Ojas (The Vital Force) Written by Vandana Kumari

Ojas (The Vital Force)

Introduction

Ojas is the vital force of body. According to Kashyapa Sambita the substance situated in Hridaya (heart) not embraced by Slesma, not black (white), reddish yellow that is ojas with increase of this the individual grows and with its reduction decreases.

As honey is the essence of flowers, in the same way ojas is considered to be the essence of ‘Sapta Dhatus’ i.e. Rasa (Plasma), Rakta (Blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fats), Asthi (Bones), Majja (Bone Marrow), Sukra (Semen).

Formation of Ojas

It first originates in Garbha (Foetus) and later on its formation is completed by all ‘Sapta Dhatus’. In zygote ojas is first to appear and essence of all dhatus as well as of zygote. Situated in heart, it travels into whole body. The life depends upon ojas with distruction of ojas the individual dies.

Synonyms of Ojas

• Amarkosha : Dipti, Bala
• Charaka : Rasa

Nourishment of Ojas

Ojas gets its nourishment from ‘Annarasa’ (Useful product of food material)

Types of Ojas

• Para Ojas (Primary)
• Apara ojas (Secondary)

1. Para Ojas (Primary) :-

It is situated in Heart having quantity of eight drops or 8 Anjali Pramana { according to Samhita - one anjali represents volume equal to that of 2 hands formed in the form of a cup. This is equal to 2 Palas or 8 tolas (approximately 96cc or l440 ml of water)}

2. Apara Ojas (Secondary):-

Also called Slaismika ojas circulating in the bodyvessels thus nourishing the entire body. Its quantity is V2 anjali (Ardanjali = 90m1 water).

Para ojas has more significance than apara ojas because distruction of even a part of para ojas causes death.

For example

1. In Prameha (Diabetes):-

Apara ojas is depleted and not para ojas therefore the prameha patient does not die in spite of diminution of ojas. So, Apara ojas is also called asApradhan ojas.

2. In AIDS:-

Body’s Para ojas is depleted so body is not able to fight against any disease and ulti mately the patient dies.

Therefore ojas may be considered as the Immunity Power of body.

Physical Properties of Ojas

In zygote it is just like ghrita (Ghee) in color, sweet in taste and smells like parached paddy (fried Laja) but in body color of para ojas is red or slightly yellowish. Properties of ojas :-

• Cold
• White
• Unctous
• Pure
• Clean
• Soft
• Minute
• Stable
• Sweet
• Heavy
• Viscous
• Soothing
• Smooth
• Slimmy
• Movable.

Functions of Ojas

1. Imparts vitality and strength to the body.
2. Responsible for body activit voice, complexion and fearlessness.
3. Functioning of sense organs like hearing power, eye slight, smelling power all depends upon ojas.
4. Contributes to growth and formation of flesh.
5. Responsible for carefree and cheerful activities.
6. Provide Soothing effect to body.
7. It is the main seat among the ten seats of life {head, heart, urinary bladder, throat, Ojas, Sukra (semen), blood, both temporal regions and anus.

Defects of Ojas (Ojas Vikara)

Sustruta has described dosas or defects of ojas.

1. Visramsa (Displacement)
2. Wapad (Disorder)
3. Ksaya (Decline)

1. Visramsas (displacement) :-

It is displacement of Ojas from its natural seat. Its symptoms are :-

1. Joint pain
2. Fatigue
3. Tridosa (Vata pitta, Kapha.) displacement from their natural dwelling place.
4. Improper functioning of physical, mental and verbal systems of body.

2. Vyapad (Disorder)

Symptoms are :-

1. Heavyness in the body parts.
2. Inflammation
3. Discoloration of body.
4. Drowsiness.

3. Ksaya (Decline)

Syptoms are :-

1. Unconsciousness
2. Delusion
3. Meaningless talk
4. Decline in dhatus.
5. Ultimatly death.

If at the stage of visramsa and vyapad treatment is not done then it enters into Ksaya stage. This is incurable stage.

Causes of Oja Ksaya

Physical Cause

1. Injury(Abhighata)
2. Malnutrition
3. Excessive Physical work

Mental cause

1. Anxiety
2. Grief
3. Anger
4. Rage

Treatment of Oja Ksaya

1. Jiwaniya drug (Prolonging drugs) are said to Cure Oja ksaya. Jiwanya Drugs are Jivanti (Lepta denia reticulata), Kakoli (lilium polyphyllum), Meda (Polygonatumvericillatum), Mulethi (Glycorrhizaglabra) etc.

2. Unctous, cold, light substance like milk, meat, ghee etc. are likely to increase Ojas Ksaya.

3. Madhura skanda dravya (sweet drugs) like Guduti (Tinospora cordifolia), Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ), Punarnava (Boerhaviadifflisa) are used in ease of Ojas Ksaya.

4. According to Charaka, heart the means of seat of Ojas should be protected and to increase the power of Ojas Hridaya Dravya (Carditonic drugs) Such as Arjuna (Terminaliaarjuna), Ber (Zizyphusjujuba), Aam (Mangiferaindica) should be used.

5. Avoid substances that cause the blockge of channels e.g. curd.

6. The person should maintain his mental health and peace of mind.

Reference

1. Susruta Samliita (A scientific synopsis) by P.Ray, H.N. Gupta, M. Roy.
2. Charaka Samhita (Atextwith english translation) by P.V. Sharma.
3. Kashyapa Samliita (A text with english translation) by P. V. Tiwari.
4. Abhinava Sharir Kriya Vigyana by P.V. Sharma.
5. Shark Kriya Vigyana by Shiv Kumar Gaud.