Glossary of Ayurvedic and Sanskrit Terms

You will come across many other spellings and definitions for Sanskrit translations. This is because it is an ancient language translated into English from a variety of sources. I apologize for any interpretations that are not perfect and I’d love feedback if you have any. This is a work in progress! I’m just going to make a start and allow this page grow very gradually. Feel free to get in touch if you have any suggestions!

Abhyanga

Abhyanga means oil massage and specifically applying the oil yourself. It is said to be one of the most healing and important parts of a daily Ayurvedic regime or dinacharya. It is said to soothe the nervous system, be very grounding, detoxify the lymph, improve circulation, nourish and protect the skin and aid in body appreciation.

Ahamkara

Ahaṃkāra (अहंकार) is a Sanskrit term that means ego and the identification with or attachment to the ego. Ahaṃ means "I" and kāra means “maker”, so literally it means the I maker. We need the ego to function in the world, but in Ayurveda helps us to not be overly attached to it , but to discover our true selves which lie beyond the ego.

Ahimsa

Ahimsa (Sanskrit: अहिंसा) means 'not to injure' and 'compassion' and nonviolence. In Sanskrit, it literally means non-harming, or non-striking, but it can mean so much more than that. Ahimsa means abstaining from harming all living beings and striving to cause the least amount of violence and suffering as possible. The opposite of violence or harming is compassion.  Compassion is essential in order to see that all beings are truly connected to one another. It is one of the five yamas, or ethical guidelines for yogis in Patanjali’s eight-fold path of Yoga. Ahimsa can be applied to all aspects of life including how you treat yourself. Ahimsa can be achieved by embodying love, forgiveness, and compassion and turning away from negativity, disappointment, resentment, hatred, shame, and guilt.

Agni

Agni (Sanskrit: अग्नि) means fire and generally refers to the fires of digestion. In Ayurveda, the agni is critically important to our health. It is a bit like the Western concept of metabolism. Agni is responsible for the transformation of everything that enters the body into substances that are used to nourish the cells, are stored in the tissues or are excreted as waste. Every cell, tissue, and organ of the body is dependent on the health of agni which has a kind of intelligence to decide what we absorb, what we store, and what we excrete. It is thought that disturbed agni is at the root of all disease and this is why Ayurvedic practitioners will always start by offering you suggestions to help you develop strong and robust agni.

Ahar

Ahar means diet, but it is more than just what is eaten. It is also about how, when, how much and where food is eaten. In short it is about our relationship with food and how we do food. It is one of the four pillars of health.

Ahimsa

Ahimsa means abstaining from harming all living beings and striving to cause the least amount of violence and suffering as possible. The opposite of violence or harming is compassion.  Compassion is essential in order to see that all beings are truly connected to one another.

Ajna Chakra

The ajna chakra (Sanskrit: आज्ञा) is also known as the guru chakra or third-eye chakra, and it is located just below and between the eyebrows on the forehead and above the nose. It is the sixth main chakra in the body. It allows us to experience clear thought, develop abilities of spiritual contemplation and self reflection. It can be strengthened through meditation, yoga and pranayama. Colour: Indigo Shape: Five pointed star Petals of the lotus: Two Seed sound: Aum (Om) Endocrine gland: Pituitary gland

Ajeerna

Indigestion, which is caused by incorrect ahar and vihar. Signs can include belching, nausea, vomiting, pain, abdominal discomfort, constipation, gas and sluggish digestion.

Akash

Akash or akasha is the first of the five great elements (pancha mahabhutus) from which everything in physical creation is made from. It comes first because it is the most subtle of the elements. It is either referred to as ether or space and it is the essence of emptiness. It creates the space for anything else to occupy and come into existence.

Ama

Ama roughly means toxins although it’s not quite that simple. Ama is what in the body or mind when we don’t process food - or feelings - and eventually the ‘rot sets in’. This can be caused by poor food choices or poor eating habits like stuffing food, not chewing, eating in poor combinations or not allowing food time to digest. Emotionally it can be cause by not processing feelings and then stuffing them down with food or other substances or activities. Western science is beginning to catch up with Ayurveda in understanding the relationship between the microbes in the mind and the gut, it’s very complex and reciprocal. Clues that you have ama could include a thick coating on your tongue, constipation, grogginess, sluggishness after eating, skin problems, foul odours and lethargy.

Amla

The sour taste, one of the six tastes. It is made of earth and fire.

Antar Mouna

This is the practice of silence which helps us to rejuvenate at a deep level and reconnect to our innermost and highest self. It allows us to slow down and take time to raise awareness and calm down the internal chatter of our minds and the external noise of life.

Asatmya

Asatmya means allergies. In Ayurveda allergies are thought to be a result of a weakened immunity and disturbed agni. In particular, allergies are due to lowered ojas.

Asatymya-indriyartha-samyog

This is one of the causes of disease and it translates to a misuse of the senses. This could be underuse, overuse or wrong use of the senses. For example, binge watching TV or having earplugs in all the time, overstimulation, lack of sleep, over or under eating, over work and rushing around.

Ashtavidha Pariksha

Eight-fold Ayurvedic Examination - this includes examination of:

1. pulse

2. urine

3. feces

4. skin

5. eyes

6. tongue

7. voice and speech

Augmenting Food

Augmenting foods in Ayurveda are foods that are nourishing, nurturing and grounding. They build the body up and add vitality. 60% of our meals should be augmenting and the other 40% should be extractive (cleansing). Examples include grains, root vegetables, seaweed and fresh fruit.

Bhakti Yoga

This is the Yogic path of devotion and is one of the main paths of Yoga. Bhakti is sometimes described as “love for love’s sake.” It is also sometimes described as the yoga of the mind/intellect. The call-and-response chanting practice of kirtan has grown exponentially out of bhakti Yoga and is becoming increasingly popular in the west. Bhakti involves surrendering to the Divine or universal Consciousness.

