The Panchatantra (the five books) is a collection of ancient Indian folk tales, originally written in Sanskrit sometime around 200 B.C. by the Hindu scholar, Pandit Vishnu Sharma.  But the origins of some of these stories go back as far as 1500 to 500 B.C., during the time of the Rig-Veda and the Upanishads.  As time went on, people traveling through India took the stories around the world where they was translated into many languages.  The Panchatantra is said to be a part of the science known as “Nitishastra,” which translated from Sanskrit means “book of wise conduct in life.”  The stories are actually lessons that teach how to understand people, to to choose reliable friends, how to solve problems with tact and wisdom, and how to live in peace and harmony despite life’s challenges.

Even though most of the population in India is either Hindu or Muslim, Christmas is still celebrated with much fanfare throughout the country.  It is a national holiday in India, enjoyed by everyone irrespective of religion.  The banana and mango trees are decorated, and often homes are decorated with mango leaves.  You will often see small clay oil-burning lamps on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls.  Christian families exchange gifts, and give baksheesh, or charity, to those in need.  Poinsettias are abundant, especially in churches.  There are lots of candles at the Christmas Eve services.  In the more urban areas of India, you’ll often find the more western decor, the familiar Christmas trees adorned with stars and tinsel and small toys.  Santa makes an appearance in some shops and you’ll even see Christmas carolers parading through the streets. 

There’s a big trend now toward eating raw foods.  I can understand the principle behind it, raw foods and juices are very cleansing and energizing, they contain a lot of natural intelligence.  Sprouts have enzymes which help with digestion, and some of the spicier sprouts help to eliminate toxins, which Ayurveda calls.  However, for the nutrients in food to be properly assimilated into the body, it must be cooked.  Cooking happens either outside the body, the conventional way with heat in the kitchen, or it can be cooked in the stomach.  The digestive system has to be really strong to provide enough energy to cook the food inside the body.  Pittas can handle eating raw foods, and Kaphas can eat some raw foods, particularly during Pitta season.  But in general, raw foods are not good for Vatas.  Because of their sensitive digestion, Vatas need to favor warm, cooked foods.

Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences.  Many westerners are introduced to Ayurveda through Yoga.  We find so many benefits from the practice of Yoga that we are eager to learn more, and we find that with the science of life.  When we incorporate both of these practices into our lives, the effects are more profound.  Ayurveda helps to support our system, so that we strengthen our bodies and cultivate peace. Especially important during this hectic holiday season!  Organic India has put together a Yoga Essentials Kit especially for this purpose.  It includes their Gotu Kola Formula, which helps to balance the nervous system, bring clarity to the mind, and strengthen concentration.  Gotu Kola is also a natural energizer!  The Turmeric Formula works to purify the blood, liver and kidneys and also aids in digestion.  Turmeric also promotes a glowing complexion, and contains powerful antioxidants.  The Flexibility Formula fights muscle fatigue and helps the body to become more naturally flexible.  This combination of herbs was specifically created to improve overall muscle and joint health.  Taken together these herbs work synergistically as the perfect formula for a physically active lifestyle.  A good way to jump start those New Year’s Resolutions!

Pomegranates are hailed as a kind of wonder fruit and this is something Ayurveda has been aware of for centuries.  The Sanskrit name for the pomegranate is Dadima. The main taste is considered to be astringent, but it also may contain the taste of sweet, sour, and bitter.  While the pomegranate is excellent for improving digestion, the beauty is that it doesn’t increase Pitta.  Best of all, the pomegranate is an aphrodisiac!  Ayurveda says that it is a remedy for impotence, eat one pomegranate every night for fourteen nights and you’re good to go!  They’re also great for helping to overcome nausea.  I found this wonderful recipe for pomegranate salad you can serve your sweetie when you want a romantic evening:

Pomegranate Salad

½ cup garbanzo beans
all the seeds from 1 fresh pomegranate
2 cups watercress leaves (heat in a skillet to wilt)
1 Tablespoon pine nuts, toasted

Toss all of the above with a dressing of lemon juice and olive oil and a little sea salt.  Yummy!

