E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Mana

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 6 JUNE
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

A review article on Mana and its impact on health

Chauhan P1*, Prerna2, Sharma V3, Sharma P4
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.6.30

1* Pragti Chauhan, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Kriya Sharir, Shiva Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Chandpur, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.

2 Prerna, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Kriya Sharir, Shiva Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Chandpur, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.

3 Vishal Sharma, Professor and HOD, Department of Kriya Sharir, Shiva Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Chandpur, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.

4 Pooja Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Kriya Sharir, Shiva Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Chandpur, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Ayurveda has evolved from its roots taking a pace at its basic concept in preservation and promotion of health and prevention and cure of diseases. Manas being an important entity in maintain physical health is an important topic of discussion. In the modern era we learn and understand health being state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. We find references of Mana in Atharva Veda, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Vagbhatt Samhita. Ayurvedic theory of mental health is based on the combination of the Trigunas, Tridosha and Panchmahabhuta and the combination of three Doshas and Trigunas inherited at birth indicates an individuals’ Prakriti. Kapha Prakriti individuals are said to be less eclipsed by Dukkha (grief). Acharya Charak has clearly explained some diseases like Unmada, Apasmara, Attavaabhinivesha as ailments affecting Manas. Some other diseases like Mada, Murcha and Sanyasa are also mentioned where Acharya Charak mentioned the involvement Raja and Moha along with Tridoshas and Raktavahi and Sangyavahi Srotas. In Pragyaparadh Pragya which is Buddhi or knowledge when get disturbed by wrong conducts give rise Tridosha Prakopa (vitiation) and thereby leading to pathology. So, in this way among Trividha Chikitsa, Ayurveda has also emphasized on its treatment modalities like Satwajay (to stop oneself from wrong conducts). Our ancient system of healthy living offers the holistic approach to mental health care with integration of mind, body and soul. On the other hand, Psychology has its foundation in Ayurveda. As human beings are combination of mixed emotions and the medium of expression of those emotions is Psychology which play an important role in maintaining mental health.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Tridosha, Panchmahabhuta, Manas, Satva, Rajas, Tamas

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Pragti Chauhan, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Kriya Sharir, Shiva Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Chandpur, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Email: 		Chauhan P, Prerna, Sharma V, Sharma P, A review article on Mana and its impact on health. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(6):235-239.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4391/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-05-12 2025-05-24 2025-06-04 2025-06-14 2025-06-24
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Not required 12.32

© 2025 by Chauhan P, Prerna, Sharma V, Sharma P and 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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Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionReview of LiteratureDiscussionConclusionReferences
Pragti C et al. A review article on Mana and its impact on health

Introduction

Ayurveda is the ancient science and the earliest school of medicine known to mankind which explains the basic principles like Tridosha, Panchamahabhuta. Ayurveda is a science of healthy life and longevity which deals with diseases, its prevention and treatment. Ayurveda is the knowledge of entire lifespan, including beneficial and detrimental ways of living, ways to create Hitayu and prevention of diseases to avoid Ahitayu.[1] Ayurveda has a beautiful definition of healthy when a person is having a balanced state of Tridoshas, Agni, Dhatus, Mala, cheerful state of Atma and peaceful functioning of Indriyas and Manas.[2] The word ‘Manas’ has been derived from Manu which means knowledge . The source from where knowledge and thoughts arrive is called as Manas. Manas is responsible for knowing. Manas is a substance and is eternal. According to WHO, Health may be defined as state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely absence of disease or infirmity. Mana is one of the Karana Dravya and one among Tridanda i.e., (Mana, Atma, Sharira).

Review of Literature

According to Charak Samhita, Indriyaupkramniya Adhyaya of Charak Sutra mind transcends all sense perception, it is known as ‘Satva’ and ‘Chetas’.[3] Acharya Charak has called it Ati Indriya. Acharya has also given two Mano Gunas, five Mano Vishyas, and 4 Karmas. Adhyatma Dravyaguna Sangraha are Mana, Mano Artha, Budhi and Atma. Sadvritta (right conducts to lead healthy life). Acharya has explained Arthadwaya in reference to Manas. Acharya Sushruta in Sushruta Sharir Sarvabhutachinta Adhyaya explains how Manas get originated with the help of Tejas and Vaikarik Ahankar along with Ekadash Indriyas.[4] Acharya Vagbhatta has explained Adhishthan of diseases are 1.Kaya 2.Mana.[5] Manas Doshas are 1.Rajas 2.Tamas. Hridya is Mano Sthana. Satva (strength of mind) is one among the Dashavidha Parikshya Bhava. Mana and Mano Artha Yoga or vicinity is responsible for healthy individual. Acharya Chakrapani while explaining Swapna mentioned Manoyukta Atma is Manas. Acharya Chakrapani while explaining Manovaha Srotas in this context mentioned Hridawaha Dhmanis are most likely Manovaha. Hridaya is Adhishthan of Mana.[6]

According to Amrit Bindu Upnishad, Mana is the responsible for both Bandhan and Moksha. According to Srimad Bhagwatgita by closing Indriya Dwara i.e., restraining Mana from outside world with the help of Mana.

Synonyms

Chitta, Chetas, Hrut, Hrudya, Mana, Sattva, Atindriya.

