Abstract

AYURVEDA AND MENTAL HEALTH

Dr. Kiran Kumari* and Dr. Vijay Shankar Pandey

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Abstract

Ayurveda has given utmost importance to mental health for ages. Acharya Susruta has said that for being healthy, apart from physical and spiritual health, mental health is equally important. Mental health is not just the absence of a mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work effectively and fruitfully, and can make a positive contribution to their community. The entity through which all indriyas perceive their knowledge is mana. Mind process the inputs from outside perceived through sense organ and develop response by the interrelated activity of its attributes. Mana cannot perceive the right knowledge when manasik doshas rajas and tamas predominate in mana; which results in manovikaras that our desires, anger, greed, ignorance, jealousy, ego, intoxication, mourn, fear, and joy. Today mental health issues are increasing because of altered food habits and lifestyles. Physical health and mental health are connected. Physical health if persists for a long time ultimately affects mental health and vice versa. The main treatment mentioned in Ayurveda includes satvavajaya chikitsa(psychotherapy). Nowadays lots of mental health issues have been growing in society. We have to understand that the ultimate goal of a human’s life is moksha (salvation) and that is real happiness. Mental health is often neglected in our society. It is considered a social stigma. If a person is suffering from a mental issue he/she doesn’t want to reveal it. Mental health should be given equal importance as physical health because the development of a country depends only on the fact that how healthy its citizens are as the saying says, Health is wealth.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Mental health, Mana, Mind.