Ayurveda the divine science of life -24

Ayurveda the divine science of life

Tagara Valeriana wallachi

Takkola Illicium verum

Ta¯ la Borassus flabellifer

Ta¯lamu¯ lı¯ Curculigo orchioides

Ta¯ lı¯s´a Abies webbiana

Ta¯ malakı¯ Phyllanthus niruri

Ta¯mrucu¯ d. a pa¯ dika¯ Adiantum lunulatum

Tejanı¯ Zanthoxylum alatum

Tejapatra Cinnamomum tamala

Tejovat.

ı¯ Zanthoxylum alatum

Tila Sesamum indicum

Timira Curcuma longa

Tinis´a Ougeinia dalbergioides

Tintid. ı¯ka Rhus parviflora

Trapusa Cucumis sativus

Tra¯ya¯ma¯n. a¯ Gentiana kuroo

Trivr. t Ipomoea turpethum

Tulası¯ Ocimum sanctum

Tumbinı¯ Lagenaria siceraria

Turus.

ka Liquidambar orientalis

Tuvaraka Hydnocarpus laurifolia,

H. kurzii

Tvak Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Udı¯cya Coleus vettiveroides

Udumbara Ficus racemosa

Upakuñcika Nigella sativa

Us´ı¯ra Vetiveria zizanioides

Ut.in.gan.

a Blepharis edulis

Utpala Nymphaea stellata

Vaca¯ Acorus calamus

Vam.

s´a Bambusa bambos,

B. arundinaceae

Vam. s´arocana¯ Vam.

s´ a manna

Va¯ ñjula¯ Salix caprea

Vanyajı¯raka Centratherum anthelminticum

Va¯ ra¯hi Dioscorea bulbifera

Vars.a¯bhu Trianthema portulacastrum

Varun.

a Crataeva nurvala

Va¯ saka Adhatodha vasica

Vasuka Osmanthus fragrans, Calotropis

procera

Vatsana¯bha Aconitum chasmanthum

Vid.

an.ga Embelia ribes

Vida¯ rı¯ Pueraria tuberosa

Virala¯ Diospyros tomentosa

Vis´a¯ la Citrullus colocynthis variety

Vis.

amus.t.

i Strychnos nux vomica

Vr. ddhada¯ ruka Ipomoea petaloidea

Vr. ddhi Habenaria intermedia,

Dioscorea bulbifera

322 PART 3: Appendices

Vr. ks.a¯mla Garcinia indica

Vr. s´cika¯ lı¯ Tragia involucrata

Vya¯ ghranakha Capparis zeylanica

Yas.t.

imadhu Glycyrrhiza glabra

Yava Hordeum vulgare

Yavaks.a¯ ra alkaline Yava ash, prepared by

calcination

Yava¯nı¯ Trachyspermum ammi

Yava¯ saka Alhagi pseudalhagi

*Listed in the database of the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for India

and/or Nepal.

MINERALS

Abhraka mica

Añjana antimony sulfide

Aubhida Lavan. a a kind of salt obtained from

saline soil

Gairika red ochre

Gandhaka sulfur

Godañta gypsum

Gomeda hesonite

Gr. hadhu¯ma soot

Harita¯ la arsenic (yellow variety)

Hin. gula cinnabar

Hı¯raka diamond

Hiravı¯ magnesium silicate

Jasada zinc

Ka¯m. sya brass

Ka¯ sı¯sa iron sulfate

Kharpara calamite

Khat.ı¯ chalk

Kr.s.

n.

a Lavan. a black salt

Loha iron

Ma¯ks.

ika copper pyrite

Malla arsenic

Manah. s´ila¯ realgar

Man.d.

u¯ ra iron oxide

Ma¯n. ikya ruby

Marakataman. i emerald

Mayu¯ ragrı¯vaka copper sulfate

Mr. dda¯ ras´r.n . ga lead monoxide

Na¯ ga lead

Narasa¯ ra ammonium chloride

Nı¯la sapphire

Pañca Lavan. a saindhava, sa¯mudra,

audbhida, sauvarcala, and

vid.a lavan.a

Pa¯ rada mercury

Pı¯ta Loha bronze

Pus.pa¯ ñjana zinc oxide

Pus.para¯ ga topaz

Rajata silver

Ra¯ javarta lapis lazuli

Ran . ga tin

Rasa mercury

Ru¯ pya silver

Saindhava Lavan. a (pink) rock salt

Sa¯mudra Lavan. a sea salt

Sarjı¯ka¯ks.

