Ojas

Ojas is a Sanskrit word which literally means "vigor". According to the principles of Ayurveda, it is the essential energy of the body which can be equated with the "fluid of life," but its existence has not been proven in any way. Those who practice Ayurveda say that Ojas is the sap of one's life energy which, when sufficient, is equated with immunity and, when deficient, results in weakness, fatigue and ultimately disease. Soma, a drink used for religious purposes, is supposed to be related in some way.

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Ojas is both the gateway and the container. It is the gateway between consciousness and physiology, between spiritual and material. As the subtlest physical, it is a container. It contains the flow of cosmic energy (Prana) from Atman through the individual.

Ojas is the first material expression of consciousness. It is both manifest and unmanifest. It pervades the body, has a yellowish-red color, looks like ghee, smells like puffed rice, tastes like honey. It is similar to balanced Kapha; only not as heavy.

Ojas is Primal vigor. Ojas is the subtle energy of water, the stored-up vital reserve, the basis for physical and mental strength and endurance. It is to Vata, Pitta, Kapha, as Samhita is to rishi, devata, and chhandas. It holds the body together. It allows the body-mind’s balanced functioning. Ojas is responsible for maintaining contentment, luster, strength, and health. It is the main factor responsible for immunity.

Ojas is produced at every stage of digestion and is the finest end product of digestion. As such, it is the essence of the body tissues (dhatus).

There are 5 Factors Which Increase Ojas: Behavioral Rasayanas, Devotion (bhakti yoga), Medicinal Rasayanas (includes ojas increasing foods), Fresh, Wholesome Diet, 5 Ways to Eliminate Ama.

There are 7 Factors which hamper the flow of transformation of the Dhatus causing Ojas to be Less or Imbalanced: Excessive injury/ harm to the body; Excessive loss of substance; Overexertion; Excessive anger; Excessive grief; Excessive thinking, worry, anxiety; Excessive hunger.

References

• "Ayurveda and the Mind: The Healing of Consciousness", Frawley, David, Lotus Press, 1996
• "Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide", Frawley, David, Lotus Press, 2000
• "Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution", Svoboda, Robert E., Sadhana Publications, 1998