Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Rungia pectinata Syn. R.parviflora ( Mushroom Plant) – Acanthaceae,  a small annual herb native to Southeast Asia and can be found growing in a variety of habitats as a weed. It is an important traditional Chinese herbal medicine.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Vicia sativa (known as the common vetch, garden vetch, tare or simply vetch) – Fabaceae,  a common winter weed in north India. It is also cultivated in limited regions due to anti-nutritional compounds in the seed although it is grown in dryland agricultural zones in Australia, China and Ethiopia due to its drought tolerance and very low nutrient requirements compared to other legumes. In these agricultural zones common vetch is grown as a green manure, livestock fodder or rotation crop. Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides Syn.: Senecio confusus, Senecio chenopodioides (Common name: Mexican Flame Vine, Orange Glow Vine) - Asteraceae,  a woody tropical vine with the enchanting summertime habit of covering itself in brilliant daisy-like flowers. The bright orange blossoms change to almost red as the flower age. The scientific name of this plant Senecio confusus translates to "confused old man" referring, probably, to this vine's rampant habit of growth. If not provided support, Mexican flame vine grows this way and that in a confusion of stems that piles up to eventually form a sprawling shrub.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Solanum torvum (Common names: Turkey Berry, susumber, Bhurat, Bhankatiya etc.) - Solanaceae ,  is found throughout the world’s tropical regions, although it is native to Central America. Whole plant is used as sedative, diuretic and stomachic. Fruit decoction is used to cure cough; useful in liver and spleen enlargement. Pounded roots are applied in cracks in the feet.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Vallaris solanacea (Bread flower) - Apocynaceae,  a native to India, the smell is close to kewda, used to flavour rice in south East Asian countries.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Datura metel (Common names: Devil's Trumpet, Horn of plenty, downy thorn apple, Safed dhatura etc.) - Solanaceae,  an herbaceous perennial with a sprawling, mounded habit, has spectacular double / triple-flowers that are white in color with purplish tinge. Plants from the Datura genus have a long history of use throughout both the Old and New Worlds. In India, the species is considered a holy plant called dutra or dhatura. The Daturas have been used for their narcotic properties in the wines and palm beers of Africa and are still used today in Morocco.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Polygonum plebeium Syn.: Polygonum plebejum (Common name: Small Knotweed, chimati saag, Lal buti) - Polygonaceae,  a prostrate, densely branched, annual herb. The species also found in the Himalayas.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Medicinal_Plants Fumaria indica Syn.: F. parviflora var. indica, F. vaillantii var. indica (Indian Fumitory, Pit-papra, Papara) - Papaveraceae,  a delicate much-branched annual herb with clusters of tiny pale-pinkish flowers. Indian Fumitory is also found in Himalayas. The plant is sold under the name pitpapra in Ayurvedic bazaars. It is also used in the Unani system of medicine and incorporated into trifala shahtara. Indian Fumitory is used in aches and pains, diarrhoea, fever, influenza and liver complaints. The herb mixed with honey may be taken internally to prevent vomiting. It is used as a blood purifier for skin diseases and applied externally in leucoderma and as a fomentation for swollen joints. The dried plant is also used as an anthelmintic, diuretic and diaphoretic and, in combination with black pepper, for jaundice.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricult...

Oxalis debilis Syn.: O. corymbosa, O. grandifolia, O. umbrosa (Common name: Large-Flowered Pink Sorrel, lilac oxalis, pink wood sorrel) – Oxalidaceae,  a bulbous plant native to south America, naturalized in parts of India - most likely a garden escape.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Medicinal_plants Cullen corylifolium, syn. Psoralea corylifolia (Common names: Purple Fleabane, Babchi, Bavchi, Bakuchi) – Fabaceae,  an important medicinal plant used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. Seeds are used in the treatment of leprosy, leucoderma, psoriasis and other skin diseases. Seed oil is recommended for application over scalp to treat dandruff.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Medicago polymorpha Syn.: M. denticulata, M. polycarpa (Common name: Bur Clover, bur medic, toothed medic, Chandausi, Churgali, Maina) –  Fabaceae, an annual herb and a common Rabi season weed in north India. Also a nutritious and palatable forage.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Question - Gurudev, currently I’m going through a lot of problems. Can you please tell the formula for happiness? Gurudev Sri Sri - Take a look at your own life. You have gone through and come out of many problems, which you had thought were impossible. It appeared to have shaken you at that moment, but later on you found that you were as complete as you were before. Nature will put many events in your path to shake your faith, but even then if your faith still remains then you have become a really perfect person, and things will move smoothly. If you have a problem now, realise that this too will go because you have the energy and power to overcome it. Do some breathing exercises like Sudarshan Kriya and meditation to stay calm. And most importantly, have the confidence that you will be helped a power in the universe is going to help you.

