Introduction

Along with physical problems people in today’s era are suffering from psychological problems. It can be said that every human being who is fighting for survival is facing some kind of psychological disturbances. Currently people are living in the everlasting state of stressful situations arising from the developing science and technology, environmental pollution, highly ambitious and competitive life styles, over population, monotony and boredom of complex interpersonal relationships, job responsibilities and many other emotional causes. All socio-economic groups of population including high pressure executives, businessman, working women and even students are affected by a variety of psychological disorders. Ayurveda is highlighted as a comprehensive system of medicine with its concern for prevention of stress and promotion of mental health. Ayurveda defines Ayu (life) as the combined state of Sharir (body), Indriya (senses), Satva (mind) and Atma (Soul).[6] In this way, Manas i.e. satva is important for perceiving good healthy life. Person with equilibrium and coordination among Dosha, Agni, Dhatu and Mala along with happy state of soul (Atma), sensory organs (Indriya) and mind (Manas) is said to be healthy (Swastha) person. [1]

Mind (Manas) According to Ayurveda- The entity by which one perceives knowledge is Mind (Manas).[7] Satva, Chetas, Ati Indriya are synonyms of mind. Mind is different than Indriya and it helps Indriya to conjugate with their objects, hence mind is called as Atindriya. Ayurveda explains characteristic feature of mind, to perceive the knowledge or not perceive the knowledge. Mind is a mediator of both Dhnyanendriya and Karmendriya hence mind is called as Ubhayendriya.[8] Mind stimulates sensory organs to perceive knowledge and it controls actions of Karmendriya after analyzing the knowledge obtained by sensory organs. As per Ayurveda, Heart [4] and head [5] are the site of mind. With the help of these references, light can be thrown on the connection between body and mind. Just like Tridosha occupy whole body, mind also occupies entire body, hence entire body can be called as Manovaha Strotas. [9] Vata dosha stimulates sensory and motor organ along with mind which helps for smooth functioning of senses. Sub type of Vata Dosha i.e. Udan Vayu controls mind and stimulates mind towards objects. [10] Knowledge is stored in the form of memory and these inputs are recalled at proper time. This function is very much important for maintenance of health. Harmful inputs are rejected by mind, but its harmfulness is stored in the form of memory. Intellectual error is the basic cause of disorders, and memory is the important aspect of mind as it can avoid Prajnaparadha. Along with Udan Vayu, Prana Vayu also co- ordinate functions of mind. Prana Vayu controls functioning of five senses and controls the functioning of mind. Prana Vayu is responsible for Co-ordination between intellect, determination ability and memory (Dhee, Dhriti and Smriti) and it establishes the link between Sensory organs, mind and soul. Heart is the site of Sadhak Pitta [11] which is subtype of Pitta Dosha. Heart is also site of mind. [12] Grasping capacity of an individual is called as Medha and this depends on Sadhak Pitta. Positive feelings are called as Sukha or happy state of mind while negative feeling or unhappy state of mind is called as Dukha. [13] When mind loses contact with sensory organs, then one cannot perceive knowledge. [14] When mind establishes the contact with sensory organs, it can convey knowledge to soul. Mind is called Ubhayatmak as it is like a bridge between Sensory organs and motor organs. Mind is a stable (Nitya Dravya) and is always connected with soul when it is in balanced state. Subtleness (Anutva) and oneness (Ekatva) are qualities of mind. [15] Mind is so minute that it cannot be seen. Due to its microscopic size, mind can move in the body very fast, it conjugates with different Sensory organs to perceive knowledge rapidly so that visualization, hearing and perceiving the smell, all these processes seem to occur at one time. Multitasking is the perfect example of Subtleness and oneness of mind. Watching television while eating food is nothing but multitasking action of mind. Rajas (action) and Tamas (lethargy) are the Doshas of mind while Satva (intelligence) is the quality of mind out of which Rajas Guna of mind is responsible for rapid actions of mind. Multitasking is the result of Rajas property of mind. Tamas Guna is essential to control activities of mind. Satva Guna is predominantly related to Pitta Dosha while Rajas Guna is related to Vata Dosha and Tamas is related to Kapha Dosha. Balance state of mind depends on Satva, Rajas and Tamas. [16] Satva Guna stimulates mind towards objects to acquire knowledge, Rajas motivates the mind towards objects and Tamas produces lethargy in mind and gives necessary rest to the mind. Combination of Satva and Rajas leads to positive action while combination of Tamas and Rajas leads to negative action.

Mind becomes very unstable due to Raja’s quality, but mind can control itself with the help of Satva Guna. Decision making capacity of an individual is called as Buddhi. [19] Prajna is the synonym of Buddhi. [20] Hriday (Heart) is the location of Atma, its guna and mind. [21] Heart is the location of Buddhi which is a Guna of Atma. [22] Dhee decides and analyse what is right and what is wrong which is called as Adhyavasaya. [23] Dhriti is the power which controls mind. [24] To recall past experiences is called as Smriti. [25] Due to satva guna, Dhee- Dhriti- Smriti analyse the knowledge perceived and control mind and convey the analyzed knowledge to Atma.

