Mental Health

The mind is a single substance extremely fine and subtle. The heart is its seat and the brain is its workplace. Its functions are planning and thinking, and controlling and regulating the senses as well as itself. The intellect comes into action after the mind. Rajasic and Tamasic properties and tendencies are the weaknesses of the mind. Sattvik properties are pure and illumination; therefore, they are not weaknesses or faults. Rajasic tendencies constitute the principal vice; tamasic tendencies flow from the Rajasic properties.

The Rajasic and Tamasic traits together give rise to twelve vices – desire, anger greed, delusion, envy, egotism, arrogance, sorrow, worry, agitation, fear and elation. When these conditions escalate, the mind becomes vexed. A vexed mind agitates the brain into frantic activity and gives rise to mental diseases. Disharmony of mind, intellect or of memory, wisdom, Bhakti, character, physical activity, propriety of conduct should be considered as mental disorder.

Taking mutually dissonant, impure or contaminated foods, that aggravate the Doshas, and insolent behaviour towards the Guru, gods and Brahmins aggravate the twelve vices. Self-Knowledge, knowledge of scriptures, patience, contemplation and Samadhi subdue these vices.

The technique of conquering the mind (Sattva) through Self-Knowledge, knowledge of scriptures, etc. has been termed by Charaka as ‘Sattvavjaya’ therapy. Today’s man suffers from mental ill-health even more than he does form physical illness.

The allopathic medicines used for treating mental disorders depress the mind and the intellect and make them inactive. ‘Sattvavjaya’ therapy purges the mind of disorders and makes it strong. The mind can be controlled and one attains prefect physical and mental health by practicing self-restraint, concentration, meditation, asanas (yogic postures), Pranayam, jap of Lord’s name and study of scriptures etc.

For a Healthy and Powerful mind

Purity of intake: The sense-objects (sound, touch etc।) are the food of the senses. Purity of intake leads to purity of the mind. A pure mind gets firmly established in the memory of the self.

Pranayam: Pranayam eliminates the impurity of the mind. It clears the Rajasic and tamasic tendencies of the mind and makes it steady and tranquil.
Good Deeds: By keeping the mind constantly engaged in good deeds, it ceases to run after sense objects.
Silence: Sensitivity, memory feeling, wisdom, determination and retention these are the six powers of the mind. These dormant powers get developed through silence and pranayam.
Moderate Fasting: Through fasting, the mind gives up craving for the sense objects and becomes introverted
Mantra Jap: Repetition of God’s Name ceases all agitations of the mind and manifests the divine virtues of compassion, forgiveness and selflessness.
Prayer: Prayer de-stresses the mind and makes it relaxed and cheerful. It cultivates confidence and courage.
Speaking the truth: The mind becomes immensely powerful by always speaking the truth.
Good thoughts: Bad thoughts deteriorate, whereas good thoughts develop the mind.
Uttering the word ‘OM’: Prolonged utterance of the word ‘OM’ after relinquishing bad deeds transports the mind into the peace of the Atman.

Through these means, specified by the shastras, the mind gets blessed with purity, equanimity and delight.

Ayurvedic medicinal preparations like Panchgavya (cow’s milk, curd, ghee, urine and dung), gold and Brahmi, liquorice (yashtimadhu). Shankhapushpi, Jatamansi, Vacha and Jyotishmati help eradicate mental disorders.

The qualities of a mentally healthy person:

A mentally healthy person has good memory power and is intelligent, engaged in Bhakti, grateful in nature, pious, zestful, valiant, cleaver and persevering। He is never despondent. He is stable and sober bearing. He keeps his mind and intellect constantly engaged in well-meaning and beneficent pursuits.

The Advent of Ayurveda

Ayu in Sanskrit is the amalgam of body, mind, senses and the Atman। The Veda (body of knowledge) dealing with Ayu is known as Ayurveda.

‘Ayurveda being the most pious Veda of Ayu is worshipped by learned men. It is beneficial to men in this world and also in afterlife. Noble men desiring their own good should abide by the teachings of Ayurveda with utmost respect.’

Ayurveda is a part of Atharyaveda and was not created by anybody.

‘Ayurveda came into being from Lord Brahma’s memory.’

Lord Brahma created the ‘Brahma Samhita’ with one lakh slokas and imparted it to Daksha, one of His deputies. Daksha taught Ayurveda to the two Ashwini Kumar brothers. Ashwini Kumar brothers conveyed the knowledge of ayurveda to Indra and Indra to Aatreya and some other sages. These sages transmitted the knowledge of ayurveda to Agnivesha, Parashar, Jaatukarna and others who wrote his own treatise, ‘Charaka Samhita’, which is regarded as the principal and the best treatise on Ayurveda. There are eight branches of Ayurveda:

Kayachikitsa- The treatment of the entire body.
Kaumar Britya Tantra- Paediatries
Bhuta Vidya – Treatment with the help of mantras and sacrifices etc.
Shalya – surgery
Shalakya – Ear, nose and throat etc.
Agadtantra – Treatment of toxic effects
Tasayantantra- Reinvigoration therapy
Vaajikaran Tantra – Augmentation of semen.

The causes and symptoms of diseases and remedies for eradicating them have been discussed comprehensively and in minutest detail in these eight branches.