A CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON OJAS AND BALA: A VITAL NECTAR OF LIFE: IT’S CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND MODERN ASPECTS

Abstract

Ayurveda is an integral system of natural health care. The main aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of healthy individuals and to treat and prevent illness in those who are sick, “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam Aturasya Vikara Prashaman”. Ojas is the element in the body which gives power, vigour, vitality, improves immunity power and take care of well-being of body. Ojas is considered as essence of all sapta dhatus, which nourishes all tissue and is responsible for the optimal functioning of our body ,mind and spirit .It is the final by-product of perfect digestion and metabolism, signifying optimal health and wellness .Ojas is placed in Hridaya and penetrates the whole body ,controlling its functioning .By its loss or destruction ,the destruction of the body (life ) is sure to happen and by its presence ,the body is sure to survive. The main function of Ojas is Vyadhiskshamatva (Immunity). Immunity is defined as the capacity of the body to resist the pathogenic agents. Bala in ayurveda physiology is a multidimensional factor that refers to physical and psychological strength and the ability produced in response to antigen exposure and resistance against the manifestation of disease. It has also been synonymously used for components providing strength, nourishment and stability to the body such as Oja, Vyadhikshamatva, Balya and Prakrita shleshma. There are some physical components like Immunity, Endoplasmic Reticulum and Neuropeptides which have similarity with Ojas on many aspects. Here, is an attempt to conduct a critical analysis of Ojas, Vyadhikshamatva with regard to ayurvedic component and to establish how it relates to Immunity, Neuropeptides and Endoplasmic Reticulum of modern science. This will be helpful in fulfilling both the aims of ayurvedic science and in seeking solutions of immunological disorders through Ayurveda.