Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol. 8(3), July 2009, pp. 396-399

Concept of aging in Ayurveda

Bal Govind Tiwari1* & B N Upadhyay2
1
Department of Kayachikitsa, Jammu Institute of Ayurveda & Research, Jammu, J & K
2
Department of Kayachikitsa, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
E-mail: vdbalgovind@gmail.com

Received 29 May 2007 revised 10 December 2008

Ayurveda is one of the oldest recognized systems of medicine, originated from Vedas. Now at this time, the whole world
is showing renewed interest in the aging process and aged people. In first 50 yrs of 21St century old age dependency ratio is
expected to double in more developed region and triple in less developed region, thus the age people are going to be a big
problem for the society. It is the best time to explore the possibilities of a drug from Ayurveda, which can be given to the
aged person and improve their life span.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Jara, Rasayana

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P39/00

Aging is a continuous process, which begins with
conception and ends with the death. Charak has
mentioned the growth period that is up to 30 yrs after
that the growth of individual stops and aging start to
continue1. Ayurveda also gives attention towards the
psychosomatic approach of Ayu by describing the
Hitayu, Dukhayu, Ahitaya and Sukhayu with the
description of total span of life2. According to
Ayurveda, the Jara (aging) is a natural phenomenon
like hunger thirst and sleep. Sushruta mentions a
group of naturally occurring diseases named
Svabhava Bala Roga, which includes Kshuta, Pipasa,
Nidra, Jara and Mrityu3.
Etymologically, the term Jara has been derived
from Panini’s Sanskrit root Jrs vayohanou this term is
indicative of loss in period of life span. The last phase
of life span has been referred as Jara. It is described
as a natural and inevitable processes as well as natural
disease. Other terms that may be correlated with old
age are Jirna, Jiran, Jaran, Vrddhata. In this stage
Dhatu, virya, indriya bala and utsaha decrease day by
day. Alopecia wrinkling of whole body, cough,
breathlessness are general symptoms and ultimately
with the failure of all activities4. Aging is a slow and
continuous process, which affects various organs or
tissues at different time. An individual looses different
values in different decades of life in a sequence
____________
*Corresponding author
manner5. The cause of aging is not described clearly
in Ayurveda however some point can be considered in
its regard. Charak has mentioned the theory of natural
destructions (Swabhaoparamavada). There is a
causative factor for the manifestation of being but no
cause is needed for their cessation, some of the view
that inhalation of being is caused by the non
effectiveness of the causative factor6. Charak in
Sarira sthana also describes same view while
describing the conception of life. It has been
mentioned that the empirical soul accompanied with
the instruments of knowledge is responsible for the
manifestation of life but the process of decay on the
other hand being too quick in succession does not
need any cause7.
The life span of a person depends on the two
factors; Daiva (works of previous life) Purushakara
(works of present life). The rationality of life span of
individual depends upon Daiva and Purusakara
depending upon the strength both type of action are
classified into three categories, viz. mild, moderate
and strong. Charak has also given some other factor,
which may be considered as promotive of growth9.
These factors are kalayoga (opportunity as – youth is
the proper time for growth of the individual),
Svabhava Samriddhi (natural process as result of
unseen past action are also responsible for growth).
Ahara sansthan (excellence of diet), Avighata
(absence of damage as excessive indulgence in sex
 TIWARI & UPADHYAY: CONCEPT OF AGING IN AYURVEDA 397

Table 1—Signs and symptoms of aging

Signs & symptoms Charak1 Sushruta4 Ash14 Ash15 Madhav

Sangrah Hridaya Nidan16
Dhatu kshya + + + + -
Indriya kshaya + + + + -
Bala kshaya + + + - +
Veerya kshaya + + + - -
Utsaha kshaya - + + - -
Ojo hani - - - + +
Vali - + + + -
Palita - + + + -
Khalitya - + + + -
Paurusha hani + - - - -
Parakrama hani + - - - +
Grahana dharana Smaran hani + - - - +
Vigyana hani + - - - -
Vachana hani - - - - -
Dhatu guna kshaya + - - + -
Alparetas + - - - -
Agni sada - - + - +
Kasa - + - + +
Svasa - + + - +
Vaipathu - - + - +
Slatha sara - - + - -
Slatha mamsa - - + - -
Prabha hani - - + - -
Medha hani - - + - +
Twak parushya - - + - -
Dhairya pranasha - - - - +
YuvJanochitkritya rasha - - - - +
Chinta - - - - +
Ghrina adhikta - - - - +
Krishta - - - - +
Krodha bahulya - - - - +
Kapha vridhicha gale Nirantaram - - - - +
saktih, Nisthivaneh sah nirgamo
Hasta-pada-kampa Jihwa kampa - - - - +
Vepathu - - - - +
Murdha-skhlana - - - - +
Pada-dvaya skhalana - - - - +
Dhanurvata - - - - +
Dehasyachtinamanam - - - - +
Buddhi balyam jayeta - - - - +
Prakritoatikharata - - - - +
Vataamaya - - - - +
Swalpa-shakti-avashishyat kleshma - - - - +
Ativismanti - - - - +
Dandashrayen – Gaman - - - - +
Rad hinta-aassye - - - - +

