An Ayurvedic perspective of Sabarimala pilgrimage Dr. G Kumaravel Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Indian Space Research Organisation Thiruvananthapuram, India Euro-India International Conference on Holistic Medicines (ICHM 2016) 11 th September, 2016, Kottayam, India
Sabarimala Pilgrimage Sabarimala temple is located in the dense forest on the Western Ghats in Kerala Lord Ayyappa is the deity, who is considered to be a Brahamachari Devotees take 40 days Mandala Vratam during Early Winter season before going for Darshan Children, Male devotees and Elder women devoid of menstruation cycle are allowed to visit the temple Question: Is there a scientific basis for Mandala Vratam? Why Mandala Vratam is taken only during early winter (Hemanta) season (not round the year)? Why adult women undergoing menstruation cycle are not taking up Mandala Vratam and visiting the temple These questions can be answered using scientific principles of Ayurveda
Origin of Ayurveda Vedas: The complete Knowledge about the existence of Universe and Human life Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas Ayurveda Sushruta Samhita, Charaka Samhita, Astanga Hirutaya, etc
Scientific/Engineering Description of Ayurvedic Principles Ayurveda Engineering Science Brahman Maya Prakriti Nature Frozen state Cosmic Energy Trigunas E = mc 2 Tamas Satwa Rajas Mass Energy Velocity Human Panchabhutas States of matter Human Prithvi Jala Akash Agni Vayu Tridoshas Subsystems Solid Liquid Vapor Heat Space Kapha Vata Pitta Ayurveda considers the human body, mind and spirit as a single system and it is made up of the same matter that made this universe. Properties Physical Density Mechanical Thermal Pressure Temperature
Prakriti and Vikriti Prakriti At the time of birth, the three Doshas are in definite proportion and in balance with each other within human body The balance does not change with time Vikriti Entire universe is also made up of same five elements, associated with 3 Doshas The balance of three Doshas is disturbed by food, life-style, environment, seasons etc. - responsible for diseases Dinacharya Wrong food habits Wrong life style P Environment, seasons P Ahara krama K V Treatment K V Rtucharya Prakriti P pitta V vata K - kapha Vikriti
Ahara Krama and Dinacharya Ahara Krama (Dietary restrictions): Different for person to person according to individual s Prakriti Compatible food according to living environment Compatible food according to seasons Dinacharya (Daily routines) Wake up before sunrise Moderate exercises Cleaning of internal organs, shower, etc Moderate brunch Light dinner before sunset
Seasonal changes (Rtucharya) Revolution of earth around sun in elliptical orbit Uttarayana (Dry Season) (Strength decreases) Daksinayana (Wet season) (Strength increases) Seasons Vata Pitta Kapha Remarks Sisira (Late Accumulates winter) Vasanta Aggravates (Spring) Grisma Accumulates Normalizes Weakest in (Summer) strength Varsa (Rainy) Aggravates Accumulates Sarad Normalises Aggravates (Autumm) Hemanta Normalizes All Doshas are (Early winter) in balance; Strongest
Thirteen Agnis Jatharagni digestion Digested food transforms sequentially into various structural components called Dhatus Rasa (plasma) Rakta (blood) Mamsa (muscle) Medhas (fat) Asthi (bone and cartilage) Majja (bone marrow) Sukra (reproductive fluids) Dhatwagni agnis associated with Dhatus Bhutagni agni associated with panchabhutas
Malas and Ama The digested food and first six Dhatus (i.e except Sukra Dhatu) releases Mala or waste upon conversion Malas are removed by Vayu from the body Improperly digested food creates Ama or toxins Amas are not fully excreted with Malas Presence of Ama causes disturbance in the equilibrium of three Doshas- to be removed from the body through Ayurvedic treatment In Dhatu conversion, Ama also travels in the chain
Description of Seven Dhatus Malas Dhatus Outputs Feces, Urine Mucus Digested food Rasa Heat energy Bile Rakta Ear wax, naval lint Mamsa Sweat Body hair, beard, nails Tears Medha Asthi Majja Demand chain Supply chain Dissipation (Menstruation cycle) Sukra Ojhas Tejas Sexual energy Health Spiritual growth
Dhatu transformation It takes nearly one month for the digested food to transform into Sukra Dhatu No excretion of Mala from Sukra Impure Sukra Dhatu (containing Ama) to be excreted completely; Vayu invokes sexual desire in order to reject impure Sukra Dhatu Explains scientifically the relation between higher sexual desires and improper food habits, wrong life styles and incompatible food habits with Prakriti, Seasons, etc. Unutilized pure Sukra Dhatu is said to be transformed into Ojhas promotes health of body, mind and spirit Ojhas sublimates into Tejas promotes spiritual growth Proper food, proper life-style, positive thinking and ambient environment are essential for formation of pure Sukra Dhatu
Sukra Dhatu transformation Basis for both Spiritual life as well as sexual life The same energy which is dissipated into sexual energy can be conserved for health and spiritual growth by proper control of Sukra Dhatu transformation into Ojhas Hatha yoga- the control of body and mind through asanas (physical exercises), pranayama (breathing exercises), etc. Karma yoga through selfless service Bhakti yoga selfless love Gnana yoga Right knowledge
Objective of Sabarimala Pilgrimage Objective of Mandala Vratam Production of pure Sukra Dhatu Objective of Sabarimala pilgrimage and sublimation of Sukra Dhatu into Ojhas for health Tejas for spiritual life A Hatha yoga practice coupled with Bhakti yoga Mandala Vratham Restricted life for 40 days Ahara Krama: Restricted food (No non-vegetarian, Alcohol and Nicotine, but includes high energy satvic food like coconut, ghee, fruits, etc) Dinacharya: Restricted life style and living in spiritual environment Brahmacharya- Not even eye contact with persons of opposite sex Rtucharya: Vratam taken up only during early winter season
Mandala Vratam and pilgrimage through trekking Not taken round the year Only during early winter- A season when all the Doshas in human body and environment are in balance Peak strength can be acquired during early winter Ideal for spiritual practices, promotion of health, etc Sabarimala Trekking a sublimation process for transformation/ sublimation of Sukra Dhatu into Ojhas and Tejas (A Hatha yoga process taken with devotion)
Sukra Dhatu in adult women Production process of Sukra Dhatu is same for all Purification process and transformation of Sukra Dhatu in adult women are different from others In adult men, the vital fluid (sperms), which is a manifestation of Sukra Dhatu can be either converted into Ojhas or can be used for sexual life. A man has a choice In Adult women, the formation of ovum (manifestation of Sukra Dhatu) is controlled by lunar power through menstruation cycle Independent of a woman s will If ovum is used, it proceeds for pregnancy Else, it is dissipated at the end of menstruation cycle In women, Sukra Dhatu is automatically purified by lunar cycle In adult women, neither a separate purification process is required nor the manifested Sukra Dhatu can be converted into Ojhas through Mandala Vratam.
Women and Mandala Vratam Mandala vratam is for 40 days whereas the lunar cycle is nearly one month Manifested Sukra Dhatu cannot be conserved Not beneficial Practically no adult women can take up Mandala Vratam Elder women (who crossed menupause) No manifestation of Sukra Dhatu into ovums and no lunar cycle Sukra Dhatu can be conserved for conversion into Ojhas and Tejas Mandala Vratam is possible and beneficial
Children and Mandala Vratam In children, Sukra Dhatu is not explicit, though it is present like a plant has the flower buds hidden (Ref: Sushruta) Conversion of Sukra Dhatu to Ojhas in children is same as that of adult men (less obstacles too) Same for male and female children Therefore, Mandala Vratam and Sabarimala Pilgrimage is not beneficial for adult women, though there is no harm; However, adult women are restricted from taking Sabarimala pilgrimage possibly to avoid disturbances to male devotees.
Conclusions Some of the basic principles of Ayurveda are discussed with a focus on Dhatu conversion to investigate the ayurvedic perspective of sabarimala pilgrimage Objective of sabarimala pilgrimage- to purify Sukra Dhatu in the production process and sublimate to Ojhas and Tejas for health and spiritual life Because of the lunar menstruation cycle associated with adult women, conversion of Sukra Dhatu into Ojhas and Tejas is not possible and therefore Sabarimala pilgrimage is not beneficial for them Female children and elder women can benefit from Sabarimala pilgrimage, due to the absence of lunar cycle with them
Bibliography and Acknowledgements 1. Devanathan. R, Gopinath. V and Brindha. P, Ayurvedic Concepts in Vedas, Health sciences: An International Journal 2011; 1(1): 5-8 2. L. Maha Devan, Ayurveda for Beginners, Fifth Edition, 2012, Published by Sri Sarada Ayurvedic Hospital, Kanyakumari, India 3. Swami Vishnu Devananda, Mediation and Mantras, Third Edition, Om Lotus Publications, New Delhi, 1995 4. Lakshmi Chandra Mishra (Editor), Scientific basis for Ayurvedic therapies, CRC Press, 2004 5. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna, An English translation of The Sushruta Samhita, Published by S. L. Bhaduri, Calcutta, 1916 6. A.M.J. van Ooijena and et. al Seasonal changes in metabolic and temperature responses to cold air in humans, Physiology & Behavior 82 (2004) 545 553 7. Arthur C. Guyton, John E. Hall, A text book on Medical Physiology, 10 th Edition, 2001, Elsevier India. 8. G.Kumaravel, Engineering Aspects of Ayurveda: the Mechanics and thermodynamics of human physiology, presented in ICHM 2015, Kottay, India, September, 2015 My sincere acknowledgements to International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Neyyar Dam, Kerala, India for initiating me into Ayurveda and special thanks to Dr. Vishnu for teaching me this subject; Also, to ICHM 2016 organizing team for giving me an opportunity to present my work