Ayurvedic concept of Vega, Role of Vegadharana in disease and its Treatment approaches

Ayurveda is not merely an ancient health system but also an art of living that aims towards the well being of all aspects of life. The major goal of Ayurveda is the maintenance of health among the healthy. As maintaining health is a top priority, Acharya Charaka formulated Swasthya Chatushka as a cardinal concept. This concept described several aspects related to the physical and mental well being. Vega is one such aspect which referred to natural instincts, considered crucial to the upkeep of body balance. The process of forcibly repressing these natural instincts is called Vega Dharana, which is harmful to health. Ayurveda divides such instincts into two types as Dharaniya Vega and Adharaniya Vega. First one is repressible instincts and later one is un-repressible instincts. Dharaniya Vega consists of mental and emotional desires while Adharaniya Vega consists of physiological desires like defecation, ejaculation, urination, passing gas, sneezing, yawning and vomiting, etc. The suppression of Adharaniya Vega may lead some pathological events inside the body thus these physiological desires should not be suppressed. This article brings to light the relationship between Vega Dharana and related diseases along with their therapeutic approaches.