a¯ ra sodium carbonate

Saura¯ s.t.

rı¯ alum

Sauvarcala Lavan. a sonchal salt (sodium chloride

sodium sulfate)

Sauvı¯ra lead sulfide

Sauvı¯rañjana antimony sulfide

Sindu¯ ra red oxide of lead

Sı¯sa lead

Soraka salt pewter

Sphat.ika alum

Srota¯ ñjana galena

Suvarn.

a gold

Suvarn.

ama¯ks.

ika copper pyrite

Svarn.

a gold

Ta¯mra copper

T.

an.kan. a borax

Ta¯ rks.

ya emerald

Tuttha copper sulfate

Vaid.u¯ rya cat’s eye

Vaikra¯ nta Dha¯ tu magnesium oxide

Vaikra¯ nta Ratn. a tourmaline

Van . ga tin

Vid.

a Lavan. a black salt

Vimala iron pyrite

Yas´da zinc

ANIMAL PRODUCTS

Aja¯ , Cha¯ ga goat

A¯

khu rat

Ambara ambergris, intestinal concretion

of Physeter catodon*

An.d.

a egg

As´va horse

Avi sheep

Barhi peacock

Basta sheep

Bhu¯na¯ ga earthworm

Carma animal hide

Danti teeth, tusk (elephant)

Dugdha, Ks.ı¯ra milk

En. a antelope (Antilope cervicapra)*

Gaja, Hasti elephant (Elephas maximus)*

Gandhama¯ rja¯ ra civet cat musk, derived from

Glossary of A- yurvedic herbs, minerals and animal products 323

Vı¯rya Viverra zibetha and Viverra

civettina*

Go cow

Godha iguana

Gorocana ox gall, ox bile

Gr. dhra vulture (Gyps spp., Neophron

percnopterus, Sarcogyps calvus,

Aegypius calvus)*

Jalauka¯ leech

Ka¯ka crow

Kañka heron

Kapota pigeon

Karabha, Us.t.

ra camel

Karn.

amala ear wax

Kas.

tu¯ rı¯, Mr. gamada musk, derived from Moschus

moschiferus*

Khara donkey

Kı¯ta insects

Kr. kava¯ku rooster

Kukkut.a hen

Kuraması¯ hoof

Ku¯ rma tortoise (Geochelone elegans,

Indotestudo elongata,

Indotestudo forstenii, Manouria

emys)*

Kuruñga monkey (Macaca spp., Pygathrix

roxellana, Semnopithecus

entellus, Trachypithecus spp.)*

La¯ks.

a¯ lac

Madhu honey

Madhu¯ cchis.

t.

ha beeswax

Mahis.a water buffalo

Majja marrow

Ma¯msa flesh

Markot.a ants

Mastu yogurt water

Matsya, Jhas.a fish

Mesa ram

Mr. ga deer (Axis porcinus, Cervus spp.)*

Mukta¯ , Mauktika pearl

Mukta¯ sphot.a mother of pearl

Mu¯ tra urine

Nakha snail shell, nails, claws

Na¯ rı¯ks.

ı¯ra, Stanya breast milk

Paks.a, Piccha¯ feather

Pitta bile

Prava¯ la coral

Purı¯s.a dung

Rakta blood

R.

ks.a bear (Ailurus fulgens, Helarctos

malayanus, Melursus ursinus,

Ursus spp.)*

Roma wool, hair

S´

akr. t, Vit. dung

Salyaka porcupine

Samudraphena cuttlefish bone

S´

an.kha conch shell

Sarpa, Ahi snake

S´

as´a rabbit

Simha lion (Panthera leo)*

S´

r.n.

ga horn

S´

ukti oyster shell

Takra buttermilk

Vara¯ha pig

Vasa¯ fat

Vr.s.

a ox

Vr.s.

cika scorpion

Vya¯ ghri tiger (Panthera tigris)*

*Listed in the database of the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for India

and/or Nepal.

