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Longevity is the desire of most human beings - to lead a healthy and long life. There is also desire for wealth - to enjoy all the worldly pleasures and also spend on spiritual rituals. The process of birth and rebirth is a ''karmic'' cycle and the quality of an individual’s afterlife and the remaining part of his present life depends upon the good and bad deeds done in the life. As a result of good deeds, we can enjoy material (or heavenly) pleasures and lead healthy lives.

Longevity is the desire of most human beings - to lead a healthy and long life. There is also desire for wealth - to enjoy all the worldly pleasures and also spend on spiritual rituals. The process of birth and rebirth is a ''karmic'' cycle and the quality of an individual’s afterlife and the remaining part of his present life depends upon the good and bad deeds done in the life. As a result of good deeds, we can enjoy material (or heavenly) pleasures and lead healthy lives.

Prior chapters dealt with maintainence of health and cure for diseases. The aim of a healthy life is for attainment of happiness/ bliss in this world and the world after death. The chapter begins with a description about three basic desires of human life, which should be fulfilled during one’s lifetime - longevity, material comforts, and a blissful after-life. Charak has stated about the methods and means to fulfil these ''eshanas'', or desires:  ''Pranaeshana'', or the desire for longevity can be achieved by following a healthy lifestyle. ''Dhanaeshana'', or the desire for earning may be fulfilled by adopting appropriate and ethical means of livelihood. A wealthy person is respected by the society, therefore earning is essential for maintaining health as well as to perform various spiritual rituals to fulfil the third desire, i.e. ''Parlokeshaeshana'', to get happiness in the next world after death. The third desire is vague, since there are no means to perceive life after death for an individual. On this subject, there are two schools of thoughts - ''astik'', or theism (belief in a supernatural power responsible for creation of the world), and atheism (belief that there is no God or believing only objects or experiences that can be perceived). Different opinions about creation are explained according to different schools of thought. It is concluded that there is existence of many things in this universe even though they are not directly perceptible, so their existence cannot be denied, and therefore the theory of reincarnation cannot be denied unless proven otherwise.  

Prior chapters dealt with maintainence of health and cure for diseases. The aim of a healthy life is for attainment of happiness/ bliss in this world and the world after death. The chapter begins with a description about three basic desires of human life, which should be fulfilled during one’s lifetime - longevity, material comforts, and a blissful after-life. Charak has stated about the methods and means to fulfill these ''eshanas'', or desires:  The desire for longevity ''Pranaeshana''can be achieved by following a healthy lifestyle. The desire for earning ''Dhanaeshana'' may be fulfilled by adopting appropriate and ethical means of livelihood. A wealthy person is respected by the society, therefore earning is essential for maintaining health as well as to perform various spiritual rituals to fulfill the third desire, i.e. ''Parlokeshaeshana'', to get happiness in the next world after death. The third desire is vague, since there are no means to perceive life after death for an individual. On this subject, there are two schools of thoughts - ''astik'', or theism (belief in a supernatural power responsible for creation of the world), and atheism (belief that there is no God or believing only objects or experiences that can be perceived). Different opinions about creation are explained according to different schools of thought. It is concluded that there is existence of many things in this universe even though they are not directly perceptible, so their existence cannot be denied, and therefore the theory of reincarnation cannot be denied unless proven otherwise.  

The four ''pariksha'' or fourfold methods for getting correct knowledge are explained viz. ''aptopadesha'' (authoritative/scriptural testimony), ''pratyaksha''(direct observation by senses), ''anumana''(inference) by guessing, and ''yukti''(reasoning) by applying intelligence. These four ''pariksha'' are defined vividly and their importance in establishing the theory of reincarnation is explained. Afterwards, the factors in maintenance of good health are described, three ''upastambhas''(supporting pillars of life)- ''ahara''(food), ''swapna''(sleep) and bramhacharya (celibacy). By following these well regulated lifestyle factors, the body is bestowed with strength, increasing the three forms of ''bala'' (strength, immunity) – ''sahaja'' (constitutional strength, immunity), ''kalaja'' (seasonal strength, immunity) and ''yuktikrita'' (acquired immunity). Various diseases may arise if there is stress, unhealthy lifestyle, or through the effects of unhealthy season over the mind and the body. Further this chapter briefly describes three basic causes of diseases, three disease pathways, three types of treatments and therapies, three categories of physicians based on their qualities.

