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In this way, in every succeeding yuga, the righteousness or dharma has reduced and thus there is consequent reduction in quality of life of human beings and also quality of plants.  

In this way, in every succeeding yuga, the righteousness or dharma has reduced and thus there is consequent reduction in quality of life of human beings and also quality of plants.  

== Mrtyu a type of disease ==

== Is the life span of an individual predetermined ? ==

Acharya Sushruta has counted Mrutyu under Swabhavika vyadhi or roga. It means, Mrutyu can be looked at as a natural phenomenon for any individual but which is not desirable and thus called as vyadhi or roga.

Charaka Samhita throws light on the question about whether the life span of the humans is predetermined or not. While addressing this question raised by one of the disciples, the factors that decide one's life span have been elaborated in Charka Samhita. Acharya Charaka denies the possibility of occurrence of predetermined life span. To support this, he says, if everyone's life were predetermined, there would not been any use of various therapeutic measures or code of conduct which proves beneficial for one's health and well-being. If the life-span in every case were predetermined, then none would be found to seek longevity by means of acts such as chanting ''mantra'', sacrifices, offerings, oblations, regimen, atonement (''prayaschitta''), fasting and other purgative therapies, benedictory rites, genuflexion (the act of bending the knee in worship), pilgrimages and sacrificial rites. Multiple points have been discussed and put forward to support that life span is not predetermined. (charakasamhitaonline https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php?title=Janapadodhvansaniya_Vimana#The_proof_of_the_indeterminateness_of_the_life_span )

 

Thus Ayurveda recommends that to obtain the desired life span, one should keep a control on karma generated from physical, psychological and vocal activities in this life and adopt appropriate methods to protect his life from various injurious elements.

 

While illustrating the causes and facts which support the indeterminate nature of life span, Acharya Charaka puts forward few examples that had clearly shown their impact on life span. On the basis of observation of thousands of humans (data) it was found that the life span of those who repeatedly engage in fighting and those who keep away is not the same. Similarly, the life-span of those whose diseases are treated in early stage and those whose diseases are not treated as soon as they are manifested is not the same. Also the life span of those who  similarly with those who come in contact with poisonous substances, and those who do not also differs. From all these examples it is concluded that more the wear and tear of body more are the chances of getting reduced life span. To support this, Acharya Charaka gives example of 2 pots, one earthen pot used for daily chores and one ornamental which is usually securely placed, taken care of and rarely used. Naturally the life (span) of both these pots will be different. And thus importance of wholesome regimen and cautious efforts to preserve health is highlighted.

 

Ayurveda stresses upon adopting wholesome regimen since that only is considered to be the basis of life and contrary is that of death. <blockquote>तस्माद्धितोपचारमूलं जीवितम्, अतो विपर्ययान्मृत्युः|</blockquote>

== Role of karma in deciding life span or death ==

== Role of karma in deciding life span or death ==

It is said that the Ayu of living beings is based on yukti. The strength and weakness of yukti is a compound of Daiva and Purushakara. Daiva means one’s own deeds in the previous life while purushakara stands for one’s actions (deeds) in this life. Thus one's deeds in this as well as in previous life are considered to be the deciding factors of one's life span in this life.  

It is said that, the Ayu of living beings is based on yukti. The strength and weakness of yukti is a compound of Daiva and Purushakara. Daiva means one’s own deeds in the previous life while purushakara stands for one’s actions (deeds) in this life. Thus one's deeds in this as well as in previous life are considered to be the deciding factors of one's life span in this life.  

तं भगवानुवाच- इहाग्निवेश! भूतानामायुर्युक्तिमपेक्षते| दैवे पुरुषकारे च स्थितं ह्यस्य बलाबलम्||२९||

तं भगवानुवाच- इहाग्निवेश! भूतानामायुर्युक्तिमपेक्षते| दैवे पुरुषकारे च स्थितं ह्यस्य बलाबलम्||२९||

A weak ''daiva'' gets subdued by a strong ''purushakara''. Similarly a strong daiva overshadows one’s ''purushakara'' and because of this, some scholars hold the view that the span of life is invariably predetermined. There are some powerful actions whose implementation takes place at a predetermined time, but there is another kind of action whose implementation is not predetermined and gets manifested in an appropriate atmosphere.  

A weak ''daiva'' gets subdued by a strong ''purushakara''. Similarly a strong daiva overshadows one’s ''purushakara'' and because of this, some scholars hold the view that the span of life is invariably predetermined. There are some powerful actions whose implementation takes place at a predetermined time, but there is another kind of action whose implementation is not predetermined and gets manifested in an appropriate atmosphere.  

== Types of Mrtyu ==

== Types of Mrtyu ==