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[[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 11:

==([[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 11, Chapter on the Three Desires of Life)==

 

(Chapter on the Three Desires of Life)

Having or expressing desires is a human trait, and only human beings aspire to fulfil them. This chapter, Tisraishaniya Adhyaya, tries to explain three basic desires in human beings, and the mode to fulfil them during one’s life – longevity, wealth (or material comforts), and a blissful afterlife. This chapter is described under Nirdesha chatushka since it gives instructions to lead a healthy and righteous life.  It also guides to treat a patient with physical and/or mental disease and describes a triad of eight vargas, or ashtatrikas, explaining the theories of reincarnation and creation of universe. Four parikshas (aptopadesha, pratyaksha, anumana and yukti) or means for getting correct knowledge and their role in establishing the theory of reincarnation are described in detail. Using these methods, a physician can get knowledge about roga (disease) and rogi (patient) and can choose appropriate courses of treatment, with suitable drugs.

Having or expressing desires is a human trait, and only human beings aspire to fulfil them. This chapter, Tisraishaniya Adhyaya, tries to explain three basic desires in human beings, and the mode to fulfil them during one’s life – longevity, wealth (or material comforts), and a blissful afterlife. This chapter is described under Nirdesha chatushka since it gives instructions to lead a healthy and righteous life.  It also guides to treat a patient with physical and/or mental disease and describes a triad of eight vargas, or ashtatrikas, explaining the theories of reincarnation and creation of universe. Four parikshas (aptopadesha, pratyaksha, anumana and yukti) or means for getting correct knowledge and their role in establishing the theory of reincarnation are described in detail. Using these methods, a physician can get knowledge about roga (disease) and rogi (patient) and can choose appropriate courses of treatment, with suitable drugs.

Introduction:

 

=== Introduction ===

 

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. Charaka has stated about the methods and means to fulfil these aeshanas, 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 - “astic”, 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. Charaka has stated about the methods and means to fulfil these aeshanas, 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 - “astic”, 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 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.  

अथातस्तिस्रैषणीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः||१||  

अथातस्तिस्रैषणीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः||१||  

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः||२||  

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः||२||