Brimhana Therapies

Brimhana therapies are therapies that make the body heavier by increasing the doshas by either rejuvenating the doshas (rasayana) or therapies designed to increase fertility. Rasayana therapies help to renew, restore and regenerate the tissues to a state of balance, they are often used after langhana therapies have been used.

Cankramana

Cankramana is the name given to a gentle stroll taken after meals. It is said to aid digestion and should be no shorter than 100 steps.

Chakras

The word chakra means wheel and chakras are said to be invisible wheels of subtle energy starting along the spine from the base through to the crown of the head. There are seven main ones. The chakras correspond to nerve centers, organs, glands and psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. Each is also associated with a syllable (sound or seed mantra) from the Sanskrit alphabet, a colour, a geometrical state and a lotus flower with a particular number of petals.

The seven chakras are:

1. The root or muladhara chakra, the chakra of safety and basic needs, situated around the first three vertebrae, and associated with the bladder, and the colon.

2. The sacral or svadhisthana chakra, the chakra of creativity and sexuality is located just below the navel and is associated with creativity.

3. The solar plexus or manipura chakra is located between the navel and the breastbone and is our source of personal power and self-esteem.

4. The heart chakra, the anahata chakra is the middle chakra and connects the lower three chakras of matter and the upper three chakras of spirit. It is like a bridge between our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The heart chakra is all about love.

5. The fifth chakra is the throat or vishuddha chakra, located in the area of the throat. It determines our ability to express and speak our highest truth and is associated with the thyroid, and parathyroid glands and mouth.  

6. The sixth or ajna chakra is located in between the eyebrows and often referred to as the “third eye”. It is the center of intuition and associated with the pituitary gland.

7. The seventh or sahaswara chakra is located at the crown of the head.  It is the chakra of enlightenment and spirituality, it is associated with the pineal gland and the connection to our higher selves and the divine.

Chikitsa

Chikitsa means therapy and generally all therapies can be divided into two types: langhana -therapies to make the body lighter by decreasing the dosha or brimhana-therapies to make the body heavier by increasing the doshas. Langhana therapies are usually carried out first in order to help clear the body of toxins and waste products and give it a good clean up.

Darshana

Observation of the client to find out more information about the disturbances of the doshas, and the effects of this on the dhatus (tissues), srotas (channels) and digestive fires (agni).

Dharma

Dharma is an interesting word with many layers and meanings. It can mean your path, purpose or duty. It means truth and it means the intended true path that embodies your values and responsibilities. Ayurveda and Yoga can help you find and follow your Dharma.

Dhatus

The dhatus are tissues of the body. In Ayurveda dhatus are seen to be formed from what we eat and drink. There are seven types of dhatu and they are formed in a sequential order. Each dhatu has its own agni. The seven dhatus are rasa (plasma), rakta (red blood cells), mamsa (muscle), meda (fat), asthi (bone), majja (nervous system and bone marrow) and shukra (reproductive tissue). All of the dhatus are nourished through rasa dhatu which is formed through digested food and water. Each dhatu provides nutrients for the next dhatu in the sequence providing it is properly formed and the agni of the dhatu is balanced and healthy. The health of the tissues also depends on proper intake of nutrients, proper elimination of waste and balanced doshas.

Dinacharya

Your dinacharya is your daily routine and it is at the heart of Ayurvedic practice. A daily routine is fundamental for the transformation of the body and mind. Having a regular routine is necessary to find balance, improve your digestion, absorption and assimilation, and improve your mental and emotional state to one of balance, harmony and happiness. It is the key to a long and healthy life.

Deepan

Good appetite and a robust agni

(3) Doshas

The five great elements or the pancha mahabhutas combine together to form the three doshas. The three doshas are pitta, vata and kapha. We all have all five elements and all 3 doshas, but we all have unique cocktails of elements and doshas making up our prakruti and vikruti. A dosha is said to be a vital or biological energy that circulates throughout the body and mind. They govern all physiological, emotional and mental processes and in health they are all balanced. When they are out of balance, or in excess, our mental and or physical health will suffer. Dosha literally means “that which is messed up” and so the aim in Ayurveda is all about helping to bring these doshas into balance. This is done by understanding one of the main principles of Ayurveda: that like attracts like and the opposite brings balance.

Dukha

Dukha means suffering that results from distorted discrimination of the senses (viveka) and subsequent excess rajas and/or tamas.

Dwanda

A food or a herb that has its natural balance and is in its original whole state.

Extractive Food

In Ayurveda, extractive foods are foods that are cleansing in nature and take something away from the body, or require the body to give something up. They make us feel lighter and help to keep us in balance. However, too many extractive foods will increase vata dosha leaving us feeling ungrounded. It is good to aim to eat about 40% extractive food in each meal with the other 60% being augmenting. Examples are legumes, green leafy vegetables and some nuts and seeds.

Facial Diagnosis

A good Ayurvedic practitioner can tell many things about the state of a person’s mind, body and spirit through facial diagnosis. The practitioner can get a good idea of how balanced the doshas are, the strength of the agni, whether they have ajeerna, how well they are absorbing food as well as much information about their emotional state, past and present.

Gandusa Snehan

Gandusa Snehan is the practice of holding and swishing oil in the mouth for 5 minutes. It is often called oil pulling and generally about one or two tablespoons of sesame or coconut oil is used. It sounds a bit odd if you haven’t tried it, but actually it is quite pleasant. It is said to strengthens the teeth, gums and jaw, reduce plaque and plaque-induced gingivitis, eliminate bad breath, reduce sensitivity to hot and cold, strengthens the voice, tone the facial muscles and enhance immunity. Swish the oil long enough for the oil to become frothy and light in colour and then spit out the oil in the garbage, not in the sink where it can solidify. Do not swallow it because it will contain all the bacteria and toxins that you have just ‘pulled’ from your body!