Question - Gurudev, how spirituality can be the one answer to all the problems in the world? Gurudev Sri Sri - This is because the problem is created by human beings. The source of the problems is one, i.e, humans, then the solution can also be one, isn't it? Spirituality is dealing with that basic aspect of human beings. If the foundation is not right, then the building will have a problem. So if you want to keep the building intact, then a strong foundation is very essential. Spirituality is the foundation.

Question - Gurudev, earlier ignorance was leading me to fear, but now, sometimes, knowledge is bringing me more confusion. What should I do? Gurudev Sri Sri - That is good. The purpose of knowledge is to confuse you again, and again, and again. It is not to bring clarity. At every level of confusion, you jump one more step higher. So, never mind. When there is no confusion, it is like a ramp walk, where there is no jumping. But sometimes, it is like steps, where you have to leave one step, and go one step higher. And that is when confusion happens. Now don't ask me, 'Does that mean that if there is no confusion and I'm clear in my life, then is there no growth? Or am I not progressing? Is knowledge not working for me?' Nothing like that. You are on a ramp walk, on a cake walk. When that is not there then you are in a Mr. Toad's wild ride, a bumpy road, and it is good

Question - Gurudev, what is the power of the subconscious mind and how do I utilise it? Gurudev Sri Sri - The conscious mind is in fact only one-tenth of your subconscious mind. So the subconscious mind has a lot of power. Suppose you are having a pyjama party and eight of you are sleeping and someone calls out your name, only you will respond. Others will continue to remain in deep sleep. Is it not so? Have you noticed this? This indicates that even your name is ingrained in your subconscious mind. Meditation is the way to make the subconscious mind become more and more conscious.

Question - Gurudev, what should one do when one experiences sorrow and suffering? Gurudev Sri Sri - Have patience. When you have come here to the Ashram, drop all your sorrow and miseries here, and just walk ahead. There is no misery or suffering that cannot be gotten rid of. Have you ever seen a cloud that never moves and stays in one place permanently? It is impossible. In the same way, your misery and suffering are like clouds. Some clouds disappear in an instant, while some take a little longer to go away. But they do pass away and that is inevitable.

Question - Gurudev, it is said that meditation is a practice of Satyug, while remembering and chanting the name of the Lord is emphasized more in the Kalyug. Could you please shed more light on this? Gurudev Sri Sri - Chanting the name of the Lord is the sole means of liberation in Kalyug. As one goes on chanting the name of the Lord, gradually a stage comes when the chanting stops and one naturally slip into meditation. So one goes from Japa (chanting) to the state of Ajapa-Japa (chanting without the mental effort normally needed to repeat the mantra), and then into silence. The very purpose of chanting is to lead you into meditation. It is said, 'Naam laet bhava sindhu sukhai', (simply by repeated chanting of the Lord's names, one can immerse oneself into the ocean of bliss). So simply by chanting the name of the Lord also, one can be at peace, and can go deep into meditation. This is very effortless, and that is what is in the Sahaj Samadhi meditation as well.

Question - Gurudev, being cynical makes me more pragmatic and helps me deal with the worst situations. Is this wrong? Gurudev Sri Sri - Cynicism was once considered fashionable, but today, cynicism has taken over intellectuals to such an extent that it is no longer palatable and it is no longer creative. It does not do any good to oneself or to society. Cynicism is okay if it is like the pickle in the corner of the plate. But if your whole plate is filled with pickle, and you have only a tiny piece of roti (flat bread) in some corner, then just imagine how that would be. You would remain hungry, and this is what has happened today. Cynicism should bring pragmatism in you, no doubt, but it should not take away your imaginative ability, your transformational zeal. It should not overshadow your positive state of mind or kill your aspirations and hopes. If that is there then okay, have a little bit of cynicism. You find that even the Vedas are a little cynical. It is said, 'Who knows t...

