All of us have expressions; we display different emotions using these expressions. We convey lot of information and whatever we want to tell with the help of expressions, even without having spoken them.
The body too has some expressions. They are silent languages or signals given to us conveying something. They are generated by the intelligent system of our body. Our mind transmitter should be alert and ready to catch, understand and respond to those expressions. These expressions come in the form of natural body reflexes or urges. Ayurveda calls them as Vegas.
Important things to remember about the vegas –
When the body want to throw away certain things from the body, it produces these vegas.
This is body’s method of keeping itself healthy.
This is also a natural detoxification process by which the body is trying to protect itself.
When we get these signals called vegas, our job is to attend and address them immediately.
Vegas, when addressed in proper time will not only keep the body but also the mind in a healthy status.
The things which are impending to go out have to be flushed out. When held up forcibly, or artificially obstructed they cause serious damage to the body and mind in a long run. Therefore the vegas should neither be suppressed nor forcibly controlled. They should be helped out.
On repeated obstruction of impending doshas, the body learns to hold back the things. The held back wastes and toxins damage the cells, channels and organs of the body leading to wide array of diseases.
Likewise, the vegas shall not be artificially created when they are not impending. We have to allow their natural manifestation.
These vegas are called as Adharaneeya Vegas or Natural impending reflexes (urges) which should not be controlled.
Which are the vegas that should not be forcibly obstructed or suppressed?
The body produces 13 types of vegas, which should not be suppressed at any cost. They are as below mentioned –
Vegan na dhaarayet vaata vin mutra kshavat trut kshudhaam
Nidraa kaasa shrama shwaasa jrumbha ashru chardi retasaam (Ref – Ashtanga Hridaya Sutra 4/1)
Vata (adho vata) – urge to fart or pass the flatus
vit (pureesha) – urge for defecation
Mutra – urge for urination
Kshavathu – urge to sneeze
Trut – urge to drink water or thirst reflex
Kshudha – urge to take food or hunger reflex
Nidra – urge to sleep
Kasa – urge to cough
Shrama shwasa – urge of breathing on exertion
Jrumbha – urge to yawn
Ashru – urge to weep, tears
Chardi – urge to vomit
Retas – urge for ejaculation of semen
Adhovata veg dharan: – urge to fart, effects of suppression
The wind or gases or fart, whatever we name it, it tends to move in 2 directions. If the wind moves downwards, it probably has its origin from colon. If it moves upwards it has its origin from stomach or upper gut. The wind moving downwards is called adhovayu or adhovata (fart). The wind moving upwards is called urdhwavata (dry belchings).
The symptoms of forcible suppression of the ‘urge to fart’ are as mentioned below –
Gulma – abdominal tumour, abdominal distension, bloating
Udavarta – upward movement of vayu (retrograde movement), bloat or distension of abdomen
Ruk or ruja – pain in the abdomen
Klama – tiredness, exhaustion with minimum work
Vata sanga – obstruction (blockage) to the smooth passage of flatus or fart
Mutra sanga – obstruction (blockage) to the smooth passage of urine
Shakrut sanga – obstruction (blockage) to the smooth passage of stools
Drushti vadha – loss or blurring of vision
Agni vadha – loss of digestive power or low metabolism
Hrud gadaaha – diseases of heart or upward pressure over the heart leading to its physiological disturbances
The symptoms of suppression of udgara or ‘urge to belch’ have not been included in the list of vegas mentioned in classic references, but the symptoms have been enumerated in this context. Belching or upward movement of vayu (urdhwa vayu) can be considered as sub-type of vata vega. In the list of vegas, vata has been mentioned. Vata vega can be subdivided into – urdhwavata vega (belch) and adhovata vega (fart). Symptoms of urdhwavata or udgara avarodha are as below mentioned –
The symptoms of forcible suppression of ‘urge for belching’ are as below mentioned –
Aruchi – loss of taste sensation, anorexia, aversion towards food
Kampa – tremors
Vibandha – constipation
Vibandha hrudaya – feeling of stiffness (tightness) or compression in the heart
Urasoho vibandha – feeling of stiffness (tightness) or compression in the chest region
Aadhmaana – distension of abdomen due to collection of gases, bloating
Kasa – cough
Hidhma – hiccup
Pureesha vega – urge to pass stools or faeces, urge for defecation, effects of suppression
symptoms:
Pindikodweshtana – calf muscles cramp (twitching pain in the muscles of the calf region)
Pratishyaya – running nose, cold congestion
Shiroruja – headache