Gunas (The 3 Great Ones) or The Mahagunas

That which binds. There are three maha or great  gunas, or qualities that exist everywhere. They are present in all things and beings in the world. They are sattva (goodness, constructive, harmonious), rajas (passion, active, confused), and tamas (darkness, destructive, chaotic). They are the original “elements” or “energetic patterns” that created the universe and are necessary for life. Life is a constant dance between the energies of the movement of creation (rajas), inertia and destruction (tamas) and homeostasis and balance (sattva).

Gurvadi Gunas - The 20 Qualities

There are 20 universal qualities that exist in all of life. Everything in Ayurveda can be defined according to these qualities and the way that they arrange themselves determines the prakruti. There are 10 pairs of opposite qualities that work together in nature to maintain equilibrium. They are: cold and hot, wet and dry, heavy and light, gross and subtle, dense and flowing, static and mobile, dull and sharp, soft and hard, smooth and rough, cloudy and clear. Learning to recognize them in your life helps you to discern how to attain and maintain balance.

Hatha Yoga

In the west, hatha yoga is often seen as gentle yoga. However, in the east, it actually means hardcore and in its original form, it was really hard work and involved a lot of discipline. The word comes from the Sanskrit ha, meaning sun and tha meaning "moon." Together it means to unite the yin and the yang, the active and the receptive of the practitioner. Yogis use physical movement with the breath to create aligned postures to achieve an equilibrium and harmony between the body and mind. The benefits include physical strength and flexibility, improved health and emotional well-being. Originally it was used to prepare the body for meditation.

Ida Nadi

The ida nadi is one of the three basic energy channels in the body. According to Ayurveda, there are 72,000 nadis in total, and they all originate from three main channels- the ida on the left, the pingala on the right , and sushumna in the middle. Regular practice of yoga and pranayama helps to bring balance between the ida and pingala to ensure good health. Ida starts on the left side of the root chakra works its way up through the other chakras ending in the left of ajna (third eye chakra). It is the lunar nadi and it is cooling, purifying and feminine.

Indriyas

These are our 5 senses or faculties:

1. sight

2. taste

3. touch

4. sound

5. smell

Jala

Jala means water and it is used to describe the water element, on of the pancha mahabhutas, the five great elements.

Jala Neti

Jala neti is the ancient technique for cleansing the nasal passages. It involves pouring warm water with a pinch of salt from a neti pot into one nostril and allowing it to flow out of the other one, taking the toxins and dirt with it. It helps to keep the respiratory tract clear of impurities which could cause infections or other respiratory disorders.

Jihva Nirlekhana

Jihva nirlekhana is the phrase used for tongue scraping and gentle scraping is said to offer some really great benefits like refreshing and enhancing the taste buds, and removing the ama or dead bacteria and other toxins that your body works hard to pull from your system through the night . It makes your mouth feel fresher, reduces bad breath, and is also said to clear the mind. Stainless steel scrapers are available relatively easily nowadays and you just need to gently scrape the entire tongue from the back to the front for 7 to 14 strokes every morning, and observe the benefits for yourself. Make sure and clean the scraper in hot water once you have finished.

Jyotisha

Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, is a sister science to Ayurveda and it is known for being incredibly accurate. Jyoti means light or flame, and it is said to be the light that shines from heaven to enable us to see the deeper parts of ourselves, our karmic patterns and our tendencies. It is used to provide guidance and clarity in order to bring more harmony and fulfillment into life.

Kalas

The kalas are the tissues where the absorption and assimilation of nutrients happens. These tissues support and protect the organs. Examples are the pleural membrane, the pericardium around the heart, the peritoneum around the abdominal organs and the meninges around the brain. These tissues protect, lubricate and nourish the organs that they surround.

Kapha - that which sticks (made from water and earth elements)

Kapha is one of the three doshas that, in Ayurveda, are believed to circulate around the body and govern the biological activities. Kapha is the watery element. It is the carrier of nutrients and is the nourishing element of the body. All soft organs are governed by Kapha and it plays an important role in the sense of taste which is important because this often dictates what we choose to eat.

The qualities of kapha are: cold, moist, heavy, dull, static, smooth, dense, oily and soft, and sweet, sour and astringent in taste. Kapha people love eating and tend to be the biggest of the three doshas and have slow digestion. They sleep well and are often patient, grounded and caring. Out of balance, they can become overly attached to people, things, and comforts and can become lethargic and even lazy. They may experience food cravings and depression.

There are 5 subdoshas of kapha:

 1. Bodhaka Kapha is in the mouth: Bodhaka means ‘that which helps one to know’ and it is all about perceptions of the mouth that help us make decisions about what is good for us. It also the first stage of digestion and lubrication of the food and the other sensory openings in the head.

2. Kledaka Kapha is in the stomach: It means ‘to moisten’ and it is responsible for the secretions that soften our food so that it can be broken down properly and moved along the gastrointestinal tract. Kledaka kapha also protects the inner walls of the stomach fro the acid by neutralizing it.

3. Avalambaka Kapha is in the lungs: It means ‘to hold’ and it contains the organs in the chest. It provides the lubrication and nourishment of these organs as the lungs expand and contract with the breath. An increase in avalambak kapha will cause an excess of pleural fluid, and too little will result in a lack of lubrication and dryness.

4. Tarpaka Kapha is in the brain: It means ‘to satiate or nourish’ and because it lubricates the brain where all the sensory and motor nerves begin and end , it nourishes the entire nervous system. Tarpaka kapha lubricates the brain tissues as cerebrospinal fluid and is responsible for holding these structures in place.

5. Shleshaka Kapha is in the small and large joints: It means ‘binding or hugging’ and it is responsible for the lubrication and movement of all of the 360 joints in the body. It helps to lubricate the joints and to act as a shock absorber. Increased shleshaka kapha can result in swollen and irritated joints, but too little and the joints may become dry and brittle.

Kashaya

Kashaya is the astringent taste, one of the six tastes. It is made from air and earth.

Katu

Katu is the pungent taste, one of the six tastes. It is made from fire and air.

