Tejas-The Spark of Radiance, Warmth, Glow and Brilliance

What is Tejas?

Tejas is responsible for inner radiance, glow or aura, luster in one’s eyes, clarity, fearlessness, courage, intelligence, and understanding and comprehension at the cellular level.  It is the subtle and positive essence or counterpart of pitta or fire element in the body and is responsible for the digestion and metabolism of everything we take in.

Tejas can be compared to hormones and amino acids that regulate cellular metabolism.

Hence tejas is needed for metabolism.  If tejas in a person is too high it burns out the ojas , as in the case with multiple sclerosis.  The myelin sheaths which are composed of ojas (water element) are burned by high tejas (fire element).

Negative thinking damages ojas, tejas, prana, immune system, the spleen, the function of the lymphatic system.  The thymus gland is located very close to the heart which is the seat of emotions.  Hence any negative emotional disturbance will affect the thymus. Gently tapping the sternum stimulates the thymus gland which in turn stimulates the immune system.

Tejas gets diminished by:

• Excessive talking
• Psychological/emotional imbalances
• Negative thinking
• Consuming cold foods, icy beverages, ice cream etc. diminishes tejas which in turn negatively impacts metabolism, digestion and assimilation of food.  This leads to accumulation of toxins/ama in the tissues which eventually leads to disease.

For a healthy balance of tejas one should:

• Enforce positive thinking.  Positive thinking strengthens ojas, tejas and prana and the thymus gland, which is responsible for a healthy immune system and good health.
• Meditate
• Chant mantras
• Try sitting in the meditation position, in a lotus pose as that helps open up the heart chakra, calms the breath and balances ojas, tejas and prana.
• Practice awareness in thought, words and action
• Avoid gossip, excessive talking, negative talk etc.

For a depleted tejas one should consume:

• 1 pinch of trikatu which is -ginger, black pepper, piper longum with 1 tsp of honey 15 minutes before eating a meal as it kindles the agni (metabolism/digestive fire).
• Chewing a small piece of ginger with some lemon juice and salt sprinkled on it can help build tejas.
• Bitter ghee is good for increasing tejas without increasing pitta.1 tsp morning and evening on an empty stomach with ½ cup warm water.

NOTE: People who suffer from excessive pitta or heat in the body should not consume the above.  Excessive pitta is marked by heat in the body, inflammation, boils, acne, ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, and negative emotions like anger, jealousy, anxiety, aggression, impatience, hate etc.  Instead one should avoid consuming foods that are inherently and temperature hot as they further aggravate pitta.  Hence avoid spicy, pungent foods, peppers, garlic, onions, sesame, coffee, tea etc.  Consuming foods and herbs that are cooling and sweet (not sugary, but inherently sweet like rice, wheat etc), will help bring pitta back to a healthy balance.  Chewing on fennel seeds, cardamoms, etc sipping warm herbal teas helps calm pitta.

I will address this in more detail in another article.

Recommended Reading: Ojas-The Sap of Life, Vigor, Radiant Health and Luster

Resource: Secrets of the Pulse, Dr. Vasant Dattatray Lad