The four ''pariksha'' or fourfold methods for getting correct knowledge are explained viz. ''aptopadesha'' (authoritative/scriptural testimony), ''pratyaksha''(direct observation by senses), ''anumana''(inference) by guessing, and ''yukti''(reasoning) by applying intelligence. These four methods are defined vividly and their importance in establishing the theory of reincarnation is explained. Afterwards, the factors in maintenance of good health are described. Three supporting pillars of life or ''upastambhas'' are food (''ahara''), sleep (''swapna'') and celibacy (bramhacharya). By following these well regulated lifestyle factors, the body is bestowed with strength, increasing the three forms of strength, immunity(''bala'') – constitutional strength, immunity(''sahaja''),  seasonal strength, immunity (''kalaja'') and acquired immunity(''yuktikrita''). Various diseases may arise if there is stress, unhealthy lifestyle, or through the effects of unhealthy season over the mind and the body. Further this chapter briefly describes three basic causes of diseases, three disease pathways, three types of treatments and therapies, three categories of physicians based on their qualities.

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A person having sound mind, intellect, physical strength, energy and psychological strength, one who is desirous of attaining benefits in this world and the other world (after death), should try to fulfil three desires. These desires are- desire for (long and healthy) life, desire for wealth (livelihood), and desire for a blissful life in the other world (after death). [3]

A person having sound mind, intellect, physical strength, energy and psychological strength, one who is desirous of attaining benefits in this world and the other world (after death), should try to fulfill three desires. These desires are- desire for (long and healthy) life, desire for wealth (livelihood), and desire for a blissful life in the other world (after death). [3]

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Of these three desires, the most important one is the desire for life. Why? Because with the end of life, everything comes to an end. To fulfil this desire, a healthy person should follow a healthy regimen or lifestyle and a diseased person should try to get relief from the diseased state. The methods of health management and modes of treatment of diseases have been described in the preceding chapters and will be discussed further in the coming chapters. Thus, the first desire for life is explained. [4]

Of these three desires, the most important one is the desire for life. Why? Because with the end of life, everything comes to an end. To fulfill this desire, a healthy person should follow a healthy regimen or lifestyle and a diseased person should try to get relief from the diseased state. The methods of health management and modes of treatment of diseases have been described in the preceding chapters and will be discussed further in the coming chapters. Thus, the first desire for life is explained. [4]

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The third desire is the aspiration for a virtuous life in the other world (life after death. There is some scepticism regarding this desire). What happens after death? Does rebirth occur? Why are there doubts regarding reincarnation? Lord Atreya says that there are people who believe in perceptible things and do not believe in imperceptible things. ''Acharyas'' (teachers) who have faith in the ''shastras'' believe in the theory of reincarnation even when they have not perceived or experienced it. But there is skepticism because of differences in opinion. Among the “believing” ''acharyas'', some  attribute the role of ‘parents or ancestors’, some on ''swabhava''(personality or nature of the individual), some on the role of the ''paranirman'' (impersonal soul), while some on ''yadruchha'' ( free will or external powers responsible for sudden occurrences of events in the universe) in the process of reincarnation. Because of so many opinions and schools of thought, there is skepticism with regards to the theory of reincarnation, whether it exists or not. [6]