Kitchari or Kitchadi

Kitchari is a fundamental part of Ayurveda and the word literally means mixture, it is usually a mixture of rice and mung dal. This ancient dish is so nourishing because it is really easy to digest. There are many variations and many spellings for the name of it! It is a one-pot dish involving spices and sometimes vegetables and it can be prepared so that it is balancing to all three doshas (tridoshic). It is said to nourish all the tissues of the body and it is used as part of cleansing regimes like equinox detox and panchakarma to clear out ama and strengthen your Agni. It can be made in a number of different ways, but it generally features ginger, turmeric, coriander and cumin.

The Five Kleshas

Klesha means affliction and according to Yoga and Ayurveda there are five main afflictions in the human condition. They are:

1. Avidya - ignorance, delusion, lack of knowledge, misunderstanding.

2. Ahamkara - ego experiencing itself as separate from the rest of the universe leading to the illusion of control, attachments and trying to make things happen.

3. Raga - is attachment, addiction and desire. It is all about instant gratification and can involve substance abuse.

4. Dvesa - aversion including hatred, envy, wishing others ill, avoidance and destruction. All this actually cultivates stronger attachments and fear.

5. Abhinivesa - is the fear of death and the ultimate loss, the loss of life. It happens when we are completely identified with the body rather than seeing the body as something that we travel around in.

The Koshas

In Yoga and Ayurveda, we are said to be made up of five layers, sheaths, or koshas that nestle inside one another like Russian dolls. They range from the dense to subtle, from physical to energetic. The layers are said to be interconnected although they are often described as separate and stacked. From the outside to the inside, they are:

1. Annamaya Kosha – The food or physical body

2. Pranamaya Kosha- The energy body

3. Manomaya Kosha - The mental body

4. Vijnanamaya Kosha -The wisdom body

5. Anandamaya Kosha - The bliss body

Lavana

Lavana is the salty taste, one of the six tastes. It is made from water and fire.

Langhana Therapies

Langhana therapies are therapies that make the body lighter (less heavy). This is achieved by decreasing the doshas that are in excess by either purifying (shodhana) or palliating (shamana). The shodhana therapies purify by forcing the dosha out of the body thereby reducing the dosha. The shamana therapies palliate by bringing the dosha back into balance without expelling or exciting it. The therapies can include herbs, spices, herbal teas, diet, water and oil treatments, heating and sweating or cooling.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, there are eight limbs or branches of Yoga. They are:

1. The yamas which are practices to avoid in order to live by a moral code.

2. The niyamas are practices of personal behaviour to live by a moral code.

3. Yoga asanas are the Yoga postures traditionally used to prepare the body for meditation.

4. Pranayama means breath or prana control and it involves yoga breathing practices used to strengthen the vital life force.

5. Pratyahara means withdrawal of the senses.

6. Dharana means one pointed concentration.

7. Dhyana means meditation.

8. Samadhi is the ultimate state of freedom, bliss and enlightenment.

Madhura

Madhura is the sweet taste, one of the six tastes. It is made from earth and water.

Mahat

Mahat is the cosmic intelligence. The Sanskrit is महत् and it can be translated as the great one. It has come from the union purusha (consciousness) and prakriti (natural matter). Everything in the universe comes from mahat. It is the sacred knowledge and collective consciousness and it becomes the intelligence or buddhi.

Malas

Malas are the waste products that are produced by and eliminated from the body. The three main malas include stool (purisha), urine (mutra), and sweat (sveda). Effective elimination of malas is necessary for good health, if they build up and are not expelled, the body will become toxic. The main malas are produced from the food and other things we consume. There are also dhatu malas which include secretions from the nose, eyes, ears, metabolites of cellular respiration, hair, skin, and nails. Although these are all considered waste products in Ayurveda, they are also part of good health if they are produced in moderation.

Manas

Manas means mind and it has the ability to store knowledge, perceive it and take action. It can make decision and it controls the body. It is not ‘the brain’, in fact it is not thought to have any physical form. However, it is said to live in both the brain and the heart and it processes our sense information and emotions. It is both neurological and behavioural. The health of the mind is determined by the presence of the three mahagunas or mental qualities: sattva, rajas and tamas. The mahagunas (or some just say gunas) that are present in our mind determine how we perceive and relate to the world.

Mala Visarjana

This is the term used to describe the early morning bowel movement. Many Ayurvedic practitioners will not eat a bite until they have passed a bowel movement. Having a bowel movement first thing in the morning at the same time each day is thought to be an indicator of health. A delayed bowel movement is an indication of debilitated agni.

Mantra

A mantra is a word, sound or phrase, usually in Sanskrit that is repeated silently, or out loud, to aid concentration, increase consciousness, bring clarity or peace or stillness in meditation. It must be spoken, sung, heard or felt. Mantras are used as a major healing tool in Ayurveda.

Meditation

Meditation is process of stilling the mind, relaxing, coming to a single point of focus and raising awareness by letting go of trying to find answers. It is always a solitary experience, even if you do it in a group. It is often done in a still seated position with eyes closed, but can also be done while walking or moving. There are many documented benefits to having a regular meditation practice, but it should be practiced every day in order to fully benefit from the effects long term. Some of the rewards of a regular practice include discovering your true self and ways forward in life, reducing stress, becoming more accepting of life and having a greater ability to deal calmly with challenges. It is a definite daily part of the Ayurvedic lifestyle.

Marmas

Marmas are vital energy points all over the body, much like the Chinese acupuncture points. They are located over the lymph nodes where the veins, tendons, joints, muscles and bones intersect. There are 107 marmas in the body and they are mostly located at joints or major organs. Marma therapy is very nurturing and healing and a really lovely experience.

Mudras

A mudra is a gesture used in Yoga or Ayurveda to direct the flow of energy and unblock the flow if it is stuck. There are a number of different kinds of mudras for instance, hand (hasta), body (kaya) or consciousness (citta) mudras. Hand mudras are often performed with pranayama exercises while in a seated pose.