324

PART 3

Appendix 4

A¯

YURVEDIC WEIGHTS

AND MEASURES

Smaller units Larger units Mass (metric) Volume (metric)

1 trasaren.u 0.0362 mg 0.0362 L

6 trasaren.u 1 marı¯ci 0.22 mg* 0.22 L*

6 marı¯ci 1 ra¯jika 1.3 mg* 1.3 L*

3 ra¯jika 1 sars.

apa 3.91 mg* 3.91 L*

8 sars.

apa 1 yava 31.25 mg 31.25 L

4 yava 1 guñja 125 mg 125 L

8 guñja 1 ma¯s.a 1 g 1 mL

4 ma¯s.a 1 s.

a¯n.a 4 g 4 mL

12 ma¯s.a 1 kars.

a 12 g 12 mL

2 kars.

a 1 s´ukti 24 g 24 mL

2 ´sukti 1 pala 48 g 48 mL

2 pala 1 prasr. ta 96 g 96 mL

2 prasr. ta 1 kud.ava 192 g 192 mL

2 kud.ava 1 ma¯nika 384 g 384 mL

2 ma¯nika 1 prastha 768 g 768 mL

4 prastha 1 a¯d.haka 3.072 kg 3.072 L

100 pala 1 tula 4.8 kg 4.8 L

4 a¯d.haka 1 dron.a 12.288 kg 12.288 L

2 dron.a 1 s´u¯rpa 24.576 kg 24.576 L

2 s´u¯rpa 1 dron. i 49.152 kg 49.152 L

20 tula 1 bha¯ra 96 kg 96 L

4 dron. i 1 khari 196.608 kg 196.608 L

* Approximately (rounded to second decimal).

abhis.yandı¯ dravyaswhich by their guru

and picchila nature block the

srota¯m. si causing heaviness and

congestion

abhyan . ga oleation, full-body oil massage

a¯carya¯ learned person, sage

agni lord of fire, home and hearth; the

digestive capacity of the patient

(digestive fire); part of the

da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯ (ten methods

of examination); ascending male

energy, opposite of soma

agnima¯ndya poor digestion

Agnive´sa student of A¯ treya, author of the

Agnive´sa sam. hita¯

aham. ka¯ra ego complex

a¯ha¯ra the dietary habits of the patient;

part of the da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯,

or ten methods of examination

a¯jña¯ sixth cakra, the third eye

a¯ka¯´sa ‘ether’, the principle of

pervasiveness

akr. ti observation of the build and

general physical characteristics in

the as.t.

a¯stha¯na parı¯ks.a¯

a¯locaka pitta one of the five sub-dos.as of

pitta

a¯ma ‘undigested food’, toxins

a¯ma´saya upper digestive tract (stomach,

liver/gall bladder, pancreas, small

intestine)

amla sour

amr. ta nectar of immortality

ana¯hata fourth cakra, the heart cakra

a¯nanda bliss

a¯nandamaya ko´sa ‘bliss sheath’ in the pañca ko´sa

an.d.

a¯n.u ovum; female reproductive

essence

a¯ñga limb

agnima¯ndya weak digestion

añjana medicinal agent introduced to

eyes; collyrium

annamaya ko´sa ‘food sheath’, synonymous with

the sthu¯la ´sarira

añtarma¯rga inner pathway of disease

antra colon

anulomana dravyas that assists in digestion

and promotes normal bowel

movement

anupa¯na a food, beverage, or condiment

used to modify the effects of a

medicinal agent; e.g. ghr. ta,

honey, water, etc.

anupa´saya knowledge by error, see upa´saya

anurasa secondary rasa(s) (tastes)

anuva¯sana vasti enema with medicated oil

ap element of water, the principle of

cohesion

apa¯na one of the five sub-dos.as of

va¯ta; the downward moving

force responsible for

menstruation, ejaculation and the

discharge of urine and faeces

apara ojas extrinsic vitality

aris.t.

a fermented medicinal beverage,

heated during preparation

arogya absence of disease

a¯rtavajanana dravyas that correct

menstruation

artha ‘purpose’

a¯sana hatha yoga posture

a¯sava fermented medicinal beverage,

not heated during preparation

As.t.

a¯ñga Hr. daya ‘the heart of the eight limbs’ of

A¯

yurveda; authored by

Va¯gbhat.a; forms the br. hat

trayı¯ (greater triad), along with

the Caraka and Su´sruta

sam. hita¯s

as.t.

a¯ñga yoga ‘the eight limbs of yoga’

PART 3

Appendix 5

GLOSSARY OF

A¯ YURVEDIC TERMS

325

326 PART 3: Appendices

as.t.

a¯stha¯na parı¯ks.a¯ ‘eight methods of diagnosis’

