When we were just born, we had clothes which fitted us at that age. Can we wear them now? Obviously not!
What do we do with those old clothes?
Probably, throw them.
The same goes on in our body. Our cells and tissues get older, and then they are thrown out of the body in the form of waste products. The cells die over a period of time, and new cells are formed. Sometimes, the cells are destroyed by programming. This phenomenon of programmed death of a cell is known as Apoptosis.
The same phenomenon is also explained in Ayurveda. It is termed as “Swabhawoparamwada“. The term “Swabhawa” means Prakriti (nature) and “Uparam” means destruction. Thus, as a whole Swabhawoparamwada means self destruction or natural destruction. An disturbance in equilibrium of formation and destruction of the cells, causes imbalance of Dhatus (tissues) in the body. Whereas, when a proper equilibrium is established, it leads to balance in Dhatus. The reason due to which this destruction is caused won’t matter at
tissue level, because when equilibrium is disrupted, tissues /cells tend to regenerate or disintegrate accordingly. Reason of annihilation can’t be determined as it is an automatic process. Thus, their creation is due to certain causative factors but they get destroyed
automatically, without caring of any causative factor.
The theory of self healing is termed as Swabhawoparamwada in Ayurveda. The definition itself says that, when the causative factors are balanced, it is responsible for the growth and production of bodily elements; and if causative factors are imbalanced, it may cause imbalance in bodily elements. The both balanced and imbalanced causative factors are curated naturally. Thus, it can be stated that the destruction of body elements can occur in a state of equilibrium or non – equilibrium.
In the body, Rasa and Rakta Dhatu are formed from the Ahara Rasa, which provides strength to the body. But after 120 days, these tissues will die automatically without any reason. Those tissues are replaced by newly formed tissues. The destruction of Doshas, Dhatus and Mala is reasonless and will occur rapidly, automatically without any external influence.
Death is a part of life, but death at cellular level becomes essential for life. Cellular death is termed as apoptosis in medical science, which reshapes the physical features and organs of the human body. Apoptotic necrobiosis is linked with the integral part of cell multiplication in several tissues, and proper elimination of the dead cells is necessary to maintain tissue homeostasis. The concept of Swabhawoparmwad is an important factor for survival of human life. It states that homeostasis is necessary to enhance human growth, and maintain health by natural death of every living cell. Our body naturally tries to be in physiological condition, but the natural death
of anything is uncertain and it has to happen. Thus, every cell within the body adopts this mechanism of programmed cell death where our genes also play an important role.
Nothing is static in our body. Everything changes constantly. Many cells die naturally everyday after completing their scheduled work, as they undergo senescence and become weak. The remaining cells divide themselves to make new cells, which again undergo senescence and die naturally. This entire cycle of formation and destruction goes on and on throughout life.
Apoptosis is also involved in aging and related to age related health problems. The rate of apoptosis increases in most of the organs such as brain, cardiovascular system, immune system, endocrine system, intestine, Reproductive system and eyes; with increasing age. This increase in rate works as a defense mechanism, against the accumulation and spread odefective cells, but the prevalence of these systems is indeed the reason for aging of organs structure and its performance.
Taking the above context into consideration, Swabhawoparamwada mechanism is essential for survival. Moreover, it’s advantages have a large perspective. This mechanism can be used to destroy the cancer cells, by therapies included in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic diet plans and therapies including physical and medicinal ones can help to cure complicated diseases like cancer.
Importance of Swabhawoparamwada:
1.It plays a crucial role during embryonic development. If Swabhawoparamwada does not eliminate non essential cells, it may lead to birth defects.
2.It is important for maintaining homeostasis.
3.If this process exceeds its limits, it may cause neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s or spinal muscular atrophy.
4.If the process goes slower than its limit, it may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Thus, on a concluding note we can say that,enlightenment of the body is brought in by good and bad things together: good is regeneration of cells and bad is destruction of those cells, which indeed is must for one’s survival.
