Ayurveda and the churning of the cosmic ocean.
a couple weeks ago deep into the Ramayana found the art below referenced, this scene is known as Kshira Sagara or the the churning of the cosmic ocean, in Hindu cosmology there is this epic scene where the two opposing forces of the universe ( good and evil) churn the ocean of milk using the serpent king Vasuki as a rope with the ultimate goal of creating Amrita, the elixir of immortality,
In the arduous process of churning the ocean the devas and the asuras (the opposing forces) sacred items emerged from the ocean,
1. Kamadhenu,the cow of plenty, the divine bovine goddess, mother of all cows. (More of the sacred cow soon)
2. Varuna, goddess of the wine.
3. Parijata, the night blooming jasmine or the tree of sadness.
4. The apsaras, the female spirit of the clouds and water, similar to nymphs.
5. The crescent moon .
6. Halahala, poison.
7. Lakshmi, the goddess of beauty and wealth.
8. Kurma, the tortoise which is related to muladhara chakra and represents a steady and firm mind.
9. Kaustumba, the divine ruby.
10. Airavata and the elephants .
11. The wish granting tree, Kalpavriksha.
12. Dhanvantari, the physician of the devas, an avatara of lord Vishnu, the god of Ayurveda holding a pot of Amrita.
And that is how Ayurveda was created.
The churning of the cosmic ocean.
When I was younger, I would have never imagine that I was going to be deeply entrenched with Ayurveda, but as I heard Martha Soffer from Surya Spa say last night on an interview that Ayurveda arrives to your life when you are ready.
anyways
Some moons ago my friend Constanze sold me her spot for a seven-day rejuvenation treatment at one of the best Ayurvedic hospitals and research centers in India, Manaltheeram.
The opportunity became our gateway to travel to India—I honestly didn’t want to travel in India despite my love for their culture, but we decided to give it a go! After all, we already had aplied for the month-long visa.
We landed in Kerala and headed to the center, where they welcomed us with a fresh coconut, a neroli garland placed gently around our necks, and a small dot of sandalwood paste applied between our eyebrows.
I was charmed by the warmth of the welcome. Hospitality in India is on another level—they truly make you feel like the most special human on earth.
A couple of hours after our arrival, we were taken to meet the Ayurvedic doctor for a full-body check-up. Within minutes, they assessed me and created a personalized treatment plan. I discovered I am predominantly Kapha/Pitta. For years, I assumed everything except Kapha.
Ayurveda in India is the healthcare system, there are of course western doctors but 80% of indians continue to use Ayurveda, there are national medicine institutes exclusively to the study of Ayurveda and is a doctorate, like MD’s some of them can perform surgery.
I see so many woman in the west appropriating Ayurveda without even visiting India or having the proper certification/ training or years of observation and personal research. It’s great we are naturally attracted to yoga and Ayurveda, yet we must acknowledge the depth, mastery and sacredness of this medical tradition.
Anyways
My treatment consisted of specific Ayurvedic therapies tailored to my dosha, using herbal oils, waters, and foods. I was in heaven.
The Kerala coast, facing the Arabian Sea, felt like another world entirely. There is something so exotic in the air.
Every afternoon, after my treatment, I would sit with a cup of masala chai and read the Ramayana, overlooking the vast expanse of the sea.
My favorite treatment was Ksheeradhara where two therapists poured medicated milk —like masala chai—all over the body after an extensive lymphatic massage. I felt so safe in their hands. One of the therapists was a strong, splendidly beautiful Kerala woman perhaps in her sixties with 40 years of experience. ( not a sign of arthritis)
She was my therapist for the entire week, and her presence felt motherly to me—a deeply nurturing experience.
The morning after my first treatment, I was stunned. My body looked radiant and youthful, Throughout the day, as I drank the prescribed herbal water, I began sweating profusely, as though I were sitting in a sauna. After yoga, the sensation intensified. I felt as though I were 19 years old again—light and energetic.
The food at the center was incredible. flavorful and diverse.
Some of my favourites : coconut shake, cardamom papaya pudding, fluffy coconut pancakes, poached bananas in cinnamon milk, a variety of savoury chutneys and pickles, like 5 variety of mostly tridoshic curries, I loved the moringa pod curry, with some ghee rice and cashews on the side —it was a feast for the senses.
All of this delicious nutritious medicinal foods, that on the west would be look down upon for not fitting the idea of “diet” but Ayurvedic foods are meant to balance and nourishing your body.
Moments at Manaaltheram, I was so oily 90%, couldn’t take as many photographs as I wanted, but it was great to just digest and integrate the lush surrounding and the incredible experience.
