Achara Rasayana (आचार रसायनम्)

Achar Rasayana (आचार रसायनम्)

Achara rasayana is a unique concept in Ayurveda that implies to a specific code of conduct, lifestyle and behaviour which when followed religiously brings about rejuvenation in the body-mind system. One who adopts such behavioural practices is believed to gain all benefits of Rasayana therapy which offers rejuvenation, health, well-being, vigour, vitality and works as an antiaging medicine. Since one can achieve the benefits of rejuvenation therapy just by following a particular conduct and without physically consuming any medicinal substance it is called as behavioural rejuvenation medicine.

Introduction

Persons who are truthful and free from anger, who are devoid of alcohol and sex indulgence, who do not indulge in violence (himsa) or exhaustion, who are peaceful and pleasing in their speech, who practice japa (incantation) and cleanliness, who are stable and steady, who regularly practice charity and tapas (penance); who regularly offer prayers to the gods, teachers, preceptors and old people, who are absolutely free from barbarous acts, who are compassionate, whose period of awakening and sleep are regular, who habitually take milk and ghee, who acquainted with the measurement of (things appropriate to ) the country and the time, who are experts in the knowledge of rationality, who are free from ego, whose conduct is good, who are not narrow minded, who have love for spiritual knowledge, who have excellent sense organs, who have reverence for seniors, astikas (those who believe in the existence of God and validity of the knowledge of the Vedas), and persons having self-control and who regularly study scriptures, get the best out of rejuvenation therapy. If persons endowed with these qualities practice rejuvenation therapy, they get all the rejuvenation effects described above. Thus the rejuvenation effects of good conduct are described [30-35] Carak-Samhita, Volume III, Chapter 1, translated by Bhagwan Das , Chowkhamba Publication, Varanasi

components of Achar Rasayana

Traditional Behavioral Rasayanas:

Sadvrittam Anushtheyam: Follow the rules of Sadvritta (High Ethical and Moral Conduct) for Nithya Rasayana( Benefits of daily, non-material rejuvenative therapy)

“Satyavadinam akrodham…”

 Truthfulness

 Freedom from anger

 Non-indulgence in alcohol

 Nonviolence

 Calmness

 Sweet speech

 Engaged in meditation

 Cleanliness

 Perseverance

 Charitable

 Religious

 Respectful toward teachers, parents and elders

 Loving and compassionate

 Balanced in sleep and wakefulness

 Using ghee regularly

 Knowing the measure of time and place

 Controlling the senses

 Keeping the company of elders and the wise

 Positive attitude

 Self-control

 Devoted to Vedic scriptures

Clinical and practical applications and outcomes of Achara rasayana

One should strive to bring happiness, cheerfulness, and

positive manasbhavas to all. This attitude is termed as

Hitayu, which is characteristic of our Indian culture. Anger

and hostility are associated with CHD outcomes and predict

the development of atrial fibrillation [3].

Untruthfulness, ungratefulness, disrespect for the gods, insult

of the preceptors, sinful acts, misdeeds of past lives and

intake of mutually contradictory food are the causative

factors of kilasa (leucoderma) [4].

Sukra (semen) and ojas (rasa or plasma including chyle) get

diminished because of excessive emaciation as a result of

jealousy, anxiety, fear, apprehension, anger, grief, excessive

indulgence in sex, fasting and intake of less of nourishing

food. All these factors lead to the diminution of the

unctuousness of the body and aggravation of the vayu. This

aggravated vayu produces coryza, fever, cough, Malaysia,

headache, dyspnoea, diarrhoea, and anorexia, pain in the

chest, aphasia, and burning sensation in the shoulder region [5].

Imager, touch, music and prayer as adjuncts to interventional

cardiac care [6].

Ragas (music) exhibit positive effect on emotions and

prolonged life [7].

Music effectively improves quality of life increase health and

probably prolongs life [8].

A good painting cleanses and curbs anxiety and banishes bad

dreams [9].

Darshan-worshipping god and teachers, Mantras-religious

prayers, meditation, affect development of coronary artery

disease and helps in stress management [10].

Serving elderly people, respect for the parents, avoid alcohol

and smoking, satya (truth), ahimsa (nonviolence),

brahmacharya (observance of sexual discipline) are clearly

linked with cardiovascular disease. It is scientifically

demonstrated [11].

Low testosterone levels are associated with fatigue, and

exogenous testosterone has been shown to improve alertness

and well-being in hypogonadal patients. The combination of

extreme physical and mental stress in military survival

training radically suppresses testosterone. Cortisol was

positively correlated to testosterone, which makes stress, at

least in the sense of increased hypothalamus- pituitaryadrenal

(HPA) axis activity [12].

Antisocial behaviour in prisons, including violence, are

reduced by vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids with

similar implications for those eating poor diets in the

community [13].

If an individual, even after suffering from AIDS follows the

principles of sadvrta and Achara Rasayana, it wills

minismise the risk of spreading AIDS to the other members

of The Society. Those who fail to follow the good conduct

are prone to suffer from the Acts of prajnaparadha thus,

helping the disease to spread more rapidly in the population

[14].

