Yog vashist adi vyadhi

 “What are vyadhis* (illnesses) and what are adhis* 

(psychic disorders) and what are the degenerative 

conditions of the body? Pray, enlighten me on these. 

VASISTHA* continued: 

Adhi and vyadhi are sources of sorrow. Their avoidance 

is happiness; their cessation is liberation. Sometimes 

they arise together, sometimes they cause each other 

and sometimes they follow each other. Physical malady is 

known as vyadhi, and psychic disturbance caused by 

psychological conditioning (neuroses) is known as adhi.”

“Both these are rooted in ignorance and wickedness. 

They end when self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is 

attained. 

Ignorance gives rise to absence of self-control and one 

is constantly assailed by likes and dislikes and by 

thoughts like and have gained this, I have yet to gain 

that'. 

All this intensifies delusion; all these give rise to psychic 

disturbances. 

Physical ailments are caused by ignorance and its 

concomitant total absence of mental restraint which 

leads to improper eating and living habits. 

Other causes are untimely and irregular activities, unhealthy habits, evil 

company, wicked thoughts.

 They are also caused by the weakening of the nadis* or by their being cluttered or 

clogged up, thus preventing the free flow of life- force. 

Lastly, they are caused by unhealthy environment. 

All these are of course ultimately determined by the fruits of past actions 

performed either in the near or in the distant past.