ASHRU VEGADHARANA: AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON TEAR SUPPRESSION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR HRIDROGA

Ashru (tears) holds significant etymological and physiological importance in Ayurveda. Suppression of the natural urge to cry (Ashru Vega or Vaashpa Vega) is cautioned against in classical texts like Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Sangraha, as it predisposes to Hridroga (heart diseases) alongside other disorders. This article explores the literary meaning of Ashru, its lacrimation physiology, and the cardiovascular consequences of suppression, bridging Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary neuroscience.