101 Foundations of Ayurveda Flashcards

Question

Shatdarshana - Sankhya What is Mahat?

Answer 1

2 MAHAT: **COSMIC INTELLIGENCE** * The First Manifestation of Prakriti * The cosmic intelligence, intuition and/or wisdom * Buddhi is individual intelligence * In every cell of an individual there is inborn intelligence. This intelligence puts everything in its proper place.

Answer 2

3 AHANKĀRA: THE **COSMIC EGO** Ahankāra represents the power of **differentiation or diversification**, the awareness of the self, or the feeling *I am*. The three gunas manifest here in the form of Sattvic Ahankāra, Rajas Ahankāra and Tamas Ahankāra. * Sattva – purity, quality, balance, pious, devotion, care * Rajas – energy of the quality of activity and intensity. Movement and intensity. * Tamas – inertia, heaviness, dullness * Sense organs are more sattvic in nature * Mind is more rajasic in nature, movement. * The 5 elements (5 tanmatras = causal elements and 5 mahabhutas = the elements) are more tamasic in nature.

Answer 3

4 MĀNASA: **MIND** Mānasa represents the formulating principle of emotions and ideas, as well as the individual consciousness projected by **Rajas Ahankara**. It connects the inner and outer worlds.

Answer 4

5 – 9 PANCHAGYĀNENDRIYĀNI: **THE FIVE SENSE ORGANS** 1. Ears 2. Skin 3. Eyes 4. Tongue 5. Nose The five sense organs are derived from ***Sāttvic Ahankāra***. They perceive sound, touch, vision, taste and smell respectively. The entire knowledge of the universe is obtained through these sense organs. Therefore they are called ***Gyāna Shakti***, or ***the knowledge of all that is.***

Answer 5

10–14 PANCHAKARMENDRIYĀNI: **THE FIVE ORGANS OF ACTION** 1. Vocal Chords 2. Hands 3. Feet 4. Urethra (Urogenital Tract) 5. Anus The Five Organs of Action derive from ***Rajas Ahankāra.*** As organs of action, Rajas is called ***Kriya Shakti***, which translates to the actions directed toward all that is, or the five powers of action.

Answer 6

15 – 19 TANMĀTRĀS: THE FIVE CAUSAL ELEMENTS 1. Shabda: Sound 2. Sparsha: Touch 3. Rupa: Vision 4. Rasa: Taste 5. Gandha: Smell The Five Causal Elements derive from ***Tamas Ahankāra*** and represent the unmanifested forms of the five elements.

Answer 7

20 – 24 PANCHAMAHĀBHUTAS: THE FIVE ELEMENTS 1. Ākasha: Space/Ether 2. Vāyu: Air 3. Tejas: Fire 4. Aap: Water 5. Prithvi: Earth Matter is created by the combination of these five material elements. Therefore *tamas* is called ***Dravya Shakti,*** which translates to the _power of substance_.

Answer 8

* Founded by the sage **Gautama**. * First written between the 3rd and 4th century BC and called the Nyāya Sutras. * Divided into five chapters. * **Deals with the logic for achieving truth**. What are the means of acquiring knowledge? * Accepts four means of knowledge or proofs, called ***Pramānas***, which Ayurveda has accepted in the process of obtaining practical information about the health of a patient or client: * 1. Pratyaksha: Direct Perception * Observed via the senses and the mind. The mind is the instrument for acquiring knowledge, happiness, sorrow, desire and in the planning of action. * 2. Anumāna: Inference * Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. * 3. Upamāna: Analogy * Racing mind, swan pulse, snake pulse. * 4. Shabda Upadesa: The word spoken by an authority (Apta: Authoritative Instruction) * Teachers * Books

Answer 9

**Four means of knowledge or proofs** * **Pratyaksha**: Direct Perception * Observed via the senses and the mind. The mind is the instrument for acquiring knowledge, happiness, sorrow, desire and in the planning of action. * **Anumāna**: Inference * Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. * **Upamāna**: Analogy * Racing mind, swan pulse, snake pulse. * **Shabda Upadesa**: The word spoken by an authority (Apta: Authoritative Instruction) * Teachers * Books

Answer 10

* Originated by ***Sage Kanāda***. * Vaisheshya means ***specific***. how you differentiate the knowledge. * Deals with the creation of the universe and explains ***seven categories of knowledge or objects of*** ***cognition (prameyas)*** as follows: 1. **Dravya**: Substance (e.g. Herbs, fruits, wood 2. **Guna**: Quality (e.g. Cold, hard, heavy) 3. **Karma**: Action (e.g. Digestive, laxative, nervine) 4. **Samānya**: Similarity (e.g. Like increases like) 5. **Vishesha**: Dissimilarity (e.g. Opposites cure or neutralize each other) 6. **Samavāya**: Unbreakable Relation (e.g. Ginger and heat have samavāya relationship.) 7. **Abhāva**: Absence or Non-Existence (e.g. In amalaki or garlic, the salty taste is absent, so there is an abhāva of salty taste. Another example: Kapha has an abhāva of heat.)

Answer 11

seven categories of knowledge or objects of cognition (prameyas) 1. **Dravya**: Substance (e.g. Herbs, fruits, wood 2. **Guna**: Quality (e.g. Cold, hard, heavy) 3. **Karma**: Action (e.g. Digestive, laxative, nervine) 4. **Samānya**: Similarity (e.g. Like increases like) 5. **Vishesha**: Dissimilarity (e.g. Opposites cure or neutralize each other) 6. **Samavāya**: Unbreakable Relation (e.g. Ginger and heat have samavāya relationship.) 7. **Abhāva**: Absence or Non-Existence (e.g. In amalaki or garlic, the salty taste is absent, so there is an abhāva of salty taste. Another example: Kapha has an abhāva of heat.)

Answer 12

Bring mind to right alignment

Answer 13

Rituals and practices to bring order and balance to life.

Answer 14

Everything is one.

Answer 15

The Five Elements 1. Akasha = Ether/Space 2. Vayu = Air 3. Teja = Fire 4. Aap = Water 5. Prithvi = Earth * The 5 elements establish the structural basis of life. The entire cosmos is made up of 5 fundamental elements. * Akasha is the most subtle element, prithvi is the grossest. * Elements are nothing but different densities of Akasha * Denser elements have subtler elements infused within them. Each element contains the elements before it - combined/condensed.

Answer 16

**Earth** is * Gross * heavy * static * hard * dense

Answer 17

**Water** is * Flowing * wet * dull - especially if keep still for a long time * soft * cloudy - can get cloudy if kept still

Answer 18

**Fire** is * Hot * sharp - can penetrate through very quickly

Answer 19

**Air** is * rough - when more dryness, there is more roughness * dry - hang clothes to dry in air * light * cold - jump in pool then stand outside - breeze can bring cold. nature of air is cooling. * mobile - can see trees blowing in breeze

Answer 20

**Ether/space** is * subtle - can't perceive through senses * soft * clear * smooth - no resistance in space, need minimal energy to move * expanding

Answer 21

**Sound – aum** – covers all frequencies. Where does the sound come from? From vibration. Primary reason for the union of energy particles is the vibration/resonance. The primordial vibration is the reason for new creation

Answer 22

**Principle of Form and Structure** * Main quality = stability * Sense = smell * Sense organ = nose (if you want to get the smell of something, you need particle of material to touch olfactory space) * Bhoutic Comp = Akasha + Vayu + Agni + Aap + Prithvi * Aap (Water) dries and forms Prithvi (Earth). A substance or particle with shape indicates the presence of Prithvi Mahābhuta. * All structures whether an atom, molecule, rock, mountain, planet, solar system or galaxy, is determined by Prithvi. * Governs the shape and structure of every branch, leaf and flower in plants and every organ, tendon, muscle and bone in animals and humans.