Nadi

Nadi is a Sanskrit word which means tube or channel. There are many channels throughout the body and which facilitate the transportation of energy. The three principal nadis in the body which go through the spinal cord and the chakras are the ida (mental energy), pingala (the origin of prana) and sushumna (the nadi of spiritual awareness). Asanas, pranayama, and chanting are used in Ayurveda to help move the energy around the body through these nadis.

Nadi Shodhana

Nadi Shodhanana is also known as alternate nostril breathing and it is a powerful pranayama technique. Nadi is a Sanskrit word that means channel and shodhana means purification. It is used to clear and purify the nadis and to help balance the masculine and feminine aspects of the individual. It is soothing and calming practice, suitable for almost everyone.

Nadi Vijnanan - Pulse Analysis

Pulse analysis can help to determine both the prakruti and vikruti. A skilled practitioner can tell so many subtle details about clients including information about the subdoshas, dhatus, prana, tejas and ojas.

Nidra

Nidra means sleep. Regular sleep each night is a fundamental part of staying healthy according to Ayurveda. The recommendation is to to be asleep around 9 pm and be up by around 5 am, but obviously this will vary according to dosha type and may not always be possible for everyone.

Ojas

Ojas is the a subtle energy necessary for immunity, vitality, strength, longevity and the joie de vivre. We can create it by eating pure and nourishing (sattvic) foods. It is thought to reside within the heart. A sattvic diet, meditation and balanced living can help to increase ojas. It is the subtle form of Kapha giving us psychological stability, mental peace and contentment.

Padabhyanga

This is the word that is used for the application of oil to the bottom of the feet, most often at night before bed.

Parinam

Parinam means disease that happens as a result of not aligning with the rhythms of nature, especially the change of the seasons. When the seasons change, so do the pancha mahabhutas (the 5 elements) in the environment and extra care is required to help the body adjust to the changes.

Pancha Jnanendriya

The pancha jnanendriyas are the five sense organs. Pancha means five, jnana means knowledge or ‘higher’ awareness and indriya means sense organ. They allow us to perceive the pancha tanmatras, and therefore, the world around us. The pancha jnanendriyas include the nose, eyes, tongue, skin and ears.

Pancha Karmendriya 

These are the five sense organs of action. Each one has a corresponding jnanendriya or sense organ. The feet relate to our sense of sight, hands to the sense of touch, rectum to smell, uro-genitals to taste and mouth to sound.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means “five treatments”. This is a process usually undertaken over a number of days at the change of season to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease, poor nutrition and environmental toxins. It is also designed to strengthen agni. It is often carried out at a treatment center, but can be done at home. There are generally three stages:

1. purvakarma - preparation

2. pradhanakarma - primary therapy

3. paschatakarma - rejuvenation therapy

Pancha Mahabhutas - The five great elements

Everything in the world is made up of these five elements. If we can understand the nature of these elements and how they behave, we can understand life and health and the true self. They are akash-ether or space, vayu-air, tejas- fire, jala- water and prithvi- earth. All elements are said to develop from akash.

Pitta - that which burns

Pitta is one of the three doshas that , in Ayurveda, are believed to circulate around the body and govern the biological activities. Pitta controls metabolism, temperature, and transformations in the body.

The main qualities of pitta dosha are: oily, sharp, hot, light, spreading and liquid, and salty, sour and pungent in taste. Pitta people are often medium size, both in height and weight and can have developed muscles. They may have a quick digestion with a big appetite and thirst. Out of balance, pitta people may become irritable, angry, judgmental, controlling, critical and dominant. Physically, they are likely to suffer from conditions that are red and involve inflammation.

There are 5 subdoshas of pitta:

1. Pachaka Pitta is found in the stomach: It means ‘cooker’ and it plays a major role in every part of the digestive tract and is therefore the most important subdosha. It regulates the processing of the nutrients from the beginning to the end of the digestive process. If there is too much or not enough pachaka pitta present, ama (toxins) will be produced. Other consequences include impaired digestion, heartburn, bloating, flatulence, and loss of appetite.

2. Ranjaka Pitta is produced in the stomach, stored in the liver and circulated by the heart. It is known as the ‘colouring pitta’ because it is thought to transform plasama into blood. In addition to providing the red colour in the blood, it is also responsible for the colour in the urine, faeces, hair, eyes and skin. Too much or too little can lead to skin problems and grey hair.

3. Sadhaka Pitta is found in the brain and the heart. It determines the digestion of emotions, life experiences, and specifically emotions such as contentment, memory, intelligence and digestion of thoughts. Since the brain and heart are very intimately connected and so it works at the level of the connection between the brain and the heart, helping people to ‘let go’ and to manage emotions. It is sometimes referred to as releasing “emotional ama (toxins)”.

4. Alochaka Pitta is found in the eyes. It means ‘that which sees’ and it governs the functioning of the rods and cones in the retina on a physical level. On a more subtle level it helps us to see the difference between right and wrong, providing us with clarity and understanding. When out of balance, we are unable to judge things well and we are not very able to discern what is good for us.

5. Bhrajaka Pitta is found in the skin. It means ‘to diffuse or spread’ and it is responsible for the metabolism and and the sense of touch. It helps with the circulation, the regulation of the temperature and the retention of moisture. When out of balance, we can have issues with hypersensitivity, acne and dryness.

Prajnaparadha

Prajnaparadha means “crimes against wisdom” in Sanskrit. It refers to the things that we do that are not good for us or for others. Sometimes we do these things even though we know they are not good for us, sometimes we fail to listen to our intuition and sometimes we do them out of ignorance. Over time, if we keep repeating mistakes they become bad habits and they eventually erode our health and happiness. This leads to more bad decisions and sends us off on a trajectory that is not taking us in the direction that we truly want to go in. They can include things like overeating, taking drugs, drinking alcohol, eating the wrong things, eating too quickly, ignoring our internal signals and urges to cry, sleep, pass urine or even yawn! Yoga and Ayurveda can help us to really listen to our body

Prakruti

Prakriti or Prakruti, means nature. It is often translated as your personal nature or constitution and literally translated it means your original creation, or the balance of your doshas at the time of your conception. It is believed that this is when your physical and emotional tendencies are determined. Although your prakruti does not usually change throughout your lifetime, the doshas and the interplay between these doshas, does change and this is called your vikruti. Understanding your prakruti will help you understand what you need to do to create balance you your life.

