Enhancing Immunity and Vitality

Immunity and Vitality together are referred as ojas in the ancient text of Ayurbeda and ojas is regarded of paramount importance as crucial expression of life-energy. The importance of immunity and vitality in vigorous health is well recognized in the recent times by the modern medical science as well. This is why the reductionism's approach of Allopathy, which in its nascent stage focused mainly on killing the germs of diseases and later on widened its scope to diagnosis and cure of the malfunctioning organs or components of the body, is now going for deeper analysis at the cellular and biochemical levels.

Vitality is a collective indicator of stamina or vigor and verve of the body and strength, alertness and zeal of the mind. Adequate breathing in of fresh air, consumption of pure drinking water, and balanced intakes of nourishing food intakes, substantial physical exercise and rest are considered most important factors in maintaining the physical stamina. However, for vitality, the calmness of mind and emotional balance and hence righteous attitude and holistic self-management are also important.

Thus directly or indirectly one's intrinsic tendencies and surrounding environment (both atmospheric and social) influence one's vitality. Spiritual attitude and holistic approach to health ad prescribed in Ayurveda appear to be best solutions to augment and maintain vitality. Doing Yagya every day is a practical remedy in this regard. But this preventive measure alone would not work unless one checks out the causes of loss of vitality. The most severe and frequent cause of drainage of vital energy is uncontrolled sexual excitement and erotic thinking. Those desirous of vibrant and vigorous health and mental stability must observe chastity of thoughts and conduct. It is also important for protection of vitality that the resistance against the hazardous effects of air-water pollutions and adulterated or chemically treated or preserved vegetables, fruits, food grains and cooked food is increased. This requires healthy functioning of the immune system. In case of lack of stamina or resistance against infections it is the immune system, which protects its further loss and helps in regaining it.

Advancement of the modern research has made it clear that it is the individual's immune system which plays a key role in body's defense mechanism and the response to drug regimen. The reason why some people are so susceptible to the change of weather, viral infections, etc is because of their weak or deficient immune system. The success of well established techniques of anesthesia, surgery, artificial organ transplant, etc also depends upon how the patient's immune system responds to these. The futuristic therapies based on genetic engineering would not become a reality unless the compatibility with natural immune system is thoroughly tested. The immune system defends the body against all harmful invaders - including viruses, other microorganisms, proteins, and other chemicals. Its 'soldiers' in the form of B-lymphocytes and T-cells are spread all along the body and produce specific antibodies to counter the antigens (foreign molecules).

Nature's intelligence is imbibed in this system so wonderfully that it not only recognizes the difference between the 'self' (i.e. natural elements of one's body) and the 'non-self' but also has memory of the antigens it has been ever attacked in the past. It is more efficient in destroying the invaders if the latter enters the body for the second or more time. It is this learning and decision-making capacity of the immune system which gives rise to 'acquired immunity'. It is because of this capacity that vaccination prevents the occurrence of diseases. Lack of this capacity or deficiency is what we know as the most dreaded, killer disease AIDS (acquire immune deficiency syndrome). It is nothing but what the Ayurvedic scriptures refer as "uparjita oja-ksaya sanlaksana". This loss of ojas means lack of vigor and inability of the defense mechanism of the body to resist the attack of toxic, infectious, harmful molecules, pathogens or bacteria and viruses of any kind.

While in the womb, vital elements in mother's blood nurture the fetus. However, learning of its immune system and hence the acquisition of immunity begins from the moments the infant is born and exposed to the outer atmosphere. In normal state it continues to grow in the youth. Its efficiency reduces in old age but can be maintained at substantial levels if, from the young age one takes balanced healthy food and follows disciplined routine with yoga exercises of asans and pranayams which enhance ojas. However, in case of reduced vitality and deficiency of immunity that is a common scenario these days; therapeutic yagya offers excellent remedy and healing support.

According to modern medical science ojaksaya (low immunity disorder) is not disease, instead, it is a syndrome, a group of several diseases that lessen the vitality and resistance; it is also caused by the infection of a retrovirus. The antigens of this virus first attack the white blood corpuscles (W.B.C.), which are like frontline warriors of immune system. Consequently, varieties of other bacteria, viruses, fungi, other parasites, etc get chance to enter the body without any opposition and give rise to hoards of diseases. The most frequent disease thus occurring are diarrhea, high fever, pneumonia, tuberculosis, C-sarcoma (tumor of blood vessels) etc. The immediate symptoms of low immunity disorder are loss of weight, excessive fatigues, and drowsiness, loss of appetite, skin infection, chronic cough, ulcers or boils in the mouth, acute headache, swelling of lymph nodes, unusual viral fever, etc.