WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF USING MANGO LEAVES IN RITUALS?

Significance of using mango leaves in rituals and PUjas:

(1) Symbolic of MahAlakshmI

(2) Prevents negative energy

(3) Sign of Auspiciousness

(4) Helps against drushti dosham

(5) Full of Oxygen

(6) Promotes hygiene and health

(7) Symbol of fertility

DIET AND AYURVEDA

Ayurveda attaches great importance to Diet.
Diet is primarily responsible for one's welfare.
Diseases are due to wrong diet.
One derives nourishment, satisfaction, strength and intelligence from diet.

AhArasambhavam vastu rogAscAhAra sambhavAh !
hiTAhita viSeshAcca viSeshah sukha dukhayoh !!
--caraka samhitA xxviii-45

Na hita AhAropayoginAmagniveSa tannimittayA vyAdhayo jAyante
--caraka samhitA xxviii- 7

tushtih pushtir balam medhA sarvamanne prathishtitam
--caraka samhitA xxvii -350

BASIC CONCEPTS OF AYURVEDA

The following are the basic concepts of Ayurveda:

1.panca mahAbhUtas -- Five great elements

AkASa --- Space
vAyu --- Air
teja --- Fire
jala --- Water
prithivI --- Earth

2. tridoshas --- Three biological imbalances

vAta --- Combination of Air and Space
pitta --- Fire
kapha --- Water and Earth

3. sapta dhAtus --- Seven Constituents

rasa --- Chyle
rakta --- Blood
MAmsa --- Muscle
majjA ---- Marrow
asthi ---- Bone
medhA ---- Brain and nervous system
Sukra ---- Sperm and ovum

4 malas --- Excretal products

5.triguNas --- Three qualities

satva --- Peace
rajas --- Passion
tamas --- Ignorance

WHAT ARE THE MAIN BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA?

There are eight main Branches of Ayurveda. These are as follows:

(1) KAyacikitsa (General Medicine)
(2) BAlacikitsa (Pediatrics)
(3) Grahacikitsa (Psychiatry)
(4) UrdhvAngacikitsa (Treatment of ENT and Cephalic diseases)
(5) Salyacikitsa (Surgery)
(6) Damshtracikitsa (Toxicology)
(7) Jaracikitsa (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation)
(8) Vrshacikitsa (Aphrodisiac Therapy)