A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
यकृत् (yakṛt)
The liver (as an organ).
यकृत् इव (yakṛt iva)
: Like the liver.
Refined Meaning: Resembling the colour or appearance of the liver; a dark reddish-brown hue.
यकृत्खण्डतुल्य (yakṛtkhaṇḍatulya)
: Comparable to a piece of liver.
Refined Meaning: A dark reddish-black colour, similar to that of a section of liver.
यकृत्खण्डनिभ (yakṛtkhaṇḍanibha)
: Having the appearance (nibha) of a piece of liver.
Refined Meaning: A dark reddish-black colour, similar to that of a section of liver. (Synonym of the above).
यकृत्खण्डोपम (yakṛtkhaṇḍopama)
: Analogous to a piece of liver.
Refined Meaning: A dark reddish-black colour, similar to that of a section of liver. (Another synonym).
यकृत्पिण्डसप्रभा (yakṛtpiṇḍasaprabhā)
: Having the lustre (prabhā) of a lump (piṇḍa) of liver.
Refined Meaning: Resembling the colour and sheen of a lump of liver; a dark reddish-brown.
यक्षकर्दम (yakṣakardama)
Meaning: A specific compound of five fragrant substances.
Components: Traditionally includes:
1. कर्पूर (karpūra) - Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor)
2. अगुरु (aguru) - Aquilaria agallocha (Agarwood)
3. कंकोल (kaṅkola) - Piper cubeba (Cubeb)
4. कस्तूरी (kastūrī) - Moschus moschiferus (Musk)
5. यक्षधूप (yakṣadhūpa) - A specific type of fragrant resin (exact botanical identity can vary).
Use: Used as incense and in medicinal formulations for its aromatic and therapeutic properties.
यन्त्र (yantra)
Meaning:
1. Medical/Surgical: An instrument, tool, or device (e.g., for extraction, surgery, or preparation of medicines).
2. General: A machine, apparatus, or mechanical contrivance.
3. Esoteric: A mystical diagram used for meditation and spiritual practice.
यमदंष्ट्रकाल (yamadaṁṣṭrakāla)
: The "fangs of Yama" (the god of death) time.
Refined Meaning: An inauspicious junction period (approx. 48 minutes) marking the transition between the lunar months of Kārtika and Mārgaśīrṣa. Ayurveda advises against consuming heavy meals during this time, believing it can lead to severe health issues.
यमलाच्छाया (yamalāchāyā)
: Twin (yamalā) shadow (chāyā).
Refined Meaning: Double vision; a symptom where a single object is perceived as two.
यव (yava)
Meaning:
1. Primary: Barley (Hordeum vulgare).
2. Measure: A standard unit of weight in Ayurveda. One Yava is approximately the weight of one barley grain, often equated to 8 mustard seeds.
यवागू (yavāgū)
Meaning: A thin gruel or congee prepared by boiling a cereal (like rice, barley, or wheat) in a large quantity of water.
Types: It is classified based on consistency:
मान्द (manda): The thin, supernatant liquid portion.
पेया (peyā): A slightly thicker gruel.
विलेपी (vilepī): A thick, paste-like gruel.
Use: A fundamental dietary preparation in Ayurveda, especially during digestive ailments or Panchakarma.
यशः (yaśaḥ)
Meaning: Fame, glory, reputation, renown, honor.
Context: In Ayurveda, it is considered one of the goals of life and a sign of good health and virtuous conduct.
यानाशक्ति (yānāśakti)
: Lack of power (aśakti) to vehicle/walk (yāna).
Refined Meaning: Inability to walk or ambulate; a symptom indicating severe weakness or a neurological/muscular disorder.
याम (yāma)
Meaning: A unit of time. One yāma equals 3 hours. A full day and night consists of 8 yāmas.
युक्ति (yukti)
Meaning:
1. General: Rationale, logical reasoning, skillful planning, or tactical application.
2. Medical: The intellectual skill and logical plan employed by a physician or pharmacist in formulating a treatment strategy or compounding a medicine. It is one of the four core tools of examination (along with authority, inference, and analogy).
युक्तिकृत बल (yuktikṛta bala)
: Strength (bala) created (kṛta) by strategy (yukti).
Refined Meaning: Acquired or artificial immunity; the strength and resistance to disease gained through deliberate measures like proper diet, lifestyle regimens (दिनचर्या), seasonal regimens (ऋतुचर्या), and immunizing treatments (e.g., रसायन).
युक्तिव्यपाश्रय (yuktivyapāśraya)
: That which relies (vyapāśraya) on rational application (yukti).
Refined Meaning: Rational therapy; a treatment modality based on logical reasoning and established principles, as opposed to spiritual or faith-based healing. This encompasses the entire scientific application of medicine by a physician.
युतायुक्तवाक् (yutāyuktavāk)
: Connected-unconnected (yuta-ayukta) speech (vāk).
Refined Meaning: Incoherent, irrelevant, or nonsensical speech. A key symptom of delirium or mental confusion.
यूष (yūṣa)
Meaning: A savory soup or decoction primarily made from pulses (legumes like lentils, mung beans) and spices.
Preparation: Typically made by boiling pulses with water and other ingredients like herbs (कल्क - paste) or other liquids. It is distinct from यवागू (yavāgū), which is made from cereals.
योगः (yogaḥ)
Meaning: This term has three primary contexts:
1. Philosophical/Spiritual: The state of union of the individual soul with the universal consciousness; a disciplined practice to achieve this state.
2. Medical/Formulatory: A formulation, recipe, or combination of ingredients (herbs, minerals, etc.) for a specific medicinal purpose. (e.g., "This is a yoga for fever").
3. Linguistic: The proper arrangement of words and clauses to convey the correct meaning.
योगवाहि (yogavāhi)
: That which carries (vāhi) the formulation/union (yoga).
Refined Meaning:
1. Catalyst/Vehicle: A substance that enhances, potentiates, or directs the action of other drugs it is combined with (e.g., honey, warm water, ghee, ginger).
2. Property of Vāta: A unique quality ascribed to the Vāta doṣa, describing its ability to carry the properties of Pitta and Kapha and manifest their qualities.
योनि (yoni)
Meaning:
1. Anatomical: The vagina; the female reproductive tract.
2. Philosophical/General: The source, origin, womb, or fundamental cause of anything.