A´svini Kuma¯ras the twin celestial physicans

asranut antihaemorrhagic, stypic

asthi bone dha¯tu

Atharva veda one of the four sacred canons in

Hinduism; a collection of hymns

on various subjects, including

magic, healing and philosophy

a¯tman the universal soul; synonymous

with purus.a

A¯

treya Punarvasu A¯ treya; teacher of

Agnive´ sa and student of

Bharadva¯ ja

avaga¯ham bath

avalambaka one of the sub-dos.as of kapha;

associated with respiratory

function and serosal membranes

of viscera

avaleha ‘to lick’, a thick medicinal

confection prepared with honey,

sugar and ghr. ta

a¯yus ‘life’

ba¯hya roga¯yana external channel

bala¯ ‘strength’, tissue resistance

Ba¯la cikitsa¯ treatment of children

bala¯m the strength of the patient; part

of the da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯ (ten

methods of examination)

balya dravyas which increase strength

bhakti devotion

Bharadva¯ja the first human proponent of

A¯

yurveda

bhasma a substance reduced to ash

through the intense and

prolonged application of heat

bhedana dravyas which forcibly expel the

contents of the bowel

bhra¯jaka pitta one of the sub-dos.as of pitta

bhukti physical pleasure

bhu¯ta element

bhu¯ta¯gnis sub-sets of agni responsible for

the assimilation and metabolism

of the pañcabhu¯tas

bodhaka one of the sub-dos.as of kapha;

associated with the functions of

the tongue and satiety

Brahma¯ Lord of Creation

bra¯hmamuhu¯rta period of time before sunrise

conducive to study and

meditation

brahman the ‘vast expanse’, synonymous

with purus.a

br.mhan.a anabolic; stoutening therapies

br.mhan.a nasya nasya for relieving va¯ta

buddha one who has realised buddhi

buddhi higher intellect, unclouded by the

desire and machinations of the

ego (aham. ka¯ra)

cakra ‘wheel’, vortex of spiritual energy

arranged hierarchically

cala movement, instability

Caraka author of the Caraka sam. hita¯

Caraka sam. hita¯ the most revered text of

A¯

yurveda, compiled by Caraka;

said to be based upon a much

older work called the Agnive´sa

sam. hita¯; redacted by

Dr.d.

habala

caya increase, accumulation

chedana dravyas that ‘scrape’ out kapha

for elimination

cikitsa¯ ‘treatment’

citta consciousness; the mind suffused

with sam. ska¯ras

cu¯rn.

a finely sieved powder

dadhi curd, similar to yogurt or kefir

daha, dahi burning sensations

Daks.a Praja¯pati protector of all living beings

daks.in.a¯yana period of time between summer

and winter solstice

Dams.t.

ra¯ cikitsa¯ treatment of animal-inflicted

wounds, poisoning, toxicology

dar´sana viewpoint or perspective;

illumination

de´sa the environment in which the

patient lives; part of the

da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯

deva ‘to shine’; beings that have

transcended a corporeal existence

Dhanvantari the god of A¯ yurveda, as an

incarnation of Vis.

n.

u and teacher of

Sus´ruta; Kasiraja Divoda¯ sa

dhara a snehana technique in which a

continuous stream of warm

medicated oil is poured in a

specific area of the body

dharma law, righteousness, duty,

morality

dha¯tu structural support system of the

body; principle of structure vis.

rasa, rakta, ma¯m.sa, medas,

asthi, majja¯, and

´sukra/an.d.

a¯n.u

dha¯tva¯gni subtype of agni that attends to

the metabolic function of a

specific dha¯tu

Glossary of A- yurvedic terms 327

dhu¯ma ‘smoke’; specifically, the

therapeutic inhalation of smoke

dina¯carya¯ ‘daily regimen’

dı¯pana dravyas that enkindle agni

dos.a ‘blemish’; bodily humour

dos.apradusana dos.a-increasing effect

dos.apra´samana dos.a-deacreasing effect

drava liquid

dravya ‘substance’; medicament

dravygun.a ‘knowledge of substance’,

A¯

yurvedic pharmacology; the study

of the biological effects of a food or

medicament upon the body

Dr.d.

habala¯ the redactor of the Caraka

sam. hita¯

dr. k eyes; examination of the eyes and

eye-sight in the as.t.

a¯stha¯na

parı¯ks.a¯ (eight methods of

diagnosis)

dukha sorrow, unhappiness, pain,

discontentment

du¯s.ya the state of the dos.as, dha¯tus

and malas; part of the

da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯ (ten methods

of examination)

eka one; e.g. eka dos.a (one dos.a)

gandha¯ ‘smell’

gan.

d.

u¯s.a dha¯ran.a¯ gargling

ghr. ta clarified butter

Graha cikitsa¯ treatment of spiritual possession;

medical astrology

gra¯hı¯ dravyasthat dry up the

excessive moisture in the body

and are dı¯panapa¯cana

gris.

