WHAT IS HEART AND ITS IMPORTANCE? - SUTRA STHAANA 30/3-4
ARTHA (heart) is the basis of the ten important vessels performing important functions, and MAHATA and ARTHA are two synonyms of the heart. The body having six major parts, different organs, acquiring right knowledge, functions of the sense organs, the objects of the sense organs, AATMAA (conciousness), SAGUNAS and CHINTYA etc functions of mind
------- are all dependent on the heart.
COMMENTRY – ARTHE means heart. MAHAAMOOLAA means the DHAMANIS of the heart which are like the roots of the heart also called MAHATA, and which are dependent on heart. MAHATA etc are the synonyms of the heart.
The names MAHATA and the ARTHA are famous in the ayurvedic medical science and not in any other system. Heart is very much important so called MAHATA, as is the importance of money and resources for the rich people, so all care should be taken for the heart. Why we should take care of the heart, is explained by the verse SHADANGAM ITIYAADI. SHADANGA ANGAANI means which has two upper limbs, two lower limbs, one head and one the middle part.
ANGA are said to be other than SHADANGA and they are in a group and has existence according the age. In the description of the ANGA, the SHADANGA adjective has been specially used to emphasize that these SHADANGA are dependent on heart, the ANGA word pertains to different organs, and use of SHADANGA here said, not about the ANGAS.
VIGYAANAMA here indicates the GUNA of AATMAA, although GUNAS of AATMAA has also been described separately because of their importance by the verse – SUKHAMA--- . INDRIYAANI – eyes etc five. ARTHAPANCHAKAM means five SHABDAADI. SAGUNA means receiving the SUSHA etc characters. CHETAH means mind. CHINTYAH is – actions of the mind.
Here the SHADANGAADI are said separately because they all have specific importance, but how the heart has the subjects of the sense organs which are in the objects outside the body? The heart for them is a source to acquire, it doesn’t produce them.
The ARTHA (subjects) are known by the ARTHA (heart), it is described directly so they are of prime importance.
Vaidya Pawan Madaan