Urdhwavayu – upward movement of vayu
Parikarta – cutting or splitting pain in the anal region
Hrudayasya uparodhana – feeling of tightness or compression in the chest
Mukhen vit pravritti – vomiting of faeces or feeling as if the faeces is regurgitating into the throat and mouth, foul and faecal breath
Mutra vega – urge to void urine, effects of suppression
The symptoms of forcible suppression of ‘urge to void urine’ are as below mentioned –
Anga bhanga – breaking pain in all the parts of the body
Ashmari – urinary stones (calculi)
Basti vedana – pain in the region of the urinary bladder
Medhra vedana – pain in the penis
Vankshana vedana – pain in the groin
Poorve cha prayo rogaaha – diseases mentioned in the ‘adhovata vega avarodha’ and ‘pureesha vega avarodha’ also get manifest by suppression of urine
Common principles of management of disorders arising due to forcible suppression of vata (flatus), pureesha (stools or faeces) and mutra (urine) vegas –
The above said conditions should be managed by administration of –
Varti – rectal and or urethral suppositories
Abhyanga – herbal oil massage (general body massage and local massage around the pubic area, abdomen, pelvic region and around the genitals can also be done)
Avagaha – tub bath or sitz bath in herbal liquids like decoctions, oil, milk etc
Swedana – sweating therapy, fomentation, sudation,
Vasti karma – therapeutic enemas with medicated (herbal) decoctions, oils, ghee and or milk
Vid bhedi annapana – foods which help in easy passage of stools
Kshavathu Vega – urge to sneeze, sneeze reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of ‘urge to sneeze’ are as below mentioned –
Shiro arti – headache
Indriya dourbalya – feeling of weakness in the sense organs, weak perception by sense organs
Manya stambha – stiffness of the nape of neck
Ardita – Facial paralysis or facial palsy
Management of disorders arising due to forcible suppression of sneezing (kshavathu vega) –
Teekshna dhuma – strong fumigation, herbal smoking which are very strong and intensive
Anjana – herbal collyrium
Navana – nasal medication, drops, snuffs
Arka vilokana – seeing the sun directly
Sneha – oleation
Swedana – sudation, fomentation, sweating therapy, steaming
Trishna Vega – urge to drink water, thirst reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of thirst or ‘urge to drink water’ are as below mentioned –
Shosha – emaciation, feeling of dryness in the body
Angasada – weakness, unexplained debility
Badhirya – deafness
Sammoha – loss of consciousness
Bhrama – giddiness
Hrud gada – diseases pertaining to heart
Management of disorders arising due to forcible suppression of thirst (trishna vega) –
Sarva Sheeta vidhi – all measures which are cooling in nature (coolant) shall be planned which includes cold foods, drinks (water), bath and other comforts
Kshudha vega – urge to have food, hunger reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression:
Angabhanga – non-specific body pains
Aruchi – anorexia, aversion to food, loss of taste
Glani – debility
Karshya – emaciation or loss of weight
Shoola – colic, pain abdomen
Bhrama – giddiness, delusion
Management of such disorders:
Laghu bhojana – foods which are easy to digest
Snigdham bhojanam – foods with unctuous or oily substances like oil, ghee etc
Ushna bhojanam – hot and fresh foods
Alpam bhojanam – less quantity of food
Nidra vega – urge to sleep, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of sleep or ‘urge to sleep’ are as below mentioned –
Moha – delusion
Murdha gourava – heaviness of head
Akshi gouravam – heaviness of the eyes
Alasya – laziness, lassitude
Jrumbha – yawning
Angabhanga – body pains
Management of such disorders:
Ishta swapna – compensatory sleep
Samvahana – soothing massages
Kasa vega – urge to cough, cough reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms arising due to constant suppression:
Shwasa – shortness of breath, dyspnoea, difficulty to breath
Aruchi – tastelessness, anorexia, aversion to food
Hrudamaya – cardiac disorders
Shosha – emaciation, depletion of tissues, feeling of dryness in the body
Hidhma – hiccup
Management of such disorders:
Kasaha sutaraam vidhihi – these conditions should be managed on the lines of management of kasa, all the principles and treatments effective in treatment of kasa roga or cough (disease) are recommended in these conditions
Shrama Shwasa vega – urge for breathing on exertion, effects of suppression
Symptoms –
Gulma – abdominal tumours, distension of abdomen or bloating
Hrud roga – cardiac disorders
Sammoha – loss of consciousness, fainting, delusion
Management of such disorders:
Vishrama – rest
Vataghna kriya krama – treatments, medicines and diet to control and combat vata
Jrimbha vega – urge for yawning, yawn reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of yawning are similar to those of sneeze suppression.
