Health is defined as the physical, mental and social well being. It is not only the absence of diseases, butapositive concept with meaning and purpose. According to one study published in the Lancet in 2009, health is the ability to adapt to new challenges and threats. In the Ayurveda the component of Prasanta - joy is emphasised. If all the systems of the human body are working in proper coordination and producing a sense of bliss, it is Swasthya. The word Swasthya is loosely translated as health. But health is the after effect of healing. Swasthya is the natural rhythm of the human body and mind. In the modern age, numerous pathological tests are conducted to detect diseases. Sometimes these tests fail to find out ailments as the ailments are not fully grown or manifest. In most of the cases where there are mental and psychological problems, these tests are not very effective.  

 

In such psychiatric problems, there are almost no pathological signs in blood, urine, stool , etc. At initial stages, neural tests are also not indicative of such mental problems. In Ayurveda lots of practical tips are given to detect that the human system is not working properly. The first is Ahara or food. If the appetite is disturbed, it means that the system has developed some diseases or in the process of developing ailments. The second is Nidra or sleep. The disruption of sleep is a sure sign of physical or mental problems. The third is Bhaya or fearsense of self preservation. If there is no fear or there is excessive fear, it is a certain sign of severe diseases. The fourth is Maithun or sexuality.Ahealthy life is characterised by a balanced sexual life. If any one of the four instincts is imbalanced, it means that the person needs medical consultation. In the Indian tradition of Yoga and Ayurveda, dreams have been assigned great importance. Duhaswapna or nightmares are considered as bad omens.

 

Frequent nightmares are the signals that all is not well in the human system. In the modern research of nightmares, it is proved that nightmares are related to depression and other mental disorders. Heart disease and cancer may also trigger nightmares. Although Freud was of the view that dreams were unfulfilled desires, he later accepted the existence of traumatic dreams. Thus frequent nightmares are indicators of growing or developing diseases. According to Indian tradition there are five sense organs composed of sensory neurons and which perceive and respond to surroundings. The human mind receives data through sense organs and analyses.

 

These five sense organs , ears, eyes, tongue, skin and nose are the gateways of our information coming to our brain. These sense organs are linked to our instincts, appetite, sleep, fear and sex. Their proper coordination and functions are signs of good health. Any disturbance in their rhythm is indicative of looming illness. In Ayurveda the practitioner first observes these signs and prescribes medication.

 

(The writer is DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra)