Chapter-2

Traya Upastambha
The Three supportive pillars
of Human life

TRAYA UPASTAMBHA
(Three supportive pillars of
human Life)

Aahara
Nidra

Brahmacharya

Traya Upastambha (Three supports)

1. Aahara
2. Nidra
3. Brahmacharya

(Diet)
(Sleep)
(Chastity)

AAHARA (DIET)

Definition of Aahara

The solid and liquid food swallowed and drunk

through mouth and passed through esophagus
is called Aahara.

IMPORTANCE OF AAHARA - 1
Importance

of Aahara:
- 3 Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
- 7 Dhatu (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda,
Asthi, Majja, Shukra)
- 3 Malas (Mutra, Purisha and Sweda)
Are the roots of human body.

IMPORTANCE OF AAHARA - 2
As

the roots of the plants give support to and

nourish the plant, similarly Dosha-DhatuMala support the body.

- In this process, they need nourishment,

which is supplied by appropriate Aahara.
- Aahara keeps equilibrium of Dosh-DhatuMala, which is necessary to prevent the
disease.

Proper diet

Improper diet

Health

Disease

Diet
1. Solid
2. Semisolid
3. Liquid

Diet
1. Asheetam

(Particles e.g. Rice)

2. Khadeetam

(To cut e.g. Bread)

3. Pitam

(To drink e.g. Soup)

4. Lidham

(Apply on tongue e.g. Pickles)

CLASSIFICATION OF
AAHARA (DIET)

Classification of Aahara (Diet)

N
o.

On the basis of

Classification

Consistency of food

1)
2)
3)

Nature of food

1)
2)
3)
4)

Potency of food

1)
2)

Rasa (Taste) of food

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Consistency Mainly of
original food items

1)
2)

Examples

Ghana (Solid)
Alpa Ghana (Semisolid)
Drava (Liquid)

1)

Almond
2)
Gruel
3) Milk

Ashita
Khadita
Peeta
Leedha

1)

Ushna (Hot)
Sheeta (Cold)

1)

Madhura (Sweet)
Amla (Sour)
Lavana (Salt)
Katu (Pungent)
Tikta (Bitter)
Kashaya (Astringent)

1)

Dravadravya (Liquid)
Annadravya (Solid)

1)

2)
3)
4)

2)

2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

2)

Rice
Bread
Milk
Jam
Black pepper
Ghruta
Sugar
Lemon
Salt
Ginger
Fenu greek
Coffee
Water, Milk, Oil
Grains,Beans,
Vegetables

CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET)

DRAVADRAVYA (LIQUID)
Varga

Class of -

Examples

1) Jala Varga

Different varieties of
water

Rain water, Boiled

water

2) Dugdha Varga

Milk & Milk products

Cows milk, Ghruta,

Butter

3) Taila Varga

Oils

Sesame oil, Almond

oil

4) Ikshu Varga

Sugarcane products

Sugar, Jaggery

5) Madya Varga

Wine / Alcoholic
beverages prepared
from food

Drakshasava,
Kharjurasava

6) Mutra Varga

Urine of Different
animals

Cows urine, Goats

urine

CLASSIFICATION OF AAHARA (DIET)

GHANADRAVYA (SOLIDS)
Varga
Class of Examples
1) Shuka Dhanya

Grains

Rice, Wheat, Maize

2) Shimbi Dhanya Beans, Pulses

Green gram, Lentil

3) Shaka Varga

Vegetables

Spinach, Red
Pumpkin

4) Mansa Varga

Meat

Goat meat,
Chicken

5) Haritaka Varga

Condiments/
Spices

Clove, Black
pepper, cumin
seeds

6) Krutanna Varga Receipes

Moong Soup,
Khichadi

Diet
One of the three supportive pillars
of Human Life
Diet(Aahar)
Sleep( Nidra)
Celibacy ( Brahmacharya)
Diet is the fuel of body machine.

Points to be considered
regarding diet
a) Classification of diet
b) Proper time for having meals
c)Quantity of Diet
d)Qualities of food substances
e)Rules for taking diet
f)Utensils
g)Incompatibility

I) a. Proper time for having meals

Hunger is a natural urge

When previous meal is completely and
properly digested, one experiences intense
hunger or appetite.

