Role of Ayurveda in Mental Health w.s.r. to Manasika Swasthya

Abstract

Ayurveda is the foremost life science of the universe which explains about hitaayu, ahitaayu, sukhayu and dukhayu. These components have a direct impact on health. The explanation of swasthya gives importance to manasika swasthya in terms of prasanna manas. This prasanna manas is responsible for the maintenance of health and the aprasannata of manas will lead to illness, with the help of rajasika and tamasika doshas. Almost all diseases are psychosomatic in origin. Many diseases manifest due to the effect of manas, like unmada, apasmara, samnyasa roga, atatwabhinivesha, etc. These all manifest due to rajasika and tamasika guna dosha, where the main cause is asatmendriyartha samyoga and pragnaparadha. This leads to kama, krodhadi vikaras, and later the diseases manifest. To treat these manasika vikaraas one has to follow the dharma, artha, and kama properly and should follow life accordingly, also satwavajaya chikitsa should be taken. To avoid these diseases, one must follow preventive principles like achara rasayana, sadvritta, medhya rasayana, and nitya sevaneeya ahara along with dinacharya, ritucharya, and ratricharya. This paper highlights the role of manas in the maintenance of health and the understanding of manas in detail, concerning manasika swasthya/mental health.