Management – Sarvaha cha anila jit vidhihi – all remedies, treatments, diet, lifestyle modulations which balance vata are recommended
Ashru vega – urge to weep or cry, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of tears:
Aruchi – tastelessness, anorexia, aversion to food
Bhrama – giddiness, delusion
Gulma – abdominal tumours, bloating of abdomen, fullness of abdomen
Management of such disorders:
Swapna – sleep
Madhya – medicated alcohol
Priya katha – pleasant stories, hearty discussions and interactions with near and dear ones
Chardi vega – urge to vomit, vomiting reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms:
Visarpa – Herpes, Erysipelas,
Kotha – skin eruptions or rashes
Kushta – skin diseases
Akshi roga – eye disorders
Kandu – itching, pruritus
Pandu – anaemia, liver disorders
Jwara – fever
Kasa – cough
Shwasa – shortness of breath, dyspnoea
Hrullasa – nausea, sense of vomiting
Vyanga – pigmentations on face, freckles
Shwayathu – inflammation, swelling, oedema
Management of such disorders:
Gandusha – gargling with medicinal liquids like kashayam (decoction), taila (oils) etc
Dhumapana – herbal smoking
Anahara – fasting
Ruksha ahara – dry foods
Vamathu – inducing vomiting
Vyayama – exercise
Asra sruti or rakta mokshana – bloodletting
Virechana – purgation or purging medicines
Shukra vega – urge for ejaculating semen, ejaculatory reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms:
Sravanam – discharge or oozing of semen (dribbling)
Guhya vedana – pain in groin, testes
Shwayathu – swelling (in genital region, perineum, testes)
Jwara – fever
Hrid vyatha – uncomfortable feeling in the region of heart, cardiac distress
Mutra sanga – obstruction to the flow of urine
Anga bhanga – body pains
Vruddhi – hernia
Ashma – formation of stones in urinary passages and seminal passages
Shandata – impotence
Management of such disorders:
Tamrachuda – meat of cock, chicken
Sura – medicated fermented drinks
Shali – preparations of rice
Vasti – medicated enemas
Abhyanga – massage with herbal oils
Avagaha – tub bath or immersion in medicated fluids mainly oil
Vasti shuddhi – medicines and treatments to bring about cleansing of urinary bladder
Priya striyaha – sexual intercourse / coitus with beloved woman
Dhaaraneeya Vegas (urges which need to be controlled, not to be expressed) –
Below mentioned urges should be controlled and should not be expressed –
Lobha – greed
Irshya – enviousness
Dwesha – hatredness
Matsarya – jealousy
Raga – attachment
Effects of Veg Dharan
All the diseases are manifested by either of the below mentioned –
Vega udeerana – initiating the urges forcibly when they are not impending or when the body is not producing these reflexes
Vega dharana – forcibly withholding or suppressing the urges which are initiated by the body
All these vegas, when forcibly obstructed or suppressed lead to vitiation of Vata. This vitiated Vayu moves haphazardly in undesired directions, mainly upward direction. This condition is called Udavarta. Though individual treatments (specific to particular vega dharana) have been discussed in earlier passages, the main criteria will be to control Vata, regularize its normal movements and bring about its balance. Thus, ‘controlling vayu’ is the key remedy for udavarta caused by vega dharana.