Ayurved describes two ways for Deciding the

time of having meals.
The two ways are as follows :
1. According to symptoms
2. According to time span between two meals

Characteristic symptoms of complete digestion are

1. Belching without bad smell & taste

2. Feels energetic
3. Evacuation of bowel and bladder without any
discomfort
4. Feeling of lightness
5. Feeling of intense hunger and thirst
If one feels above symptoms then and then
only one must take a meal

I) b. Proper time for having meals

o Duration between two meals should be
minimum three hrs. and one should not starve for
more than six hrs.
o For dinner Timing should be as such that
there should be a gap of 2 hrs between meal and
bedtime

II) Quantity of diet

Quantity should be proper
Depends on ones digestive capacity (Agni)
Quantity also depends on properties of food substances
for e.g.-Heavy substances should be taken in less quantity
On an average - consider three parts of stomach

1 Part for solid food

1 Part for liquid food

1 Part- should be kept empty for moments of Doshas

III) Qualities of Diet (Food substances)

Qualities of food substances are dependent on dominance of
Mahabhutas.
e.g.- Heavy food articles Predominant qualities of Prithvi ( Earth element)
Intake should be 1/3 or 1/2 of the saturation point.

Light food articles Predominant qualities of Vayu (Air element) and

Agni (Fire element)
Intake should not exceed the saturation point for
proper strength of Agni

The Food Taken

In Proper Quantity
Provides Certainly Strength
Complexion
Happy life With
Normalcy

IV) Rules for taking healthy Diet - 1

1. All the six tastes should be included in the diet
2. Food should be fresh, warm and moist
3. One should not eat in a hurry or loitering
4. One should not indulge in excessive laughing or
talking controversies, conflicts while enjoying
meals.

IV) Rules for taking healthy Diet - 2

5. One should eat in a pleasant, favorable places

in good company.
6. One should always know self constitution
(Prakriti) and give due consideration to
suitability of food substances.
7. One should be happy and joys mood while
taking meals and should concentrate on it.
8. Cleanliness and hygiene should be maintained
at the time of meals.

DIET WHICH IS BENEFICIAL IN GENERAL

Cereals

Shashti-Shali (Rice), Godhuma (Wheat), Ragi (Red

millet), Rakta shali (Red rice)

Pulses

Mudga (Green gram), Makushthaka (Lentil)

Meat

Goat, Deer, Pigeon, Common quail, Chicken

Vegetables

Patola (Snake-gourd), Moolaka (Radish)

Fruits

Amalaki (Indian gooseberry), Dadima (Pomegranate),

Draksha (Grapes)

Sugar

Puran Guda (Old jaggery), Madhu (Honey)

Milk-milk
products

Godugdha (cows milk), Goghruta (Clarified-butter of

cows milk)

Water

Clean and sterile rain-water.

Salt

Saindhava (Rock-salt)

Oil

Groundnut oil, olive oil

Dry Fruits

Vatam (Almond), Akshot (Walnut), Angira (Fig)

Spices

Ardraka (Ginger), Hingu(Asafetida), Dhanyaka

(Coriander), Jeeraka (Cumin seeds), Ela (cardamom)

DIET WHICH SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN GENERAL:Cereals

Yava (Barley), heavy preparation of flour, rice

and flattened rice.

Pulses

Masha (Black gram)

Meat

Pork, Beef, Buffalo meat, Fish, Dried meat, Meat

of emaciated animals

Vegetables

Dried vegetables, Lotus tuber , stem; Leafy

vegetables.

Fruits

Nikucha (Wild jack fruit), unripe Kapithha (Raw

wood apple)

Sugar

Kakvi (Boiled concentrated sugar cane juice)

Milk-milk
products

Kurchika & Kilata (Milk products like Paneer),

Mandaka Dadhi (Immature curds)

Water

River water in rainy season

Salt

Saindhava ( rock-salt)

Oil

Sunflower oil

Spices

Chilly powder

8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) - 1

There are eight specific factors of dietetics such as

nature, processing, combination, quantity, place,
time, rules for use and consumer.

Prakriti, svabhava (nature): The natural existence of

properties like guru etc. in substances used as food and
drugs, such as Black gram (heavy) and green gram (light);
for nonvegetarians: pork (heavy) and meat of deer (light)
Karana (processing): The making or refinement of
natural products, which means imparting other properties.
These properties are infused by contact of water and fire,
cleansing, churning, place, time, infusing, sleeping etc. and
also long duration, utensil etc.
Samyoga (combination): A combination of two or more
substances. This exhibits peculiarities, which are not seen
in the case of individual substances such as combination of
honey and ghee and that of honey, fish and milk.

8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) - 2

Rashi (Quantity): Rashi can be termed as

quantity. It is again divided as sarvagraha (total
count) and parigraha (individual amount), which
ascertain the result of the food taken in proper
and improper quantity. The accounting of the
quantity of the entire food in totality is
sarvaghraha while parighraha is that of the
individual items in the food. Thus accounting of
the entire is sarvgraha while that of all
individual food items is parigraha.
Desha (Place): Denotes place related to growth
as well as distribution of the substances and also
the suitability in respect of place.

