Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Grasp Charaka has given 5 greatest ideas 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 supplies treatments / remedy 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 – information of self
– Vijnana – scientific information
– 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 essential sort of remedy which Ayurveda has accepted. Later, in Sutra Sthana Chapter 11, verse 54, whereas mentioning three sorts of remedy 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 provides examples of Daivavyapashraya and Yuktivyapashraya Chikitsa and ends the verse by defining Sattvavajaya Chikitsa as ‘a remedy or method by which the thoughts is withdrawn from dangerous and unwholesome objects’.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 so forth talked about earlier in chapter 1 are the measures included underneath 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 elements of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa, totally different measures which can be utilized to deal with the thoughts and convey it right into a state of steadiness.
So, Jnana and so forth might be thought of as particular person therapies contributing in direction of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa and collectively contributing in direction of complete thoughts therapeutic and remedy of psychological issues.
So, we are going to focus on these 5 elements / remedy measures of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa briefly.
5 elements of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa
1. Jnana – Non secular Information / Non secular Understanding – Perception oriented remedy method
Jnana is outlined as ‘Adyatma Jnanam’ which implies non secular information or realizing about self. Whereas bringing Jnana as a remedy into play in psychological issues, the particular person is educated to introspect and look inwards. It’s positively a sport changer in how an individual begins himself and the world round himself. It is vitally vital to introduce the particular person to himself or herself and the life component or atman in them and the relation of atman with the larger life power i.e. paramatma. Jnana, similar to its different counterparts, is therapeutic in addition to preventive remedy. Jnana additionally means consciousness, conscience, information, knowledge, thought course of or intelligence.
Jnana, as a remedy, goals at bettering 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 frequently which can in flip assist them to adapt to annoying conditions.
The information 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 software for attaining this Adyatma Jnana in keeping with Grasp Charaka is ‘Satya Buddhi’ i.e. true information. This true information will assist in eliminating one’s egoism which in flip destroys upadha i.e. untoward needs – which is the foundation reason behind every kind of miseries. By doing so, the particular person will eliminate all psychological illnesses and also will obtain rajas-tamas steadiness.
Associated Studying – ‘Jnana – non secular information, position in Sattvavajaya Chikitsa’
2. Vijnana – Scriptural / Particular Information – Educative method
Vijnana is outlined as ‘Shastra Jnanam’ which implies scriptural or textual information. Vijnana can also be scientific information. In Ayurveda, the scriptures and texts are thought of as crucial testimonials. They signify ‘true and unadulterated information’.
Vijnana is a information in direction of attaining this true information. From a thoughts ‘s perspective, it helps in understanding the nuances and subtleties of the thoughts, the imbalances occurring therein, the stress elements – their causes and triggers. It additionally trains one and improves functionality to manage up with stress, unfavourable 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 information will prepare the individuals concerning the right methods of responding and behaving to numerous stimuli.
Vijnana helps in balancing rajas and tamas doshas of the thoughts. It can 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 method and its position in Sattvavajaya Chikitsa’
3. Dhairya – braveness, persistence, controlling energy, persistence – Supportive method
Dhairya is outlined as ‘Dhairyan anunati chestasaha’. It means ‘a state whereby one has capability to take care of a state of psychological steadiness despite the fact that she or he is underneath an immense annoying state of affairs’.
We are able to see that individuals with alpa / hina sattva i.e. weak minds lack braveness and are timid by nature. They have a tendency 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 medical doctors, household or associates as a result of their braveness and tolerance energy is just too low.
The affected person is reassured and counselled commonly as part of dhairya remedy. The doctor ought to put all potential efforts to interchange the unfavourable ideas of the affected person with constructive ones. He additionally ought to attempt to channelize the thought strategy of the sufferers in a constructive path. Even in trendy drugs we are able to see that counselling is a vital and obligatory a part of psychotherapy. This may be equated with the dhairya element or method of sattvavajaya chikitsa.