ma summer

gud.a jaggery; unrefined solidified cane

sugar juice

gut.ika¯ pill

gun.a quality

guru ‘heavy’; venerated teacher

gurva¯di gun.as the ‘ten pairs of opposite

qualities’

Hatha yoga limb (a¯ñga) of Vedic science that

deals with doctrines and practices

orientated towards spiritual

liberation through physical

perfection

hemañta early winter

hima cold infusion

hr. daya ‘heart’; dravyas which

strengthen the heart

ida na¯d.ı¯ the ‘channel of comfort’; located

to the left of the sus.umna¯ na¯d. ı¯,

terminating in the left nostril;

equated with the feminine aspect

of physicality

Indra ‘ruler’; the king of the gods in the

Vedic pantheon

Jara¯ cikitsa¯ treatment of ageing; rejuvenative

therapies

jat.hara¯gni the digestive fire

jihva¯ ‘tongue’; examination of the

tongue in the as.t.

a¯stha¯na

parı¯ks.a¯

jı¯va ‘life’

jı¯vanı¯ya life-giving

jı¯va¯tman individual soul

jña¯na pure knowledge

jña¯na indriya¯s ‘organs of knowledge’; i.e. the

five senses

jvara ‘fever’, the archetype of many

pathogenic processes described in

A¯

yurveda

jyotis. Vedic astrology

ka¯la the staging or progression of the

condition; part of the da´savidha

parı¯ks. a¯ (ten methods of

examination)

Kali the fearsome ‘black’ goddess;

consort of S´iva; destroyer of

illusion and self-limitation

kalka bolus

ka¯nda ‘bulb’; source of the 72 000

na¯d. ı¯s; located in the umbilical

region

kapha one of the three dos.as; phlegm;

congestion

kaphaja of kapha

ka¯ran.a ‘cause’; the ka¯ran. a ´sarira (syn.

a¯nandamaya ko´sa) is the

originator of all the ko´sa

(sheaths) of the body

karma action; work; therapeutic effect

karma indriya¯s ‘organs of action’, i.e. hands,

mouth, arms, legs, anus and

genitalia

karn.

a tarpan.am application of a medicated oil in

the ears

ka´sa¯ya decrease; astringent; decoction

kat.hin.a ‘hard’

kati vasti a snehana technique in which a

medicated oil is allowed to seep

into the skin over the lumbar

region of the back

kat.u ‘pungent’

Ka¯ya cikitsa¯ general internal medicine

328 PART 3: Appendices

ka¯yakarma infractions of bodily action

khara rough, brittle

kledaka kapha one of the five sub-dos.as of

kapha; associated with the

mucosal secretions of the

gastrointestinal tract and

electrolyte balance

kledana moistening

kopa vitiation

kr. mi parasites

kr. mighna antihelminthics

kr.s.

na ‘black’

kundalinı¯ cosmic feminine principle that lies

coiled in the mu¯la¯dha¯ra cakra;

rises to unite with the cosmic

masculine principle in the

sahasra¯ra cakra with spiritual

liberation

kut.ı¯pra¯ve´sika ‘to enter into the hut’;

rejuventation therapies performed

on an in-patient basis

kva¯tha decoction

laghu ‘light’

laks.an.as symptoms

Laks.mı¯ goddess of abundance and

prosperity

langhana catabolic; decreasing therapies

lavan.

a salty

lekhana to dry up excessive moisture in

the body

madaka¯rı¯ to cause intoxication

madhu honey

madhura sweet

madya wine

the ‘medial’ pathway of disease

maha¯bhu¯tas the ‘great’ elements, vis. pr. thvı¯,

ap, tejas, va¯yu, a¯ka¯´sa

mahat cosmic law

majja¯ marrow

mala waste, impurity; faeces;

examination of faeces in the

as.t.

a¯stha¯na parı¯ks.a¯ (eight

methods of diagnosis)

ma¯m. sa muscle dha¯tu

manas the lower mind, interfacing with

the jña¯na indriya¯s, and under

control of the aham. ka¯ra

manda slow, dull

mañda¯gni weak digestion

man.ipu¯ra ‘wheel of the jewelled city’; the

third cakra

manomaya ko´sa kosha located between the

pra¯n.a¯maya ko´sa and the

vijña¯namaya ko´sa in the

su¯ks.