8 Factors of Dietetics (Aahara) - 3

Kala (Time): Kala is eternally moving (time) as

well as conditional. The conditional one is related
to disorder while the eternally moving one to
seasonal suitability.
Upyogsamstha: This denotes the rules of
dietetics.
Upyokta : It is the person who consumes the
food. On him depends the ok-satmya (suitability
developed by practice).

V) Utensils
Various metallic and nonmetallic utensils are usedFor cooking
For serving
For storage.
Utensils does have desired or undesired effects on
food substances which are cooked in them.

Utensils

Utensils & their Effects on body

Type of Utensil

Beneficial effect on the Body

Gold

Best from medicinal point of

view

Silver

Promotes Liver Functions

Zinc

Improves Intelligence & Appetite

Brass

Promotes Vata and Agni but

cures Kapha

Steel

Useful in Jaundice

Glass

Cooling effect

Plates made from plant leaves

Antidote against poison.

Specific Use of Utensils for various

foodsType of utensil best for storage
Name of the Food item
Ghee

Steel vessel

Curd preparations

Stone utensils

Juices and fruit syrups

Glass and crystal ware

Fruits and confectionary

Leaves

Boiled and cooled milk

Copper vessels

Wines, Beverages

Earthen pots

Peyas (Porridge), Edible fluids

Silver bowl

Incompatibility/ Antagonistic
(Viruddha -Aahara) - 1
Definition :
Substances which are contrary to
physiological tissues, behave with
antagonism to them are called
Antagonistic or incompatible
(Viruddha- Aahara).

Food Incompatibility - 2
(Viruddha Aahara)
The substances which are contrary to physiological tissues
(Deha Dhatus) or behave with antagonism to them are
called antagonistic or incompatible. (Viruddha Ahara)
This antagonism may be in terms of properties,
combination, processing, place, time, Dosha etc. or natural
composition.
Many food combinations are given in the texts as
incompatible with proper explanation For e.g.
1) One should not take fish along with milk because this
combination is Abhishyandi (great obstructer for
channels), it vitiates blood.
2) After eating raddish, garlic, basil one should not take milk
because of the risk of skin disorders.
3) All sour liquids are antagonistic to milk.
4) Hot honey taken by a person induces toxicity and lead to
death.
5) Likewise honey and ghee in equal quantity, hot water after
taking honey are antagonistic.

Food Incompatibility - 3
The diet which is antagonistic with respect to

Place

Time

Agni

Dose

Suitability

Dosha

Processing

Potency

Bowels

Health conditions

Order

Contra-indication

Cooking

Combination

Palatability

Richness (in properties)

Rules of eating
is not wholesome for the person.

Food Incompatibility - 4
Examples of Incompatibility/ Antagonistic
(Viruddha -Aahara)
1) Veerya viruddha- (potency incompatibility)-Fish +
milk
2) Sanskar viruddha- (Processing incompatibility)
Heated Honey
3) Matra viruddha- (dose incompatibility) - Honey +
Cows ghee - mixed in equal proportion.
4) Krama viruddha - Hot water after taking honey
5) Kala viruddha- (Time incompatibility) Pungent
substance in summer & Cold substances in winter
6) Krama viruddha-(Order incompatibility)-Consuming
curd at night.
7) Samyoga viruddha- (Combination incompatibility)Fruit Salad / Milk+ Banana
8) Parihar viruddha (contraindication
incompatibility)-Consuming cold water
immediately after having hot tea or Coffee.

If one consumes above kind

of Incompatible diet Frequently &
In excess quantity
one definitely suffers from Blood Disorders
Skin Disorders
Digestive Disorders

NIDRA
(SLEEP)

Nidra (Sleep)
Definition
When srotas of the body obstructed by
Kapha Dosha,
When the body fatigued by exertion,
When the sense organs (Indriya)- not
functioning due to exertion,
sleep manifests in the body.

Merits & Demerits

Happiness and Misery
Nourishment and Emaciation
Strength and Weakness
Potency and Impotency
Knowledge and Ignorance
Life and Death
--------------------------Depend on Sleep.

Nidra (Sleep)
One of the 14 Adharaniya Vegas
(Natural Urges)
of the body
Being an Adharniya Vega
(Natural urge which should not be controlled)
- Should not be controlled when manifests
- Should not be taken forcefully when not
manifested.

Abnormal patterns (modes) of the

Nidra (Sleep)
Atinidra (Excess Sleep)
Anidra (Less Sleep)
Deewaswapa (Day Sleep)
Akalanidra (Not on appropriate time)
- Leads to diseases if followed regularly

Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
Brahmacharya or Celibacy - a topic which is
not much or is adversely discussed.
Definition - Brahmacharya or celibacy, means
abstinence from physical relationship.
This statement seems very stern and unrealistic
in ordinance with reality. Well, as the myth
goes, this word is generally defined in an
incorrect manner.

