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Nidra (Samskrit: निद्रा) refers to the sleep. Sleep is not merely the state of reversible unconsciousness but, according to Ayurveda, sleep is that state of body, mind, senses and energy where the interaction between [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|purush]] (पुरुषः) and loka (लोकम्) is suspended for some time. This provides rest and relaxation to body, mind and senses which consequently relax, rejuvenate and re-energize the person. Thus, sleep is associated with health and well-being of [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|body]] (शरीरम्), [[Manas (मनः)|mind]] (मनः) and senses ([[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|इन्द्रियाणि]]). Sleep plays major role in the energy dynamics of the body-mind system of a human being. It is that aspect of life process which helps to restore and preserve energy which which could be then utilized to carry out body tissue repair. Because of this Ayurveda has considered sleep as one of the 3 supports of life and thus has given significant attention to the causes, process, effects and disorders related to the sleep.  

Nidra (Samskrit: निद्रा) refers to the sleep. Sleep is not merely the state of reversible unconsciousness but, according to Ayurveda, sleep is that state of body, mind, senses and energy where the interaction between [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|purush]] (पुरुषः) and loka (लोकम्) is suspended for some time. This provides rest and relaxation to body, mind and senses which consequently relax, rejuvenate and re-energize the person. Thus, sleep is associated with health and well-being of [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|body]] (शरीरम्), [[Manas (मनः)|mind]] (मनः) and senses ([[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|इन्द्रियाणि]]). Sleep plays major role in the energy dynamics of the body-mind system of a human being. It is that aspect of life process which helps to restore and preserve energy which which could be then utilized to carry out body tissue repair. Because of this Ayurveda has considered sleep as one of the 3 supports of life and thus has given significant attention to the causes, process, effects and disorders related to the sleep.  

== निद्रा उत्पत्तिः॥ Utpatti of Nidra ==

== निद्रा उत्पत्तिः॥ Utpatti of Nidra ==

Acharya Sushruta has stated that, Nidra originates from maya of devata Vishnu (विष्णुः). Thus, nidra is said to be Vaishnavi (वैष्णवी).<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=vaiShNav Sharirasthanam Adhyayam 4 Sutram 33])</ref> As per Hindu tradition, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the 3 devatas (देवताः) which represent the 3 dimensions of cosmic energy, creation, sustenance and destruction respectively. In this, Vishnu devata sustains the creation and represents the eternal principle of preservation. Thus, with respect to the human body, Vaishnavi Nidra is said to be the one that sustains life and helps in energy preservation. Therefore while evaluating the energy dynamics of human body Ayurveda lays high emphasis on sleep disturbances of the individual.  

Acharya Sushruta has stated that, Nidra originates from maya of devata Vishnu (विष्णुः). Thus, nidra is said to be Vaishnavi (वैष्णवी).<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=vaiShNav Sharirasthanam Adhyayam 4 Sutram 33])</ref> As per Hindu tradition, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the 3 devatas (देवताः) which represent the 3 dimensions of cosmic energy, creation, sustenance and destruction respectively. In this, Vishnu devata sustains the creation and represents the eternal principle of preservation. Thus, with respect to the human body, Vaishnavi Nidra is said to be the one that sustains life and helps in energy preservation. Therefore while evaluating the energy dynamics of human body Ayurveda lays high emphasis on sleep disturbances of the individual.  

== निद्रा त्रिगुण संबंधः॥ Nidra and Triguna ==

== निद्रा त्रिगुण संबंधः॥ Nidra and Triguna ==

== निद्राभेदाः॥ Types of Nidra ==

== निद्राभेदाः॥ Types of Nidra ==

Ayurveda literature described various types of sleep. There exist various causes related to body, mind and also the outer environment which may affect the process of sleep. The cause, effect and type of sleep decide its positive or negative effects on body and mind. Therefore, based on such factors, sleep has been categorized into various types. These are as below

