Energy manifests into 5 basic principles or elements, known as the pañca-mahā-bhūta, these elements are the building blocks from which the universe manifests. In our body they manifest as: dhātus, malas and doṣas.
Doṣas will govern all biological, physical and psychological functions of our organism. Doṣas posses subtler energetic forms, we can say they have a subtle body too. These energetic counterparts are the three vital essences in Āyurveda: ojas, tejas & prāṇa: and should be all at an optimal level. In the same way as the doṣas they can increase/ vruddhi, decrease/kshaya, be disturbed/dushti or displaced/visramsa.
The 3 vital essences
Prāṇa
Our life force, the pure essence of Vāta. It guides the physical and mental mouvements.
Tejas
Our radiance, the pure essence of Pitta. Through it we digest and transform.
Ojas
Our primal vigor, the pure essence of Kapha. It governs our immunity and vitality
Getting to know our Ojas
In the transformation of food from rasa to śukra dhātu/ reproductive tissue ojas will realize at every step. It is the essence of all dhātus, the substance of all hormonal secretions which support the auto immune system. It literately means: “that which invigorates” and it can also be referred as bala/ inner strength. The perfect example to understand how it works is this one from Acharya Valkrishna “Just as bees collect honey from the nectar of flowers, the digestive fire collects ojas from the essence of all dhātus.
Ojas is the culminate essence remaining after the cycle of dhātu nutrition. Our physical, mental and spiritual strength is totally dependent in ojas. If ojas thrives so does our body’s natural immunity. It’s purpose is to fight against aging, decay and disease.
Prāṇafinds it’s seat on Ojas, even thought it permeates the entire body, it is closely connected to the heart. Where Ojas resides. From there the arteries will carry it and distribute it through the body.
One interpretation on why Ojas resides in the heart is that it brings sattvika, good and truthful character, positive attitude, devotion, faith, belief, trust and enthusiasm. It’s gunas/ qualities are: smooth, cool, sweet, oily. Like honey. It can be of two types:
~ Para or superior: Located in the heart with eight vital points, when it degrade completely death will follow.
~ Apara or inferior: Permates the entire body, its normal quantity is about a handful. A decrease in the apara ojas leads to lifelessness, loss of enthusiasm, strength and reduced immunity which can be the pathway to disease.
Ojas and Modern Medicine
Modern Medicine, or Allopathic, as we call it talks about the immune system which includes the hematopoietic, endocrine, nervous and digestive systems. The concept of Ojas corresponds to the concept of immune system.
However Ojas includes as well the skeletal, muscular, endocrine and nervous systems. When all these function correctly our ojas is maintained. Therefore as our potential source of strength and natural resistance against illness it is called natural immunity.
Ojas and Digestion
If you’re familiar with Āyurveda you know that for us Agni/ the digestive fire is very important and so immunity will depend on the quality of our digestion.
Agni represents the qualities of assimilation and nutrition. Each tissue in our body will need strenght to digest and assimilate the food that is arriving to it. If we’re not eating well, following a healthy diet, eating according to the seasons, switching grains and legumes from time to time. Our dhātus will not be able to assimilate the food and hence very little or not nutrients at all will arrive to feed Ojas.
Our digestive fire not only metabolizes food but also our everyday experiences. If our lifestyles are hectic, leading to stress, traumas or bad relationships our metabolism will be confused and due to that it will not function properly many digestive problems will begin to arise and the quality of our Ojas will decrease.
How to take care of our Ojas
Ojas is in charge of providing endurance and strength. We need to realize that more important than increasing it is not wasting what we already have.
Ojas can be depleted by: stress, lack of sleep, poor digestion, overwork, excessive anger, grief, worrying or promiscuity.
Ojas can be strengthened by:
~Following the laws of nature through diet and lifestyle
~Eating ojas-y foods*
~Sound sleep
~Spending time in nature
~Taking a break from electronic devises
~Practicing yoga, meditation, recitation of mantras, pranayama.
* ghee, milk, honey, almonds, saffron.
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