ma sarira; the lower mind

mar´sa nasya used for therapeutic

administration

masala a mixture of spices

ma¯ya¯ self-developed illusion

medas ‘adipose tissue’ dha¯tu

medhya dravyas that promote buddhi

medohara to reduce medas

Mı¯ma¯m. sa¯ teachings of the Vedas that relate

to ritual and mantra

moks.a liberation

mr. du ‘soft’

mu¯la¯dha¯ra the ‘root’ cakra

mu¯tra ‘urine’; examination of urine in

the as.t.

a¯stha¯na parı¯ks.a¯ (eight

methods of diagnosis)

mu¯travirecana diuretic

na¯d. ı¯ subtle energy channel;

examination of the pulse in the

as.t.

a¯stha¯na parı¯ks.a¯ (eight

methods of diagnosis)

Na¯ga¯ rjuna buddhist sage, alchemist and

physician; at least four different

personages throughout history

nasya errhine, medicament for nasal

administration

navanı¯ta butter

neti nasal administration of a liquid

medication with a small, teapotshaped

vessel

nida¯na aetiology, pathology, diagnosis

nira¯ma ‘without a¯ma’

niru¯ha vasti enema with herbal decoction

nirva¯n.a cessation of suffering

Nya¯ya dar´sana teachings of the Vedas that relate

to logical procedures

ojas vital energy, often equated with

immunological and

neuroendocrinal mechanisms

om. the unstruck sound

pa¯ caka pitta one of the five sub-dos.as of

pitta

pa¯cana dravyas that ‘cook’ or denature

the food which has been

consumed

paittika of pitta

pañca ‘five’

pañca karma five methods of purification

(´sodhana), vis. vamana,

virecana, vasti, rakta

moks.an.a, nasya

pañca ko´sa the ‘five sheaths’ of existence

madhyama rogama¯rga

Glossary of A- yurvedic terms 329

pañcabhu¯tas the ‘five elements’

pa¯n.d.

u anaemia

panir unripened cheese

para ojas instrinsic vitality

pha¯n.t.

a warm infusion

picchila ‘slippery’

picu a snehana technique in which a

cloth soaked in medicated oil is

applied over a specific area of the

body

pind.a sveda the use of a medicated

grain–herb combination wrapped

in linen, soaked in warm oil, and

applied to the body

pingala¯ na¯d.ı¯ the ‘tawny current’; one of the

two principle na¯d.ı¯s located to the

right of the sus.umna¯ na¯d.ı¯,

terminating in the right nostril;

equated with the masculine

principle of the body

pitta one of the three dos.as; ‘bile’,

inflammation

pittaja of pitta

pizhichil a snehana technique in which a

medicated oil is wrung from

cloths over a specific area of the

body

prabha¯va inexplicable; the activity of a

medicament that cannot be

rationalised; spiritual energy;

ritual methods in the preparation

of a medicament

prajñapara¯dha ‘crimes against wisdom’

prakr. ti matrix, the Goddess, nature; also

the constitution of the patient,

part of the da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯

pra¯mana quantity

prama¯thi dravyas that remove the

accumulated dos.as from the

srota¯m. si

pra¯n.a one of the five sub-dos.as

of va¯ta; the vital force,

governing cardiopulmonary

function

pra¯n.a¯maya ko´sa the lowest sheath within the

su¯ks.

ma ´sarira; residence of

pra¯n.a

pra¯n.ayama yogic breathing techniques

pratimar´sa nasya used on a daily basis, in

small volumes

pr. thvı¯ ‘earth’, the principle of inertia

pu¯ja worship; sacred ritual

purı¯s.a ‘faeces’

purus.a in the prakr. ti-purus.a dualism,

the transcendant unknowable

aspect from which all things arise;

cosmic male principle,

synonymous with a¯tman

pu¯rva karmas preparatory methods; i.e. snehana

and svedana, performed prior to

the pañca karmas

pu¯rvaru¯pa prodromal symptoms

Ra¯ja yoga synonymous with as.t.

a¯ñga yoga,

or referring to the higher,

meditative aspects of hatha

yoga practices

rajas the quality of ‘movement’ and

‘colour’

rakta ‘blood’ dha¯tu

raktaprasa¯dana dravyas that purify rakta

ranjaka pitta one of the five sub-dos.as of pitta;

governs the hepatobiliary system,

the spleen, and the

haematopoiesis (red blood cell

formation)

rasa ‘taste’; the first dha¯tu; mercury;

juice

rasahala pharmacy

rasa¯yana dravyas that ward off old age

and disease; rejuvenative

recana dravyas that forcibly expel the

contents of the bowel in liquid

form

R.

