First Lithuanian Children’s Book on Ayurveda Inspired by Jiva
March 19, 2009

With the publication of the first Lithuanian children’s book on Ayurveda, Jiva’s dream to bring authentic Ayurveda to every home has moved one-step closer to its fulfillment. This modern-day fantasy, titled Miglė, Ramas and Ežiukas in the Wonderland of Ayurveda, has been authored by Lithuanian journalist-author Ms. Agnė Tarvydaitė and published jointly by Ajurvedos Akademija (Ayurveda Academy) and Homo Faber.

The book, lucidly written in a fairy-tale style with lots of colourful illustrations depicting lively characters, presents children the quintessence of Ayurveda in a nutshell and encourages them to adopt an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle in harmony with nature to lead a happy, healthy and balanced life.

The story, divided into five chapters, revolves around the three main characters—a little girl called Miglė, a boy called Ramas and a porcupine by the name of Ežiukas. Miglė’s attempt to procure medicine for his ailing brother Arūno with the help of Ramas, son of Doctor Partap, lands her in the Wonderland of Ayurveda. Her exploits in the Wonderland, are marked by various incidents, some good, and some unfortunate. There, accompanied by Ežiukas, she meets the Three Sisters—Sattva, Rajas and Tamas (representing the three Gunas or mind types), Doctor Partap who introduces the parrot to her for helping her make the Ayurvedic medicines and Garuda (the gigantic bird who is the mount of Lord Vishnu) who helps her reach a Rishi’s (saint’s) place. All of them help her recover the medicines that she prepared inside the Castle of Medicine from a gang of miscreants (Microbes) lead by Kamsa. Miglė finally bids adieu to Ramas, the Three Sisters and all those who helped her in her exploits. She reaches her home in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius. Within a very short span of time, Arūno recovers completely and the family starts living happily ever after.

Cover-Page of the Book on Ayurveda in Lithuanian

The book attempts at and fairly succeeds in explaining the complex Ayurvedic concepts in a simple, digestible manner using imagery and histrionics weaved inseparably with the story. For example, the parrot introduces to Miglė the Doshas (body types—Vata, Pitta and Kapha) while revealing the secret of preparing the Ayurvedic medicines using herbs found in the Wonderland. Here, the author also includes an easy test for determining children’s dominant Dosha which every child will find interesting to do. The parrot offers the children the Golden Rules for Health and an Ayurvedic daily routine for them to follow which can keep them healthy forever.

Similarly, while inside the Castle of Medicine, the children are given a brief introduction to Ayurvedic pharmacology—the methods of preparing herbal medicines from herbs and minerals. They are also told about the importance of a balanced diet, of taking milk and of revering the cow.

The parrot chaperones the children to the Yoga school on the Beach of Clear Lake where Ramas teaches them meditation. He also teaches them various Asanas (Yoga postures) and Pranayamas (breathing exercises) for leading a healthy life. Ramas even talks about the various aspects of Yoga in detail and about Yamas (restraints) and Niyamas (observances)—concepts that advocate non-violence, truthfulness, honesty, purity and control of all senses.

Again, the Rishi reveals to them the secret of life ingrained in the path of Bhakti (devotion) and the Varnashrama (the four pillars of life).

With the characterisation of Ežiukas with his Lithuanian flag-coloured muffler wrapped around the neck, the author has adeptly connected Lithuanian characters to Indian contexts.

This hard-bound, all-colour book ends with a section for parents that introduces them to Ayurveda and Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. It includes description of Asanas (Yoga postures) and Pranayamas (breathing exercises), sub-sections on recipes, Ayurvedic massage and oils, description of common herbs and a glossary of Ayurvedic terms.

The entire project has been funded by Lithuanian Ayurveda enthusiast Mr. Verneriui Pugžliui who justifies his efforts with these words—“because I want my kids as well every child to be introduced to Ayurveda so that the whole country benefits from it.”

“The book is an honour to Dr. Partap Chauhan’s efforts at popularising Ayurveda around the world,” says Mr. Aurelijus Piesinas, philosopher and head of Ayurveda Academy, Lithuania who oversaw the entire project through its completion.

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