The primary purpose of dhairya remedy might be to settle down 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 might 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 classes these days, will help in creating constructive vibrations to settle down the thoughts. It will create a pathway in direction of regeneration of braveness and hope within the affected person. From the doctor or therapist’s perspective, dhairya remedy supplies most encouragement, empathy and a focus to the affected person. This remedy creates a belief worth and in addition a matured stage of consciousness and judgment. It additionally improves a big 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 implies remembering or recalling the item of previous expertise. Right here, the doctor adopts totally different measures to right the reminiscence strategy of the affected person and in addition to reinforce and restore the reminiscence.
Reminiscences are recordsdata in our unconscious layers. They floor when wanted. Some could also be good, many could also be unhealthy and unwholesome. The doctor also needs to assist the affected person to eliminate unhealthy and undesirable recollections and change them with new and good recollections. They need to even be guided how to not create and save recollections 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 recollections 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 along with his or her issues and can attempt to steer clear of the unhealthy and unfavourable feelings, stimuli or triggers and develop a way of positivity inside.
Provided that the particular person remembers the true nature of issues, he can eliminate his recollections. There are eight causes for enchancment of Smriti in a constructive path. This may be readily practiced as a therapeutic measure if the particular person has low reminiscence and if she or he requires reminiscence to eliminate their illnesses. Smriti can also be wanted to observe the directions given by the doctor in direction of commonly taking medicines, life-style modifications, behavioural modifications, what to do and what to not, which is the bottom for complete restoration from any ailment. To alter right here
5. Samadhi – focus, restraining the thoughts, meditation – Psycho-philosophical method
Samadhi is outlined as ‘Vishayebhyo Nivruthya Atmani Manaso Niyamanam’ which implies ‘restraining the thoughts and detaching it from its affiliation with worldly objects and diverting it in direction of the atma in order to have it underneath non secular management and in addition meditating on the non secular dimension of 1’s character’.
The primary intention and aim 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 direction of the interior self and making an affiliation with the interior self.
Samadhi is taken into account as the last word stage in Yogic practices. It’s a state of attaining and being in a state of unwavering focus.
As a remedy, Samadhi might be included in treating the illnesses. The aim might be to reduce the psychological fluctuations and cut back the wavering of thoughts. It will finally result in enhancement of focus and institution of a tranquilized thoughts. The stage of Samadhi might be achieved by diverting the senses i.e. indriyas in direction of and into the thoughts i.e. manas in order to attain a stage of nonetheless and balanced thoughts. This finally results in full destruction or cessation of every kind of vikaras – illnesses and dukhas – grief.
To sum up
The 5 remedy measures detailed above are extremely efficient in remedy of psychological issues and type integral elements of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa – the Ayurveda model of Psychotherapy. They not solely heal the thoughts however may even instill braveness, persistence, calmness, confidence and steadiness within the thoughts and can hold the rajas and tamas elements in a state of steadiness. They may even improve the sattva attribute of the thoughts.
Subsequently, sattvavajaya chikitsa with these 5 remedy measures included underneath its umbrella is very helpful in prevention and remedy of psychological issues and balancing the psychological attributes. It additionally strengthens the thoughts and modifications the angle of considering, making selections and coping with not solely psychological but in addition psychosomatic issues. It’s of the best ordeal and method in coping with weak minded folks.
Amongst these 5 entities the successive ones are stated to be extremely helpful 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 last word software in dealing with psychological issues via Sattvavaja Chikitsa and it encompasses the qualities of all the opposite Jnana and so forth strategies. Alternatively, Jnana is taken into account as having lesser advantages and privileges compared to the opposite 4 measures.
So, the best approach 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 type excellent therapies however when successfully mixed, the outcomes might be unparalleled and extra secure.
So, all these 5 steps of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa assist in balancing the psychological signs and normalize the physiological features. That is achieved by the steadiness of doshas, hormones or neurotransmitters that’s led to by their implementation. These 5 features of Sattvavajaya Chikitsa as specified by Grasp Charaka include 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 your entire trendy psychiatry might be included into these 5 therapies which represent the Sattvavajaya Chikitsa.
Sattvavajaya Chikitsa and these 5 measures ought to be thought of and applied in complete remedy of psychological issues primarily, but in addition ought to be included within the remedy of bodily and psychosomatic issues. It’s 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 is just not full with out contemplating ‘the thoughts steadiness’ and for this to attain, Sattvavajaya Chikitsa is crucial and obligatory software.
