निंद्रा { Sleep }

निंद्रा { Sleep }

यदा तु मनसि क्लान्ते कर्मात्मानः क्रमान्विताः। विषयेभ्यो निवर्तन्ते तदा स्वपिति मानवः ।। (C. Su. 21/35)

When the mind and body get tired due to today's activities, and withdraw themselves from their respective objects, it is called as Nidra.

Production of Sleep: The increase in Tamas results in sleep. And increase in Sattva Guna results in awakening.

Relation of Sleep with Health: Comfortable bed, proper time are important factors responsible for proper sleep. It results in nourishment, health, strength, knowledge and longevity.

Relationship Between Nourishment and Malnutrition: Night awakening results in dryness of the body, day sleep leads to unctuousness, obesity, coating and obstruction in channels and sleeping in the sitting posture does not induce dryness or unctuousness.

Types of Sleep

  • Tamobhava
  • Śleṣmasamudbhava
  • Manasrama Sambhava
  • Śarira Śramasambhava
  • Agantuka
  • Vyadhyanuvartini
  • Rātrisvabhāva Prabhava

Causes of Nidrā Nāsa

● Improper Pañcakarma therapy,
● Excessive physical exercise
● Mental worries
● Uncomfortable bed and surroundings
● Ageing
● Disease
● Vätavṛddhi
● Sattva Adhikya.

Indications of Day Sleep

  • Emaciated due to excessive exertion, Studies.

  • Intake of alcohol, Injury.

  • Old age, Young age.

  • Anxiety, Anger, etc.

  • Mental factors.

  • Summer season.

Measures to induce Sleep

Massage, head massage, foot massage,

Samvahana (light massage), unction, bath,

soup of aquatic animals, śānī rice with curd,

buffalo's milk, comfortable bed,

application of anointments,

psychological peace help to induce sleep.

Suppression of Urge of Sleep

  • This results in body ache
  • Heaviness in eyes,
  • Diseases of head,
  • Eye disease, blurring of vision.
  • Hence, one should not supress the urge of sleep.