Abstract

BALANCING SADHAK PITTA: AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH

Varun Bhati* and Umakant

Abstract

All the Tridosha are important for the body but different Acharyas have given importance to particular Doshas like Rishi-Marichi has given importance to Pitta.[1] He also described that the Agni of the body that is implicit in Pitta is responsible for Shubha-Karma i.e. maintaining health in normal state and Ashubha-Karma i.e. Disease production in vitiated state. As per Ayurvedic classics the beginning of each disease is due to “Mandagni” and its treatment is nothing but Antaragni Chikitsa. Hence from physiological, pathological and treatment point of view, Agni is most important. Among the various functions of Pitta, digestion and metabolism is the most important because the fate of the Sharira-Dhatus[4] and the Sharira as a whole is dependent on this process. The food when ingested undergoes various transformation with the help of the Agni (Pitta) and get assimilated, nourished and replenishes the Sharira-Dhatus. Along with these, some other important function attributed to Pitta as a whole are visual functions especially the splitting of the light, photos and chemo synthesis, maintenance of body temperature, imparts colour and luster to the skin, heat production, Haemopoiesis and higher mental faculties and emotional stress. Our mind is only a processing machine that has no physical existence. It is directed to work based on the way we get ourselves to feel. Based on the belief system that has been imparted to us an essential tool to survive, we begin to perceive our environment, our surrounding and our situations and circumstances. These thinking, perceiving, judging and inferring processes are controlled by “Sadhaka-Pitta”.[2] This Sadhaka-Pitta is located in the Hridaya[2] its main function is giving valour and enthusiasm, to enable the persons to achieve their aspiration this Sadhaka Pitta functions is mainly related to mental faculties rather than the cardiovascular system.

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