A presentation made on the occasion of Caraka Jayanti on 27.07.2020 at the Vishwa Ayurveda Parishad, Telangana.

1. Nutrition and Mental Health in CarakaNutrition and Mental Health in Caraka
J.S.R. Prasad
Viśva-āyurveda-pariṣat
Caraka JayantiCaraka Jayanti
27.07.2020

2. Who is considered healthy?
(chi.1.4-5)
Whose doshas are in balance..!
Whose immuity is strong..!
is it so?
Does स्वास्थ्य depends on these parameters only?

3. अन्नम्अन्नम्

पृथिव्यां त्रीणि रत्नानि जलमन्नं सुभाषितम् ।

अन्नं न परिचक्षीत ।

आहारशुद्धौ सत्त्वशुद्धिः - सत्त्वशुद्धौ धृवा स्मृतिः ।

Subtle difference between 'अन्न' and ' ’आहार

4. Understanding the Concept of Food

5. आहरसम्भवं वस्तु रोगाश्चाहारसम्भवाः ।
हिताहितविशेषाच्च विशेषं सुखदुःखयोः ।।
(c.s. sū.28.45)

6. त्रय उपस्तम्भा इति - 1.आहारः
2.स्वप्नः 3.ब्रह्मचर्यमिति ।
त्रिविधं बलमिति (immunity)-
1.सहजं 2.कालजं 3.युक्तिकृ तमिति
। (C.S.1.11.35)
Sub-pillars of health

7. न च आहारसमं किञ्चिद्भैषज्यमुपलभ्यते ।
शक्यतेप्यन्नमात्रेण नरः कर्तुं निरामयः ।।
(काश्यपसंहिता)
Food alone could make man free from
diseases!
what is the ‘goal’ of Ayurveda?
स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्यरक्षणं...

8. इष्टवर्णगन्धरसस्पर्शं विधिविहितमन्नपानं प्राणिनां प्राणिसंज्ञकानां
प्राणमाचक्षते कु शलाः प्रत्यक्षफलदर्शनात् तदिन्धना ह्यन्तरग्नेः
स्थितिः तत् सत्त्वमूर्जयति (su.27.3)
How Sensual perception matters..
Color Smell Taste Soft touch

9. ●
अन्नं वृत्तिकराणां श्रेष्ठं,
●
उदकमाश्वासकराणां,
●
मधु श्लेष्मपित्तप्रशमनानां,
●
सर्पिर् वातपित्तप्रशमनानां,
●
तैलं वातश्लेष्मप्रशमनानां,
●
रसस्तर्पणीयानां,
●
लवणमन्नद्रव्यरुचिकराणां,
●
अम्लं हृद्यानाम्
एकाशनभोजनं सुखपरिणामकराणां श्रेष्ठम्
(च.सू.25.40)

10. Types of FoodTypes of Food
अशित-पीत-लीढ-खादित-प्रभवाश्चास्मिञ्
शरीरे व्याधयो भवन्ति । (su.28.5)
अणुर्हि प्रथमं भूत्वा रोगः पश्चाद्विवर्धते ।
स जातमूलो मुष्णाति बलमायुश्च दुर्मतेः
।। (c.s. 11.58)
दर्शनस्पर्शनप्रश्नैः परीक्षेत च रोगिणम् ।
रोगं निदान-प्राग्रूप-लक्षणो-पशया-प्तिभिः
॥
(A.S. 1.43)

11. 
When rasas are taken in proportion they sustain the equilibrium.

Excess causes abnormalities and chronic diseases as said in
sareera sthana

That is the reason, excessive use, under use and improper use of
food substances and senses too, may lead to psycho-somatic
diseases. Hence Kashyapa says about under use here –
आरोग्यं चाग्निदीप्तिश्च जन्तोः सर्वरसाशनात् ।
तस्मादेकरसाभ्याशम् आरोग्यार्थी विवर्जयेत् ।।(का.सं.४०)

12. UnderstandingUnderstanding NutritionNutrition

13. 
Pharmaco-dynamics of dravyas

Food – tastes – nutrition

14. Psychological Effect
Taste Moderate
Consumption
Excessive
Consumption
Qualities
Sweet Love, sharing,
compassion,
joy, happiness,
bliss –
promotes sattva
guna
Attachment,
greed,
possessiveness
Heavy, cold,
oily, soft,
relatively
difficult to
digest,
grounding,
building,
nourishing
An illustration of excessive (अतियोग) use of
food items..

15. Contd..
Taste Causative
Elements
Doshic
Effect
Sweet जलम् + पृथिवी V-, P-, K+

Madhura should not be
refrigerated, leads to atiyoga
of the usage!