The third desire is the aspiration for a virtuous life in the other world (life after death. There is some skepticism regarding this desire). What happens after death? Does rebirth occur? Why are there doubts regarding reincarnation? Lord Atreya says that there are people who believe in perceptible things and do not believe in imperceptible things. ''Acharyas'' (teachers) who have faith in the ''shastras'' believe in the theory of reincarnation even when they have not perceived or experienced it. But there is skepticism because of differences in opinion. Among the “believing” ''acharyas'', some  attribute the role of ‘parents or ancestors’, some on ''swabhava''(personality or nature of the individual), some on the role of the ''paranirman'' (impersonal soul), while some on ''yadruchha'' ( free will or external powers responsible for sudden occurrences of events in the universe) in the process of reincarnation. Because of so many opinions and schools of thought, there is skepticism with regards to the theory of reincarnation, whether it exists or not. [6]

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Water, ploughed land piece, seeds and the season in which particular seeds are sown, when combined together, result in a crop. Similarly, combination of six factors (''pancha mahabhuta'' and ''atman'') is responsible for formation of a fetus in the uterus. Fire is produced by lower-fire-drill, upper-fire drill and the act of drilling or churning done by a person. In a similar manner, the treatment of disease is possible by applying the fourfold therapeutics measures (The ''vaidya'', medicines, paramedical staff, and the patient). [23-24]

Water, ploughed piece of land, seeds and the season in which particular seeds are sown, when combined together, result in a crop. Similarly, combination of six factors (''pancha mahabhuta'' and ''atman'') is responsible for formation of a fetus in the uterus. Fire is produced by lower-fire-drill, upper-fire drill and the act of drilling or churning done by a person. In a similar manner, the treatment of disease is possible by applying the fourfold therapeutics measures (The ''vaidya'', medicines, paramedical staff, and the patient). [23-24]

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''Pakshavadha'' (hemiplegia), ''graha'' (stiffness), ''apatanaka'' (convulsion disorder), ''ardita'' (facial palsy), ''sosha'' (cachexia), ''rajayakshma'' (tuberculosis), ''asthisandhishula'' (pain in bone joints), ''gudabhramsha'' (prolapsed rectum), and diseases of head, heart and urinary bladder are the diseases of middle pathway for disease manifestation.

''Pakshavadha'' (hemiplegia), ''graha'' (stiffness), ''apatanaka'' (convulsion disorder), ''ardita'' (facial palsy), ''sosha'' (cachexia), ''rajayakshma'' (tuberculosis), ''asthisandhishula'' (pain in bone joints), ''gudabhramsha'' (prolapsed rectum), and diseases of head, heart and urinary bladder are the diseases of middle pathway for disease manifestation.

''Jwara'' (fever), ''atisara'' (diarrhea), ''chhardi'' (vomiting), ''alasaka'' (sluggish intestines/ paralytic ileus), ''visuchika'' (cholera), ''kasa'' (cough), ''shwasa'' (dyspnoea), ''hikka'' (hiccups), ''anaha'' (obstructed flatulence), ''udara'' ( abdominal disorders), ''pliha roga'' (diseases of spleen), internal ''visarpa'' (skin disease/ swelling which quickly spreads), ''shvayathu'' (internal swelling), ''gulma'' (abdominal lumpss), ''arsha'' (internal piles), and ''vidradhi'' (internal abscess) are the diseases of internal pathway for disease manifestation. [49]

''Jwara'' (fever), ''atisara'' (diarrhea), ''chhardi'' (vomiting), ''alasaka'' (sluggish intestines/ paralytic ileus), ''visuchika'' (cholera), ''kasa'' (cough), ''shwasa'' (dyspnoea), ''hikka'' (hiccups), ''anaha'' (obstructed flatulence), ''udara'' ( abdominal disorders), ''pliha roga'' (diseases of spleen), internal ''visarpa'' (skin disease/ swelling which quickly spreads), ''shvayathu'' (internal swelling), ''gulma'' (abdominal lumps), ''arsha'' (internal piles), and ''vidradhi'' (internal abscess) are the diseases of internal pathway for disease manifestation. [49]

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