 Ayurved defines the word Brahmacharya

with much greater depth.
Brahmacharya is composed of two words
-Brahma & Charya
Brahma = Optimum knowledge
and Charya = The behavior.

Brahma also means Tapa, which means

Dedicated devotion.

Importance of Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya norms help to
- maintaining a good health
- maintaining a satisfied mind
- keeping in level with the spiritual development
thus maintaining the health of the society.

Phases of Life
Four phases of human life
- 1. Brahmacharyashram
- 2. Gruhasthashram
- 3. Vanaprasthashram
- 4. Sanyasashram
The concept of Brahmacharya passes through
these phases with varying descriptions.

 1. Brahmacharyashram phase
Brahmacharya means dedication towards
acquiring knowledge.
The education or knowledge required by a
person to attain his future means e.g a job,
business, trade etc., needs to be pursued
during this phase.
Here abstinence from any other distractions is
defined as Bramhacharya.

2. Gruhasthashram phase

Marriage and family life

Here abstinence from any partner, other than
your own spouse is considered within
Brahmacharya.

Important
rules
Gruhasthashram

to

maintain

in

Coitus should be done with ones own wife.

Nowadays there is a trend to enjoy a multipartner relationship. Abstinence from such is
suggested.
Coitus should be preferred at night.
There is natural coolness and quietness at
night, which helps to relax the mind naturally.

 Coitus should not be done in the morning,

afternoon and past midnight.
Morning - a prime work time. There should not
be distractions during it.
Afternoons - are warmer, and it is the Pitta Kala.
Past midnight - also the Pitta Kala, besides the
time to rest for revival.
Body heat during the Pitta Kala is higher, while
heat is not as much favorable for survival of the
sperms, it can also make conception difficult.

Important
rules
Gruhasthashram

to

maintain

in

Do not have coitus while menstruation, while

ill , during pregnancy, a partner other than
your spouse.
This is said so, as to avoid infections. Failing
which one suffers from sexually transmitted
diseases. AIDS being very predominant today.
Abnormal, awkward positions should be
avoided. Other than causing strain, it could
also hamper conception.

Important
rules
Gruhasthashram

to

maintain

in

Coitus must not be done while suppressing

the natural urges of defecation or urination,
while hungry, when either partner does not
have the desire etc.
Suppression leads to the elevation of the Vata
Dosha, which can not only cause dryness,
pain, also disturbs the harmony between the
other Doshas.

Important
rules
Gruhasthashram

to

maintain

in

In accordance with the seasons

Hemant and Shishir rutu - One can have a
relation more frequently.
Hemant and Shishir are winter months.
Climate is cool, pleasant. Mind is relaxed
and the health is at optimum.

Important
rules
Gruhasthashram

to

maintain

in

In accordance with the seasons

Vasant and Sharad rutu - Frequency should be
2-3 times a week.
The climate starts getting warmer.
Varsha and Grishma rutu - Abstinence, for
about 15 days needs to be maintained.
The climate is very hot, humid and stuffy.
Health is not so sound, so frequency can cause
weakness.

Regime after having coitus

After coitus, clean the genital organs.

Cleaning is for a good hygiene.
Have milk or milk products. Milk helps to
revive the energy.
Use cool and scented herbs. Cool herbs
give solace to the mind.

Point to ponder

Total abstinence may also cause mental stress, and physical

illness.
Like any others, this too is a natural urge. Thus one must keep
a realistic approach.
These rules about Brahmacharya, have been framed, keeping
in mind the natural requirements of the Gruhasthashram
phase.
Following these gives absolute safety, at the same time one
can enjoy the fullness of life.
It rewards in better health of the individual and also the entire
society.
These are basically simple norms, which have been very
thoughtfully framed in interest of the society.

3. Vanaprasthashram
The age factor has progressed, the family
duties are quite fulfilled.
Here one should learn to slowly detach
oneself from family bonds, emotional
attachments, physical requirements etc.

4. Sanyasashram
One is now prepared to totally abstain from all
enticements of life. It includes both physical &
emotional attachments.
One is in a totally detached state from the
worldly pleasures and seeks enlightenment,
about the almighty, as he prepares for Moksha.

The untoward effects of changing trends

The trend to choose a multi-partner
relationship. Not just an individual threat, but a
threat to the entire society.
The occurrence of diseases like AIDS perked
up. Transmission of this disease from mother to
the foetus.
We can therefore conclude that such liberal
activities not only harm the current generation,
as well as the next generation. The society by
and large is affected.