Nor it should be heated to
loose it’s characteristics.
(Vimaana sthaana,
rasavimaanam)

16. Food --> Nutrition –-> Disease –-> ConjenitalFood --> Nutrition –-> Disease –-> Conjenital
diseasedisease
1.मधुरनित्या प्रमेहिणं मूकमतिस्थूलं वा,
2.अम्लनित्या रक्तपित्तिनं त्वगक्षिरोगिणं वा,
3.लवणनित्या शीघ्रवलीपलितं खालित्यरोगिणं वा,
4.कटुकनित्या दुर्बलमल्पशुक्रमनपत्यं वा,
5.तिक्तनित्या शोषिणमबलमनुपचितं वा,
6.कषायनित्या श्यावमानाहिनमुदावर्तिनं वा,
...तस्मादहितानाहारविहारान् प्रजासम्पदमिच्छन्ती स्त्री विशेषेण वर्जयेत् । (c.s. sar.8.21)
‘Hence, a conceived woman has to take care of her urges to a predominant
rasa in food habbits’

17. Rasas consumed in proportion pacifies the Doshas and bestows
good health..
Let’s explore!

18. Individual effect on Doshas

Sweet ---> V-, P-, K+ (~ old saali/shashtika, barley,
wheat)

Sour ---> V-, P+, K+ (~ pomegranate, amalaka)

Saline ---> V-, P+, K+

Pungent ---> V+, P+, K- (~ long pepper and ginger)

Astringent ---> V+, P-, K-

Bitter ---> V+, P-, K- (~ country willow, guduchi,
and the wild snake gourd)

19. 
Guru apatarpana – Honey (refer to ‘lekhana dravyas’)

Laghu santarpana – Laaja
" ”समानगुणाभ्यासो हि धातूनां वृद्धिकारणम् ।

20. In Dosha imbalance..
a doctor can..
In diminution of vaata, the use of pungent, bitter, astringent, rough, light and cold
substances
in diminution of pitta, the use of sour, saline, pungent alkaline, hot and sharp
substances
in diminuition of kapha, the use of unctuous, heavy, sweet, solid and slimy substances
..Hence, excellence of diet leads to the growth of the body. (C.S. Sarira, 6.11-12)
●
Balanced use of food, brings equilibrium in the tissues, which are the products of
digestion. (2 types of paakas - avasthaa, nishthaa)

21. Are Diseases Psycho-somatic?Are Diseases Psycho-somatic?
हितमेवानुरुध्यन्ते प्रपरीक्ष्य परीक्षकाः ।
रजोमोहावृतात्मानः प्रियमेव तु लौकिकाः ।।
श्रुतं बुद्धिः स्मृतिर्दाक्ष्यं धृतिर्हितनिषेवणम् ।
वाग्विशुद्धिः शमो धैर्यमाश्रयन्ति परीक्षकम् ।।
लौकिकं नाश्रयन्त्येते गुणा मोहरजःश्रितम् ।
तन्मूला बहवो यन्ति रोगाः शारीरमानसाः ।।
(Su. 28.36-38)

22. Link between Ojas and PsycheLink between Ojas and Psyche
Negative emotionsNegative emotions -->--> Ojas depletionOjas depletion

Ojas is closely related to the proper functioning of the various functions of the bodyOjas is closely related to the proper functioning of the various functions of the body
including that of the Manas.including that of the Manas.

Ojas is depleted by mental emotions such as anger and grief and in conditions of itsOjas is depleted by mental emotions such as anger and grief and in conditions of its
Kshaya, the person becomes fearful, worried and his faculties will not functionKshaya, the person becomes fearful, worried and his faculties will not function
properly.properly.

Fainting, confusion, delirium and even death may occur if Ojas is highly depleted.Fainting, confusion, delirium and even death may occur if Ojas is highly depleted.

A normal level of Ojas is conducive to the proper functioning of mind and the factorsA normal level of Ojas is conducive to the proper functioning of mind and the factors
which are good for Manas will improve Ojas.which are good for Manas will improve Ojas. (Ayurvedic Dietary Guidelines -
CCRAS)

23. Aggravation of Rasa TissueAggravation of Rasa Tissue
अश्रद्धा चारुचिश्चास्यवैरस्यमरसज्ञता ।
हृल्लासो गौरवं तन्द्रा साङ्गमर्दो ज्वरस्तमः ।।
पाण्डुत्वं स्रोतसां रोधः क्लै ब्यं सादः कृ शाङ्गता ।
नाशोऽग्नेरयथाकालं वलयः पलितानि च ।।
(su.28.9-10)
--> रसजानां विकाराणां सर्वं लङ्घनमौषधम् (su.28.25) vis-a-vis Autophagy

24. Drinks to be taken after FoodDrinks to be taken after Food
स्निग्धोष्णं मारुते शस्तं पित्ते मधुरशीतलम् ।
कफे ऽनुपानं रूक्षोष्णं क्षये मांसरसःपरम् ॥
(sū.27.321)

unctuous and hot drinks in conditions of vata

sweet and cooling ones in those of pitta

dry and hot ones in kapha and

meat juices in wasting are considered to be the best

25. Contra-inidcations of drinking water afterContra-inidcations of drinking water after
mealsmeals
नोर्ध्वाङ्गमारुताविष्टानहिक्काश्वासकासिनः।
नगीतभाष्याध्ययनप्रसक्तानोरसिक्षताः॥
पिबेयुरुदकं भुक्त्वातद्धिकण्ठोरसिस्थितम्।
स्नेहमाहारजंहत्वा भूयोदोषायकल्पते॥

