Concept of mind in Ayurveda

Concept of mind in Ayurveda
Dr. Arjun Chand C.P
Asst. Professor, Ayurveda College, Coimbatore;
Chief Physician, Chandraprastham Ayurvedalayam.

Introduction

Concept of Mind is very broad in Ayurveda and information about mind are scattered in the classical texts. Acharya charaka while giving the definition of life, he says body, senses, mind and soul constitute body (Cha. Su 1/42). He adds that mind, body and soul are like limbs of a tripod and the life exists on it. Disease can be based on either body or mind, no disease can exist other than these two.

Identity of Manas

Minuteness and oneness (Anutwa and ekatwa) are said to be the properties of mind. So we cant identify the mind specifically as it is. Being a dravya (substance) it possesses guna and karma (properties and action). Existance of mind is assumed through the presence and absence of knowledge. Knowledge perception is either with or without sense organs (sendriya jnana or nirindriya jnana). All the perceptions through sense organs are converted in to knowledge through mind. Thought, analysis, reasoning, concentration, determination, pleasure etc are the knowledge perception without senses.

Whether mind is a sense organ

Ayurveda consider mind as ubhayendriya (both sense and motor organ). It does the functions of sense organs through perception and of motor organ through actions. Mind has given a superior position and called as Ateendriya. The reason is mind can control all the sense organs, motor organs and the mind itself.

Location of Mind
Location of mind is a highly controversial topic in medical science. Many explanations are available in the philosophical sciences. Ayurveda consider mainly two sites as the location of mind, one is heart and the other is brain. Brhat trayee (three major classical treatees of Ayurveda) consider heart as the location of mind. Advaita darshana, Maha bharata etc consider brain as the location of mind. Acharya bhela tried to overcome this controversy by giving an explanation that the mind which controls sense organs is brain and the one which is responsible for processing is located in heart.

Relation of Atma with Mind
Mind is achetana (without independent life force) and Kriyavan (possess action) while Atma is chetanavan (with independent life force) and said to be akriyavan (not possessing action) even though being the initiator of action. That means, mind and atma cannot exist independently, and support mutually for the action.

Trigunas of Mind

Trigunas (property triad) of mind are Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Among them rajas and tamas are considered as manodoshas (vitiator). The life itself is based on triguna. When these triguna attached to panchamahabhuta, the life begins. Based on triguna, sixteen major personality traits are also identified. In short, satva is kalyanamsha and prakashaka (prosperity and enlightment), rajas is roshamsha and ragatmaka (emotional and pleasure seeking), tamas is mohamsha (ignorance). All together with predominance of satva should be present for a successful life.

Clinical Application of Mind

Mind and body are considered as the ashrayatwa (base) of diseases. Either one or both will be involved in all the disease conditions. Mind is involved in nidana (etiology), samprapti (pathogenesis) and chikitsa (treatment) of disease. Vitiation of mind is a direct cause for vitiation of srotases (channels of tissues). Either shareerka (physical) or manasika (psychological) disease, mind should be considered during treatment. One among trividha chikitsa (three basic types of treatment), Satvavajaya chikitsa, is completely dedicated for mind.

Conclusion

Mind is as important as body in health and treatment. In causation of diseases, mind plays a key role than body. Applicability of Satvavajaya will not only be in chikitsa but also be in prevention.