Answer 23

**Principle of Liquidity and Cohesion** * Main quality = Cohesion * Sense = taste * Sense organ = tongue (need moisture to taste through saliva. can only taste if there is presence of water) * Bhoutic Comp = Akasha + Vayu + Agni + Aap Agni condenses to form Aap (Water) e.g. steam, which, when it cools becomes water. Governs a substance's ability to change shape without separating or losing its integrity. Water is the most common manifestation of Aap Mahabhuta on this planet and is the major component of all life. Function of Aap is to nourish and protect * in blood, it binds nutrients and oxygen within plasma so vayu can circulate it throughout the body to nourish cells. * Sap of the tree carries nutrients to all parts of the plants (water acts as medium through which vayu carries nutrients to leaves and branches) * Saliva protects mucus membrane of the oral cavity * Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), nourishes brain cells and protects brain and spinal cord from injuries. Practical e.g. of cohesion – We make dough by adding water in the flour (so particles stay together)

Answer 24

**Tejas = Principle of Conversion, Heat, Light** * Main quality = Conversion, Illumination * Sense = sight * Sense organ = eyes (without agni and light creation would not be possible. agni allows us to see form, degrees of dark and light and various frequencies of color) * Bhoutic Comp = Akasha + Vayu + Agni Light and heat are produced from friction inherent in movement. Water & earth will reduce fire; ether & air will increase fire. Need air/space to create fire. Sun offers most striking example of this principle. Sun's heat is directly and indirectly responsible for conversion (metabolic processes). Without it, there would be no transformation and no life. Conversion is the key concept in defining Agni's role in creation.

Answer 25

**The Principle of Movement** * Main quality = Movement * Sense = touch * Sense organ = skin (sense air through touch - a little movement, can feel the air on skin) * Bhoutic Comp = Akasha + Vayu Subtle vibrations create Vayu which gives direction to all motion and change and to all processes and functions in creation. Vayu impulses blood to move through arteries and veins, food to move through digestive tract and nerve impulses to be carried at lightning speed to and from the brain.

Answer 26

**The Principle of Space** * Main quality = Non-resistance * Sense = sound * Sense organ = ear (hollow spacious structure with very thin, light bones, responsible for transmitting sound from environment into neural impulses) * Bhoutic Comp = Akasha *nothingness* is the quality of space. akasha serves as the medium in which the other bhutas are able to manifest. Sound is born from and propagates through space. Basic requirement to generate sound = vibration. Primary requirement for vibration = space. If no space, can't move.

Answer 27

All natural things are comprised of Panchamahabhutas (e.g. fruits, vegies, grains, herbs composed of different combos of mahabhutas, which is why herbs can be digested by the body while synthetic medicines cannot) Mahabhutas with opposite qualities are used in treatment with the goal of maintaining or restoring balance. E.G. to lose weight (heaviness/earth element), use lighter food (popcorn/air). Lightheadedness use grounding, heavy foods (e.g. nuts, seeds soaked overnight in water) or root veg.

Answer 28

¸ **Sound** cannot exist without space and lack of resistance, qualities of **Ākasha**. ¸ **Touch** depends on vibration or movement, aspects of **Vāyu**. ¸ **Sight** occurs because of light and heat, characteristics of **Agni.** ¸ **Taste** cannot function without the liquid and cohesive nature of **Aap.** ¸ **Smell** needs **Prithvi'**s solidity and form.

Answer 29

**The Sense of Sound** * By auscultating certain parts of the body, the physician understands the quality of the organ. * We can hear an asthmatic person breathe heavily. * Gurgling sounds in the stomach is a sign of bloating. **The Sense of Touch** * Nādi Vigyan-pulse diagnosis is the most exceptional diagnostic tool in Ayurveda * Palpation of abdomen gives idea about different digestive organs – tenderness, enlargement, bloating etc. * Palpating joints, tender areas on the body, etc.; gives more information about the underlying cause **The Sense of Sight** * Visual inspection of the client also important. * It gives idea about person’s Prakriti or Vikriti **The Sense of Smell** * Body odor, foul smell, smell of the urine are examples * Ancient texts identify twenty types of diabetes based on the specific degeneration of the tissues giving specific smell to urine. ***We do not use the sense of taste in Diagnosis.***

