In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores Ayurvedic psychology, known as Bhuta Vidya, and the Ayurvedic understanding of the mind and its functions.
The word Bhuta means that which has been or has become. Our psychology is everything that we have become. It includes all the ways we have interacted with our environment, formed opinions, created our sense of identity, developed preferences, and learned to frame and perceive our reality.
In Ayurveda, we often describe the thinking mind as Manas, which means the thing that measures. Manas measures what comes in through the sense organs and determines what should be delivered to the organs of action. We also refer to the mind as Sattva, which means trueness. The purpose of the thinking mind and all psychological functions is to accurately perceive what is happening within ourselves and in the environment, determine the appropriate response, and deliver that response properly.
When any part of this process becomes disturbed, psychological disease can occur. Very often, these disturbances are connected with physical causes or are strongly influenced by the condition of the body. The factors we need to examine in this context fall into three main categories: Dhi, Dhriti, and Smriti.
Dhi, also called Buddhi, is the faculty of discernment. It is the ability to recognize what is appropriate and inappropriate. Dhriti is the ability to remain stable, focused, and consistent, allowing a process to continue until it reaches its proper completion. Smriti means memory. As Vimalananda used to say, people exist because of memory. We are able to maintain a consistent and functional personality because we continually remember who we are.
When any of these faculties become disturbed, difficulties with the mind can arise. Ayurveda generally approaches these conditions progressively, beginning with the physical body. This includes purification of the organism, Panchakarma, improving the nourishment of the tissues, reducing accumulated wastes, and restoring balance in physiological and metabolic processes.
After this, Ayurveda may use methods such as nasal medication, allowing medicinal substances to reach the brain through the nasal passages. If further support is needed, the next step is Sattvavajaya, the conquest of the mind. This means bringing the mind under greater control through various methods.
If these approaches are not sufficient, then we must consider another meaning of the word Bhuta. In this context, Bhuta can refer to disembodied beings or intelligences that may influence our mental processes. These may include ancestors, elemental beings, deceased humans, deities, demons, or other astral beings that may interact with us and disturb our ability to function properly as individuals.
Ayurvedic psychology therefore covers a very broad range of conditions and approaches. Ultimately, the purpose is to restore the proper functioning of Dhi, discernment; Dhriti, stability and determination; and Smriti, memory. Through this, we strengthen Sattva and reduce the influence of Rajas and Tamas, allowing the mind to return toward greater clarity, balance, and harmony.