E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Aahar and Mana

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 8 August
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Physiological association of Aahar and Mana: A Review

Warghane V1*, Kodape D2, Topre S3
DOI: DOI:10.21760/jaims.8.8.20

1* Vaishnavi Warghane, Post Graduate Scholar, Kriya Sharira, Government Ayurved College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

2 DT Kodape, Associate Professor, Kriya Sharira, Government Ayurved College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

3 SG Topre, Professor HOD, Kriya Sharira, Government Ayurved College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

Ayu (life) is an incorporation of Sharira (body), Indriya (senses), Satva (mind) and Aatma (soul) which signifies the concept of psychosomatics in Ayurveda. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of maintaining the clarity of mind, the sense organ, and the normal physiological functions of the body. Aahar is the best of all medicines and is considered one among the three sub-pillars (Trayopstambha) of Ayurveda. As it is said that, Aahar (food) if taken properly, is work like Aushadhi (medicine). In today's fast paced life, many norms regarding Aahar have been compromised. Gut-brain axis has the communication between CNS and ENS. So improper food habits may be the cause of Manas Rogas. The mind has three qualities, Satva, Raja and Tama, which are present in almost everything, including food. The Saatwik mind is said to be a pure mind and this purity helps to prevent illness. It is possible due to Saatwik Aahar because the purity of mind comes from the purity of food. So, here is an attempt made to state the physiological association between Aahar and Mana.

Keywords: Aahar, Gut-brain axis, Mana

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Vaishnavi Warghane, Post Graduate Scholar, Kriya Sharira, Government Ayurved College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Email: 		Warghane V, Kodape D, Topre S, Physiological association of Aahar and Mana: A Review. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(8):131-135.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2697

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-06-14 2023-06-21 2023-06-28 2023-07-12 2023-07-25
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None declared Nil Yes 21.25%

© 2023by Warghane V, Kodape D, Topre Sand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Vaishnavi Warghane et al. Physiological association of Aahar and Mana: A Review

Introduction

Ayurveda is the “science of life” that involves maintaining an individual's physical and mental health. As per Ayurveda, the one who has equilibrium of Tridoshas, normal Agni, normal Dhatu, Mala Kriya and whose Aatma (soul), Indriya (senses) and Mana (mind) all are happy, is considered as a healthy individual.[1]

According to WHO, Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.[2]

In Ayurveda, Aahar, Nidra and Bramhacharya are known as Trayopstambha i.e., Three sub-pillars of life.[3]

It is clear from the order in which Aahar has been placed first, which shows that it’s most important to maintain and sustain life. According to Aacharya Charaka, Aahar is considered as Prana or vital breath of living beings. All the characteristics like complexion, cheerfulness, good voice, life, imagination, happiness, contentment, corpulence, strength, intellect - depends on Aahar.[4] Acharya Sushruta also states that strength, health, color, freshness, alertness of sense organs etc. are factors dependent on ingestion of Aahar.[5]

In Bhagwat Gita, three types of Aahar have been described: Satwik, Rajasik and Tamasik. It helps in the development of the same temperament in the mind.[6]

Mana is one of the factors which is influenced by Aahar. It is also categorized into three Guna - Satva (balance), Raja (arrogance) and Tama (indolence). Raja and Tama are reactive inclinations, which vitiate the mind resulting an emotional imbalance and psychological disturbances. Therefore, they are termed as two Dosha of mind.[7]

Sharira is the place where Chetana means soul along with mind resides.[8] So, the term Sharira Poshana refers to both body and mind nourishment.

As we know, a healthy mind always resides in a healthy body, Therefore, to maintain the physical as well as the mental health proper nutrition is an important factor.

Aim and objectives

1. To study the association of Aahar and Mana.

2. To analyze the importance of proper Aahar for maintenance of a healthy mind.

Materials and methods

Literature related to Aahar and Mana is taken from various Samhitas, reference books, journals, publications and magazines.

Aahar

The term "Aahar" refers to anything that is swallowed or ingested using the tongue, mouth, or throat.