Question - Gurudev, how to get a faith that never shakes? Gurudev Sri Sri - If it is true faith, let it shake. Truth will never go, and if the faith is with the truth, let it shake. It will never get lost. In fact, you should doubt as much as possible. You can say, 'Don't doubt', only when a thing is not a genuine thing. If it is genuine gold, I tell you, go on scratching as much as possible. But if it is just rolled in gold, or gold polish, then you say, 'Don't scratch too much because it will disappear.' With true gold, any amount of scratching will not make it go away. Doubt is simply lack of energy. When you are high in energy, where is the doubt? Doubt comes when the energy is low. True faith is that which you shake a 100 times and it still stays on. That is true faith, and it will remain.

Question - Gurudev, Is there any relationship between ego and possessiveness? Please suggest ways on how to get out of both these tendencies. Gurudev Sri Sri - Yes. Ego, possessiveness, jealousy, anger, greed are all linked. They are linked to the ego. Now, how to get rid of the ego? This is a big problem. Actually the solution is very simple. Just agree to be crazy for one day. Just act like a crazy person for one day. That is good enough. Ego means that you are trying to impress others. You need the other for ego to be there. When you are alone in a place, there cannot be any ego. Ego pops up when the other is there. If you are like a child, if you are natural and feeling at home, that is the best antidote for ego. Ego cannot sustain or survive when naturalness takes over, and when you feel at home with everybody and have a sense of belongingness with everyone. All these qualities can transform you. If the ego still says, 'I am', then that ego should be expanded. One is a Tra...

Question - Gurudev, how can I find my inner destination, my real passion? Or should I just stop searching? Gurudev Sri Sri - I think that is a good idea, stop searching and just relax. Go deep within. See, the nature of the mind is to go towards newer things. Newer things are always outside, so the mind goes on searching outside. However, when the mind starts taking an inward journey, it starts recognising even new things as ancient ones. You have a new experience till it feels not new, but very familiar and ancient. That is why it is called Nitya Nutan, which means ever new, and yet it is also Sanatan, which means lasting beyond time immemorial. The soul, the consciousness, is Nitya Nutan (ever new). Every moment it is new, yet it is most ancient, like the sun. Today the sun is very new. Fresh sun rays are coming. You are not getting old, stale or antique sunrays. Yet, is the sun new? No, the sun is ancient. In the same way, rivers are ancient but the water in the river is absolutely ...

Question - Gurudev, the wise have said that if someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek as well. I got slapped twice in this bargain. What to do, is it my ignorance? Gurudev Sri Sri - You got slapped twice by the same person or a different person? That makes all the difference. You know, you can keep turning your cheek to different people and they will only slap once. That does not show you of your intelligence. You should see whether the person who slaps you on one side, if he is sensitive and cultured then you can show the other cheek, no doubt. But if the same person is insensitive, then not the third time, because you have only two cheeks.

Question - Gurudev, how important is having faith in life? Gurudev Sri Sri - You cannot exist without faith. Listen, suppose you have come here in a car and you have parked the car in the parking area. Now when you are sitting here you have faith that the car will be there when you go back, isn't it?! So, without this faith can you exist? No, first of all, you should have faith in yourself. There are three types of faith which are important : 1. Faith in yourself. If you do not have faith in yourself it is called paranoia. It is a disease. 2. Faith in the goodness of people around you. There are good people in the world, you should have that faith, otherwise you cannot move one inch in society. 3. Faith in the unknown, faith in the abstract power which seems to be running everything. That is the third type of faith. So, of these three faiths, the first two are very essential, the third will make life much better.

Question - Gurudev, what is the difference between Spirituality and Astrology? Gurudev Sri Sri - Well, spirituality is related to the Atma soul and astrology is related to planets. Astrology deals with observing the movements of the planets and making calculations related to the events that are yet to happen. The science of vast is related to direction, to space, while astrology is related to time. But the One beyond space and time is Mahadeva (Lord Shiva). That's why for remedying any ill effects of vastu or any of the astrological movement of planets, just pray to Lord Shiva. He is the Lord of all planets and He can move them to favourable positions for your benefit.

Question - Gurudev, you have said that once we are on the path we should just relax as you are doing all the work. What does this mean? Gurudev Sri Sri - I say many things at many times, don't take it of out context. You should keep it in context. I have said, 'Till you catch a train you have to run, once you have caught the train, relax with your luggage. Just by you running inside the train with your luggage, the train is not going to run any faster. So, once you're on the spiritual path, drop your anxiety, relax and you will reach where you have to reach'. I say don't go spiritual shopping. Some people go spiritual shopping, a little bit here, a little bit there. Relax, you have gotten wonderful knowledge and a wonderful path, all in one package. Just relax.