Ayurveda foreign words, meanings and terms (Sanskrit glossary)

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Abhyanga
Full body Ayurvedic oil massage; Self-massage is an important part of an Ayurvedic routine, but trained professionals also offer Abhyanga treatments - either as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a deeper cleansing, such as Panchakarma.

Agni
The third of five elements recognized in Ayurveda: the fire element; the principle of transformation; the digestive fire, which is responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation; that which transforms food into tissue, energy and consciousness.

Ahara
Diet or food (as in Ahara Chikitsa – nutrition-based therapy).

Ahara Rasa
The end result of digested food that occurs within about twelve hours of eating; This “nutritional juice” is the asthayi (raw, unprocessed) form of rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph) and the nutritious precursor to all seven dhatus (body tissues).

Ajna Chakra
The sixth of seven chakras, located at the third eye and responsible for balancing the higher self with the lower self; This chakra is also associated with intuition – our ability to trust our deepest inner knowing – and is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus flower, the color indigo, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “Aum,” and is often associated with the pineal gland.

Alochaka Pitta
One of the five subtypes of Pitta; the aspect of Pitta, which lies primarily in the eyes and governs visual perception; Functionally, it is responsible for the luster, color and transparency of the eye, maintaining an appropriate eye temperature, and the perception of color and light.

Ama
Raw, undigested; a toxic, pathogenic substance that can accumulate in the body when foods, herbs, emotions, or experiences are not fully processed, digested, or assimilated.

Ambu
Water; Body fluids such as Rasa Dhatu (plasma and lymph), Rakta Dhatu (blood) and fluid secretions; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception and prakriti – considered an important component of reproductive health; In Ayurveda, Ambu Vaha Srotas is the body channel for absorbing water and regulating body fluids.

Ambu vaha srotas
The body canal responsible for absorbing water and regulating body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, saliva and secretions of the nose, gastric mucous membranes and pancreas; The functions of this channel include lubrication, energy, electrolyte balance, and maintaining body temperature. Ambu vaha srotas has its roots in the pancreas, soft palate and choroid plexus, its route is the gastrointestinal mucosa and its openings are the kidneys, sweat glands and tongue; This channel is closely connected to the liquid, watery tissue of Rasa Dhatu (plasma and lymph) and to Mutra Vaha Srotas (the urinary canal).

Amla
The sour taste dominated by the earth and fire elements that balances vata but aggravates pitta and kapha.

Anabolic
A constructive type of substance or metabolic process; In biology, a category of metabolic processes that synthesize more complex molecules from simpler ones, build organs and tissues, cause growth and differentiation between cells, and require energy to occur. This term generally corresponds to the Sanskrit word brmhana.

Anahata Chakra
The fourth of seven chakras, located in the heart center and associated with our ability for unconditional love; This chakra is said to house our purest self and is also connected to Immunity. It is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus flower, the color green, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “yam,” and is often associated with the thymus gland.

Anna maya Kosha
The first of five bodily sheaths or sheaths of the self; Because this kosha is made of meat and is nourished directly by our food, it is also called the “food body” or “food covering.” The Anna Maya Kosha is the grossest and most physical of all the Koshas.

Anupan
A substance used as a medium for taking herbs and other medicines; Many Anupans are valued for their ability to deliver herbs and formulas deeper into specific tissues. Common Ayurvedic anupans include water, ghee, honey, milk and aloe vera juice or gel.

Apana vayu
One of the five subtypes of Vata; that aspect of Vata that resides primarily in the large intestine and pelvic cavity and controls downward energy in the body; Functionally, it is responsible for urination, flatulence, bowel movements, ovulation, sperm movement and conception and is activated in the mother's body during childbirth. Apana Vayu also absorbs minerals and nourishes the bones through the mucous membrane of the large intestine.

Apatarpana
A deconstructive type of substance, process or treatment therapy (also known as Langhana) that is reducing and lightening - catabolic in nature; the process of fasting; the opposite of Santarpana.

Artava dhatu
The female reproductive tissue, including ovaries, eggs, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina; along with Shukra (the male reproductive tissue), the deepest Dhatu (human tissue) in the Ayurvedic tradition and the last to receive nourishment through cellular nutrition; responsible for reproduction and emotional release; associated with the production of Ojas.

Asana
A Sanskrit word that literally means “seat.” a physical yoga posture; the third branch of yoga described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, defining asana as a state of stability, strength and lightness in the body.

Asthayi
Raw, unprocessed, unripe, unstable; refers to a specific stage of tissue formation in which nutrients and nutritional precursors have been selected by the tissue but not yet absorbed into the mature tissue.

Asthi dhatu
The fifth of seven dhatus (human tissue) in the Ayurvedic tradition; the bone tissue; responsible for structuring the body, supporting movement and protecting vital organs; also associated with cartilage, teeth, hair and nails.

Avalambaka kapha
One of the five subtypes of Kapha; the aspect of Kapha, which occurs primarily in the lungs, respiratory tract, heart, and spine; It regulates the delivery of prana to every cell, tissue and organ, maintains the tone and permeability of the alveoli, protects the heart muscle and ensures the tone of the muscular part of the bronchi.

Ayurveda
A healing system more than five thousand years old with origins in the Vedic culture of ancient India. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is derived from the root words ayuh, meaning “life” or “longevity,” and veda, meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” Ayurveda therefore means “the sacred knowledge of life”.

 

 

O

Ojas
Translated, Ojas means "radiance" and in Ayurveda, a healthy person with a lot of Ojas has a radiant personality, with bright eyes and is happier Radiation described. It means the life force and is the essence of the seven major tissues (Dhatus) of the body. The hormonal balance is established by Ojas, the vital energy. The life functions are also regulated by the vital energy, Ojas. All 5 basic elements are included in Ojas.

R

Rasayana
The promotion of life energy (Rasayana) does not only happen through material substances. A profession that fulfills us and is in harmony with the basic ethical laws of life is also called Rasayana. Love for what you do. exercise an appeal. When life is completely in balance such as:b By observing the principles of Rasayana, the following situation arises: "Through Rasayana one attains long life (dirgha ayuh), memory (smriti), mental clarity (medha), health (arogya), youthfulness (taruna), perfection in of speech (vaksiddhi), life energy (vayas), fullness in terms of luster, color and tone (prabha-varna-svara-audarya), optimal power of the body and sense organs (deha-indriya-bala-para), perfection of speech (vak-siddhi), modesty (pranati) and attractiveness (kanti).“Caraka Cikitsa 1.18
This text, which is more than 2,000 years old, describes the vision of a fulfilled, balanced life that can unfold in all directions. However, the balance is often disturbed by our current way of life. Hectic pace, stress and many other factors put a strain on us. This is precisely why it is important to pay attention to good nutrition.

 

More names to follow. Write to us if you would like to know more about an AYURVEDA FOREIGN WORD and its meaning and name. Thank you for your cooperation! Namaste.