Essay name: The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study)
Author:
Ashok Majumdar
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Kayachikitsa
This study deals with the presentation of the Nervous System in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. This study has revealed a number of hither to unknown facts about concept of nervous system and thought science of Hindus.
Chapter 7 - The Physiological and the Pathological concepts of Tridosha Theory
19 (of 62)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
280
that fresh Pitta is generated within the body). Here we see
that whereas Charaka mentions Rasa as the seat of Pitta,
Susruta mentions the heart, which has been described as the
receptacle for Rasa. So the Pitta which resides in Rasa must
also reside in the heart. In the same way, we have Lasika
corresponding to the skin where Lasika is largely found,
and blood corresponding to the liver and spleen which are
the receptacles for blood.
As regards the term 'Sveda' it ordinarily means the
sweat, it also means a vapour that is to say water in
combination with Tejas or heat. Susruta has mentioned Dristi
as one of the seats of Pitta. In a general sense there are
four Patalas or protecting covers of the pupil. Of these
'the outer one consists of a luminous fluid and the next one
of flesh. The third is mode of fat and beyond it, there is
one consisting of bones (SS.Ut.1:18). So according to Susruta
the outer cover of the pupil is Tejo-jalasrita i.e. consisting
of Tejas mixed water. There is the aqueous humour. When
Charaka mentions Sveda as one of the seats of Pitta, he means
this Tejojala or aqueous humour. There is no discrepancy,
therefore, between Charaka and Susruta regarding the particular
seat of Pitta.
IV. GENERAL FUNCTION OF THE NORMAL TRIDOSA
(1) NORMAL FUNCTIONS OF VAYU
Of the three Dosas, Yayu is the most predominant. It
is omnipotent, has movement in all directions, is the quickest