Neither those in whom vata is provoked in the
upper parts of the body

nor those that suffer from hiccups, dyspnea or
cough,

nor those that are engaged in singing, lecturing
or studying

nor those that are suffering from the pectoral
lesions should drink water after eating, for it
takes away from the throat and chest the
unctuous quality of the meal eaten and leads to
great morbidity. [327-328]

26. Agnivesa questions his Guru:
दृश्यन्ते हि भगवन्!
हितसमाख्यातमप्याहारमुपयुञ्जाना व्याधिमन्तश्चागदाश्च,
तथैवाहितसमाख्यातम्;
एवं दुष्टे कथं हिताहितोपयोगविशेषात्मकं
शुभाशुभविशेषमुपलभामहे?
(su.28.6)
Guru Atreya replies:
An individual consuming wholesome food will not get afflicted with
disease due to the food.
Intake of wholesome food alone is not the causative factor for a disease
or can prevent diseases. Apart from unwholesome food, there are
many other etiological factors that lead to a disease, such as:

changes in season

intellectual errors

unwholesome contacts

excessive, wrong and over-utilization of senses of sound, touch,
vision, taste and smell

27. A relatively new research area – psycho-neuro-
immunology is dependent on several
nutritional factors (Profs. RH Singh&JS.
Tripathi).
सर्वस्नेहोत्तमंशीतं मधुरं रसपाकयोः
सहस्रवीर्यं विधिभिर्घृतं कर्मसहस्रकृ त्॥२३२॥
मदापस्मारमूर्च्छायशोषोन्मादगरज्वरान्
योनिकर्णशिरःशूलं घृतं जीर्णमपोहति॥२३३॥
सर्पींष्यजाविमहिषीक्षीरवत्स्वानि निर्दिशेत्।
(su.27.231-233)
Benefits of GheeBenefits of Ghee
स्मृतिबुद्ध्यग्निशुक्रौजःकफमेदोविवर्धनम्।
वातपित्तविषोन्मादशोषालक्ष्मीज्वरापहम् ॥२३१॥

28. Contd..
Ghee helps enhance memory, intelligence, agni (digestion and metabolism), shukra
(semen), oja (vital essence), kapha and fat. It is considered effective in treating vata,
pitta, toxic conditions, insanity, consumption, inauspiciousness and fever.
It is considered the most unctuous of edible substances, cold in potency, ‘sweet’ (in taste
as well as after digestion) and when prepared according to proper pharmaceutical
methods, its potency is increased thousandfold and is efficacious in a thousand ways.
Preserved ghee is effective in treating intoxication, epilepsy, fainting, consumption,
insanity, toxic conditions, fever and pain in the vagina, ear and head. The ghee made
of milks of goat, sheep and buffalo are considered to have qualities of the milks of the
respective animals they are made of. [231-233]

29. Prescription for good healthPrescription for good health –
युक्ताहार-विहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ।।
(Gita 6.17)

30. 
Though Ayurveda has defined ‘Life’ in physical, mental and spiritual dimensions, the
receptacles of diseases are related to Body and Mind only. Nature of Dosha vitiation
(Shareera/Manasa) and symptomatology of manifested illness lead to the categorisation
as Somatic or Psychic diseases/disorders. However, body-mind exists as continuum.
Further the basic cardinal entity that is responsible for the formation of body and thus
helping to create a conducive abode to the optimal functioning of mind is ‘Food’.

Therefore along with the physical health, mental health and illness also fundamentally
depend on the wholesome or unwholesome food intake.”
(Page 9, Ayurvedic Dietary Guidelines – CCRAS
http://www.ccras.nic.in/sites/default/files/ebooks/Ayurveda-
Based_Dietary_Guidelines_Mental_Disorders.pdf)

31. Caraka’s MessageCaraka’s Message
अजातानामनुत्पत्तौ जातानां विनिवृत्तये ।अजातानामनुत्पत्तौ जातानां विनिवृत्तये ।
रोगाणां यो विधिर्दृष्टः सुखार्थी तं समाचरेत् ।।रोगाणां यो विधिर्दृष्टः सुखार्थी तं समाचरेत् ।।
सुखार्थाः सर्वभूतानां मताः सर्वाः प्रवृत्तयः ।सुखार्थाः सर्वभूतानां मताः सर्वाः प्रवृत्तयः ।
ज्ञानाज्ञानविशेषात्तु मार्गामार्गप्रवृत्तयः ।।ज्ञानाज्ञानविशेषात्तु मार्गामार्गप्रवृत्तयः ।।
“An individual desirous of happiness should follow
the regimen advocated in this scripture for
prevention and management of the manifested
diseases. All living beings strive in this direction
to attain the goal of staying happy, and they
follow the right and wrong path depending on
their awareness and ignorance.”

32. AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Scholars:
Prof. S. Manikya Sarma garu, Hyderabad
Weblinks:
www.charakasamhitaonline.com

33. Thank you!!Thank you!!