THE 3 PILLARS OF

LIFE
INTRODUCTION:
HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN OUR HEALTH? WHAT ARE THE FACTORS NECESSARY
FOR BALANCING OUR LIFE? HOW CAN WE REACH THE ULTIMATE LEVEL OF
SWASTHA=ABSOLUTE HEALTH?
I am sure these questions have crossed your mind, a million times. Though it seems like an
unattainable level of well-being, yet it is achievable. In this article, we will enlist 3 factors that
will pave your path towards physical and mental wellness.

WHAT ARE THE “TRIPOD OF HEALTH”?

According to Ayurveda, it is also called as “ TRAYOPSTAMBHA”.
It literally means, the 3 pillars of life.
They are the following:

1) DIET
2) SLEEP
3) ENERGY (SEXUAL)
Let’s dive deep into each one of the above:-

DIET:-
This refers to our “nutrition” or “proper intake of food”. We food that we consume impacts our
health directly. In ayurvedic terms, it is called as “Ahaara”.
The food that we eat, helps in the formation of “dhatus”. These are the 7 layers of tissues in our
body. They are-
1) Rasa(plasma)
2) Rakta(blood)
3) Mamsa(muscle)
4) Medas(fat tissue)
5) Asthi(connective tissue and bones)
6) Majja(nervous tissue)
7) Shukra(reproductive tissue)
Tissues are responsible for the proper functioning of our body. The food that we eat, later gets
transformed into a more usable form, which gets converted into each of the tissue layers
gradually. We should consume highly nutritious food so as to allow the tissues to function
effectively, all the way from Rasa to Shukra(with high quality).

FUN FACT:
It takes approximately 35 days for our food to get transformed into all our body tissues
ultimately, starting from Rasa to finally Shukra.

TIPS FOR THE PROPER CONSUMPTION OF FOOD:

 Eat food that is opposite to your respective doshic constitution=prakruti. Example- if you
are a kapha individual, you must consume a light, easy to digest, fibrous diet. Follow the
same rule, in the case of other prakrutis as well.
  Consume seasonal food. It is highly nourishing, especially seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Also, eat food depending on the weather, thereby fulfilling our body’s
requirement.Example- during winter season, you should consume warm, moist, heavy
food to oppose the natural qualities of winter.
 Eat organic food, without any added preservatives.
 Avoid packaged, canned and processed food items.
 Eat warm, moist and fresh food.
 Avoid eating in a hurry or extremely slowly.
 Be a mindful eater.
 You should not get distracted while eating. Avoid using electronic devices as well.
 Focus on maintaining a balanced diet.
 One should not over-eat (leads to obesity). And one should not eat less (leads to
emaciation).

SLEEP:-
In ayurvedic terminology, it is referred as “Nidra”. Most of us love sleeping. For some it is a
recreation, while others don’t find it necessary. Sleep differs from person to person, depending
on a ton of factors like age, physical exercise, mental wellness, stress, health condition, food
consumed, season, etc.
Our doshic constitution=prakruti also affects our sleep pattern.
Sleep can be extremely challenging for many individuals. But it is important to acknowledge the
fact that, it is the foundation rock for our health.
o Relaxation
o Rest
o Rejuvenation
Sleep instills three of these benefits. We need to kick start our day with a truck load of energy.
This is possible only through a proper rest. Restoration of energy is must to balance our energy
for the coming day.
In order to maintain a healthy living, we need to balance our “gunas”. They are:-
 Sattva- clear, pure, calming spiritual energy.
 Rajas- needed for speed,creation and movement. It is essential to perform activities.
 Tamas- it is the inertia. Or heavy feeling. Tamasic energy is responsible for sleep.

Hence, sleep plays a vital role in balancing these 3 gunas, and creating harmony.
FUN FACT:
According to Ayurveda, “ brahmi muhurta” is the best time to wake up. It is approximately at
4:28am. Starting your day at this time, boosts your energy, makes your mind sharper and you
will eventually feel way more active throughout the day. It is considered a very auspicious
moment of the day, according to the ayurvedic classical texts.