Prana

Prana can be used to refer to energy, life force, the vital principle or breath. It is known in other traditions as chi or qui. In Sanskrit,  it means “primary energy” because it is seen as the original creative power. It is the master form of all energy working at every level of our being, no life is possible without it.

Prana, Tejas and Ojas

These are the subtle forms of the doshas and are a central concept for yogis and Ayurvedic practitioners. They are the positive, life-giving energies that help us to find wonderful transformation, vitality and harmony in life, if they are kept in balance. They are responsible for creativity, the health of our senses, immunity and endocrine function. They are kept balanced by maintaining good ahar (diet) and vihar (lifestyle).

Pranayama

Prana, which is often used synonymously with the word breath, means the life force which sustains the body. Ayama means to extend, control or draw out. The techniques used in Yoga and Ayurveda used to control the breathing are called pranayama. In Ayurveda, they are seen as even more important than Yoga asanas or postures. Some of the most common techniques include basic breath awareness, alternate nostril breathing and ujjayi or ocean breathing.

Prataruithana

Prataruithana means getting up in the morning before 6 am or at brahma muhurta which is about one and a half hours before sunrise—or more precisely, 1 hour and 36 minutes before sunrise. This time of the day is considered to be the most auspicious time for all practices of yoga and meditation.

Purusarthas

Purusharthas or पुरुषार्थ in Sanskrit is a word that means our goals or aims of life. There are four of them and they are:

1. dharma- our duty, purpose or calling
2. artha- our prosperity
3. kama- our love, pleasure and happiness
4. moksha- our spiritual freedom

Prashna

Discussing your daily routine with an Ayurvedic practitioner so that they can offer lifestyle suggestions to help bring balance.

Rajas- one of the 3 mahagunas

Rajas is one of the three great gunas. The energy of rajas cause much activity, passion, action, energy and motion. It can create unrest and turbulence. Rajasic foods include anything with a kick, like highly spiced food, stimulants, caffeine and sugar.  

Rasa

Rasa means taste and it either refers to a single taste or a combination of different tastes in a meal.

Ratricharya

This is the word used to describe the routine to be followed after sunset until the morning. Like the dinacharya, having routines at night is a big part of getting and staying healthy.

Ritucharya

Rituacharya is the practice of living according to the season. It is all about having a routine (charya) that helps the body and mind to remain balanced in the season. Unlike the four seasons of the West, there are 6 ritus or seasons. They are late winter, spring, summer, rainy season, autumn and early winter. This involves eating food in season, dressing appropriately and following the daylight.

Sama

Sama is the word used to describe the accumulation of ama in the body. Symptoms include loss of appetite, bad breath, phlegm, abdominal discomfort, dullness and heaviness, constipation and feeling ‘blocked’.

Sankalpa

A sankalpa or san kalpa (Sanskrit: सङ्कल्प) is a promise, commitment or vow to yourself or an intention set by both the heart and mind. Kalpa means vow and san means the connection with our highest truth. Therefore a sankalpa speaks to our dharma or our life’s purpose. The sankalpa becomes a kind of mantra that you can use to keep reminding you of your true nature and highest calling.

Sanskrit

Sanskrit is the ancient language of India and it is thought to be the language from which all other languages have come from. The letters have a vibrational quality to them and the sounds of the language itself are said to be healing. The words and phrases are often layered with meanings, making it very difficult to translate the meanings into English. Many of the Sanskrit sounds are used as mantras for healing and change.

Samkhya Philosophy

Sāmkhya philosophy or darshana is the philosophy that Ayurveda comes from. According to this school of thought, everything in the universe comes from purusha and there is prakriti.  Evolution happens as follows:

Subtle aspects

1. Purusha - Pure Consciousness (seen as masculine)

2. Prakriti, Nature and form (seen as feminine)

3. Mahat, the ‘One’ or the collective Divine, the first reality to emerge from Prakriti

4. Buddhi, discriminating, reasoning and causative intelligence, sometimes called the heart mind, or the higher self

5. Ahamkara, ego or ego-principle, sometimes called the ‘I maker’, what makes us individual
   

Gross and physical aspects

1. Manas, the physical mind or brain

2. The five panchendiryas, or sense organs

3. The five karmendriyas, the organs of action

4. The five tanmatras, or subtle elements

5. The five Mahabhutas, gross elements namely the earth, water, air, fire and ether

Samskara

According to Ayurvedic philosophy samskaras are like mental and emotional patterns or habits that we keep repeating. If they are negative, they are like being stuck in a rut! On the other hand, if they are positive, it’s like being in your groove. The word samskara comes from the Sanskrit sam which means joined or whole and kara which means action. Our challenge is to try and change the negative patterns or habits which can be deep seated and engrained in our psyche. Meditation, pranayama and tapas can help to do this. Following an Ayurvedic lifestyle in general enables us to tap into sattva and this can help to change these entrenched thoughts and behaviours.

Sattva - One of the three mahagunas

Loving qualities in nature that bring peace of mind and renewal to the senses. It can also refer to foods that are fresh, light, nourishing, and tasty, with energy or ‘prana’ that help the body to achieve balance. Sattva is one of the three guṇas or "modes of existence" (tendencies, qualities, attributes), a philosophical and psychological concept developed by the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy. The other two qualities are rajas (passion and activity) and tamas (destruction, chaos). A sattvic lifestyle is a lifestyle based on making sattvic choices, or choices that bring peace and love. It is said that there are more sattvic qualities in the atmosphere available to us just before the sun rises.

Saucha

Saucha is the practice of purity of thoughts, words and actions as well as physical cleanliness.