Swaroop of Manas

Manas is without any Rupa and is unmanifest. As Manas is Athindriya, its Swaroop can only be understood through Lakshanas.[7]

Lakshana of Manas

The union of Atma, Indriya and its Arth along with Manas leads to Gnana Utpatti and perception of knowledge of an object and non-perception of knowledge of another objects, simultaneously at a time is described as the characteristic of Manas.[8]

Mano Gunas

Two Gunas of Manas are: Anutvam which means that Mana can ascend even minute things. Ekatvam is the Guna of Mana which is oneness of Mana which can be understood with the fact that at a time it can unify with one thing only.[9] Acharya Charak has clearly explained the fact oneness in an individual’s Manas appears to be multiple in character due to variations relating to the experience of its objects of the sense faculties, its disposition and also its contact with Rajas, Tamas and Satva Gunas transcends all the sense faculties which are responsible for the perceptions of external objects.

Mano Vishayas

Acharya Charaka has described following five Mano-Vishayas.[10] Chintya is one which is thinked in the form of Kartavya and Akartavya by mind. Vicharya is which is discussed as Upapatti (evidence) and Anupatti. Uhya is the possibility which is logically argument. Dhyeya is the subjects of knowledge regarding sentiments. Sankalpa is which makes assumption on the basis of merits and demerits.

Mano Karmas

Acharya Charaka has explained the action of Manas as Indriyabhigraha - To control sense organs. Nigraha - To restrain oneself. Uhya - To establish the meaning with proper reasoning.


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Pragti C et al. A review article on Mana and its impact on health

Vichar - To analyse the object whether it can be accepted or rejected.[11] According to Sankhya Darshan there are four causative factors for distinct knowledge one external and 3 internal (mind, ego and intellect). According to Sankhyakarika ego and intellect always go together. Their domain starts beyond that of hypothesis and consideration.

Mano Doshas

Rajas and Tamas are the Mano Doshas.[12]

Utpatti of Manas

Acharya Sushruta explains Mano Utpatti has taken place during the Srishti Utpatti when Ekadasha Indriyas have got originated along with 5 Gyanendriyas and five Karmendriyas.[13]

jaims_4391_01.JPG

Location of Manas

Acharya Charak, Acharya Sushruta and Vagbhatta said location of Manas is Hridya being the seat of intellect and mind. Kankayan said heart of foetus arises first in the womb. Acharya Bhela considers the brain as seat of Manas between Siras and Talu.

Importance of Manas in Health

Both body and mind are the locations of disorders as well as pleasure. The balanced use is the cause of pleasure. It is the Manas only which keeps a person fit by controlling his mental and physical activities. Manas has the great power to control over the body. Many times only the determination and will power of the patient to get well become a decisive factor for getting a complete cure.

Manas is an integral part of life of an individual. Manas and body are so much inter related to each that they cannot be separated. For example sweets which increase Kapha Dosha in body also increase lethargy and sleepiness which are actually Mansika factors. Thus, mental and physical factors regularly affect each other. Examination of mental faculty has got a prime importance while examining any patient. Individuals having excellent mental faculties are characterized by good memory, devotion, skill, courage, fighting in battles with prowess, free from anxiety having well directed and serious intellect and activities and engaged in various activities. Actually, here term Sattva has been used for Manas depending upon its strength, which is of three types - superior, medium and inferior.

Mental disorders like stress, anxiety, neurosis, insanity, depression, delirium, lassitude, and delusion etc. are commonly found in day today life.

Certain emotions also play an importance role as etiological factor of disease for example Kamaja Jwara is due to lust and Bhayaj and Shokaja Atisara is due to fear and grief respectively.

Even international agency like WHO has taken several initiatives and according to WHO-Mental health day is observed on 10th October. The overall objective of World mental health day is to raise awareness of mental health day and issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

It’s an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme - “Mental health is a universal human right to improve knowledge, raise awareness of mental health and drive actions to promote and protect everyone’s mental health as universal human right.

Promoting child and adolescent mental health is another priority and can be achieved by policies and laws that promote and protect mental health.

Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020

66th World Health Assembly - Ministers of health of 194 adopted the WHO’s Comprehensive Mental health action plan 2013-2020 in May 2013. In 2019, the action plan was extended until 2030 by 72nd World Health Assembly. According World Mental Health report shows to achieve the global objectives set out in the WHO.


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Our vision is a world where mental health is valued, promoted and protected, where anyone can exercise their human rights.[14]

Discussion

Manas and Mental health are closely related. Chintya is Mano Artha and Samyoga of Mana and its Arthas is responsible for Prakriti while Hina and Mithyayoga leads to Vikriti. Manas is the Ashraya of both Sukha and Vyadhi. (Ch.Su.1/55). Atma, Indriyas, Indriyarth and Manas Samyog helps in Buddhi/Gyan Utpatti. (Ch.Sha.1/46-47). Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha etc. are Manodosha Vikaras and cause for these Vikaras is Pragyaparadha.

In India mental health programs need to be more strengthened. In Ashtanga Hridaya we come across the very first Shlok about Ragaadi Roga from which a person gets afflicted. Even the definition of Kaya Chiktsa states Mana with Sharira.

Conclusion

Ayurvedic approach to treat mental illnesses should be to enhance Ojas. As Mental health is something which helps a person to contribute to the society. One himself is responsible for Sukh and Dukh so one should also follow a good path. Balancing Raja and Tamas which are Mano Doshas can lead to a healthy life.

Dhi, Dhriti and Smriti are the mental faculties and Pragnaparada is disturbance of the above which leads to Tridosha Prakopa. In Bhagwat Gita we learn that using ones’ own Buddhi in a correct way which helps in discriminating between good and bad. Following Maitri, Karunya and Priti by a physician can help one to get rid of mental illnesses.

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