Encyclopedia of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants

MIND / MANS IN AYURVEDA

INTRODUCTION

The concept of mind is a vast subject in Indian philosophy.Mind as ‘manas’ has a very important position in Indian system of medicine. In Ayurveda diseases are classified into physical and mental categories.

Concept of manas is usually correlated with that of ‘Mind’in modern psychology.Indian philosophical concept about manas is slightly different from modern concept. The term ‘MANAS’means ‘to think’derived from the root ‘Man’.

DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPT

The concept has a gradual development in Indian philosophy.RK veda,Yagur veda,Upanishad,and later Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkya, Yoga, Purva mimamsa,Uttara mimamsa all tried to describe about manas in all aspects.We can classify them in to 3 groups.

A) Materialistic view: Nyaya, Vaisesika and mimamsa are included in group.  According to them manas has atomic size and it is just  a connecting link between soul and sense organs.

B)Psychic view : Samkya,Patanjala and Vedanta darsana says that
Manas can get changed into appropriate forms
Which are perceived by the sense organs.Satwa, rajas,
and tamas have contribution with manas. They cause
proper comprehension and activity.

C)Spiritualistic view:Since the soul is conscious manas is naturally so but  It’s consciousness has limitations.Most Indian  Philosopher admit the existence of both soul and manas.



ORIGIN

Ayurveda not allowed manas as elemental ie made up of five
basic elements . Manas enter the zygote at the time of fertilization along with soul .


MANO NIRUPANAM

Manas is an ubhayatmaka indriya ie both jnanendriya and karmendriya.Also known as antarindriya or antahkarana.Manas is the prime cause for all miseries, ‘bandha’and ‘moksha’.

DEFINITION

The source from which knowledge and thoughts arrive is called manas.Manas is responsible for ‘avabodhanam’(knowing)

SYNONYMS OF MANAS

MANAS- that which think(root MAN)
MANASAM- that which think(root MAN)
SATVAM- that which is existent(root SAT)
CITTAM- that which is instrumental to special knowledge(root CIT)
CIT- that which is instrumental to special knowledge
CETAS- that which is instrumental to special knowledge(root CIT)
HR’T- that which captures or grasps(root HR’)
HR’DAYAM- that which captures or grasps(root HR’)

LOCATION OF MIND

Heart as well as brain is considered to be the locations of mind
by Ayurveda.Sensory and motor functions of mind are chiefly attributed to brain and psychological functions,particularly the
emotional aspects of psyche are attributed to the heart. Mr.Braun says that heart is the specific organ of anxiety.Acharya Bela says that mind is situated in the brain.According to modern psychology mind has two aspects ;behavioural and neurological.Emotinal aspect manifests evidently in the heart and neurological aspect in brain.
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SWAROOPA OF MANAS

Manas is without any rupa.It is nirvikara.As it is an athindriya swaroopa could be understood through laxanas.

Man is exposed to vedanas like sukha, dukha, vichara, krodha, kama etc only through manas.

Caraka says that we can’t learn without co-ordination between manas,soul,sense organs and subjects.

MANAS SANKHYA

Manas is only one but because of it’s extra ordinary speed we feel as if there are numerous manas.We feel that manas operates through all organs at the same time ,but logically it is impossible because all our indriyas are away from one another and are of different nature.We are able to see an object and same time we can touch it and smell it because of unimaginably high speed and subtleness of manas. and are the two qualities of manas. means manas perceive only one indriyartha at a time. means
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POWER OF MANAS

One can be able to win entire world but can’t manas even for a few seconds.Manas is compared to fire.Panchajnanendriyas blown by the innumerable varnanas(desires)and nourished by objects acting like aajyadharas(ghee and fuel) .Thus this fire burns entire world.
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MANO GUNAS

Samkhya ,pariamana, pr’dhakthuam, samyogam, vibhagam, parathuam, aparathuam and samskaram are the 8 gunas of manas.

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MANO VISHAYAS

1)Chintyam- Thinking
2)Vicharam - Prolongation and expansion of thoughts
3)Ooham - Imagination of past, present and future
4)Dhyeyam- Deep thinking and concenteration on a thought of object
5)Sankalpam- Planning
6)yatkinchit- All the other things which man can perceive

MANO DOSAS
Rajas and tamas are the dosas of manas which have relation with tridosas.In vata rajo guna predominates;in pitta satwa guna and in kapha tamo guna.