Ether Element: Akasha

Early in my studies of Ayurveda, i became obsessed with Agni Mahabhuta(Fire element) and its mysteries and presence in the digestive tract of the body. Now, moving deeper into my practice, i am shifting my attention to Akasha Mahabhuta  (Ether element) and realizing how integral the role of space / ether actually can be. Especially, with these dreaded Khavaigunya: either congenital, traumatic, or psychoemotional vulnerabilities in the physical tissues. Khavaigunya is a disposition towards a particular pathological process. It now seems imperative to study Akasha/Ether and how it may ultimately be the key to understanding plasma and blood (Rasa Dhatu) and certainly tissue formation in general.

तस्य आकाशात्मकं शब्दः श्रोत्रं लाघवं सौक्ष्म्यं विवेकश्च।(च.शा.४/१२)
Tasya aakaashaatmakam shabdaha shrotram laaghavam soukshmyam vivekaha cha (Ref – Charaka Shaareera 4/12)

Here what i find interesting is -Vivekaha- or the quality of Akasha that delineates boundaries between organs and vessels/sira. Here, we could argue that Akasha’s qualities directly impact the Srotamsi. or simply stated: Akasha = Srotamsi. Not to mention all hollow organs, those things that have an entry and exit have attributes of Akasha. This is the key element during unfolding a successful pregnancy during the symphonic formation of Deha, the gift of the body which is mostly empty space.

also-shabdaha-sound…the special quality of Akasha that allows us to ‘hear’ space but not perceive it directly. Ergo the utility of Auscultation in clinical examination for the ‘megolies’ or enlargement or hardening/constricture of organs. Similarly we can notice the increase/decrease of Rasa in said organs through listening to breathing patterns and heart rythms (ie, pleural effusion and avoid subsequent pneumothorax). Blood pressure can be a good indication of obstruction and qualities of space, too

कुपितानां हि दोषाणां शरीरे परिधावनम्।

यत्र सङ्गः ख वैगुण्यात् व्याधिः तत्र उपजायते॥ (सु.सू.२४/१०)
Kupitaanaam hi doshaanaam shareere paridhaavanam
Yatra sangaha kha vaigunyaat vyaadhihi tatra upajaayate (Ref – Sushruta Sutra 24/10)

Here kha is space and vaigunya is deformity of that space. That is where the circulating doshas will come to hide/rest/cause havoc.  I also notice how Panchakarma therapies are but restoring emptiness to the body and thereby tonifying the Vata-stricken channels. Vata= Akasha + Vayu. Either some channels are constricted or some are enlarged/engorged. This is how obstructions form and Sroto Dushti occurs, by the qualities of space.

How would Akasha’s qualities affect Rasa Dhatu? Well, i think Rasa is very Kapha in nature so If there is excessive accumulation of phlegm/lymph/edema/mucous/and other exudates (morbid Kapha), it will be considered Prithiv/Jala imbalance with secondary Akasha imbalance as the channels become blocked causing further or tridoshic vitiation. Example: Sinus cavity filling with mucous/kapha causing pressure, pain, swelling. The space necessary and fundamental for the functioning of Pranavaha srotas is compromised allowing the arena for Rasa Dushti and beyond.

-C.L. Severson, 2017

Hebbar, JV and Raghuram, Y.S. “Living Easy with Ayurveda”

Herbs Have Super Powers: Prabhava

Author: C.L.Severson, LMT, AP

When you begin studying Ayurveda, you will learn that herbs will effect you based on 4 very specific criteria. These all add up to a drug’s physiological action. Based on this we classify drugs into groups. (antivirals, carminatives, expectorants,etc). These are:

1. Rasa (taste)
2. Virya (potency : Hot or Cold)
3. Vipaka (post digestive effect)
4. Prabhava (SUPER POWER)

      Superiority of Prabhava: 
The drug action is ultimately controlled by prabhava because that is the special or specific power of drug and it is superior among the drug constituents. Prabha means light shining (from moon) and Prabhava is like the plants inner message coming through as medicine despite its taste, potency, and post-digestive effect.  Synonyms: Shakthi/Vichitra pratyarabdhatwa /Vikriti Vishama samaveta/ Achinthya veerya / Achinthya Anavadharaniya / Swabhava”

In herbalism, I aim to move away from the diagnostic mind, that prescribes and treats and says: ‘you are unwell.’ the mind that pounds and grinds and applies the herb without knowing how the plants come from prithivi/earth. How can we understand Prabhava, or special hidden powers of a plant, without an intimate and contemplative relationship with herbalism? Starting your herbs from seed and nurturing it like a mother might care for her child will reveal how to harness the magic of the plant.  Meditating and communing with the psychic life force of ‘the growings ones’, this is crucial. It is said in Vodou that Papa Loko, the Loa of initiatory priesthood and master herbalist/alchemist learned herbalism from the leaves, roots, and bark themselves. He needs no book, for his heart is open to the possibilities of Prabhava. The plants are all speaking, it is up to us to listen. Perhaps this is not unlike the intuitive powers of the Rishi, high on Shakti’s supply.

In chemistry, we cannot assume that just because 2 dravya are alike chemically, that they will produce similar effects because of the possibility of ‘non-specific action’ or Prabhava:

” Morphine and papavarine are structurally similar but their pharmacological action is different, the former is narcotic and CNS depressant while the latter is non-norcotic and muscle relaxant.”

Another example, honey should be cooling because of it’s sweet flavor, but its taste conversion to Ushna virya or ‘Achintya Virya’, is the prabhava itself! But there are other prabhava, like Wood Betony which has been used ritually for spiritual possesssion for hundreds of years. Why is this plant associated with the more subtle of the Pancha Kostha? It’s Prabhava, of course! The qualities that cannot be conveyed or explained through Rasa, Virya, Vipaka, or Karma.

©C.L. Severson, 2017

Source:

Krishnamurthy, MS. “Prabhava: Special Effect of Herbs” http://easyayurveda.com/2016/04/20/prabhava-special-effect-of-herb/