Ayurveda literature described various types of sleep. There exist various causes related to body, mind and also the outer environment which may affect the process of sleep. The cause, effect and type of sleep decide its positive or negative effects on body and mind. Therefore, based on such factors, sleep has been categorized into various types by Acharya Charaka.<ref>Charaka Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=rAtri Sutrasthanam Adhyayam 21 Sutram 58])</ref> These are as below

=== तमोभवा॥ Tamobhava ===

=== तमोभवा॥ Tamobhava ===

== रात्रौ जागरणम्॥ Ratrau Jagaranam ==

== रात्रौ जागरणम्॥ Ratrau Jagaranam ==

Jagaranam (जागरणम्) means to stay awake. Thus, staying awake at night is known as Ratrau jagaranam (रात्रौ जागरणम्). The human body is designed and programmed in such a way that it works in tune with the nature. Thus the biological clock inside human body is set according to day-night cycle in external environment. When it is night, the outside environment is dark and cool. It is believed that the darkness is the attribute associated with [[Tamas (तमः)|Tamas]] or Tamo guna. Thus there is abundance of tamo guna in environment which naturally helps to induce the sleep in humans. An individual sleeps at night due to change in external environment and thus the sleep at night is natural and beneficial. However, if one stays awake at night it is called as Jagaranam. Staying awake late night causes adverse effects on health. It is said to cause imbalance of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]]. According to Ayurveda it increases excessive dryness and heat in body which lead to imbalances in . Thus, staying awake at night is listed as cause for multiple diseases.  

Jagaranam (जागरणम्) means to stay awake. Thus, staying awake at night is known as Ratrau jagaranam (रात्रौ जागरणम्). The human body is designed and programmed in such a way that it works in tune with the nature. Thus the biological clock inside human body is set according to day-night cycle in external environment. When it is night, the outside environment is dark and cool. It is believed that the darkness is the attribute associated with [[Tamas (तमः)|Tamas]] or Tamo guna. Thus there is abundance of tamo guna in environment which naturally helps to induce the sleep in humans. An individual sleeps at night due to change in external environment and thus the sleep at night is natural and beneficial. However, if one stays awake at night it is called as Jagaranam. Staying awake late night causes adverse effects on health. It is said to cause imbalance of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]]. According to Ayurveda it increases excessive dryness<ref name=":2">Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyayam 7 Sutram 55)</ref> and heat in body which leads to increase in inflammation in body tissues. Thus, staying awake at night is listed as cause for multiple diseases.  

== दिवास्वापः॥ Diwaswap ==

== दिवास्वापः॥ Diwaswap ==

Diwaswap refers to sleep at daytime. According to natural cycle an individual performs various activities in a daytime or when there is sunlight in abundance. Lack of Tamas guna keeps one awake. But when one sleeps at this time it is not in accordance with the natural course of time. Thus Diwaswap is not advisable rather discouraged except in harsh summers and certain medical conditions or age groups.  

Diwaswap refers to sleep at daytime. According to natural cycle an individual performs various activities in a daytime or when there is sunlight in abundance. Lack of Tamas guna keeps one awake. But when one sleeps at this time it is not in accordance with the natural course of time. Sleeping at daytime increases Kapha dosha levels in body leading to multiple disorders.<ref name=":2" /> Thus Diwaswap is not advisable rather discouraged except in harsh summers and certain medical conditions or age groups.  

== निद्रावेगः॥ Nidra vega : Sleep, The natural urge ==

== निद्रावेगः॥ Nidra vega : Sleep, The natural urge ==

Nidra is identified as one of the vegas. Vega refers to the natural urge of the body which is felt or generated in order to fulfill the demand of body to correct the imbalance or to reestablish the equilibrium. Forceful induction or suppression of these urges affects health and well-being. Thus forcible induction of sleep known as Nidra udirana and forcible suppression of urge to sleep, known as Nidra vidharana could lead to multiple health issues.  