Aacharya Charaka states that, due to the act of swallowing, whatever is undergone during the process of deglutition is Aahar and it is responsible for the growth of body entities.[10]

In the Taittiriya Upanishad, Aahar is referred as "Brahma or Creator", which declares its supremacy.[10]

All living beings are sustained because of food. There is no medicine equivalent to food available anywhere. Even if drugs are introduced to diseased person, he cannot get cured without food. This is reason why Aacharya Kashyapa called Aahara as Mahabhaishajya.[11]

Benefits of Aahar[12]

  • Preenana - Aahar provides good nourishment to all the cells and organs.
  • Bala Krita - Enhances strength and immunity of the body.
  • Deha Dharaka - Supports the body and makes it strong.
  • Ayu Vivardhanam - Enhances the life span.
  • Tejo Vivardhanam - Enhances the luster.
  • Utsaha Vivardhanam - increases enthusiasm and maintains a positive attitude.
  • Smruti Vivardhanam - Enhances memory.
  • Ojo Vivardhanam - improves the Ojas, or essence, of every tissue, which in turn impacts immunity.

Aahar is the source of strength, life, complexion and Ojas of living beings. It also says that Aahar Shuddhau Satwa Shuddhi - means from the purity of food comes the purity of mind. It gives color, lustre, speech, life, innovation, happiness, content, nourishment, strength, intelligence to a person.



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Trividha Aahar[6]

  1. Satvik Aahar

Food that enhances Ayu (longevity), Satva (mind strength), Bala (body strength), Aarogya (health), Sukha (happiness) and Preeti (joy), that which is Rasya (juicy), Snigdha (oily), Sthira (stable) and Hridya (pleasant), is dear to one who is Satwik.

  1. Rajasik Aahar

Food that is bitter Katu (bitter), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), Atyushna (excessively hot), Tikshna (pungent), Ruksha (dry) and Vidahi (burning) is dear to the Rajasik person, causing pain, sorrow and disease.

  1. Tamasik Aahar

Yatayamam (Stale) means that food has lost its original state, being kept for a long time, Gatarasam (Tasteless) means that which has lost its natural taste, Puti (Putrid) means emitting a bad smell, Paryusitam (Decayed) refers to becoming rancid with the passage of time, Ucchistam (Refused) means the food that has remained over after being taken by persons other than Gurus etc. Such food is Amedhyam (Unclean), and it is not supposed to be offered in the worship of God.

To preserve the Satwik Manasa Prakriti and shield the mind from Raja and Tama Guna, the appropriate diet should be followed. It is strongly advised that a person should never consume food out of greed or when unaware of what he eats. The improper food habits are one of the causes of Manas Rogas.

Mana

Satva (mind), Aatma (soul) and Sharira (body) together are considered as the triad (Tridand) of life. In Brihat Trayi, Location of Mana is described as Hridya.

Mana is described as -

  • Karan Dravya - factors for creation of this whole universe.
  • Amurta Dravya - which has no physical form but whose activities determine its existence.
  • Ubhayatmaka - it works in connection with both sensory and motor organs.
  • Atindriya - cannot be perceived by five sensory organs.
  • Achetan - devoid of consciousness.
  • Adhyatma Dravya - connection of Atma.

Mana has three components i.e., Satva, Raja and Tama. The latter two i.e., Raja and Tama are the Doshas of Mana, which if get disturbed by any wrong behavioural, vitiates the mind.

Relation of Aahar and Mana

In Chhandogya Upanishada, Mana is described as Annamaya. Mana is nourished from food-the gross part of the food produces faeces, the middle portion fosters growth of muscular and other body tissues, while the subtle parts nourish the mind.[13] The mind becomes pure when all of the food is pure. Firm memory is imposed by this pure mind.

