Changes

 

 

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.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, Purusha, Page 637</ref> A proper knowledge about all the elements of a particular purusha is very essential for the successful treatment.  

<p style="text-align:justify;">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.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, Purusha, Page 637</ref> A proper knowledge about all the elements of a particular purusha is very essential for the successful treatment. </p>

{{Infobox

{{Infobox

|label5 = Correspondence email:

|label5 = Correspondence email:

|data5 = carakasamhita@gmail.com

|data5 = dryogeshdeole@gmail.com, carakasamhita@gmail.com

|label6 = Date of first publication:

|label6 = Publisher

|data6 = April 22, 2020

 

|label7 = Date of first publication:

|data7 = April 22, 2020

}}

}}

==Etymology and derivation==

==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]

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]

=== Six elements ===

=== Six elements ===

Purusha comprises of six elements (dhatus), 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 purusha of six constituent(sshad-dhatuka purusha) and combination of five [[mahabhuta]] (elements) and consciousness (pancha mahabhuta shareeri samavayah purusha), and merging into [[mahabhuta]] (panchatwa prapti) at death by Charaka and Sushruta respectively.<ref>Thakar VJ. Historical development of basic concepts of Ayurveda from Veda up to Samhita. AYU. 2010 Oct-Dec; 31(4): 400–402.</ref>

Purusha comprises of six elements (dhatus), 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 purusha of six constituent(sshad-dhatuka purusha) and combination of five elements([[mahabhuta]]) and consciousness (pancha mahabhuta shareeri samavayah purusha), and merging into [[mahabhuta]] (panchatwa prapti) at death by Charaka and Sushruta respectively.<ref>Thakar VJ. Historical development of basic concepts of Ayurveda from Veda up to Samhita. AYU. 2010 Oct-Dec; 31(4): 400–402.</ref>

=== Twenty four elements ===

=== Twenty four elements ===

==Current researches==

==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.<ref>Reddy P S. Spiritual health in Āyurveda: A review through Charaka Samhitᾱ. Yoga Mimamsa 2018;50:37-40</ref> Some researchers state that purusha is a state of self-existence which is static, undifferentiated and universal. It is a superconscious 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.<ref>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.</ref>

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.<ref>Reddy P S. Spiritual health in Āyurveda: A review through Charaka Samhitᾱ. Yoga Mimamsa 2018;50:37-40</ref> Some researchers state that purusha is a state of self-existence which is static, undifferentiated and universal. It is a superconscious 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.<ref>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.</ref>

 

 

==More information==

==More information==

==References from [[Charak Samhita]]==

==References from [[Charak Samhita]]==

The list of references for word purusha in Charak Samhita can be seen here [[ Media:Purusha_table_of_references.pdf|Purusha_table_of_references.pdf]]  

The list of references for word purusha in Charak Samhita can be seen here [[ Media:Purusha_table_of_references.pdf|Purusha_table_of_references.pdf]]

 

 

==References==

==References==