exists between these two stages, whereas Dharna practices one point attention,

and Dhyana is ultimately a stage of being keenly aware without focus. The

strength and stamina it takes to this state of stillness are quite impressive.

8. Samadhi: Maharishi Patanjali describes this eighth and final stage of Ashtanga

as a state of ecstasy. At this stage, the meditator merges with his or her point of

focus and transcends the self altogether. The meditator comes to realize a

profound connection to divine, interconnectedness with all living things. With

this realization comes “peace that passeth all understanding” and the experience

of bliss and being at one with the universe. On the surface, this may seem to be a

rather lofty, “holier than thou” kind of goal. What Patanjali has described as a

completion of yogic path is what, deep down, all human beings aspire to peace.

We also might give some thought to the fact that ultimate stage of Yoga

enlightenment can neither be bought not be possessed. It can only be experienced,

the price of which is the continual devotion of the aspirant.

In Ayurveda, it has been stressed upon to adopt an idle lifestyle for performing the

day-to-day various activities so that a person may not get infected by the various

diseases and live a healthy long life. It all depends upon the immunity one has

developed in his body how much he is prone to be attacked by disease-causing

bacteria or viruses or by other means. Adoption of the Ritucharya guidelines for the

seasonal living style and dietary habits blended with practicing Yoga suppresses the

stress hormones that adversely affect the immune system of the body. Yoga

contributes to maintain the good health of various vital organs of the body and

high concentration of oxygen in blood which is necessary for the overall optimum

functioning of the body. One of the first chapters in the learning of Ayurveda,

Swasthavritta, tells us how to live a disease-free long healthy life without taking

any medicine. It is mainly based on the principles of Ritucharya and Yoga as

described above.

28.5

Role of Medicinal Plants

The fast busy lifestyle, unhealthy dietary habits, lack of physical works and exercise,

pollution, unhygienic environment, carrier competition and insecurity of jobs, the

work tensions, lack of sound sleep, etc. are making the person more prone to various

diseases in the present times. All of this is due to the fact that our immune system is

not strong enough to fight against the infection-causing microorganisms. Weak

immune system leads to various diseases like frequent and recurrent pneumonia,

bronchitis, sinus and ear infection, skin infection, infection of internal organs, low

platelet counts, anemia, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and other growth

disorders.

In the light of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, the situation is

becoming worst day by day, and the existing healthcare systems are unable to control

this fatal disease. All the efforts are being made to invent any vaccine to control the

disease, but till date no country has come up with any success in this direction. Even

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D. R. Nag and A. Nag