Namaskára - Salutation

The Ashtanga comes to us from the time of Nalanda University and is a condensed version of the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita. These works were primarily transmitted orally, through recitation, until they were transcribed. As a result of Moghul rule and then British colonialism, the university was destroyed and some of the transcriptions were looted and taken out of India. The wisdom was still retained by those who could recite it, however. After India became independent in 1947, these works were reissued in print form.

Our likes and dislikes create the imbalances that manifest in our mind and body as disease. To be able to see through to the essence or principle at play is the goal of the Ayurvedic physician. When things develop and transform, their transformation is total - the seed becomes a sprout that has absolutely different physical qualities than either the seed or the mature plant it will become, but the plan to become that plant is present at every phase of, both in the seed and in the sprout. Seeing the plan is the aim.

This verse begins with the word "rág", which means stated of mind. The word "Ádi" means "and so on" and the word "róga" means diseases. In modern terms we call this psychosomatic. It is fascinating to realise that Ayurveda had so deep understanding of psychosomatics thousands of years ago.

The meaning of the word rága includes all emotions such as desire, anger, greed, arrogance, jealousy, selfishness and so on. Their long term activity on the brain causes agni damage (to the endocrine system), a hormonal disbalance in the body that subsequently causes dhátu nirmán damage, (to the metabolic process) and the metabolism of the tissues, their cells, as well as the process of creating new tissues is affected.

For example, if one is experiencing jealousy or anxiety for several months or years. the results of this will take an effect on a subtle level and will be widespread all over the body.

This writing is dedicated to knowledge of the human body and its physiology. The writer began the first verse by honoring The Wise, who have detailed knowladge of all these things. Living with respect is a tradition in India that diminishes rág.