Anti-Aging and Ayurveda

2025 December 27

Interview with Vaidya Palakurthi Manohar

Maharishi Ayurveda Team: In Ayurveda, the path to preventing or even halting the ageing process is described by the evocative term ‘Vaya Sthapan’. That sounds tempting, dear Vaidya Manohar, but is it really possible for us to remain in a state of constant renewal?

Vaidya Manohar: From an Ayurvedic perspective, that is indeed the case. The mental aspect is certainly important too. We should always take care to keep our minds young, vibrant and balanced. Behavioural rasayanas play a particularly important role in this regard.

We are familiar with rasayanas as dietary supplements, amongst other things – particularly our precious Maharishi Amrit Kalash. But behavioural rasayanas? What exactly do they involve?

VM: According to Ayurveda, the ageing process begins in the mind and thereby affects the body. If our mind, our behaviour and our emotions are content and balanced, this promotes the transformative and digestive processes in our body. When these processes run their full course, ojas can arise – the finest metabolic product that, as it were, makes us glow from within. The ancient texts even contain a list of behavioural rasayanas.

Please could you tell us and our readers about a few of them?

VM: Well, what is beneficial are unreserved, peaceful, positive thoughts: love of truth, kindness, compassion and contentment. We should avoid fear, aggression, violence, coarse language and negative feelings, greed, ignorance or dull-wittedness.

Ojas does not merely give us radiance and charisma. It is also an indicator of our state of health.

VM: That’s right. And by maintaining the body’s innate intelligence, Ojas helps every single cell to remember its original, healthy state and to restore it. So Vaya Sthapan is also about the formation of Ojas. As always, it’s all a question of balance. If the three doshas – our bodily energies Vata, Pitta and Kapha – are in balance, our body’s intelligence remains in harmony with ‘cosmic intelligence’, the all-encompassing order of nature. Within this harmony, we possess the natural ability to prevent the ageing process, for it is the most important source of good digestion and metabolism.

If we manage to keep our digestion and metabolism in a constant state of balance, we thereby support the following three important functions:

Ayus – Life expectancy and quality of life
Varna – healthy, supple skin and a radiant complexion
Bala – Strength and Immunity

To maintain these three qualities, it is important that we protect our ‘Agni’, our digestion.

Good digestion depends not only on what we eat, but also on how we eat our meals. Five Ayurvedic tips for a healthy Agni:

Good digestion depends not only on what we eat, but also on how we eat our meals. Five Ayurvedic tips for a healthy Agni:a
Chew your food thoroughly and only fill your stomach to about two-thirds of its capacity.
Avoid ice-cold food and drink.
Take a few sips of hot water every now and then between meals.
Before meals, chew a small piece of ginger with a few drops of lemon juice and a few grains of salt, or drink some hot ginger water.

What else can we do to keep our bodies young and flexible?

VM: The best way to strengthen the mind-body coordination of all dosha types is through meditation, yoga and long walks. This provides us with the best possible protection against stress.

In addition to the behavioural rasayanas mentioned, appropriate periods of rest and activity are helpful.
Pitta types find balance in gardening and cool off by swimming. Kapha types can really work up a sweat, ideally through daily running or jogging. As well as yoga, cycling is also good for Vata constitutions.

VM: Exactly. As our largest organ, the skin is in direct contact with the natural world. That is why regular morning Abhyanga oil massages are among the best things we can do for our skin. The skin is the mirror of the soul – its radiance and health are influenced not only by sensory perceptions and external factors, but we also express our emotions through the skin. The soothing Abhyanga massages address both: body and soul.

Our readers are no doubt wondering whether they need to put everything into practice straight away, and when is the best time to start following the tips.

VM: The great thing is: it’s never too late to start Vaya Sthapan, the Ayurvedic programme for a long, healthy life. Help your body keep its channels free of deposits (Ama – see note) and maintain a healthy metabolism. Opt for fresh, nourishing foods: whole grains, seasonal fruit, nuts, ghee, olive oil, natural sugars (such as those found in fruit), plenty of green vegetables, lentils, beans, fresh cheese, lassi, Fresh and dried herbs and spices – preferably organic. Bear in mind what is good for your constitution.

Enjoy your meals in peace; they should be freshly prepared and well seasoned. Make sure you eat the right amount for you – neither too much nor too little. Stop eating as soon as you feel slightly full. At that point, your stomach will be about two-thirds full. Always wait until your last meal has been digested before eating again.

Ensure you get a deep, restful sleep, for example through regular meditation, morning abhyangas, an early dinner (if possible around 6.30 pm), and fragrant substances in the bedroom.

A lovely spiced tea or a warm glass of (almond) milk, and relaxing baths with aromatic oils, are just the thing to put your body in the peaceful frame of mind that promotes a good night’s sleep. It is beneficial to go to bed at a regular time.

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