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When the appropriate use of these ''upasthambhas'' is practiced by an individual, he will be bestowed with excellence of strength. Hence, the next topic discussed is about ''bala'' or strength.

When the appropriate use of these ''upasthambhas'' is practiced by an individual, he will be bestowed with excellence of strength. Hence, the next topic discussed is about ''bala'' or strength.

==== Three types of bala (strength, immunity) ====

==== Three types of ''bala'' (strength, immunity) ====

Strength is of three types i.e. sahaja (constitutional), kalaja (temporal) and yuktikruta (acquired):

Strength is of three types i.e. sahaja (constitutional), kalaja (temporal) and yuktikruta (acquired):

   

   

# '''Sahaja bala''': It is an inherent characteristic property of an individual and is present since birth. It can be attributed to an equilibrium state of doshas and does not require any extraneous factor for its improvement.

# '''''Sahaja bala''''': It is an inherent characteristic property of an individual and is present since birth. It can be attributed to an equilibrium state of doshas and does not require any extraneous factor for its improvement.

# '''Kalaja bala''': It is dependent on seasonal variations and age of the person. Weakness prevails in adanakala (depleting strength-summer season), gaining of strength progressively is observed in visarga kala (increasing strength-winter season) and in middle of these two seasons, strength is moderate and this form of bala peaks during one’s middle age.

# '''''Kalaja bala''''': It is dependent on seasonal variations and age of the person. Weakness prevails in adanakala (depleting strength-summer season), gaining of strength progressively is observed in visarga kala (increasing strength-winter season) and in middle of these two seasons, strength is moderate and this form of bala peaks during one’s middle age.

# '''Yuktikruta''': Acquired strength or immunity is attained by healthy practices related to diet like ghee, meat, milk etc. and activities such as proper rest, exercise etc. It can also be improved by the use of rejuvenation therapies.   

# '''''Yuktikruta''''': Acquired strength or immunity is attained by healthy practices related to diet like ghee, meat, milk etc. and activities such as proper rest, exercise etc. It can also be improved by the use of rejuvenation therapies.   

In Ayurvedic texts word bala is used as a synonym of ojas and also for vyadhikshamatava (immunity). Charaka has considered normal kapha as bala. ''Sahaja bala'' can be considered as innate immunity while ''yuktikruta bala'' can be considered as acquired immunity that can be achieved by various methods like good quality diet, exercise, vaccination etc.

In Ayurvedic texts word ''bala'' is used as a synonym of ojas and also for ''vyadhikshamatava'' (immunity). Charaka has considered normal kapha as ''bala''. ''Sahaja bala'' can be considered as innate immunity while ''yuktikruta bala'' can be considered as acquired immunity that can be achieved by various methods like good quality diet, exercise, vaccination etc.

The assessment of ''sharirik bala'' (physical strength) is done by ''anumana'' (inference) by analyzing the capacity of an individual to do physical exercise (or his endurance) (Ch. Vi. 4/8).

The assessment of ''sharirik bala'' (physical strength) is done by ''anumana'' (inference) by analyzing the capacity of an individual to do physical exercise (or his endurance) (Ch. Vi. 4/8).