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=== Ojus as Balam ===

=== Ojus as Balam ===

According to Acharya Sushruta, 'Balam' is the synonym of 'Ojus'. Ojus is the quintessence of all 7 dhatus. It is also known as bioenergy or body component that helps in sustaining life. It is formed at the end of dhatu level pachana (metabolism) and it is believed to be teja (quintessence or cream) of all these dhatus.<blockquote>तत्र रसादीनां शुक्रान्तानां धातूनां यत् परं तेजस्तत् खल्वोजस्तदेव बलमित्युच्यते, स्वशास्त्रसिद्धान्तात् || (Sush. Samh. 15.19)<ref>Sushrut Samhita (Sutrastanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 19)</ref></blockquote>

According to Acharya Sushruta, 'Balam' is the synonym of 'Ojus'. Ojus is the quintessence of all 7 dhatus. It is also known as bioenergy or body component that helps in sustaining life. It is formed at the end of dhatu level pachana (metabolism) and it is believed to be teja (quintessence or cream) of all these dhatus.<blockquote>तत्र रसादीनां शुक्रान्तानां धातूनां यत् परं तेजस्तत् खल्वोजस्तदेव बलमित्युच्यते, स्वशास्त्रसिद्धान्तात् || (Sush. Samh. 15.19)<ref>Sushrut Samhita (Sutrastanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 19)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tatra rasādīnāṁ śukrāntānāṁ dhātūnāṁ yat paraṁ tejastat khalvojastadeva balamityucyate, svaśāstrasiddhāntāt ||''</blockquote>

=== Kapha as Balam ===

=== Kapha as Balam ===

Among 3 doshas controlling bodily functions, Kapha is the one that performs the function of strengthening and lubricating the body. Thus, 'Balam' also denotes the Kapha dosha in Prakrt awastha (normal state). Acharya Charaka has stated that role of Kapha dosha in balanced state or role of Ojus is same as Balam. Thus, Balam has also been defined as the kapha dosha which is in unaltered, non-vitiated or natural state.<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>प्राकृतस्तु बलं श्लेष्मा विकृतो मल उच्यते| स चैवौजः स्मृतः काये स च पाप्मोपदिश्यते||- (Char. Samh. 17.117)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 17 Sutra 117)</ref></blockquote>

Among 3 doshas controlling bodily functions, Kapha is the one that performs the function of strengthening and lubricating the body. Thus, 'Balam' also denotes the Kapha dosha in Prakrt awastha (normal state). Acharya Charaka has stated that role of Kapha dosha in balanced state or role of Ojus is same as Balam. Thus, Balam has also been defined as the kapha dosha which is in unaltered, non-vitiated or natural state.<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>प्राकृतस्तु बलं श्लेष्मा विकृतो मल उच्यते| स चैवौजः स्मृतः काये स च पाप्मोपदिश्यते||- (Char. Samh. 17.117)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 17 Sutra 117)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''prākr̥tastu balaṁ śleṣmā vikr̥to mala ucyate| sa caivaujaḥ smr̥taḥ kāye sa ca pāpmopadiśyate||''</blockquote>

== Role of Balam ==

== Role of Balam ==

Acharya Sushruta has clearly described various functions or advantages of having balam. <blockquote>तत्र बलेन स्थिरोपचितमांसता सर्वचेष्टास्वप्रतिघातः स्वरवर्णप्रसादो बाह्यानामाभ्यन्तराणां च करणानामात्मकार्यप्रतिपत्तिर्भवति ||२०|| (Sush. Samh. 15.20)<ref>Sushrut Samhita (Sutrastanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 20)</ref></blockquote>He states that, if an individual has enough strength then he can benefit in various ways<ref name=":0" /> as below,

Acharya Sushruta has clearly described various functions or advantages of having balam. <blockquote>तत्र बलेन स्थिरोपचितमांसता सर्वचेष्टास्वप्रतिघातः स्वरवर्णप्रसादो बाह्यानामाभ्यन्तराणां च करणानामात्मकार्यप्रतिपत्तिर्भवति ||२०|| (Sush. Samh. 15.20)<ref>Sushrut Samhita (Sutrastanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 20)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tatra balena sthiropacitamāṁsatā sarvaceṣṭāsvapratighātaḥ svaravarṇaprasādo bāhyānāmābhyantarāṇāṁ ca karaṇānāmātmakāryapratipattirbhavati ||20||''</blockquote>He states that, if an individual has enough strength then he can benefit in various ways<ref name=":0" /> as below,

* Nourishment and stability of Mamsa [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatu]] ( the muscular tissues of the body) can be obtained.  

* Nourishment and stability of Mamsa [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatu]] ( the muscular tissues of the body) can be obtained.  

* An individual becomes capable of performing various tasks efficiently and uninhibitedly  

* An individual becomes capable of performing various tasks efficiently and uninhibitedly  

== Bala and immunity ==

== Bala and immunity ==

Internally bala is expressed through vyadhi kshamatwa. Vyadhi kshamatwa indicates the strength by which a person fights against the disease. Inside that is the process by which vyadhi prativandhyakatwa is provided33. In modern science has also mentioned about immunity. Immunity can be defined as the self preparedness against invasion by microbes which also includes defense against non microbial antigens and malignancy. Classically it is divided into two categories. a. The non- specific immunity or the innate immunity is not affected by prior contact with the invader and it is effective against all without recognizing the specific identities of the enemies i.e Vyadhibala virudhitwa. It is composed of many factors. Firstly the constitutional factor due to which some individuals are more prone to some specific infections but others are not. b. The specific immunity: There is separate mechanism for each and every enemy (antigens).The weapon for one invader will not act against the other hence called specific. This immunity develops properly only when the body is exposed to the specific antigen. i. e. prior contact is essential, but theprovision is inborn, means sahaja. The specific immunity may be active or passive. Active immunity is developed within the body by the lymphocytes against antigens introduced in to the body i. e. vyadhi utpada prativandhakatwa. The passive immunity occurs due to transfer or introduction of antibodies from outside. It is a readymade immunity and can act immediately but it is short lasting. (Nath et al. CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF BALA (STRENGTH). UJAHM 2015, 03 (04): Page 103-108)

Internally bala is expressed through vyadhi kshamatwa. Vyadhi kshamatwa indicates the strength by which a person fights against the disease. Inside that is the process by which vyadhi prativandhyakatwa is provided33. In modern science has also mentioned about immunity. Immunity can be defined as the self preparedness against invasion by microbes which also includes defense against non microbial antigens and malignancy. Classically it is divided into two categories. a. The non- specific immunity or the innate immunity is not affected by prior contact with the invader and it is effective against all without recognizing the specific identities of the enemies i.e Vyadhibala virudhitwa. It is composed of many factors. Firstly the constitutional factor due to which some individuals are more prone to some specific infections but others are not. b. The specific immunity: There is separate mechanism for each and every enemy (antigens).The weapon for one invader will not act against the other hence called specific. This immunity develops properly only when the body is exposed to the specific antigen. i. e. prior contact is essential, but theprovision is inborn, means sahaja. The specific immunity may be active or passive. Active immunity is developed within the body by the lymphocytes against antigens introduced in to the body i. e. vyadhi utpada prativandhakatwa. The passive immunity occurs due to transfer or introduction of antibodies from outside. It is a readymade immunity and can act immediately but it is short lasting. (Nath et al. CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF BALA (STRENGTH). UJAHM 2015, 03 (04): Page 103-108)

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]