In Annapanavidhi Adhyaya, Aacharya Charaka states the relationship between the Aahar and Mana. Aacharya refers Aahar as vital strength if it has desirable colour, smell, taste and touch and have been taken according to prescribed methods. It produces energy in Mana (Satwam oorjayati), constitution of Dhatus, strength, complexion and clarity of sense organs, if properly taken; otherwise they become harmful.[14]

Inappropriate food (Anuchita Aahar) is considered as one of the causes of Unmad.[15]

The channels conveying Rakta, Rasa, and Sadnya Vaha Srotas (consciousness) became vitiated when a person indulged in dirty food (Malinaaharasheelasya) and having himself covered with Rajas and Tamas. They give rise to diseases - Mada (narcosis), Murccha (fainting) and Samnyasa (coma).[16]

Ama develops when a person consumes foods they disliked and also having food while afflicted with psychic emotions such as passion, anger, greed, confusion, envy, bashfulness, grief, conceit, excitement and fear. Due to anxiety, grief, dread, rage, an uncomfortable bed, and vigil, even the wholesome food taken in proper quantity, does not get digested.[17]

A person who takes Satvik Aahar is more likely to live a stress-free life and it makes a person less risk of illness to mental disorders like depression, anxiety, mood disorders, hyperacidity etc. The mind-body equilibrium is ruined by Rajasika Aahar and they make the mind anxious, hyperactive, lack of concentration and affect sleeping patterns and develop insomnia, increases urges of anger. Tamasik Aahar slows down the speed of activities, depression, numbness etc.[18]


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Rasavaha Strotas and Manovaha Strotas are connected with each other. Rasavaha Strotas Dushti Hetu might also be taken into consideration for vitiating Manovaha Strotas. From all the above descriptions, it is clear that there is strong association of Aahar and Mana.

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication pathway between the central and enteric nervous systems that connects the brain's emotional and cognitive centers to peripheral intestine processes. The bidirectional communication occurs through immune, endocrine, humoral and neural connections.[18]

The gut brain axis includes - Central nervous system (CNS), Autonomic nervous system (ANS), enteric nervous system (ENS) and Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis (HPA axis).

The CNS and in particular HPA axis can be activated in response to environmental stress as well as elevated systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines. So, through secretion of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from the hypothalamus, stimulates adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from pituitary gland that, in turn, leads to cortisol release from the adrenal glands. Cortisol is an important stress hormone that affects many human organs, including the brain. Thus, both neural and hormonal lines of communication combine to allow the brain to influence the activities of intestinal functional effector cells, such as immune cells, epithelial cells, enteric neurons, smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells and enterochromaffin cells.[19]

In order to maintain sufficient mental health, there must be proper communication between the gut bacteria and the brain. A balanced diet is important to maintain both a functional GBA and good mood.

Discussion

The main objective of Ayurveda is “Swasthasya swastya rakshanam” to keep the health of a healthy individual. For that, in Ayurved various Aahar, Vihar, Dinacharya, Ritucharya etc. are explained in a very detailed manner. Aahar has given more importance than Aushadhi. As Aahar (food) is said to be like medicine (Aushadhi), if taken properly. As we know, Sharira and Mana are inseparable entities. Anything which affects the body can also change

the mental status. Satwik mind is said to be a pure mind and this purity helps to prevent illness. This is only possible in Satwik Aahar, as the purity of mind comes from the purity of food. The food we eat directly influence the mental health as equal as its effect on physical health.

Conclusion

Aahar is the primary factor for strength, complexion and vitality of living beings. In Chhandogya Upanishad, Mana is said to be Annamaya, which means it is made up of food. The food which is unacceptable for the mind will not nourish the body because there is bidirectional communication between CNS and ENS as per Gut-Brain axis. Satvik Aahar helps to keep a person healthy or in a disease-free state. Because Satva Shuddhi (Purity of mind) comes from Satvik Aahar (Purity of food).

References

1. Sharma A, Sushrut Samhita, Sushrutvimarshini hindi commentary, Chaukhamba surbharati prakashan Varanasi, 2015 Edition vol.1. Sutrasthan Adhyaya 15/47: page no.130.

2. https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

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