g veda the most ancient of the Hindu

vedas; the basis of brahmanical

practices

rogama¯rga pathway of disease, comprising

the añtarma¯rga (inner), ba¯hya

rogayana (outer) and

madhyama rogama¯rga (medial)

pathways

r.

tusandhi seasonal transitions

ru¯ks.

a ‘dry’

ru¯ks.

ana drying therapies

ru¯pa ‘sight’; symptoms

r.

tucarya¯ seasonal regimen

´sabda ‘sound’; examination of the voice

in the as.t.

a¯stha¯na parı¯ks.a¯ (eight

methods of diagnosis)

sa¯dhaka pitta one of the five sub-dos.as of

pitta; associated with sensory

perception

sadvr. tta conduct, moral observance,

behaviour

sahasra¯ra the crown cakra

saindhava rock salt

330 PART 3: Appendices

sa¯ks.i ‘witness’

sa¯ks.i bhava na bearing witness, a form of

meditation

S´

akti consort of S´ iva; in its diminutive

form (´sakti) it means ‘power’

´ salya cikitsa¯ treatment requiring the use of

a knife; surgery

sama in balance, normal, equal

Sa¯ma veda ‘knowledge of songs’; one of the

four vedas associated with sacred

hymns

sama¯na one of the five sub-dos.as of

va¯ta; associated with digestion

´samana pacificatory therapies, subduing

dos.as by indirect means

´samana nasya nasya for relieving pitta

sam. hita¯ ‘collected sayings’; authoratative

text

sam. pra¯pti pathogenesis, how a disease

comes to be

sam. sa¯ra ‘wheel’ of birth, life, death and

rebirth

sam. sarga two dos.as in combination

sam´samana dos.a pacification

sam. ska¯ras ‘activators’, sometimes referring

to rituals, but in the yogic

tradition referring to imprints

upon the psyche that cause one

to perpetuate karma

sandhana galenical

sa¯ñdra ‘solid’

Sa¯n.khya a form of ontology that classifies

existance into 24 different

categories, and the spiritual path

that rejects all things except for

purus.a

sannipa¯ta three dos.as, in combination

sapta dha¯tus the seven dha¯tus

´sarat hot and humid weather after the

monsoon

´sarira ‘body’

´sa¯stra ‘teaching’

sa¯tmya that which is normal, or habitual;

the lifestyle habits of the patient;

one of the aspects of the

da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯ (ten methods

of examination)

sattva the quality of harmony; the

mental and emotional state of

the patient; part of the

da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯ (ten methods

of examination)

´siro dha¯ra¯ a snehana technique in which

a continuous stream of warm

medicated oil is poured across the

forehead

´siro vasti a snehana technique in which

a leather band is placed around

the patient’s head to make a

vessel, and a medicated oil is

poured into this vessel and

allowed to seep into the patient’s

head

´siro lepana application of a herbal paste on

the forehead

´sirı¯s.a late winter

´sita ‘cold’

S´

iva a major diety in Hinduism, the

personified aspect of the

transcendent reality

´slaks.na smooth and sticky

´sloka verse

´sodhana ‘killing’, a method of dravya

purification; dravyas which

dislodge the malas from their

respective locations in either an

upward or downward direction

´son. ita ‘blood’

´sukra ‘semen’

siddhi occult powers obtained through

meditation and other

psychospiritual practices

´sles.aka kapha sub-dos.a of kapha said to be

concentrated in the synovium of

the joints; concerned with

lubrication and maintanence of

structure

sna¯na bathing

sneha oil or fat; medicated fats for

internal administration

snehana oleation therapies

snehapa¯na internal administration of

a medicated oil or non-medicated

oil

snigdha greasy, moist, oily

soma opposite of agni, the lunar

essence; magical elixir

sos.ana absorbing

spar´sa touch; palpation in the

as.t.

a¯stha¯na parı¯ks.a¯ (eight

methods of diagnosis)

srota channel

srota¯m. si channels

srotorodha congestion; blockage of the

srota¯m. si

stambhana ‘cooling’; dravyas that inhibit

bowel movements

stha¯na seat of influence, location

Glossary of A- yurvedic terms 331

sthira ‘stable’

sthu¯la overt, gross

sthu¯la ´sarira the ‘gross body’, also called the

annamaya ko´sa

sukha happiness, pleasure, satisfaction

su¯ks.

ma ‘subtle’

su¯ks.

ma dravyas dravyas that enter into even the

most minute channel of the body

su¯ks.

ma rasa subtle essence that feeds the

mind, obtained upon digestion of

food, medicaments and

beverages

su¯ks.

