Significance of Bodily strength

In Buddhism, bodily strength reflects a horse's physical prowess, loyalty, and readiness. Purana associates it with vitality from butter, demonic fortitude, and the body's response to illness. Ayurveda views bodily strength as Ojas, enhancing immunity and vitality through practices like Vasti. Jyotisha considers it a measure of physical health influenced by astrological periods. Vedanta emphasizes that bodily strength relies on food. Dharmashastra considers it in the context of punishment, reflecting individual capability and potential for dominance.

Synonyms: Physical strength, Muscular strength, Bodily power, Physical power, Vigor, Physical might, Bodily power.

In Dutch: Lichamelijke kracht; In Finnish: Kehon voimaa; In Spanish: Fuerza corporal; In German: Körperliche Stärke

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Bodily strength'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, bodily strength symbolizes the physical capabilities of a horse. This encompasses more than just physical power; it signifies loyalty and a willingness to serve, particularly in the context of a prince's journey.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)

(1) The physical capability of the horse, representing not only physical prowess but also loyalty and readiness to serve the prince on his journey.[1]

Hindu concept of 'Bodily strength'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, bodily strength encompasses physical power, health, and vitality, influenced by diet and practices like Vasti. It's a measure of resilience, with Ojas as its essence. It can be affected by factors like Venus' periods and illness, impacting overall well-being.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 4: Cikitsasthana

(1) This is a crucial factor in arresting the progress of Granthi, requiring careful protection against any diminution in the patient's overall physical condition.[2] (2) Bodily strength is improved by the third application of a Vasti, and the series of Vasti-applications repeated twice tends to purify the semen from all its impure or unhealthy constituents.[3] (3) The overall physical power and health of an individual, which Vasti aims to enhance.[4]

From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

(1) In Ayurvedic thought, Nagapashana helps to strengthen the brain and liver, and improves this.[5] (2) This is known as Ojas, and the fruit builds this, and it supports a healthy immune response, and this is a measure of the body's vitality and resilience.[6]

From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 1: Sutrasthana

(1) A physician should determine the bodily strength of a patient by enquiring about the capacity of his physical endurance and labour, according to the text.[7]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Garuda Purana

(1) The text suggests that fever slowly infiltrates into the successive fundamental principles of the organism in proportion to the diminution of this of the patient.[8] (2) Ulcers characterized by a distaste for food, a copious fetid discharge from inside, cough, emaciation, and prostration of this are considered incurable, as explained in the text.[9] (3) The additional vitality that butter imparts to animals when processed and administered properly.[10]

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) The physical power and fortitude demonstrated by the demons, which they take pride in.[11]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) The physical capability of the individual being punished, considered when determining consequences.[12] (2) The physical power or force possessed by an individual, which may be used to exert dominance or commit violence.[13] (3) The physical capability of the individual being punished, which can affect their treatment.[14]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)

(1) The strength of the body emphasized in the text, which is stated to depend on food.[15]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology

(1) A measure of physical health and vitality, which can be affected by the various subperiods within the overall period of Venus, as described.[16]

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.