10/7: Patiala, Punjab
The Indian-man-friend visiting from Canada takes his package of triphala in one hand and a package of cigarettes in the other. He and Dr Vinyak (my host father) go share a smoke after partaking in a 25 minute conversation with me about 'Lehas' and other ayurvedic preparations used to cure disease. The two sons ( my host brothers, and future owners of the company) sit in the next room napping or checking the internet on their cell phones. But in the rooms next door and across the small courtyard....
Four simple but charming women sit sorting dried amala fruits from the seed; a man stands stirring a pot of liquid precious metal and beside it, tree resins over blazing flames; a magnificent orange powder is being grounded with a mortar and pestle till perfection; huge vats of liquid herbal fermentations await to be dispatched 8 months from the day they were concocted; and so much more. The factory is not a factory by any U.S concept of the word. The grounds may take up the same area as a few tennis courts, the rooms are all very simple with only a few fans and one air-conditioned area. But the ingredients being used, processes being executed and products being produced are unspeakably complex.
Despite his paradoxical vice of cigarettes, Dr. Vinayak proves to be a highly competent man of Ayurveda, gentle but powerful in his demeanor and more than generous with the time and information he has to share with me. Indeed, the bulk of my day was spent situated in front of his desk either: partaking in the occasional dialogue about herbs, metals, minerals, etc; being introduced to visiting friends; or absorbing myself in what I believe to be some of the holiest texts this world has to offer- original Ayurvedic medical ingredients and preparation procedures. Yes, this is what makes my heart sing.
Out of ethical/moral ideals, the factory/pharmacy remains aligned with nearly all traditional preparation methods. They have added a few simple machines (since the time it was founded by the late Dr. Vinyak) in order to make products more available and affordable to the public. Dr. Vinayak says he works 'to serve humanity,' that money is secondary. The Canadian/Indian friend visiting earlier had mentioned that in Kerala you will find more polished and expensive Ayurveda, but here you find a man who works for the people.
I love sitting with the ladies, who partake in their tasks far more socially and enjoyably than do the men (how unusual). We laugh and try to communicate and do; only the verbal language is different. Amit (the eldest son) tells me that they talk too much and it makes them slow. I argue that some of the greatest medicine will be produced from this energy.
The Indian-man-friend visiting from Canada takes his package of triphala in one hand and a package of cigarettes in the other. He and Dr Vinyak (my host father) go share a smoke after partaking in a 25 minute conversation with me about 'Lehas' and other ayurvedic preparations used to cure disease. The two sons ( my host brothers, and future owners of the company) sit in the next room napping or checking the internet on their cell phones. But in the rooms next door and across the small courtyard....
Four simple but charming women sit sorting dried amala fruits from the seed; a man stands stirring a pot of liquid precious metal and beside it, tree resins over blazing flames; a magnificent orange powder is being grounded with a mortar and pestle till perfection; huge vats of liquid herbal fermentations await to be dispatched 8 months from the day they were concocted; and so much more. The factory is not a factory by any U.S concept of the word. The grounds may take up the same area as a few tennis courts, the rooms are all very simple with only a few fans and one air-conditioned area. But the ingredients being used, processes being executed and products being produced are unspeakably complex.
Despite his paradoxical vice of cigarettes, Dr. Vinayak proves to be a highly competent man of Ayurveda, gentle but powerful in his demeanor and more than generous with the time and information he has to share with me. Indeed, the bulk of my day was spent situated in front of his desk either: partaking in the occasional dialogue about herbs, metals, minerals, etc; being introduced to visiting friends; or absorbing myself in what I believe to be some of the holiest texts this world has to offer- original Ayurvedic medical ingredients and preparation procedures. Yes, this is what makes my heart sing.
Out of ethical/moral ideals, the factory/pharmacy remains aligned with nearly all traditional preparation methods. They have added a few simple machines (since the time it was founded by the late Dr. Vinyak) in order to make products more available and affordable to the public. Dr. Vinayak says he works 'to serve humanity,' that money is secondary. The Canadian/Indian friend visiting earlier had mentioned that in Kerala you will find more polished and expensive Ayurveda, but here you find a man who works for the people.
I love sitting with the ladies, who partake in their tasks far more socially and enjoyably than do the men (how unusual). We laugh and try to communicate and do; only the verbal language is different. Amit (the eldest son) tells me that they talk too much and it makes them slow. I argue that some of the greatest medicine will be produced from this energy.
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