Grasp Charaka comprise in all of them the opposite therapies suggested for treating the imbalanced thoughts and the illnesses attributable to them. We are able to additionally inform that the fundamentals and fundamentals of the complete trendy psychiatry may be included into these 5 therapies which represent the Sattvavajaya Chikitsa.
Sattvavajaya Chikitsa and these 5 measures must be thought of and applied in complete therapy of psychological issues primarily, but in addition must be included within the therapy of bodily and psychosomatic issues. It is because physique and thoughts are the 2 sides of the identical coin. When one is disturbed, it disturbs the opposite one. Equally, when the thoughts is healed, the physique too will get healed and the vice versa can also be true. Ayurveda scientific apply isn’t full with out contemplating ‘the thoughts steadiness’ and for this to attain, Sattvavajaya Chikitsa is a very powerful and necessary instrument.