After reading this verse, the title of the chapter in which Vagbhata has explained the vegas i.e. ‘Roganutpadaneeya’ can be split as ‘Rogan’ + ‘Utpaadaneeya’ i.e. those which causes diseases. This means to tell that, the vega dharana or udeerana is responsible for causation of all the diseases.
If not controlled in time, the vitiated vayu which has taken abnormal routes will tend to disturb the other doshas and damage the tissues and organs of the body. This leads to wide array of psycho-somatic disorders, which might become stubborn with passage of time. With chronicity, the body will be trained to consider ‘holding urges’ and ‘udavarta’ as normal phenomenon. The small issues would have shaped into disasters and the diseases will be technically under ‘impossible to cure’ category.
Just before Finishing –
Vega dharana is not all about just withholding the urges or letting them go. It is about respecting the body dynamics and expressions. We respect them and get respect in turn in the form of ‘balanced mind-body health’. The chapter in which the adharaneeya vegas have been explained is named as ‘Rogaan anutpaadaneeya’ i.e. ‘those which do not allow the diseases to manifest’. This means to tell that if the vegas are not suppressed, we can keep away a wide array of disorders. This also means that we can hire or prevent many diseases by ignoring or addressing small expressions of the body respectively.
Read related: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 4th Chapter
When the body wants to throw something out of the system and protective itself on a long run, just cooperate and allow the body to express itself naturally. You can lose a lot by meddling with body activities.
The remote control of our health lay in your own hands. All you need to do is to use it skilfully. Just admire and address the body expressions, at proper time and find yourself at the best of your health!!
Check in at Zama Ayurveda wellness centre in Kerala, for the best panchakarma treatments
The body too has some expressions. They are silent languages or signals given to us conveying something. They are generated by the intelligent system of our body. Our mind transmitter should be alert and ready to catch, understand and respond to those expressions. These expressions come in the form of natural body reflexes or urges. Ayurveda calls them as Vegas.
Important things to remember about the vegas –
When the body want to throw away certain things from the body, it produces these vegas.
This is body’s method of keeping itself healthy.
This is also a natural detoxification process by which the body is trying to protect itself.
When we get these signals called vegas, our job is to attend and address them immediately.
Vegas, when addressed in proper time will not only keep the body but also the mind in a healthy status.
The things which are impending to go out have to be flushed out. When held up forcibly, or artificially obstructed they cause serious damage to the body and mind in a long run. Therefore the vegas should neither be suppressed nor forcibly controlled. They should be helped out.
On repeated obstruction of impending doshas, the body learns to hold back the things. The held back wastes and toxins damage the cells, channels and organs of the body leading to wide array of diseases.
Likewise, the vegas shall not be artificially created when they are not impending. We have to allow their natural manifestation.
These vegas are called as Adharaneeya Vegas or Natural impending reflexes (urges) which should not be controlled.
Which are the vegas that should not be forcibly obstructed or suppressed?
The body produces 13 types of vegas, which should not be suppressed at any cost. They are as below mentioned –
Vegan na dhaarayet vaata vin mutra kshavat trut kshudhaam
Nidraa kaasa shrama shwaasa jrumbha ashru chardi retasaam (Ref – Ashtanga Hridaya Sutra 4/1)
Vata (adho vata) – urge to fart or pass the flatus
vit (pureesha) – urge for defecation
Mutra – urge for urination
Kshavathu – urge to sneeze
Trut – urge to drink water or thirst reflex
Kshudha – urge to take food or hunger reflex
Nidra – urge to sleep
Kasa – urge to cough
Shrama shwasa – urge of breathing on exertion
Jrumbha – urge to yawn
Ashru – urge to weep, tears
Chardi – urge to vomit
Retas – urge for ejaculation of semen
Adhovata veg dharan: – urge to fart, effects of suppression
The wind or gases or fart, whatever we name it, it tends to move in 2 directions. If the wind moves downwards, it probably has its origin from colon. If it moves upwards it has its origin from stomach or upper gut. The wind moving downwards is called adhovayu or adhovata (fart). The wind moving upwards is called urdhwavata (dry belchings).