Process of perception

Dhnyanendriya (Shrotra, Chakshu etc)

Artha (Shabda/ Sparsha, etc)

Dhnyanendriya + Object

Knowledge

Recalling is done by Smriti

Wrong/ Right? Analysis is done by Buddhi

Convey to Atma by mind

Commands given to Karmendriya for action

Discussion

When Buddhi (Dhee, Smriti) fails to analyze, then Dhnyanendriya and Karmendriya gets attracted towards harmful objects. [26] Inclination of mind toward harmful object is called as Prajnaparadha. Prajnaparadha is the result of impairment of intellect (Dhee Vibhramsha), impairment of determination (Dhriti Vibhramsha) and impairment of memory (Smriti Vibhramsha). Conjugation of Dhnyanendriya and Karmendriya with harmful objects is called as Asatmendriyartha- Samyoga.

It is of three types-

1. Non indulgence of objects (Hina Yoga)

2. Improper or Perverted use of objects (Mithya Yoga)

3.Excessive indulgence of objects (Ati Yoga).

Asatmendriyartha samyoga is considered as one another principal causes of disease. So, avoidance of Hina, Mithya, Ati yoga would be helpful to cure the Psychiatric disorders (Manas Vyadhi).

Briefly

Prajnaparadha

Asatmendriyartha Samyoga

Sharir & Manas Vyadhi

Ayurveda on Mental Disorders (Manas Vyadhi): Ayurveda is a preventive as well as curative science. In Charak Samhita, the concept of Adharaniya and Dharaniya Vega is explained which is one of the important etiological factors of disease Process. [27] Vega means urges. There are two types of Vega (Urges) 1. Adharniya 2. Dharniya. Adharniya Vega means the Vegas which should be expelled or fulfilled immediately when they arise. There is physical as well as psychological urges. Physical urges are to be get rid of immediately for Ex Urine, feces, vomiting, sleep, hunger, sex etc. Psychological urges i.e Dharniya Vega are the Vega which should be controlled by an individual for a healthy mind and body. Dharniya Vegas [28] are-

• Lobha (Impatient desire/craving for anything),
• Shoka (sorrow personified),
• Bhaya (fright),
• Krodh (anger),
• Maan(self-superiority),
• Nairlajjay (shamelessness),
• Irshya (jealous of others),
• Atiraag (feeling of passion),
• Abhidhyaay (bad feeling for others).

Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and Trigunas (Satva, Raja, Tama) maintain physical and mental health. [29] Any imbalance in them causes certain disease. Non holding of Dharniya Vegas leads to Pradnya paradha and Asatmyaindriyarth Samyoga which are amongst the main Hetu of all the Vyadhis. Non holding of Dharniya Vegas also create imbalance in Doshas. All mental illness are the result of the disorders of Rajas and Tamas Guna. That is why Rajas and Tamas are also called Manas Doshas. Psychological disorders are manifested when Satva is overshadowed by Rajas or Tamas Guna. Hence Ayurveda emphasizes on sound Mental Hygiene by following good code of conduct and daily regime. The mental ill health is brought about by unwholesome interaction between the individual and his environment. This interaction operates through three fundamental causative factors Parinama, Asatmendriya Samyoga and Prajnaparadha [30] Among which prajnaparadha is most important to disturb mind. Ayurveda on preventive aspects as well as treatment of mental disorders (Manas Roga). Ayurveda is essentially a health-oriented system of medicine and gives greater importance to promotion of health and prevention of disease rather than disease and cure. [31] Ayurveda opines that for prevention of Manas Roga one must increase the Satva Guna.

For increasing Satva Ayurveda Provides comprehensive description of -

1. Sadvritta palan (ideal conduct of life with proper sexual conduct),
2. Satvavajay (mental control therapy),
3. Achar Rasayan.

Sadvritta palan [32] (Ideal path of good conduct in life): This is code of conduct for keeping good or balanced condition of body and mind. Charak Samhita explained some rules of good conduct and by exercising these confining of senses will be achieved and mind will also be in control. Man must follow the path of righteousness (Dharma), he should always speak truth, always suffer for the sake of observing Svadharma, he should restrain his Sensory organs, always try to control of mind, take efforts on hospitality to guests, treat everybody in humanistic way, not crave to another’s wife or another’s wealth (long to possess something belonging to someone else.), he should never commit sin even against sinner. By following Sadvritta one can control mind.  Along with Sadvritta Palan, the one who practices yogic exercises and spiritual activities can conquer mind, and this is quoted as Satvavajay in Ayurveda. Long life, amplified memory and intelligence, freedom from disease, youth, excellence of lusture of skin, complexion of voice, optimum strength of body and senses, utterance that always gets fulfilled, the respect from people, body glow, all these does a man obtain by the use of vitalizers (Rasayan). [33] Charak Samhita explained that one who follow rules of good conduct, rules in life he will get all the benefits of vitalization therapy. This is called as Achar Rasayan. Achara Rasayana told in the classics has a direct influence in maintaining the mental and spiritual well-being. [34] One who incorporates these Sadvritta and Achara Rasayana in day-to-day life will attain Hitayu (healthy life) and Deerghayu (long life). [35]

Conclusion

Mind and body are interdependent. Satva, Rajas and Tamas Gunas of mind are intersected with, Pitta, Vata and Kapha Dosha respectively. Tridosha and Triguna can affect each other. Vriddhi or Kshya of Tridosha affects Triguna and vice versa. Hence one must follow the code of conduct for physical equilibrium and Yoga, Pranayam for psychological health. Daily practice of Yoga, Pranayam enhances mental fitness by increasing Satva Guna which is a need of hour.