Answer 30

Element/Mahabhuta - Density - Volume - Sense/Tanmatra - Sense Organ/Gyanendriyani - Organ of Action/Karmendriyani 1. Ether/Akasha - 1 - 5 - Sound/Shabda - Ears - Vocal Cords 2. Air/Vayu - 2 - 4 - Touch/Sparsha - Skin - Hands 3. Fire/Tejas - 3 - 3 - Vision/Rupa - Eyes - Feet 4. Water/Aap - 4 - 2 - Taste/Rasa - Tongue - Urogenital Tract 5. Earth/Prithvi - 5 - 1 - Smell/Gandha - Nose - Anus

Answer 31

Tridoshas are the three energies governing all the functions in the body while modern medicine is based on the structure of the body, ayurveda is based on the energies behind that structure. The 5 Mahabhutas give rise to three doshas/tridoshas: vata, pitta, kapha meaning of dosha = can go out of whack/out of balance. when they are in correct balance, they protect and preserve all bodily functions. when go out of balance, cause disease.

Answer 32

* The One that Helps to Connect or Adhere * Aap + Prithvi * The energy of construction, lubrication, nourishment * in nature, kapha is like water. 2/3 of earth is comprised of water, 2/3 of physical body is also comprised of water. * energy of kapha helps us to feel calm and content, notice the taste of our food, nourishes all organs and cells in body, builds tissue, lubricates our joints and air passages and protects all of the physical systems in the body. * qualities: * moist - Lubricates the whole body and joints, reduces dryness, friction and facilitates the function of any and all tissues. * cold - Protects the body against too much pitta, such as heat, burning and acidity, maintains alkaline medium or pH of body, acts as a cooling energy. * heavy - Helps to create stability and/or groundedness in the body and mind, increases weight by nourishing the dhātus, builds tissues * dull - * soft - Keeps the tissues supple, helps protect against too much action and/or friction. Maintains tissue consistency. * sticky - Provides insulation; protects dhātus, protects against the hyperactivity of vāta * static - Provides stability, counterbalances and/or protects against the hyperactivity of vāta, protects dhātus. * Slow - Slow sluggish movement, slow thinking * smooth - Smooth surface of the organs, smooth movements.

Answer 33

* The One that Produces Heat or Anger * Tejas + Aap (primarily fire) * The energy of transformation, conversion, digestion * Pitta is like the sun's heat, giving light and transforming things. * heat or transformative energy in the body * Pitta helps us to think, be discriminate, be confident, have clear vision, speak ot the point, and see different things/colors, digest food, maintain body temp, protect from excess heat/cold, and give luster to skin. * qualities: * oily - Balances dryness; maintains luster of the skin; emulsifies food; mixes food with digestive enzymes for proper digestion * sharp - Breaks down food chains into tiny particles, cooks food, digests food (especially those with heavier qualities), penetrates through blockages, and sharpens memory and thinking. Helps in planning and gives confidence * hot - Keeps us alive, maintains acidity of digestive enzymes and maintains body temperature. * light - Illuminates mind, intelligence and life. * moving/spreading - Helps the flow, mixes and moves food * liquid - Makes food liquid, helps digestion and overall flow in the body. * acidic - Gives acidic smell to sweat and bile, emulsifies and digests fatty foods.

Answer 34

* One That Gives Energy * Akasha + Vayu * The energy of action, transportation, and movement * in nature, vata is like the wind. constantly moving/scattering things around. * King of doshas because it is the moving force behind everything, including pitta/kapha * qualities - actions of qualities * dry - Reduces wetness, dampness. Helps reduce mucus, congestion, water retention and swelling. * rough - Breaks sliminess, congestion and reduces toxin buildup. * light - Makes body light, helps release weight and create a feeling of being energized while reducing lethargy and āma buildup. * cold - Balances heat and reduces burning and excessive acidity. * subtle - Helps reach the microscopic (very narrow) channels of the body * mobile - Balances static (stable); moves energy, nerve impulses. Makes movement possible.