and mental affliction inhibits the growth of
individual)10. Some other factors also play important
role in the maintenance of health as – birth in a place
having strong person, that in a time conducive for
strength, favorable time, excellence of seed and soil,
excellence of diet, body suitability and psyche, natural
mechanism, youth, physical exercise and
cheerfulness11. The lack of above mentioned factors
or unfavourable environment might decrease the
growth and strength of an individual leading to aging
process more aggressively. According to Ayurvedic
point of view, Kala (time factor) play an important
role in the production of Aging11. Kala causes daily
changes, which are responsible for the Kshaya12,13.
Thus these are the etiological factors, which may be
responsible for initiating aging process. Time is an
398 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, NO. 3, JULY 2009
important cause of aging and after obtaining a specific
age, the process of aging starts which may be slow or
fast depending upon the environmental habits and
other dietary factors of the individual.
Different classical books have mentioned a lot of
signs and symptoms of Jara awastha (Table 1). These
include both physical and mental sign & symptoms.
Ayurvedic classics have given a detail version on the
biological aspects of aging inclusive growth, puberty
and senility.
Ayurvedic System of Medicine is probably the first
which efforts to protect life from disease and aging.
Ayurveda describe much about the science of
gerontology and Rasayana therapy. Rasayana tantra
is one of the 8 major clinical disciplines of Astanga
Ayurveda, which is exclusively devoted to the study
of aging and its prevention. Rasayana (rejuvenation)
therapy affords a comprehensive physiological and
metabolic restoration17. Ayurveda has two main
objects first to maintain the healthy state and second
to cure the disease of individuals18. Of two types of
drugs, first type of drug maintains the healthy state as
Rasayana and Vajikarana while the second on treats
different diseases. So the Rasayana chikitsa or
therapy is mainly used for maintaining the health of
healthy individuals although it can be used to treat
disease19. The ideal age for administration of
Rasayana is either poorva vayas (16-30 yrs) or
Madhya vayas (30-70 yrs). Poorva vayas is the period
of development of individual so Rasayana drug can
help in the rapid growth of tissues and organs20,21.
Sharangdhar favours the use of Rasayana drugs in
old age. Bhavaparkasha defined Rasayana as the
therapy that alleviates vyadhi, Jara and stabilizes
youth and included Chakshushya, Brimhana and
Vrishya in the Rasayana22. Charak mentioned the
importance of rejuvenation therapy and said it
promotes life, maintains positive health, perverse
youth and cures morbid, sleep, drowsiness, physical
as well as mental fatigue, laziness and weakness,
maintains proper balance between vata, pitta and
kapha, produces stability, cures slothness of muscles,
stimulates the enzyme responsible for digestion and
metabolism and brings about excellence in lusture,
complexion as well as voice23.
Discussion and conclusion
Ayurveda gives attention towards the
psychosomatic approach of Ayu by describing the
Hitayu, Ahitayu, Sukhayu and Dukhayu with the
description of total span of life. An individual looses
different values in different decades of life in a
sequence manner. Ayurvedic text has clearly
mentioned two types of jara; kalaj (fixed) and Akalaj
(early aging). The Kalaj jara is mentioned as a
swabhavik vyadhi, which cannot be prevented by
drugs or any other things but Akalaj jara is early
aging process and may be prevented by Rasayana
drugs. There is no exact theory of aging in Ayurvedic
as well as modern literature. Almost all Ayurvedic
classics have mentioned a lot of signs and symptoms
of jara awastha. These include anatomical, physiolo-
gical as well as mental signs & symptoms. Acharyas
create a new branch Rasayana tantra to maintain the
normal life span of aged people. Bhavaparkasha
extends the definition of Rasayana to encompass
much broader field. He defined Rasayana as the
therapy that alleviates vyadhi, Jara and stabilizes
youth. He also included Chakshushya, Brimhana and
Vrishya in the Rasayana therapy. Rasayana therapy
means Rejuvenation therapy affords a comprehensive
physiological and metabolic restoration.
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