The term purusha literally means a man, holistic human being or a member or representative of a race or generation. This word also represents the soul of the universe.[1] A proper knowledge about all the elements of a particular purusha is very essential for the successful treatment.
Etymology and derivation
Purusha is derived from two words. 'Pure shareere' meaning 'inside the body'and 'shete' meaning ' which resides'. So, the word ‘purusha’ means that which resides in body. (amarakosha) (amarakosha)
Definition
An aggregate of soul, senses, psyche and sense objects can be considered as purusha in general. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 25/04)
Contextual meanings
In Charak samhita the word purusha denotes these following meanings:
- Person /individual
- Aatma, Self , Consciousness alone
- One’s actions (deeds) in this life( purushakara)
- Corporeal entities (Purushe murtimanto पुरुषे मूर्तिमन्तो)
- Holistic human being (Rashipurusha)
- Male ( this meaning is used only to denote difference from female gender wherever applicable)
Types
- Having one element:
The element of consciousness alone could be considered as purusha. ( Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 1/16)
- Having six elements:
Purusha comprises of six dhatus (elements), viz. five mahabhuta (in their subtle form) and consciousness. (Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 1/16) Imperishable Atma and perishable panchabhautik body are the two main constituents of the purusha. They are mentioned in Yajurveda in question-answer manner as “combining and mutually supportive during life and disintegrating and merging with elements of the universe at the time of death.” The same concept is established more clearly as shad-dhatuka purusha (of six constituents) and pancha mahabhoota Shareeri samavayah purusha (combination of five mahabhoota (elements) and consciousness), and panchatwa prapti (merging into mahabhoota) at death by Charaka and Sushruta respectively.[2]
- Having twenty four elements:
Purusha comprises of twenty four dhatu (constituents), i.e. mind, ten indriyas (sensory and motor organs), five objects of sense organs and prakriti (consisting of eight dhatu, viz. five mahabhuta (in their subtle form), ahamkara (ego), mahan (intellect) and avyakta (primordial element) (Cha.Sa. Sharira Sthana 1/17)
Discussion
The word purusha denotes a holistic human being consisting of soul, senses and psyche. When the atma (soul) enters the physical body made of flesh and blood, it becomes a human being. So, it is the atma which gives life to the physical body. Atma or chetana dhatu (element of consciousness) is important for creation of life. In clinical practice, the physician treats a combination of mind, soul, senses, mahabhuta, intellect and ego. This gives rise to holistic system of medicine.
As per the Indian philosophy, all events in the life of person are due to the effect of his own deeds(karma) in this life or in the previous life. Ayurveda believes that rashipurusha is responsible for all deeds in his life and has to face the consequences of those deeds. It is also responsible for the (creation/gaining of) knowledge, pleasure, sorrow, and joy. Since purusha refers mainly to living human being, his deeds can also be called as purusha or purushakara because it defines that person.
Purusha without a beginning, doesnot have an end. But the purusha with a beginning is ephemeral.(Cha.Sa. Sharira Sthana 01/059) The eternal purusha can be considered as the absolute soul and that with a beginning and end suggests the combination of soul with other elements.
Importance of Knowledge of Purusha
- For treating a person, one has to know about the human body as a whole (rashipurusha).
- The person who knows this rashipurusha in its true sense also understands the whole process of the genesis and destruction of life.
- Such an intellectual person becomes well aware of chikitsa and nothing else remains for him to be learnt.
- The life span of all living beings depends on the proper coordination of two factors, namely, daiva (divine/pre-determined/destiny) and purushakara (human effort/karma). Daiva means one’s own deeds in the previous life while purushakara stands for one’s actions (deeds) in this life. So proper knowledge of purusha is essential for understanding lifespan.
- In order to attain salvation, purusha is to be freed from rajas and tamas. If freed from the influence of rajas and tamas, the purusha is free from its association with the tattva and is said to be liberated.
Current researches
Purusha is considered as Atman (self). Therefore, knowing purusha leads to knowledge about self. It is directly related to spiritual health. World Health Organization included spiritual dimension of health in assessment of quality of life.[3] Some researchers state that purusha is a state of self-existence which is static, undifferentiated and universal. It is a super conscious state which encompasses all other three states of consciousness-the ‘Jagrat’(awake), ‘Swapna’ (dream) and ‘Sushupti’ (deep sleep). There is no object-subject polarity (duality) in this universal state and it is unitary or singular. Thus purusha is merged with the universal consciousness.[4]
More information
References from Charak Samhita
The list of references for word purusha in Charak Samhita can be seen here Purusha_table_of_references.pdf
References
- ↑ Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, Purusha, Page 637
- ↑ Thakar VJ. Historical development of basic concepts of Ayurveda from Veda up to Samhita. AYU. 2010 Oct-Dec; 31(4): 400–402.
- ↑ Reddy P S. Spiritual health in Āyurveda: A review through Charaka Samhitᾱ. Yoga Mimamsa 2018;50:37-40
- ↑ H. R. Aravinda Prabhu, P. S. Bhat. Mind and consciousness in yoga – Vedanta: A comparative analysis with western psychological concepts Indian J Psychiatry. 2013 Jan; 55(Suppl 2): S182–S186.