Nidra is identified as one of the vegas (वेगाः).<ref>Ashtang Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyayam 4 Sutram 1)</ref> Vega refers to the natural urge of the body which is felt or generated in order to fulfill the demand of body to correct the imbalance or to reestablish the equilibrium. Forceful induction or suppression of these urges affect health and well-being. Thus forcible induction of sleep known as Nidra udirana (निद्रा उदीरण) and forcible suppression of urge to sleep, known as Nidra vidharana (निद्रा विधारण) could lead to multiple health issues.  

== निद्राफलम्॥ Effects of sleep ==

== निद्राफलम्॥ Effects of sleep ==

Nidra plays important role in controlling various aspects of life in a human being. Even the sustenance of life or disruption can also be related to sleep. <blockquote>निद्रायत्तं सुखं दुःखं पुष्टिः कार्श्यं बलाबलम्| वृषता क्लीबता ज्ञानमज्ञानं जीवितं न च||३६||</blockquote><blockquote>अकालेऽतिप्रसङ्गाच्च न च निद्रा निषेविता| सुखायुषी पराकुर्यात् कालरात्रिरिवापरा||३७|| Cha. Su 21</blockquote>In human beings, happiness and misery, nourishment and emaciation, strength and weakness, fertility and infertility, knowledge and ignorance, and life and death depend upon proper (and improper sleep). Happiness and longevity both can be taken away from an individual if the person takes Untimely, excessive sleep or is sleep deprived. The energy obtained from appropriately taken sleep is thus compared with the real knowledge of yogis which  gives them spiritual powers.  

Nidra plays important role in controlling various aspects of life in a human being. Even the sustenance of life or disruption can also be related to sleep. <blockquote>निद्रायत्तं सुखं दुःखं पुष्टिः कार्श्यं बलाबलम् । वृषता क्लीबता ज्ञानमज्ञानं जीवितं न च॥ </blockquote><blockquote>अकालेऽतिप्रसङ्गाच्च न च निद्रा निषेविता । सुखायुषी पराकुर्यात् कालरात्रिरिवापरा ॥ (Char Samh 21.11) <ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyayam 21 Sutram 11)</ref>  </blockquote><blockquote>nidrāyattaṁ sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ puṣṭiḥ kārśyaṁ balābalam । vr̥ṣatā klībatā jñānamajñānaṁ jīvitaṁ na ca॥</blockquote><blockquote>akāle'tiprasaṅgācca na ca nidrā niṣevitā । sukhāyuṣī parākuryāt kālarātririvāparā ॥ (Char Samh 21.11)</blockquote>In human beings, happiness and misery, nourishment and emaciation, strength and weakness, fertility and infertility, knowledge and ignorance, and life and death depend upon proper (and improper sleep). Happiness and longevity both can be taken away from an individual if the person takes Untimely, excessive sleep or is sleep deprived. The energy obtained from appropriately taken sleep is thus compared with the real knowledge of yogis which  gives them spiritual powers.  

== देहवृत्तौ निद्रा॥ Role of sleep in survival ==

== देहवृत्तौ निद्रा॥ Role of sleep in survival ==

Ayurveda gives equal importance to sleep as food in maintenance and survival of human being. It is said that even life and death of a person depends on the sleep pattern of an individual. Thus, not just food but sleep is also equally important fro nourishment of a human being which makes th eone capable to survive in the external environment and perform activities required to continue his struggle for survival.  

Ayurveda gives equal importance to sleep as food in maintenance and survival of human being. It is said that even life and death of a person depends on the sleep pattern of an individual. Thus, not just food but sleep is also equally important fro nourishment of a human being which makes the person capable of surviving in the external environment and perform activities required to continue his struggle for survival. <blockquote>देहवृत्तौ यथाऽऽहारस्तथा स्वप्नः सुखो मतः ॥ (Char Samh 21.51)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyayam 21 Sutram 51)</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>dehavr̥ttau yathā<nowiki>''</nowiki>hārastathā svapnaḥ sukho mataḥ ॥ (Char Samh 21.51)</blockquote>

 

देहवृत्तौ यथाऽऽहारस्तथा स्वप्नः सुखो मतः| Cha su 21/51

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

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