The symptoms of forcible suppression of the ‘urge to fart’ are as mentioned below –
Gulma – abdominal tumour, abdominal distension, bloating
Udavarta – upward movement of vayu (retrograde movement), bloat or distension of abdomen
Ruk or ruja – pain in the abdomen
Klama – tiredness, exhaustion with minimum work
Vata sanga – obstruction (blockage) to the smooth passage of flatus or fart
Mutra sanga – obstruction (blockage) to the smooth passage of urine
Shakrut sanga – obstruction (blockage) to the smooth passage of stools
Drushti vadha – loss or blurring of vision
Agni vadha – loss of digestive power or low metabolism
Hrud gadaaha – diseases of heart or upward pressure over the heart leading to its physiological disturbances
The symptoms of suppression of udgara or ‘urge to belch’ have not been included in the list of vegas mentioned in classic references, but the symptoms have been enumerated in this context. Belching or upward movement of vayu (urdhwa vayu) can be considered as sub-type of vata vega. In the list of vegas, vata has been mentioned. Vata vega can be subdivided into – urdhwavata vega (belch) and adhovata vega (fart). Symptoms of urdhwavata or udgara avarodha are as below mentioned –
The symptoms of forcible suppression of ‘urge for belching’ are as below mentioned –
Aruchi – loss of taste sensation, anorexia, aversion towards food
Kampa – tremors
Vibandha – constipation
Vibandha hrudaya – feeling of stiffness (tightness) or compression in the heart
Urasoho vibandha – feeling of stiffness (tightness) or compression in the chest region
Aadhmaana – distension of abdomen due to collection of gases, bloating
Kasa – cough
Hidhma – hiccup
Pureesha vega – urge to pass stools or faeces, urge for defecation, effects of suppression
symptoms:
Pindikodweshtana – calf muscles cramp (twitching pain in the muscles of the calf region)
Pratishyaya – running nose, cold congestion
Shiroruja – headache
Urdhwavayu – upward movement of vayu
Parikarta – cutting or splitting pain in the anal region
Hrudayasya uparodhana – feeling of tightness or compression in the chest
Mukhen vit pravritti – vomiting of faeces or feeling as if the faeces is regurgitating into the throat and mouth, foul and faecal breath
Mutra vega – urge to void urine, effects of suppression
The symptoms of forcible suppression of ‘urge to void urine’ are as below mentioned –
Anga bhanga – breaking pain in all the parts of the body
Ashmari – urinary stones (calculi)
Basti vedana – pain in the region of the urinary bladder
Medhra vedana – pain in the penis
Vankshana vedana – pain in the groin
Poorve cha prayo rogaaha – diseases mentioned in the ‘adhovata vega avarodha’ and ‘pureesha vega avarodha’ also get manifest by suppression of urine
Common principles of management of disorders arising due to forcible suppression of vata (flatus), pureesha (stools or faeces) and mutra (urine) vegas –
The above said conditions should be managed by administration of –
Varti – rectal and or urethral suppositories
Abhyanga – herbal oil massage (general body massage and local massage around the pubic area, abdomen, pelvic region and around the genitals can also be done)
Avagaha – tub bath or sitz bath in herbal liquids like decoctions, oil, milk etc
Swedana – sweating therapy, fomentation, sudation,
Vasti karma – therapeutic enemas with medicated (herbal) decoctions, oils, ghee and or milk
