Rasayana Tantra, also known as "Jara Chikitsa" is that branch of Ayurveda which deals with various preventive measures for ensuring a hale and hearty existence. It is a kind of rejuvenating therapy, which promotes rejuvenation in a healthy person and restores a diseased person to health. Rasayana implies that physical, mental and spiritual support which helps the human body to come out of its age or disease induced degenerated condition and regain health. The practitioners of this branch of Ashtanga Ayurveda recommend various treatments for checking the wear and tear of the body tissues due to age or diseases. According to the practitioners, Rasayana Tantra has the unique potentiality to retard the process of aging.
Types of Treatment in Rasayana Tantra
There are two types of treatments in Rasayana Tantra. The first type is prescribed to a patient who is short of time, unenthusiastic and cannot take much effort or one who cannot undergo the full length of the treatment for some unavoidable circumstances. This category of patients receives a short package of Rasayana Tantra. The person is allowed to carry on with his or her own daily routine simultaneously. The patient is advised dietary changes and changes in life style in addition to certain rasayana medicines. These medicines are very meticulously chosen keeping in mind the patient"s age, sex, constitution, daily habits, living conditions, past ailments and the present condition of the body.
Kaya Kalpa, the second type of treatment under Rasayana Tantra is more complex. It is the total renovation of the body where the patient is kept apart from his or her daily activities for a certain period of time and has to reside in a hut which is specifically devised for Rasayana Tantra. He or she is kept here under the inspection of an Ayurvedic specialist. The patient has to undergo an intensive treatment procedure in addition to specially cooked food and constantly monitored lifestyle in the hut. It is believed that when the patient comes out of the hut after going through the entire treatment, his or her body is completely rejuvenated. All the degenerated dhatus (body tissues) are replaced by new, active and lively dhatus thus ensuring the person a fresh and reinvigorated life.
Role of Rasayana
Before starting the rasayana schedule, the patient is advised to undergo Panchakarma. This helps in the initial detoxification of the body and prepares it for the rasayana processes. The rasayana regime includes several physical, mental and spiritual disciplinary activities along with medicines. Rasayana Tantra is supposed to take care of the individual in all aspects of life during the period of treatment.
Rasayana Tantra advises the patient to follow a very strict diet along with the medicines. Amalaki, haritaki, trifala, bhringaraj, ashwagandha, punarnava, chitraka are some examples of herbs that are used to make rasayana medicines. These are collectively known as "Rasayanakar". Moreover, Bhasma (calyxes) of various metals like gold, silver etc., bhasma of jewels like hiraka (diamond), manikya (ruby), moti (pearl), etc. are precious components in the group of Rasayana medicines. They are believed to have aphrodisiac qualities.
Health Benefits of Rasayana Tantra
Rasayana Tantra aims at longevity, enhanced memory, health, youthfulness, radiance of complexion, generosity, bodily vigour and the sharpness of the senses. Rasayana Tantra improves the metabolic activities which in turn ensure proper bio- transformation leading to health and normal life. The curative procedure mainly involves boosting up the "Ojas" (vital force of life) and the immune system. It helps a person to sustain good health or to regain impaired or lost physical or mental health. Ojas is responsible for a glowing appearance, sharp memory, consistently high performance and every expected pleasure.
Thus in conclusion, it can be stated that Rasayana Tantra ensures rejuvenation and provides vital energy. It bestows the gift of health to the young as well as the old ones. A person who goes through this therapy seriously is ensured a long, disease free and vigorous life.
