Ojas: Essence of Vitality in Ayurveda

Posted on Jan 3, 2025 in Biology

Definition (परिभाषा):

Ojas is the ultimate essence/radiance of all seven Dhatus (tissues), from Rasa to Shukra, pervading all Dhatus. For example, like ghee is present in milk.

Explanation:

Just as all seven Dhatus originate and are nourished by Aahar Rasa (nutritional fluid), Ojas also originates and is nourished by Aahar Rasa.

Origin:

The formation of Ojas is described in two stages:

  1. Intrauterine life (before birth).
  2. Extrauterine life (after birth).

Intrauterine Life Origin:

In the fetus, Ojas is formed in the following three stages during pregnancy:

  1. At the time of conception, Ojas exists as the essence of Shukra (semen) and Shonita (ovum). This is called Garbha Rasa.
  2. Ojas is also present in the morula stage after conception.
  3. Ojas is present during the formation of organs in the fetus and remains throughout life (from birth to death).

Extrauterine Life Origin:

Ojas is formed and nourished by Aahar Rasa during the formation of all seven Dhatus. There is no separate Srotas (channel) or Agni (digestive fire) for the formation of Ojas. It is formed during the metabolic process of each Dhatu by the Agni of that Dhatu.

Para Ojas: Heart

Apara Ojas: Entire body

Qualities:

Para Ojas:

  • Color: Yellowish, reddish, white (like light yellow/red/white ghee)
  • Taste: Like honey
  • Odor: Like fried paddy

Apara Ojas:

Acharya Charaka has described the following ten qualities of Apara Ojas:

  1. Guru (heavy)
  2. Sheeta (cold)
  3. Mridu (soft)
  4. Shlakshna (smooth)
  5. Bahal (more concentrated)
  6. Madhura (sweet)
  7. Sthira (stable)
  8. Prasanna (clear)
  9. Picchila (slimy)
  10. Snigdha (unctuous)

Guru Sheetam Mridu Shlakshnam Bahalam Madhuram Sthiram |

Prasannam Picchilam Snigdham Ojo Dashgunam Smritam || (Ch.Chi.24/30)

Classification:

Ojas is classified into two types:

  1. Para Ojas
  2. Apara Ojas

Para Ojas (Principal Type of Ojas):

This is the superior part of Ojas, located in the heart. Its quantity is 8 drops. Its depletion/destruction can lead to death; hence, it is essential for survival.

Apara Ojas (Subordinate Type):

This Ojas is present throughout the body. Its quantity is half an Anjali (handful). It is transported throughout the body by ten Dhamanis (arteries).

Functions:

According to Acharya Charaka, Ojas maintains the natural strength of the body.

  • Its absence leads to the destruction of life; hence, it is considered the basis of life.
  • Ojas is the reason for consciousness in the heart.
  • Ojas keeps the mind happy.
  • Ojas is the reason for stability in the face of dualities like happiness and sorrow.

Ojas Disorders:

The destruction of Para Ojas leads to death, while the depletion of Apara Ojas leads to various symptoms, known as Ojo Vyapad (disorders or imbalanced state). There are three stages of Ojo Vyapad:

  1. Oja Visramsana
  2. Oja Vyapat
  3. Oja Kshaya

Oja Visramsana (Displacement of Ojas):

In this stage, Ojas shifts from its main location.

Symptoms:

  • Loosening of joints/weak joints
  • General debility
  • Displacement of Doshas from their proper sites
  • Suppressed physical and mental activities

Oja Vyapat (Vitiation of Ojas):

This is the stage of Oja Kshaya where increased Doshas and Dhatus also vitiate Ojas.

Symptoms:

  • Heaviness in the body
  • Restricted body movements
  • Oedema due to vitiated Vata
  • Depression
  • Drowsiness
  • Excess of sleep

Symptoms of Oja Vyapad are seen in diseases like Prameha and Pandu.

Oja Kshaya (Depletion/Deficiency of Ojas):

This is a state of severe deficiency of Ojas in the body.

Symptoms:

  • Syncope/unconsciousness
  • Wasting of muscles
  • Hallucination/stupor
  • Delirium
  • Death

According to Acharya Charaka, the symptoms of Oja Kshaya are:

Weakness, insecurity/fearfulness, fatigue of sense organs, constant worry, deranged lustre, mental disability, dryness of skin, emaciated body.

Ojas Enhancement:

According to Acharyas, every person should always strive to increase Ojas.

If Ojas is increased, one should not try to reduce it.

Especially in childhood, one should consume Ojas-enhancing food and lifestyle.

Having a higher quantity of Ojas in the body nourishes the body, increases strength, and provides contentment.

  1. Rasa V: रसोऽतिवृद्धो हृदयोत्क्लेदं प्रसेकं चापादयति ss15/15
  2. Rasa K: रसक्षये हृत्पीडा कम्पः शून्यता तृष्णा च ।।ss15/10
  3. Rasa S: सुप्रसन्नमृदुत्वग्रोमाणं त्वक्सारं विद्यादिति ।। सु० सू 35/17
  4. Rakta S: स्निग्धताम्रनखनयनतालुजिह्वौष्ठपाणिपादनलं रक्तेन । सु. सू. 35/17
  5. Mansa V: मांस स्फिग्गण्डौष्ठोपस्थोरुबाहुजंघासु वृद्धिं गुरुगात्रतां च ।। सु० सू० 15/15
  6. Mansa K: मासक्षये विशेषेण स्फिग्ग्रीवोदरशुष्कता ।।cs18/64
  7. Meda S: स्निग्धमूत्रस्वेदस्वरं वृहच्छरीरमायासासहिष्णु मेदसा ।।सु० सू० 35/17


  1. Meda K: मेदःक्षये प्लीहाभिवृद्धिः सन्धिशून्यता रौक्ष्यं मेदुरमांसप्रार्थना च । ss15/10
  2. Asthi S: महाशिरः स्कन्धं दृढ़दन्तहन्वस्थिनखमस्थिभिः ।। सु० सू० 35/18
  3. Asthi K: अस्थिक्षयेऽस्थिशूलं दन्तनखभ‌ङ्गो रौक्ष्यं च ।। सु० सू० 15/10
  4. Shukra S: स्फटिकाभं द्रवं स्निग्धं मधुरं मधुगन्धि च।
    शुक्रमिच्छन्ति केचित्तु तैलक्षौद्रनिभं तथा।।सु० शा० 2/11
  5. Shukra K: शुक्रक्षये मेद्रवृषणवेदनाऽशक्तिमैथुने चिराद्वा प्रसेकः प्रसेके चाल्परक्तशुक्रदर्शनम् । Ss15/10
  6. Shukra V: शुक्रं शुक्रश्मरीमतिप्रादुर्भावं च। ss15/15