In yoga class it sounds so elegant and exotic when the teacher uses the Sanskrit names for the different poses.  A lot of the names end in the word “asana” because asana means “pose.”  Some we can figure out from the Sanskrit we are familiar with.  Mandala means circle, so circle pose is “Mandalasana.” I found a really cool book that translates many of the yoga poses, “The Language of Yoga: A Complete A to Y Guide to Asana Names, Sanskrit Terms and Chants.” It includes illustrations, yoga sequences (vinyasas) for various routines, and a CD with pronunciation and chants.  If you’re interested in learning some Sanskrit, this is a great introduction.  It’s spiral bound so it can lay flat while you’re practicing your yoga and listening to the CD.  Right now I’m learning how to count: eka, dvi, tri, catur, panca, sat, sapta, asta, nava, dasa.

The Language of Yoga

Kundalini is basically energy.  Loosely translated from Sanskrit it means “coiled energy.” Kundalini is often depicted as a snake, coiled up in the base of our spine, at the root chakra, waiting to be awakened.  According to Ayurveda, it is reddish in color, like the root chakra, and as the energy moves up the spine it changes colors with the chakras.  As we grow spiritually, kundalini gradually awakens, we have more clarity of thought, and the body becomes strong and healthy.  To encourage this awakening, it is helpful to live an ayurvedic lifestyle, and to practice yoga and meditation.

Kundalini on amazon

Chai means “tea”. Some stories say it was invented by a royal king in the ancient courts of India and Siam, who protected the recipe as one of his treasures. However, its roots can be traced unmistakably to Ayurveda.  Chai is a traditional Indian drink, spicy and robust in flavor to stimulate the senses and soothe the soul.  Served hot, with milk (I like to add vanilla soy milk) and sweetener, Chai is a wonderful treat for the holidays.  My new favorite Chai is Red Chai Tulsi Tea from Organic India.  It is made with Tulsi (also known as “The Queen of Herbs”), classic chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and clove (all organic, of course!), and African red tea.  This Chai is abundant in antioxidants, and the best part is that it is caffeine free!  For those Chai lovers who prefer a little caffeine, Organic India makes a wonderful Chai Masala Tulsi Tea with black tea.  Close your eyes and the aroma alone will make you feel like you’re in India on a fabulous vacation.

Altars are a beautiful and meaningful addition to any home.  Altars in India originate from the Hindu tradition, and honor the divine in its many forms.  I have come across a really wonderful, whimsical book that helps us to create our own little altar wherever we go.  It’s called “Hindu Altars: A Pop-Up Gallery of Traditional Art and Wisdom.”  There are four deities represented in this book: Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga and Ganesh.  Each one has a gorgeous illustration made into a pop-up, a description of the deity that explains some of the symbolism, the yantra, or geometric representation associated with the deity, and the unique, traditional mantra with phonetic pronunciation.  The mantra for Durga (to protect from fears and grant success) for example, is: Om Hrim Dhum Durga Deviya Nama.

The texts of Ayurveda date back 5,000 years.  But Ayurveda was an oral tradition long before that, so the science may be 6,000 or 7,000 years old.  In the Rig-Veda, it is said that giving to charity is a duty, and the best way to give is to expect nothing in return, to give with love and devotion and respect.  It also says that the giving of knowledge is a very good thing.  Knowledge cannot be stolen or destroyed, and with time it grows and continues giving happiness to many people.  I am grateful to the people who are teaching Ayurveda today and passing along this ancient wisdom.  Dr. Vasant Lad is the founder of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque New Mexico.  You can find out about his program at his website: ayurveda.com.  Dr. Marc Halpern is the founder of the California College of Ayurveda: ayurvedacollege.com.  We are very lucky to have Dr. Halpern as our Ayurveda expert on doshaspace.com.