ma ´sarira the ‘subtle body’; composed,

collectively, of the pra¯n.a¯maya,

manomaya and vijña¯namaya

ko´sas

sura¯ beer

sus.umna¯ na¯d.ı¯ the ‘central channel’, the path

through which kundalinı¯

ascends

sva¯dhis.t.

ha¯na the second cakra

sveda ‘sweat’

svedana diaphoretic and heating therapies

svarasa fresh juice extract

svasthahita dos.a-balancing effect

svedana ‘heating’; sudation (sweating)

therapies

taila sesame oil

takra buttermilk

tamas the quality of ‘inertia’

tanma¯tra¯s subtle aspects of the material

universe perceived by the five

jña¯na indriya¯s

Tantra yoga canon of literature associated

with worship of S´ iva and S´ akti;

concerned with the awakening of

kundalinı¯

tarpaka kapha sub-dos.a of kapha; concentrated

in the spinal column, said to have

an inhibitory effect upon the

waking state

tejas ‘fire’, the principle of radiance

tiks.n.

a ‘sharp’

tikta ‘bitter’

tila sesame seed

tridos.a the three dos.as

trigun.a the three primordial qualities, vis.

sattva, rajas and tamas

tr.s.

n.

a¯ ‘thirst’

upa´saya knowledge by trial, see

anupa´saya

Urdhva¯ñga cikitsa¯ treatment of the head and neck

us.n.

a ‘hot’

uttaravasti douche

uttara¯yan.a period of time between winter

and summer soltice

va¯cı¯karma infractions of speech

Va¯gbhat.a the author of the As.t.

a¯ñga

Hr. daya and the As.t.

a¯ñga

Sangraha; scholars are not sure

if the author of these two works

is the same person

vaisamya abnormal state of the dos.as

Vai´ses.ika dar´sana one of the six schools (dar´sanas)

of Hindusim, concerned with logic

and the differences between things

vajı¯karan.a sexual virilisation, fertility

enhancer

vamana dravyas which remove kapha

and pitta through the mouth by

force (i.e. vomiting)

varna colour, complexion

vars.a ‘autumn’

vasanta ‘spring’

vasti ‘bladder’, also enema (referring to

the usage of an animal bladder

used to contain the medicated

liquid)

va¯ta one of the three dos.as; flatus,

degeneration

va¯ta¯tapika ‘wind and sun’ therapy;

rejuvenation therapies performed

on an out-patient basis

va¯ttika, va¯taja of va¯ta

vayah.

the age of the patient; part of the

da´savidha parı¯ks.a¯ (ten methods

of examination)

va¯yu ‘wind’ element, the principle of

vibration

vedana¯stha¯pana analgesics

Veda¯nta one of the six schools (dar´sanas)

of Hindusim; an esoteric

approach to meditation that

favours a non-dualistic orientation

(advaita), that there is only one

Reality or one being, called the

a¯tman

Vedas the ‘knowledges’; sacred canon

of Hindu, consisting of the Rig

Veda, Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda

and Sa¯ma Veda

vida¯hi burning sensations

vijña¯namaya ko´sa ‘sheath of knowledge’, the

residence of aham. ka¯ra and

buddhi in the psychospiritual

body

vikara ‘disease’

vikr. ti disease tendency

332 PART 3: Appendices

vipa¯ka post-digestive effect

virecana nasya nasya for relieving kapha

vı¯rya ‘energy’; energetic property of

a dravya

vi´sada ‘friction’

vi´suddha the fifth cakra

vr. ddhi ‘increase’

Vr.s.

a cikitsa¯ treatment of impotence and

sterility; virilisation

vya¯na one of the five sub-dos.as of

va¯ta; moves in the body in spiral

currents, often correlated with

the cardiovascular system

vyava¯yi dravyas that act very quickly first

by spreading all over the body

vya¯ya¯ma ‘exercise’

ya¯ga ‘sacrifice’

Yajur veda ‘knowledge of sacrifice’, one of

the four Vedas orientated

towards brahmanical practices

such as pu¯ja (worship)

Yoga ‘union’, one of the six schools

(dar´sanas) of Hinduism

yoga de´sa ‘yogic body’

yogava¯hı¯ an agent that enhances the

potency of a dravya

yogin male yoga practitioner

yogini female yoga practitioner

yukti ‘rationale’

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

(My humble salutations to   Sreeman Todd Caldecott, Elsevier’s Health Sciences and others other eminent medical scholars and doctors   for the collection)