To understand Panchakarma one needs to understand the source of this knowledge…
The Rishis convened and discussed human existence in all it’s totality and in the context of this discussed the topic of dis-ease and how to prevent it and how to remove dis-ease from it’s roots.
Rishis were completely connected with the source or the Universal consciousness.
When they discussed dis-ease it was not just about physically removing the dis-ease but also about bringing our mind, senses and awareness in alighnment with the highest love. I say love here for this is the English word that embodies the highest vibration we can picture. This is a love of pure beingness, unbounded awareness, infinite creativity, infinite acceptance and infinite wisdom.
Physical healing is the first and most important process. But what is phsyical ? So much remains unseen. Herbs are used in Panchakarma to bring their special resonence deep within our being. Each herb is a treasure, a message of love from the source.
The procedure in brief:
Five methods are employed as the main purification treatments. Besides these five methods there is a preparatrion period (called Purvakarma)and a post purification period (called Paschatkarma)equally important. Once the body is cleaned and digestion is strong and balanced, Rasayana or rejuvenation treatment is given. The agni or metabolism of the body is now ready to receive new intelligence in the form of matter and we give it special compounds that carry the intelligence of where we want to develop the system. For Rasayana many famous herbs such as Amalaka, Haritaki, Shatavari and Ashwaghanda to name just a very few are used.
The five methods relate to the five elements and three doshas how they manifest in our physiology:
Nasyam – This is application of medicated substances to the noise to purify the entire head reigon. Nasya has a miraculous effect on diseases of the senses, mouth, mind, head, eyes and any ailment in this critical reigon which is our main connecting point through Adipathi marma with the outside world.
Vamana – This is a beautiful gentle procedure of cleaning age old toxins from the stomach through vomiting in a very gentle managed way after drawing the toxins from the upper zone back to the stomach. It works miracles in many cases of insanity (unmada), asthma, allergies, chronic cold and cough recurring and any disease of the Kapha Zone.
Virechana -Purgation cleans the middle zone of the body. Seat of liver, gall bladder, spleen, small intestine (the seat of Pitta) and so many other critical systems. It indirectly like all other practices cleans the entire system. It particularly works on the Fire element and enhances all Agni’s or metabolisms in the system. Virechana is a powerful general purification as in this age of industry we all have many toxins in the mid-zone causing excess anger, emotional distress, mental fatigue and poor digestion.
Niruha Basti – Cleans the large intestine through using special medicated preparations that pull out toxic buildup in the colon. It is a very sacred and special treatment that is said to penetrate all layers of the body. Vata is seated in the colon so if the colon is functioning well, Vata which is the organizing intelligence of the entire body, will do it’s job well. When this happens, we have perfect health and immunity.
Anuvasan Basti – Nourishes the large intestine with special medicated oils and decoctions. The analogy given in the texts is to nourish the root of the tree. The colon is the root of our digestive system and the root of our body. If the colon is strong, all systems will work well. Charaka even goes so far as to say that most diseases can be treated with simple basti treatment. We can remove toxins from all systems through the colon. Vata resides here and Vata guides Pitta and Kapaha to do their work well of metabolising and structuring.
Many of our Vedic family at Vedic Society have experienced the physical and spiritual benifits of Panchakarma as practiced in the light of this time old system of perfect health. Inspired by the remarkable changes for the good we wish to help others in each corner of the world access this healing wisdom. We wish to help those practicing this in the true spirit of the science to be found for the benifit of those in need of help.
The classical text Charaka Samhita which refers to the detailed practice of Panchakarma mentions this science in the chapter called Siddhisthana. Siddhi means perfection to become perfected, the perfection being refered to is our deep inner connection with the Divine so that all our actions are in alignment with God’s will. If the human body which is indeed a microcosm of the entire universe is brought into harmony and in alighnment with nature, our life is perfected and becomes that of a Siddha.
Sneha in Sanskrit is the word for oil and it also is a synonym for love.We show the entire planet earth being bathed in sneha or love. It is this very love that is the culmination of Ayurveda. Veda means realised Truth connected to the Divine source of all. So Ayur-Veda is a life of realised Truth connected to Source. It is as simple as that. More love through our speach, words, actions and deeds. More peace in our heart, home, family and nation. More bliss, enlightenment for all. This is the true gift for Ayurveda, it’s highest ideal. May we see it realised more and more each day.
Aum Dhanvantharaye Namaha
With Much Sneha,