Traya Upastambha (Essential
Triads of Health): This term is a combination of two words i.e. upa
menaing support and stambha meaning base. As the concept of five
elements that constitute our body is well known i.e. prithvi (the earth
element), jala (the water element), agni (the fire element), vayu (the
air element) & aakash (the space element) an equilibrium between
these five elements is essential for physiological functions of the
body. There are basically three triads that that help in the maintenance
of the panchamahabhoota, namely:
Ahar (balanced diet)
It literally means the diet that we consume daily. In other words every
humans daily meal is his Ahaar. This Ahaar consumed is taken in in the
form of protein, carbohydrates, minerals etc. that are essentials for
the body growth and development. In ayurveda health does not only refer
to the physical fitness but also to the sensorial, mental, &
spiritual wellbeing. The food taken in is in terms of saatvik, raajasik,
& taamsik bhojan. All these food categories effect the mood, sense
in different ways, as the Saatvik bhojan creates a sense of cheerfulness
& santosh (contentment), the Raajasik bhojan increases anger and ego
whereas the Tamasic bhojan causes laziness and depression.
Ayurveda also prescribes a conduct code while eating that states
refrain from speaking while eating, avoid gulping down of food (to chew
it properly) and the consumption of food must be according to the
constitution of the consumer rather than mere taste.
Swapna or Nidra (sleep)
According to ayurveda the state when the mind and body both go to rest
it is said that the living body is asleep. When the mind is afflicted by
taamoguna in the night, the kapha dosha increases and natural sleep is
inflicted. Kapha dosha is related to growth and development of our body
tissues and increases the immunity to fight against diseases. In the
presence of depression, anger or sensuality a good, calm sleep is not
possible because these increase vata (raajasik guna) which has an effect
opposite to that of tamoguna. Sleeping for long or sleeping beyond the
night at odd hours disturbs the whole day routine and have a bad effect
on health. Also lack of proper sleep gives a dull feel all day,
laziness, burning sensation in eyes in eyes, headache, body ache. Bad
sleep effects the routine, timely urge to eat along with regular bowel
movements.
Bramhacharya (abstinence)
It refers to the state of life when any living being refrains from
excessive sensuality. This state does not mean a complete sexual
abstinence but to indulge in sex such away so as not to have any adverse
effect on health.
Ayurveda insists on refraining oneself form sexual activities during
academic years and is defined as Bramhacharya ashram. Ayurveda advocates
sexual intercourse after marriage in the form of gruhastha ashram but
here also excessive indulgence is prohibited as it leads to loss of
physical strength, memory, lack of vitality, increases irritability and
disturbs the normal physiological functions of the body by causing a
dis-equilibrium of the three doshas. Ayurveda looks upon sex not merely
as fun but as one of the purushartha chatushtaya that means procreation.
Ayurveda believes in the principle of "Ati Sarvatra Varjaayet"
where ati means excess in any walk of life be it food, sleep or sex. All
of this emphasizes on the regulated functioning of the three triads.