Strongly followed Achar rasayan, were good at academics,

enjoying good physical & mental health & friendly

reputation among peers. Moderately following persons had

variability of enjoying satisfactory to good physical &

mental health, minor health problems, intermittent stress &

few didn’t have healthy peer relation. Poorly followed

Acharrasayan were comparatively slow learners & low

significant was found in various attendances [15]

Sleep and the circadian system are strong regulators of

immunological processes. The basis of this influence is a

bidirectional communication between the central nervous

and immune system which is mediated by shared signals

(neurotransmitters, hormones and cytokines) and irect

innervations of the immune system by the autonomic

nervous system. Nocturnal sleep, and especially SWS

prevalent during the early night, promotes the release of GH

and prolactin, while anti-inflammatory actions of cortisol and

catecholamines are at the lowest levels [16]

Significance of Achara rasayana

Those individuals who follow Achara rasayna get the best

out of rejuvenation therapy. If persons endowed with these qualities practise rejuvenation

therapy, they get all the rejuvenation effects described above.

In above verse these effects are classified in psychological, social, behavioral, spiritual,

personal, food and nutritional aspect etc

In improving the personality 2. In improving the social

relationship 3.In improving the physical health Achara

rasayana enhances the psycho-neuro- immunity.

Achararasayana helps the individual in understanding the

society and to know the role of an individual in society

Achara rasayana is an adravyabhoota type of rasayana in

which no pharmaceutical measure is taken under

consideration. This is a methodology to rejuvenate tissues of

body, develops mental health and other aspects of human

life. It increases immunity of the body and mind which an

essential factor for healthy life. It is also described in achara

rasayana, to gain the knowledge of Vedic literature which

sharpens our intellect. With the knowledge of literature, one

will restrict himself from prajnaparadha [17]

Speaking truth and sweat creates ojas in the body, the

biochemical correlate of bliss and health. Speaking lies, on

the other hand, creates ama, or impurities. Anger is within

everyone in seed form. Like a fire with a small flame, if we

put oil on it, it can flare up. By practicing unconditional

forgiveness, we can prevent the seed of anger from becoming

an uncontrollable wildfire. Anger not only creates ama and

amavisha—flooding the body with harmful hormones—but it

also burns ojas. In the Bhagavad Gita are said that "Anger is

more powerful than fire”. Teachers and elders can teach us

invaluable lessons by sharing their wisdom and experience.

An elder or teacher can tell us how we tried to practice

unconditional forgiveness, for instance, and what the results

were. Listening to Vedic chanting, such as the Sama Veda,

helps enhance coordination between heart and mind, senses

and mind, and aligns our awareness with the laws of nature,

so we can live a mistake-free life. All of the facets of the

ayurvedic routine (massage, exercise, yoga, eating the blance

diets timely help to promote positive behavior. By practicing

the Transcendental Meditation technique, open our mind to

pure consciousness, releasing stress and strengthening the

intellect to allow us to make healthy choices in life. All of

these foods are saatvic, meaning they are pure and convert

easily to ojas. They are medhya, supporting the physical

brain, and enhancing the coordination of mental functions.

Tamasic foods are the opposite of saatvic—they break down

the coordination between mind and body and inhibit the

experience of pure consciousness. They create darkness

rather than light. Tamasic foods include alcohol, garlic,

onions, red meat, leftovers, and packaged foods, which have

little life force. Anyone who wishes to practice Achara

Rasayana should avoid them. It’s important to stay in the

company of the wise, to choose like-minded, saavic friends

who will support your desire to follow Achara Rasayana and

away far from drinking alcoholic beverages or eating tamasic

foods [18].

Relevance of Achara rasayana in 21st Century

The speed of crime is growing at the present time very fastly, so control is crucial need for society.by

adopts principles of Ayurveda. Achara rasayana theory of Ayurveda can play an important role in this.

Contaminated food from getting contaminated mentality of today's human society in the way of

Murder, kidnapping, sexual harassments, dowry deaths, child rapes, dacoity, cheating, gambling,

immoral trafficking and cybercrime etc. are increasing. Crime against women across the country

increased by around 10 per cent last year as compared to previous year The NCRB (National Crime

Records Bureau) data, which has been categorised under the IPC crime and Special and Local Laws

(SLL) reveals a 7 per cent increase from 2013.

Cost- effective strategy to reduce global burden of disease.

Achara rasayana (Ayurvedic lifestyle modification) has been

highly significant clinically. Hence there is need for

conducting prospective cohort studies without publication

bias. Awareness about Acharya Rasayana in physicians and

health care policy makers needed.

Such events are very harmful for society. All these treatises are controlled by following Achara

rasayana or sadvritta. Today we can be success to make India plan by properly using skill of young

generation. It teaches about virtuous behaviors which are necessary to develop healthy society. It also

works in the way to calmness of mind which is necessary to develop spiritual aspect. Thus, we can say

that achara rasayana strengthens physical, mental, social and spiritual parts of health.