AN OBSERVATIONAL ANALYSIS ON NIDRA AND ITS APPLIED ASPECT

Abstract

Ayurveda, as a holistic science, places great emphasis on lifestyle modification through Ahara (diet), Vihara (daily regimen), and Aushadha (medicine) – the triad essential for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Among these, Vihara identifies Nidra (sleep) as a critical influencing factor, recognized in Ayurvedic classics as one of the three sub-pillars (Trayopasthambha), alongside Ahara and Brahmacharya. While Ahara nourishes the body and Brahmacharya nurtures the mind, Nidra sustains both the body and mind, underscoring its comprehensive role in maintaining health. Sleep is pivotal in maintaining bodily functions through homeostasis. Contemporary science correlates Nidra with the processes of repair and rejuvenation in the brain, particularly during NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, which involves increased cerebral protein synthesis and the reprogramming of the brain for optimal assimilation of information acquired during wakefulness. Ayurveda parallels this understanding by conceptualizing Nidra as Bhut-Dhatri – the universal nurturer that sustains all living beings. This integrated perspective highlights the fundamental importance of sleep in promoting physical and mental well-being, aligning Ayurvedic principles with modern scientific insights.