GUIDE FOR PROPER SLEEP:

 One should get minimum 7 hours of sleep (it is variable according to age and work)
 Maintain a proper routine=dincharya.
 Early to bed, early to rise. Sleep before 10pm. Wake up before sunrise.
 One should not use any electronic device, 30 minutes-1 hour before sleeping.
 Maintain a biological clock--- try to follow it thoroughly. Tamasic energy is built up if we
wake up after 6 am. Which is the cause for lethargy and a feeling of tiredness.
 Play melodious, peaceful sounds and music while trying to sleep.
 Lavender helps those who are suffering from insomnia.
 A warm water bath will help in getting a good night’s rest.
 Consumption of warm, before getting to bed, results in a relaxing and soothing sleep.
“ SLEEP IS NOT A LUXURY, IT IS A NECESSITY”. We need to acknowledge this. Sleep is crucial for
providing the energy to perform our everyday routine chores and tasks. It is vital for our health.
Insufficient sleep leads to a variety of diseases and illness.

SEXUAL ENERGY:-
In Ayurveda, this is referred as “BRAHMACHARYA”. In simple words, it means maintainance of
celibacy or abstainance of sexual force. It is the voluntary control of one’s own sexual energy,
desires and passion. It affects one’s spiritual growth, while attaining chastity.
It is a way of life, according to Ayurveda. One can control his or her own sexual energy.
“ Shukra” is our physical/reproductive potency, present in each and every cell of our body.
Hence, affecting regeneration of our cells. It is created by the food that we consume. The final
level of food transformation is this shukra. It refers not only to our reproductive ability, but also
to the ability of our cells to reproduce on it’s own. Shukra affects our life directly. Good shukra
affects the reproduction capacity, mental ability, regeneration and renewal of cells, creativity,
memory, inspiration, joy, enthusiasm and physical wellness.

 Eating harmful, inorganic food

 Taking a lot of stress
 Excess tamasic energy
 Negative thoughts like anger, jealousy, greed, violence
 Indulging in excessive intercourse
Depletes the shukra level of our body. Shukra is a source of skills, creativity, joy, talent, etc.
“Brahmacharya” means the regulation of our sexual drive. According to Ayurveda, sexuality is
god-given, which is absolutely natural. A balance between “indulgence” and “restraint” is what
maintains the harmony.
The Ashtanga Hrdaya describes that, a disciplined life of brahmacharya will lead to
 Memory
 Intelligence
 Proper functioning of sense organs
 Strength
 Nourishment
 Health and well-being
 Longevity
Thereby, leading to the building up of “dharma”
FUN FACT:
The best time for indulgence in any form of sexual activity is early or late winter. We eat
natural, warm, heavy foods. Hence, shukra level in our body is maintained. We are strongest
during that time of the year. Hence, it is recommended during this winter season. Summer
season is not preferred for sexual activity. Kapha time of the night- during 6 pm-10 pm (and day
– 6 am to 10 am) is the best time for sexual activities.

SUGGESTIONS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SEXUAL ENERGY:-

 One should not get distracted by worldly pleasures or cravings. It detaches us from our
divine self.
 Follow a monogamous relationship, rather than temporary indulgence in the attainment
of pleasure.
 Shukra decreases by the intake of hard fibres, like raw salads. Hence, avoid extreme
diet.
 Consume milk, ghee, curd, butter, cheese, grains and other such nourishing food items,
especially sweet taste.
 Avoid bitter, salty, sour and pungent food.
 Clove, turmeric, saffron, cumin seed help in restoring shukra.
 Eggs, meat, chicken, dried fruits and nuts like walnut, almond, apricot, fig, date, raisin,
rice, wheat, beans and black gram are the specific food that should be consumed.
 Get enough amount of sleep.
 Refrain from drinking excess alcohol, caffeine, tobacco.
 Exercise on a regular basis, in a balanced manner. Over exertion is also contradicted.
 One should not perform any sexual activity when hungry or thirsty.
 Abstain indulgence in sexual intercourse, during random times of the day.
 Engage in sexual activities, according to season and doshas.

CONCLUSION:
Maintainance of energy is the key towards a healthy life. Performing a certain task, will
definitely deplete our energy in some or the other way. We need to restore energy back in our
body. This is possible through a change of habits, following a proper diet and routine, getting
adequate quantity of sleep, eating nutritious and nourishing food, exercising regularly and
maintainance of sexual force/ drive.
These 3 pillars of life:
Food
Sleep
Celibacy
Allow our body to create a balance and function harmoniously. Our body has the power to heal
on it’s own.
Improvisation in these tripod of health, will lead to overall wellness and a life full of ultimate
well-being. A daily routine and proper lifestyle will work wonders in achieving the same!