Vid bhedi annapana – foods which help in easy passage of stools
Kshavathu Vega – urge to sneeze, sneeze reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of ‘urge to sneeze’ are as below mentioned –
Shiro arti – headache
Indriya dourbalya – feeling of weakness in the sense organs, weak perception by sense organs
Manya stambha – stiffness of the nape of neck
Ardita – Facial paralysis or facial palsy
Management of disorders arising due to forcible suppression of sneezing (kshavathu vega) –
Teekshna dhuma – strong fumigation, herbal smoking which are very strong and intensive
Anjana – herbal collyrium
Navana – nasal medication, drops, snuffs
Arka vilokana – seeing the sun directly
Sneha – oleation
Swedana – sudation, fomentation, sweating therapy, steaming
Trishna Vega – urge to drink water, thirst reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of thirst or ‘urge to drink water’ are as below mentioned –
Shosha – emaciation, feeling of dryness in the body
Angasada – weakness, unexplained debility
Badhirya – deafness
Sammoha – loss of consciousness
Bhrama – giddiness
Hrud gada – diseases pertaining to heart
Management of disorders arising due to forcible suppression of thirst (trishna vega) –
Sarva Sheeta vidhi – all measures which are cooling in nature (coolant) shall be planned which includes cold foods, drinks (water), bath and other comforts
Kshudha vega – urge to have food, hunger reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression:
Angabhanga – non-specific body pains
Aruchi – anorexia, aversion to food, loss of taste
Glani – debility
Karshya – emaciation or loss of weight
Shoola – colic, pain abdomen
Bhrama – giddiness, delusion
Management of such disorders:
Laghu bhojana – foods which are easy to digest
Snigdham bhojanam – foods with unctuous or oily substances like oil, ghee etc
Ushna bhojanam – hot and fresh foods
Alpam bhojanam – less quantity of food
Nidra vega – urge to sleep, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of sleep or ‘urge to sleep’ are as below mentioned –
Moha – delusion
Murdha gourava – heaviness of head
Akshi gouravam – heaviness of the eyes
Alasya – laziness, lassitude
Jrumbha – yawning
Angabhanga – body pains
Management of such disorders:
Ishta swapna – compensatory sleep
Samvahana – soothing massages
Kasa vega – urge to cough, cough reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms arising due to constant suppression:
Shwasa – shortness of breath, dyspnoea, difficulty to breath
Aruchi – tastelessness, anorexia, aversion to food
Hrudamaya – cardiac disorders
Shosha – emaciation, depletion of tissues, feeling of dryness in the body
Hidhma – hiccup
Management of such disorders:
Kasaha sutaraam vidhihi – these conditions should be managed on the lines of management of kasa, all the principles and treatments effective in treatment of kasa roga or cough (disease) are recommended in these conditions
Shrama Shwasa vega – urge for breathing on exertion, effects of suppression
Symptoms –
Gulma – abdominal tumours, distension of abdomen or bloating
Hrud roga – cardiac disorders
Sammoha – loss of consciousness, fainting, delusion
Management of such disorders:
Vishrama – rest
Vataghna kriya krama – treatments, medicines and diet to control and combat vata
Jrimbha vega – urge for yawning, yawn reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of yawning are similar to those of sneeze suppression.