Shad Rasa

This means the six tastes. In Ayurveda, we aim to include all six tastes in our main meals since the rasa or the tastes have a big effect on both body and mind. Food has both an immediate effect and then an after effect. For instance you might have a lot of pleasure from eating something very salty and sugary while you are eating it, but then feel remorse and slightly unwell afterwards. If you persist on eating very strong tastes, your taste buds become a bit numb and then you can end up craving more and more of the strong tasting food which then throws you out of balance. In contrast, if you eat a meal that contains the six tastes in balance, you really enjoy the flavours, you will feel well while eating and after eating and there are no rebound cravings. The six tastes are: sweet (madhura), sour (amla), salty (lavana), pungent (katu), bitter (tikta) and astringent (kashaya).

Sharira

This is the Sanskrit word for body. In Ayurveda, the body is seen as something that we occupy in this lifetime and it is constantly changing. There is always replenishment, destruction and maintenance going on as it strives to maintain balance or equilibrium. It is made up of the five elements as they arrange themselves in the expression of the three doshas, the tissues or dhatus and the waste products or malas.

Shiro Abhyanga

The is the application of oil to the head with gentle massage. It is a great way of reducing stress and soothing tension and calming vata dosha.

Shraddha 

Shraddha means faith in Sanskrit and it is used to describe the deep knowing which ends up shaping our behaviour. Therefore, it is not that which we profess to believe, rather something that can be deduced by the way that we act. It encompasses our true beliefs, values, fears and hopes.

Six Stages of Disease According to Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, there are six predictable stages of disease which occur when we make poor lifestyle or diet choices. They stages happen sequentially if we don’t heed the warning signs and continue repeating the unhelpful behaviour. The stages are:

1. Sancaya which means discomfort from the onset of accumulation or excess of a dosha.

2. Prakopa which means some kind of aggravation from the dosha excess or accumulation over time.

3. Prasara is the term that is used when the excessive dosha starts travelling around the body creating generalized and systemic symptoms.

4. Sthana samsraya means that the symptoms can be detected, often in medical tests, in specific places in the body. The predominant dosha will determine the nature and quality of the symptoms.

5. Vyakti refers to the stage when the disease is clearly evident. It is possible that it could still be reversed, but may leave some damage.

6. Bheda is the stage the disease takes on a state of its own in the body. Many say that this stage is not reversible , but with the correct attitude and determination to change habits, it may still be possible.

Sneha

In Sanskrit, the word sneha can mean either oil or love. So the act of applying oil to the body, either doing it yourself or having it applied by another is an act of love. Being massaged with oil is thought to have a similar effect as being saturated with love. Abhyanga is the daily self care Ayurvedic practice of self-oil massage, and sneha is generally used to describe the treatment where the oil is applied by someone else.

Snehana Nasya

This refers to nasal oil drops that may be medicated and are used to soothe the nasal sinuses, lubricate the nostrils to reduce entry of viruses and allergens and to protect the mucosal lining from environmental insult.

Srotamsi

The srotamsi are transportation channels throughout the body. A singular channel is called a srota. The Sanskrit word srotamsi means river or stream. They transport nutrients, wastes, sensory information and energy. These channels can be a small as a single cell and as big as the gastro-intestinal tract. Problems happen with there are blockages, deficient or excessive flow or if the content inside the srota goes to the wrong place. They carry food, prana, fluids, wastes, essential body fluids, nervous tissue, endocrines and other forms of energy such as emotions and thoughts.

Subtle Doshas

The doshas vata, pitta and kapha manifest in their mental forms as prana, tejas and ojas.

Swasthya

This is the name given to the state of good health. In Ayurveda, a person is said to be healthy or swastha if the doshas are balanced, the agni or digestive fire is robust and steady and the tissues are beautifully nourished and waste products are being carted away easily and not accumulating. In addition, the sense organs, and the sense organs of action and the mind are all in a balanced and pleasant state.

Swedana

Swedana means sweating and is a kind of steam therapy. If is often used as a preparation for panchakarma.

Svadhyaya

Svādhyāya is a Sanskrit term which means the practice of self-study and the study of the ancient texts. It is not an exercise in self-indulgent egocentric study, it is the opposite. The invitation is to to get to know that your true essence is part of the divine order of things and is no better or worse than any other part of the universe. The studying can take the form of meditation, journaling, yoga asana, reading wisdom teachings, or mindfulness especially in nature.

Tamas- one of the 3 mahagunas

Tamas is one of the 3 great gunas or energies that is necessary in the dance of life. It is the inert, dull, dark and destructive energy that is necessary for composting and recycling. It is cold, wet, heavy, gross, static, hard, rough, cloudy and dull in nature. In excess, it creates negativity, depression, lethargy, destructive behaviour and deep confusion.

Tanmatra

Tanmatra is a Sanskrit word which means “subtle sense elements”. The tanmatras are the five objects that we sense with our sense organs. The tanmatras are sound, touch, sight or matter, taste and smell. They are how we make ‘sense’ of the world that we live in. They are of particular importance in Ayurveda because we can get very attached to or averse to things according to the extent to which our lives are driven by sensory desires.

Tapas

Tapas means heat and it can refer to the heat generated by performing disciplines or practices that help to burn off karma and impurities of body and mind.

Tejas

Tejas means “fire” in Ayurveda and it is the energy of the sun. It is the positive subtle essence of agni and pitta dosha, and it works closely with prana and ojas to maintain the balance and harmony in life. It governs intelligence, metabolism, digestion, immunity and parts of the nervous and endocrine systems. It determines our energy levels so that we are neither over active or too sluggish.

Tikta

Tikta is the bitter taste, one of the six tastes. It is made from air and ether.

Tongue Diagnosis

Tongue diagnosis is used in Ayurveda to help determine the state of the doshas, the amount of ama and the condition of the digestive tract. The practitioner will look at the size, shape and movement of the tongue as well as the colour, moisture and coating. A healthy tongue will be pink, have smooth edges and only a very slight film over it in the morning.

Tongue Scraper

A tongue scraper can be used to scrape the tongue from the back to the front - gently - 7-14 times to remove dead bacteria from the mouth. This also helps to stimulate the internal organs and digestion.

All doshas can use a stainless steel scraper, vata is best with a gold one, pitta a silver and kapha a copper one. However, the commonly found and more affordable stainless steel ones are just fine!

Tridoshic

Tridoshic is a term that means having an equal balance of vata, pitta, and kapha doshas in the constitution. Having said this, the doshas are constantly at play with one another and things change as life happens, so the doshas may not always be equal. However, when they are in balance, the personality is generally even because the doshas balance one another out. Tridoshic can also be used to describe food, substances, or practices that are good for all three doshic types.

Trikatu

Trikatu is a herbal formula used to enhance digestion and help to remove toxins from the the digestive system. It is made from ginger powder, pippali and black pepper. It is especially useful for kapha.

Triphala

This is a classic herbal formula used for improving the health of the intestines through cleansing, detoxifying and nourishing them. It is made of amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki and it can benefit all 3 doshas.

Usah Pana

This means to drink some warm water first thing in the morning before sunrise. This helps to hydrate and to remove excess ama from the system. Traditionally, eight handfuls of water were consumed, but you can measure that out if you like into a cup, or better still a copper cup or bottle. A special cup dedicated to this drink is called a jalapatra.

Vairagya

This is the Sanskrit word that means non-attachment. Being free from attachment means being able to observe life without being overly attached to things, nor overly repelled by them. It means the acceptance of what is.

Vata- that which blows

Vata is one of three doshas three energies that, in Ayurveda, are believed to circulate around the body and govern the biological activities. Vata is in charge of controlling all of the movements in the body, like circulation, elimination and breathing. Because nothing else can happen without those essential activities, it is seen as the primary dosha.

Vata is a combination of the air and ether elements. Its qualities are: light, dry, rough, clear, active, cold and mobile, and pungent, bitter and astringent. Vata people are often active, creative and lively. Out of balance, they may suffer from sleep problems and various sensitivities, anxieties and weight loss.

There are 5 subdoshas of vata:

1. Prana Vayu is in the head, brain, and upper body: It means ‘forward-moving air’ and it extends from the diaphragm to the throat, but it is based in the brain. It governs inhalation, swallowing, sneezing, spitting, vomiting and belching as well as taking in food, water and air. It orchestrates all the other subdoshas of vata and provides us with a positive spirit in life and connects us to our higher self.

2. Udana Vayu is from the chest to the throat: It means ‘upward-moving air’ and governs exhalation and speech, our efforts in the world, our enthusiasm, memory, and our vitality. Udana in balance gives a glow to the skin, but out of balance, it can cause breathing issues, congestion, sore throat , stuttering, indecisiveness, and difficulty with expression.

3. Samana Vayu is located in the navel area, around the small intestine and GI tract: It means ‘balancing air’ and it flows from the periphery of the body in towards the center where it governs assimilation. It keeps prana and apana vayus balanced and maintains equilibrium in the body in general.

4. Vyana Vayu is found all over the body: It means ‘circulating or pervasive air’ and it flows around and out. It governs the circulation of the blood which carries the life-giving oxygen and nutrients to the cells. It determines the heart’s rhythms and the blood pressure and plays a role in how compassionate and courageous we are.

5. Apana Vayu is found in the colon and pelvic cavity. It means ‘downward-moving air’ and it flows downward and out of the body. It governs movement through and absorption through the colon, as well as the expulsion of faeces, urination, semen, menstruation and babies!

The Vayus

Vayu means wind in Sanskrit and it translates to “that which flows.” A vayu is an energy that moves in a particular direction to control the physiology of the body. Although 49 types of vayus have been identified, only the five sub-doshas of vata are generally important to know about in Ayurveda.

Vedas

The vedas are the ancient sacred texts that Ayurveda comes from. The four main classical vedas are the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda. These vedas cover a wide variety of subjects including architecture, astrology, spirituality, politics, economics, art, and codes of ethics as well as health. Ayurveda was originally passed down orally, but it was eventually recorded more than 5,000 years ago in Sanskrit. The three vedas that have had the most impact on Ayurveda include the Charak Samhita, Sushurta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya.

Vegan Ayurveda

Vegan Ayurveda refers to adapting the practices of Ayurveda to a vegan lifestyle.

Traditionally, Ayurveda involves the use of ghee, milk, butter and honey.

Many traditional Ayurvedic practitioners and doctors do not believe that it is possible to get the full benefits of Ayurveda without using dairy and honey. However, I believe that you can and I also believe adopting a vegan lifestyle is one of the most important things we can do to help create balance on Mother Earth. Here are the reasons why.

Vikruti

Vikruti literally means after creation and it refers specifically to the condition of the doshas beyond birth as a result of what has happened and is going on in your life. Everything that happens in your life affects your doshas. This includes environmental factors, nutrition, daily routine, emotional state and events, illnesses, and anything else that impacts your health and and state of balance. In an ideal world, the vikruti and the prakruti are the same, but this is very unusual, most people have things going on that send them off balance. Knowing your prakruti is useful to understand your constitution, knowing your vikruti lets you know what steps to take to get back to your constitutional state.

Vipaka or Vipak

This is the term that is used to describe the effects of food on the body after it has been digested. For instance how does the food you eat effect your urine, faeces, skin, joints, sweat, and mind. Vipak also describes how good for you the food or combinations of food were and how well it nourished the tissues of your body. It is a way of describing what happens after you have eaten certain things. For instance, do particular foods always give you a headache, diarrhea or cause your skin to break out, or do they leave you feeling great?

Virya

The virya of food refers to the  temperature effect that it has on the body, whether it is heating or cooling in nature. The virya of the food is the power of the food on your metabolism. It will either heat up the agni or cool it down.