Explore the ancient wisdom and terminology of Ayurveda
Showing 34 terms
/rah-hoo kaa-lam/
“Period of Rahu (the shadow planet)”
A ~90 min daily window considered inauspicious. Avoid starting important new tasks.
/choh-gha-dee-ya/
“Four ghadi (unit of time)”
Daily time slots each with a quality — some excellent for work, travel, or business, others to avoid.
/ab-hi-jit moo-hoo-rat/
“The victorious auspicious moment”
The single best ~48 minute window of each day — universally auspicious for any new beginning.
/vaa-ta/
“Wind / Air + Space element”
One of three body energies. Governs movement, breathing, and the nervous system. When balanced: creative and energetic. When aggravated: anxiety, dryness, irregular digestion.
/pit-ta/
“Fire + Water element”
One of three body energies. Governs digestion, metabolism, and intelligence. When balanced: sharp and motivated. When aggravated: anger, inflammation, acidity.
/kuf-fa/
“Earth + Water element”
One of three body energies. Governs structure, immunity, and stability. When balanced: calm and strong. When aggravated: sluggishness, weight gain, congestion.
/pruh-kri-ti/
“One's original nature”
Your unique mind-body constitution determined at birth. A combination of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha energies that defines your physical and mental tendencies.
/doh-sha/
“That which can go out of balance”
The three biological energies (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) that govern all body and mind functions in Ayurveda.
/oh-jas/
“Vital essence / vitality”
The refined essence of all body tissues. Think of it as your life-force battery — responsible for immunity, glow, and mental peace.
/ug-ni/
“Fire / Digestive fire”
Your digestive and metabolic intelligence. Strong Agni = good digestion and immunity. Weak Agni = toxin buildup (Ama), fatigue, and disease.
/aa-ma/
“Undigested / Toxin”
Toxic residue that builds up when Agni (digestive fire) is weak. Root cause of most diseases in Ayurveda.
/ri-tu/
“Season”
One of six Indian seasons in Ayurveda. Each season has specific dietary and lifestyle guidelines to keep the body in balance.
/di-na-char-ya/
“Daily routine”
Ayurveda's prescribed daily routine — from waking to sleeping — designed to align your body with nature's rhythms.
/ruh-say-an-a/
“Path of juice / rejuvenation”
Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy — herbs, foods, and practices that slow aging, boost immunity, and enhance vitality.
/tit-hi/
“Lunar day”
A lunar day in the Hindu calendar. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month — each has its own energy and significance for timing activities.
/nuk-sha-tra/
“Star cluster / Lunar mansion”
One of 27 star clusters the Moon passes through. Your birth Nakshatra deeply influences your personality, strengths, and life path.
/lug-na/
“Rising / Ascendant”
The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at your birth moment. Considered more important than your Sun sign in Vedic astrology.
/duh-sha/
“Planetary period”
A specific period ruled by a planet in your life — lasting years to decades. Your current Dasha planet heavily influences your experiences right now.
/ma-ha-duh-sha/
“Great planetary period”
The major planetary period you are currently in — can last 6 to 20 years depending on the planet. The most significant timing factor in your life right now.
/raa-shi/
“Zodiac sign”
Your Moon sign in Vedic astrology — the zodiac sign the Moon occupied at your birth. More significant than Sun sign for personality and emotions.
/tuh-mus/
“Darkness / Inertia”
One of three mental qualities. Tamasic state = heaviness, lethargy, withdrawal, depression. Not bad permanently — needed for deep sleep — but harmful in excess.
/ruh-jus/
“Passion / Restlessness”
One of three mental qualities. Rajasic state = agitation, ambition, anxiety, irritability. Drives action but needs balance to avoid burnout.
/sut-va/
“Purity / Clarity”
The most balanced mental quality. Sattvic state = clarity, peace, compassion, focus. The goal of all Ayurvedic and yogic practice.
/sun-kul-pa/
“Intention / Sacred resolve”
A heartfelt intention — not a goal or a task, but a direction for your inner life. Set once, returned to daily.
/praa-naa-yaa-ma/
“Extension of life force”
Conscious breathing exercises from Yoga. Controls Prana (life energy) through the breath — calms the nervous system and balances all three Doshas.
/aa-sa-na/
“Seat / Posture”
A yoga posture. Originally meant a stable meditation seat — now refers to the physical yoga poses that prepare body and mind for deeper practice.
/sha-vaa-sa-na/
“Corpse pose”
Final relaxation pose at the end of yoga practice. Lying completely still — lets the body absorb the benefits of the session. Most important pose in yoga.
/brum-haa moo-hoo-rat/
“Time of Brahma (the creator)”
The 96-minute window ~1.5 hours before sunrise. Considered the most spiritually powerful time of day for meditation, study, and intention-setting.
/sha-taa-vari/
“She who has a hundred husbands”
A powerful Ayurvedic herb for women's health. Balances hormones, supports reproductive health, and is the primary herb in Stri Roga (women's medicine).
/stree roh-ga/
“Women's diseases / Women's medicine”
The branch of Ayurveda dedicated to women's health — covering menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, and hormonal balance.
/hri-da-ya/
“Heart / Seat of consciousness”
In Ayurveda, the heart is the seat of Ojas (vitality) and Sadhaka Pitta — the fire of emotions, intellect, and memory.
/praa-na/
“Life force / Breath”
The vital life energy that animates all living beings. Flows through energy channels (Nadis) and is cultivated through Pranayama and proper diet.
/goo-li-ka kaa-lam/
“Period of Gulika”
A daily interval generally considered inauspicious for starting important activities in Muhurat planning.
/ya-ma gan-dam/
“Period associated with Yama”
A daily inauspicious window traditionally avoided for auspicious beginnings.