Ojas, you might have never heard the term before, unless you have been delving into the Yogic studies one way or the other. It’s impossible to find a one word translation for ‘Ojas’, rather it can be described as that which causes strength, vigor & vitality, immunity to disease and unfettered living as a whole. When ‘Ojas’ is high one will not get sick, or dis-eased; one will function with Ease. If it becomes depleted all kinds of dis-ease will start to happen; you will be more disposed to “accidents”- actually there is no such thing as accidents, they arise when ‘Ojas’ is low and we are not connected in body, mind and soul.
Ojas keeps all living beings nourished and refreshed.
Charaka Samhita
There can be no life without Ojas.
Everything that strengthens us can be regarded as ‘Ojas’-building;
- Wholesome food
- Herbal remedies
- Right physical activity
- Healthy sleep
- A relaxed, focused state of mind
- Fresh, unpolluted air
- Sunlight and daylight in general
- A good heart and genuine care for ones fellow beings
- The list goes on and on, use your imagination
Likewise, anything that makes us weak physically and mentally can be considered ‘Ojas’- depleting;
- Processed, “quick-fix” meals
- Alcoholic beverages(alcohol is poison, that’s why we become drunk/intoxicated)
- Artificial beverages like lemonades and most “energy drinks”
- Pollution in the air, water, commercial perfumes, hygiene products and so on.
- A lazy “couch-life”
- Stress, which creates acid- which again creates sickness(deprivation of ‘Ojas’)
- Bad sleeping routines
- The list goes on and on, use your imagination here as well
Ayurveda defines Ojas as ‘vigor’. It is the vital energy or core essence that nourishes all tissues and is responsible for the optimal functioning of our body, mind and spirit. Ojas refers to the energy reserve of the cerebrospinal, hormonal and reproductive fluids. Let’s understand Ojas with a simple analogy.
When you lift weights in the gym, that’s your physical energy at work. However, the Ojas determines your willingness to show up at the gym every day and feel energetic even after your workout sessions. This subtle force, the innate drive, makes you do more and achieve more, no matter the circumstances.
This drive is ‘Ojas’- we might even call it the Energy that derives from Disciplined living. The “boost” you gain from caffeine drinks and the likes of it is in no way at all ‘Ojas’, even though you think they are responsible for carrying you through your day and workouts. Actually overindulgence in such will lead to depletion of your Inner Fire.
An individual that maintains a balanced state of the main elements of the body (including dosha and dhatu), adequate digestion (agni), proper excretion (mala kriya), blissful condition of soul (atma), satisfied senses (indriyan) and a happy state of mind (manas) is called aswasthya or healthy person.
Charaka Samhita
It is the Ojas which keeps all the living beings nourished and refreshed. There can be no life without Ojas. Ojas marks the beginning of the formation of embryo. It enters the heart right at the stage of the embryo’s initial formation. Loss of Ojas amounts to the loss of life itself. It sustains life and is located in the heart. It constitutes the essence of all the Dhatus (tissues)
Charaka Samhita
Certain foods and ‘rasayanas'(elixirs) are considered specifically ‘Ojas’- building:
English (UK) 
Norsk bokmål