Management – Sarvaha cha anila jit vidhihi – all remedies, treatments, diet, lifestyle modulations which balance vata are recommended
Ashru vega – urge to weep or cry, effects of suppression
Symptoms of forcible suppression of tears:
Aruchi – tastelessness, anorexia, aversion to food
Bhrama – giddiness, delusion
Gulma – abdominal tumours, bloating of abdomen, fullness of abdomen
Management of such disorders:
Swapna – sleep
Madhya – medicated alcohol
Priya katha – pleasant stories, hearty discussions and interactions with near and dear ones
Chardi vega – urge to vomit, vomiting reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms:
Visarpa – Herpes, Erysipelas,
Kotha – skin eruptions or rashes
Kushta – skin diseases
Akshi roga – eye disorders
Kandu – itching, pruritus
Pandu – anaemia, liver disorders
Jwara – fever
Kasa – cough
Shwasa – shortness of breath, dyspnoea
Hrullasa – nausea, sense of vomiting
Vyanga – pigmentations on face, freckles
Shwayathu – inflammation, swelling, oedema
Management of such disorders:
Gandusha – gargling with medicinal liquids like kashayam (decoction), taila (oils) etc
Dhumapana – herbal smoking
Anahara – fasting
Ruksha ahara – dry foods
Vamathu – inducing vomiting
Vyayama – exercise
Asra sruti or rakta mokshana – bloodletting
Virechana – purgation or purging medicines
Shukra vega – urge for ejaculating semen, ejaculatory reflex, effects of suppression
Symptoms:
Sravanam – discharge or oozing of semen (dribbling)
Guhya vedana – pain in groin, testes
Shwayathu – swelling (in genital region, perineum, testes)
Jwara – fever
Hrid vyatha – uncomfortable feeling in the region of heart, cardiac distress
Mutra sanga – obstruction to the flow of urine
Anga bhanga – body pains
Vruddhi – hernia
Ashma – formation of stones in urinary passages and seminal passages
Shandata – impotence
Management of such disorders:
Tamrachuda – meat of cock, chicken
Sura – medicated fermented drinks
Shali – preparations of rice
Vasti – medicated enemas
Abhyanga – massage with herbal oils
Avagaha – tub bath or immersion in medicated fluids mainly oil
Vasti shuddhi – medicines and treatments to bring about cleansing of urinary bladder
Priya striyaha – sexual intercourse / coitus with beloved woman
Dhaaraneeya Vegas (urges which need to be controlled, not to be expressed) –
Below mentioned urges should be controlled and should not be expressed –
Lobha – greed
Irshya – enviousness
Dwesha – hatredness
Matsarya – jealousy
Raga – attachment
Effects of Veg Dharan
All the diseases are manifested by either of the below mentioned –
Vega udeerana – initiating the urges forcibly when they are not impending or when the body is not producing these reflexes
Vega dharana – forcibly withholding or suppressing the urges which are initiated by the body
All these vegas, when forcibly obstructed or suppressed lead to vitiation of Vata. This vitiated Vayu moves haphazardly in undesired directions, mainly upward direction. This condition is called Udavarta. Though individual treatments (specific to particular vega dharana) have been discussed in earlier passages, the main criteria will be to control Vata, regularize its normal movements and bring about its balance. Thus, ‘controlling vayu’ is the key remedy for udavarta caused by vega dharana.
After reading this verse, the title of the chapter in which Vagbhata has explained the vegas i.e. ‘Roganutpadaneeya’ can be split as ‘Rogan’ + ‘Utpaadaneeya’ i.e. those which causes diseases. This means to tell that, the vega dharana or udeerana is responsible for causation of all the diseases.
If not controlled in time, the vitiated vayu which has taken abnormal routes will tend to disturb the other doshas and damage the tissues and organs of the body. This leads to wide array of psycho-somatic disorders, which might become stubborn with passage of time. With chronicity, the body will be trained to consider ‘holding urges’ and ‘udavarta’ as normal phenomenon. The small issues would have shaped into disasters and the diseases will be technically under ‘impossible to cure’ category.
Just before Finishing –
Vega dharana is not all about just withholding the urges or letting them go. It is about respecting the body dynamics and expressions. We respect them and get respect in turn in the form of ‘balanced mind-body health’. The chapter in which the adharaneeya vegas have been explained is named as ‘Rogaan anutpaadaneeya’ i.e. ‘those which do not allow the diseases to manifest’. This means to tell that if the vegas are not suppressed, we can keep away a wide array of disorders. This also means that we can hire or prevent many diseases by ignoring or addressing small expressions of the body respectively.
Read related: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 4th Chapter
When the body wants to throw something out of the system and protective itself on a long run, just cooperate and allow the body to express itself naturally. You can lose a lot by meddling with body activities.
The remote control of our health lay in your own hands. All you need to do is to use it skilfully. Just admire and address the body expressions, at proper time and find yourself at the best of your health!!
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