TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT AND MALA : DR. SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

The dosha, dhatu and mala together are called tridosha. They imply three aspects of life.

The concept of dosha broadly implies the controlling forces and elements including bioelectricity, anabolism and catabolism. The doshas can also be imagined to be a link between the external and internal universe and the various phenomena of life. Dosha; thus can be imagined to be akin to the seed, root and leaves; of the life tree. Doshas helps this tree to internalize the water, manure, fertilizers and oxygen; leading to growth, development, optimal activity and time bound decomposition and death. They represent dynamic, moving or controlling aspects of life.

The dhatu implies the more stable elements such as various secretions, substrates, blood, muscles, depot fat and other forms of fat, bones and other cartilaginous and keratinous structures and elements, marrow or inner parenchymal elements and semen or resultant energy represented by it; in an individual. The dhatus are stable aspects such as stem, branches and the other components of these structures. These represent a more stable stage of the life process.

The concept of mala implies the less dynamic, less stable elements. They are the effects or functions of the interactions amongst the doshas and dhatus. These elements resulting from above interactions; leave the body in timely manner on moment to moment, day to day, month to month and longer periods of time such as life time; basis. But what is important to appreciate is that; they stay for some specific time and serve specific functions; before they leave the body. Hence the formation of mala and the processes and time of their exits are characteristic and vital to body health!

One can take the examples of sweat, urine, feces, CO2, water, urea, NH3, H+ and last but not the least the semen; and such many so called “waste products”; and observe carefully to confirm their vital role in physiology.

These products may serve to neutralize, detoxify, kill germs, lubricate and many possible aspects of homeostasis hitherto not sufficiently studied and researched.

This observation is probably is the basis of “Shivambu Chikitsa” i.e. drinking of one’s own urine, Gomutra Chikitsa, i.e. drinking of cow urine, Gomaya Chikitsa, i.e. eating of cow dung; for therapeutic purpose. There are other examples also in Ayurveda such as bile of tiger.

The purpose of this article is to rethink and if necessary; revise the concept of “waste products” in the light of concept of MALA.

Total Stress Management; (the core of which is NAMASMARAN) embodies; asking questions boldly, uninhibitedly and humbly. This either lets us know new things; or helps us revise the prevalent concepts and opens new vistas of knowledge and overcome our casual intellectual approach, superficiality and arrogance; and resultant; cacophony, chaos, conflicts and stress.