Ojas the Essence of the Dhatus by Tanya Bradbury

Definition of Ojas

Ojah somaatmakam snigdham shuklam shitam sthiram saram:

Viviktam mrdu mrtsnam ca pranayatanamuttaman.

Dehasyavavstena vyapto bhavati dehnam;

Tadabhavacca siryante sharirani sharirinam.

Ref: SS. Su 15: 25-26

I love the name Ojas it has a lovely ring to it don't you think? Ojas is such an amazing substance which modern medicine doesn't recognise or understand. I want to talk about it because it is something which everyone should know about. It is the body's built in immune system, protecting and preventing it from disease, a form of biological consciousness, which can expands and grow within the individual. You can increase Ojas in your daily life, by simply changing the lifestyle and diet. Ojas is described as the finest relative substance of digestion, or the purest expression of correct digestion and metabolism. It is the purest essence of the transformation of the dhatus.

Sushruta says that ojas is responsible for biological strength, vitality and immunity against disease. The ojas itself is the main determinant of bala and vyaadhiksamatva, or resistance against disease.

Properties of Ojas

• Guru, heavy.
• Sandram is like the consistency of honey.
• Bahlam that which spreads into the minute channels.
• Picchilam, sticky.
• Snigdham, oily similar in consistency to ghee.
• Madhuram sweet like honey.
• The smell of puffed rice or Laju.
• Sveta, white, the colour of fresh butter.
• Shitam, cool
• Vishada, clear,
• Mridu soft.
• Saram, flowing.
• Bala, strength and vitality to the body and mind.
• A well - formed musculature, proper functioning of all the motor activities.
• A Clear voice.
• Bright and lustrous complexion.
• Proper functioning of all the sensory, motor and psychic functions.

Two types of Ojas

There are two types of ojas found in the body, Apara Ojas is found circulating in the blood stream and is present within the organs and tissues of the body.( Ardhaanjali pramaana.) It is the result of the digestive process and the transformation of the dhatus.

Para ojas is found in the heart and consists of eight drops, or asta bindu. These eight drops are present at birth and stay within the heart. If the heart is damaged or injured the ojas will be lost, this is the reason why patients who suffer from severe injury to the heart die.

During the forth month of pregnancy the fetus receives the eight drops of para ojas from the mother. And again in the eighth month the ojas moves between mother and baby. This is why the eighth month is a dangerous time for delivery, both for the unborn child and the mother.We can say that para ojas is a concentrated form of ojas, which has a powerful effect on the vitality of all the body cells, tissues and organs. This is also known as Jivaniya Shakti The practice of meditation enhances and spreads the ojas inside and outside the body; enhancing happiness, immunity, love and compassion in the individual. The five bodily sheaths, or Pancha Kosha's which surround the body are strengthened. These five layers relate to the different functioning aspects of the individual.

• The Annamaya Kosha -physical body- solid matter related to Pancha Mahabhutas bodily wants and needs.
• The Pranamaya Kosha -pranic body- balanced flow of prana or vital energy through the nadis inti every cell in the body.
• The Manomaya Kosha - mind body- thoughts, emotions, desires, manifestation of stress or Aadhi. Over time this stress can seep into the Pranamaya Kosha and manifest as pshycosomatic disorders.
• The Vijnanamaya Kasha -intellect body- discrimination, wisdom and knowledge.
• The Ananadamaya Kosha- the most subtle which is the bliss body. A person established in internal bliss or Inner alert silence.

These layers make up the Aura of an individual, and are a powerful and natural form of protection. In satvik and enlightened people this aura is very strong, sensitive people are able to visualize and read them. Even after meditation Ojas can be seen as a healthy glow on the skin, and the eyes appear clearer and brighter.

We can say that Ojas is the Biological or physical manifestation in the body, and Soma is the comic manifestation of Ojas or “Cosmic Glue” which binds and holds together the entire universe. For even the universe depends on Soma to maintain it’s health, equilibrium and balance. In this way we can see how the actions of individual beings and nations (ie, wars, killing and destruction of our natural habitat) can have a indirect effect not only on our own evolution but on that of the entire world and universe.

Such a beautiful and perfect thing this creation is...

How to increase Ojas in the body

• Sadhana practising Yoga, pranayama and meditation daily.
• Chanting Mantra's.
• Satvik lifestyle following dinacharya and rytucharya
• Satvik diet, to increase ojas, i.e. freshly cooked organic vegetarian food, not overly spiced.
• Brining happiness and contentment into your life.
• Foods, which are naturally sweet, Milk, ghee, fresh butter, wheat, small amounts of cream.
• Fresh nuts, honey, dates.
• Whole grains and rice.
• Fresh sweet fruits and vegetables. Most of these foods are brimhana, i.e. they build and increase the dhatu’s.
• Practising Brahmacharyia
• Ayurvedic herbs and Rasayanas, these all enhance shukra dhatu and ojas and increase immunity and rejuvenation. Chayvan prash.
• I.e. Shatarvari, Bala, Shilajit, Kumari, Yashti madhu.
• Medhya Rasayanas- Ashwaghanda, Shankapushpi, Brahmi,
• Kronch wheat (type of seed) and Vacha.

Things which decrease ojas in the body

• Grief
• Constant worry, anxiety.
• Shock and trauma
• Accidents, i.e. Broken bones, puncture wounds, injury to marma points.
• Late nights and Insomnia.
• Shift work
• Excessive travel
• Lack of proper rest
• Starvation
• Excessive sex
• Eating unwholesome foods, incompatible foods.
• Processed and junk foods.
• Smoking tobacco and Cannabis
• Alcohol and any other recreational drugs.
• Allopathic medicine.
• Negative mental emotions, eg. Anger, jealousy, envy.
• Excessive pride.
• Unforgiving nature.
• Conditional love

Let Indra drink, O Soma, of thy juice for wisdom, and all Deities for strength.
So flow thou on as bright celestial juice, flow to the vast, immortal dwelling-place.
Flow onward, Soma, as a mighty sea, as Father of the Gods to every form.

ref: Rig veda

Presentation by Tanya Bradbury 28.01.10 at Jiva Institute Faridabad India