SVASTHA

SVASTHA: THE ENERGY OF HEALTH

from the Ayurvedic Perspective

In a culture inundated by the conflicting messages of both do-more-bemore-get-more-done, and the new expectation of spa-like practices of self-care, what deals with the true nature of our health? Ayurveda may provide some straightforward answers to this in classic texts, including The Sushruta Samhita, which gives us the Svastha-Vritta-adhyaya, or “Rules of Health.”

Rules of Health:

Samadoşa samāgni ca sama dhātu malakriyah Prasanna ātma indriya manah svatha iti abhidhīyate

One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas (fundamental principles), balanced agni (fire of digestion), properly formed dhatus (tissues), proper elimination of malas (waste products), well-functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul and senses are full of bliss, is called a healthy person. — Sushruti Samhita 15/48

Svastha or Swastha is the Sanskrit word for health: sva = my own self, and stha = to be stable. The sloka, or stanza, begins to give us some interesting tools when looking at our health. This sloka can be divided into two sections and states that both the physical body and the human mind and spirit must all be established in harmony for true health.

BY MOLLY MCMANUS (SHE/HER) + ILLUSTRATION BY JANICE NELSON

First Line — Physical Body:

Samadoşa samāgni ca sama dhātu malakriyah

•SAMA: in this case is the Sanskrit word describing balance. When something is in its natural healthy state, it is balanced.

•SAMADOŞA = BALANCED DOSHA:

Doshas are the forces at play within us and around us that can become aggravated or unbalanced, leading to ill health.

These forces are known as Vata or Air principle, Pitta or fire principle and Kapha or earth principle. We are each a unique combination of these, forming our individual constitution or prakriti. When our state becomes unbalanced, one or more of these may become aggravated and lead toward diminishing health. Having a dinacharya or daily routine of self-study that helps you notice your state and respond with practices to help you stay in balance is the best way to stay in a state of health.

•SAMĀGNI = BALANCED AGNI:

Agni is the fire element governing all digestion, absorption, and transformation in the body and being. The strength of Agni determines how anything we take in from food to experiences turns into the literal fabric of who we are. The quality and quantity of what we take in daily affects our wellbeing. Making changes to make sure the raw materials you consume benefit you the most is a kind of accessible and powerful self-care.

•SAMADHĀTU = BALANCED DHATU:

Dhatus are the seven tissues making up our physical body - Plasma/ Lymph, Blood, Muscle, Fat/ Adipose tissue, Bone,

Connective/Nerve, and Reproductive. You might think of these tissues as just your body, but from an Ayurvedic perspective they are the product of all the decisions we make in a day. What are we consuming that will later turn into our muscle and brain tissue? Are we keeping our agni strong so it can digest all that we bring in? Are we doing the simple practices like tongue scraping, neti pot, and self-massage that support keeping the doshas in balance?

•MALAKRIYAH = HEALTHY WASTE PRODUCTS:

The quality, quantity, and correct timing of elimination are important considerations in health. Waste is divided into two categories. Ahara mala waste from food includes purisha (feces), mutra (urine), and sveda (sweat). Dhatu mala waste from cells and tissues includes secretions from nose, eyes, ears, and elements like hair, nails, carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and nails. Constantly in the process of creating ourselves and recycling or releasing waste, some guidelines in Ayurveda are to create routines around elimination and to not suppress natural urges.

Second Line – Human Spirit at the Soul and Mental Level:

Prasanna ātma indriya manah svatha iti abhidhīyate

•PRASANNA = THE SANSKRIT WORD THAT DESCRIBES HAPPY + ATMA = SELF OR SOUL:

When placed together, these two words translate as “fully joyful”, a satisfied, clear, lucid, bright, kind, cheerful, serene, and tranquil state. This is a kind of happiness found when one is present, contemplative, and engaged in creating their own day-to-day existence consciously.

•INDRIYA = JNANAINDRIAYA (SENSE ORGANS) AND KARMANDRIYA (MOTOR ORGANS):

An area of expertise in yoga and Ayurveda, and it is said that misuse, overuse, or underuse of the senses is a main cause of disease. If the sense organs malfunction or go beyond their capacity, we cannot connect or experience the world well.

Beginning to consider your own ability to control, nourish, and support your senses is a tool for wellbeing.

•MANAH = MIND:

One of our greatest gifts and a powerful part of our nature, when we work with our minds we can live more peacefully and joyfully. Yoga’s Antakarana model is a helpful tool to start to understand the mind’s functions and the need for practices supporting equanimity. Mindfulness, gentle movement practices, meditation, and contemplation all help grow the resource of our mind and bring it into a state of well-being.

•SVASTHA = HEALTH OR BEING IN ONE’S NATURAL STATE • ABHIDHIYATE = SITUATED OR ABIDES:

The sloka says when the soul is happy, the senses are serene, and the mind is lucid and tranquil, the person abides in their natural state or health.

Whole-being well-being requires being in a deep relationship with ourselves. Whole-being well-being is a balanced state of the doshas with good digestion, proper ability to build tissues, and elimination in right timing. A state for protecting and honoring the senses, we can use it to practice balancing the mind and live in accordance with the desires of our soul. +