For a good meditation, one needs to have healthy body. According to Caraka Saṁhitā a human body is controlled by three pathogenic factors or doṣa-s. Caraka Saṁhitā says that the soul is essentially devoid of all pathogenicity (able to cause disease). There are two types of pathogenic factors. One is related to body and another is related to mind. Physical and psychological diseases can be eliminated, provided three pathogenic factors are in equilibrium; however equilibrium of pathogenic factors differs from person to person. Three body related pathogenic factors are vāta (vāyu) pitta and kapha. When these pathogenic factors undergo changes in one’s body, it causes disease. Caraka Saṁhitā  says that pathogenic factors of the physical body can be treated through therapies and medicines.  It also talks about three pathogenic factors of the mind – three guṇas(Lalitā Sahasranāma 984 - triguṇa) sattva, rajas and tamas. The pathogenic factors of the mind can be cured through spiritual practices such as meditation and spiritual knowledge (Upaniṣad-s, etc).

Therefore it becomes imperative that there should be a perfect harmony between body and mind. In order to attain perfect harmony, two things help. One is triphala powder for the body and meditation for the mind. This powder can be mixed with pure honey and can be taken twice a day – once after sunrise and another after sunset. Each dosage should contain two pinches, using thumb and index fingers. It is ideal to take it 40 minutes after lunch/breakfast and dinner. Suggested dosage is between 250 milligrams to 500 milligrams daily (both times put together). Typically, this should be started with lower dosage (250 mg) and increased to 500 mg over a period of time. At a stretch this can be used for 45 days without break.

How to make triphala? Buy the following and allow them to dry under shade. They should not be dried in direct sun. Following are the three ingredients.

1. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

2. Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis)

3. Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)

Finely grind them and mix them in equal proportions. After grinding, keep the powder in a big plate and cover the entire plate with white cloth and allow the powder to be dried in the early morning sun for about an hour for two or three days. Sometimes this is also referred as kāyakalpa (kāya – body; kalpa – treatment/rejuvenation).  Now the powder is ready for use. It is said that this should not be consumed during pregnancy.