Ojas, Tejas, and Prana
Refined energies that protect, empower, and awaken
Ojas, Tejas, and Prana: The subtle energies of life
In Ayurveda, true wellness isn’t just the absence of disease. It is a radiant, resilient state of vitality that flows from within. This deep vitality is not just physical, but also emotional and spiritual.
It is supported by three subtle, vital energies: ojas, tejas, and prana. These life-giving forces are the refined, beneficial expressions of the three doshas and are key to maintaining health on all levels: body, mind, and soul.
The mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation.
The mind that is attached to the objects of the senses leads them to bondage.
Freed from the objects of attachment, it leads them to liberation.
–Satyayaniya Upanishad, Verse 1.1
What are Ojas, Tejas, and Prana?
Each of these subtle energies arises from one of the three doshas and carries the essence of its elemental nature. Together, they play a vital role in balancing our health, consciousness, and vitality.
- Prana is the life force associated with vata and the air and ether elements
- Tejas is the inner radiance linked to pitta and the fire element
- Ojas is the deep reserve of vitality rooted in kapha and the water element
Together, they form the energetic foundation of a strong immune system, a calm mind, and a spiritually awakened life.
When prana, tejas, and ojas are in balance, we experience peace, clarity, energy, and resilience. When they are deficient or disturbed, it may lead to fatigue, emotional instability, or illness.
Ojas: Your inner strength and immunity
Ojas is the subtle essence of kapha and the water element. It is your core vitality, the most refined product of digestion, and the foundation of deep nourishment and immunity.
When ojas is strong, we enjoy physical stamina, emotional resilience, and robust immunity on both physical and subtle levels.
It is formed from wholesome food, pure thoughts, and loving actions. Ojas is also linked to love, devotion, patience, and calm, a heart filled with ojas is a heart filled with peace.
Signs of strong ojas include glowing skin, steady energy, inner contentment, and strong immunity.
How to build ojas:
- Eat a clean, sattvic diet: whole grains, root vegetables, ghee, dates, almonds, and fresh produce
- Practice rest, meditation, and healthy relationships
- Avoid overstimulation, misuse or overuse of sexual energy, and stress
Ojas builds and maintains the auric shield around your body and mind. When ojas is abundant, external negativity has little power to penetrate.
Tejas: Your inner light and intelligence
Tejas is the subtle essence of pitta and the fire element. It is your inner radiance and the refined intelligence that processes not only food, but also thoughts, experiences, and emotions.
Strong tejas brings clarity of mind, spiritual discipline, courage, and the ability to burn away both physical and emotional toxins.
Tejas is the fire of wisdom and right perception. It gives you the discernment to know truth from illusion and the strength to walk your path with devotion.
Signs of strong tejas include bright eyes, glowing skin, clarity of speech, and a sharp, focused mind.
How to build tejas:
- Engage in tapas (spiritual discipline), mantra chanting, and study of sacred texts
- Practice silence, fasting, or conscious speech
- Protect tejas from excess heat or intensity, which can burn out ojas
When balanced, tejas brings brilliance to the intellect and steadiness to spiritual progress.
Prana: The breath of life
Prana is the subtle essence of vata, formed from the air and ether elements. It is your vital life force, the sacred energy that animates body, mind, spirit as well as the whole universe.
Prana governs breath, circulation, speech, movement, and the nervous system. But beyond the physical, it is also the guiding intelligence behind consciousness, creativity, and spiritual growth. Prana is the breath of life and the bridge between the seen and unseen worlds.
It is the Shakti that animates mantra, sound, and higher perception, and serves as the thread that unites ojas and tejas. Without prana, those energies cannot be sustained. In spiritual terms, prana is the rising force of kundalini, awakening higher states of being and connecting us with our soul's essence.
Signs of strong prana include strong respiratory system, calm mind, adaptability, and vibrant creativity.
How to build prana:
- Practice pranayama, meditation, mantra, and hatha yoga
- Spend time in nature, by fresh water or in forests
- Cultivate joy, inspiration, and purpose
When prana flows freely, all aspects of life are energized and uplifted.
The interplay of the three
These forces are dynamically interconnected and work together as a constant change of energy. Their balance is essential for maintaining harmony in the body, clarity in the mind, and vitality in the spirit.
- Prana moves and energizes
- Tejas transforms and illuminates
- Ojas stabilizes and protects
Without ojas, tejas burns too quickly. Without prana, ojas and tejas cannot be sustained. And without tejas, prana lacks direction and clarity.
Together, they create harmony in body, mind, and spirit. They are similar to the yin, yang, and chi of Traditional Chinese Medicine: ojas is yin, tejas is yang, and prana is chi.
Imbalances and signs
Even these subtle energies can become disturbed, leading to a variety of symptoms that reflect disharmony in body and mind. Becoming aware of these imbalances is the first step toward rebalancing them and restoring harmony.
Common signs of imbalance include:
- Excess prana: anxiety, restlessness, or lack of grounding
- Low prana: fatigue, dullness, lack of creativity
- Excess tejas: irritation, over-criticism, burning sensations
- Low tejas: confusion, low motivation, poor discernment
- Excess ojas: heaviness, sluggishness, complacency
- Low ojas: weak immunity, emotional depletion, low self-esteem
These signs can show up in your mind, energy levels, emotions, or physical health. Simple awareness and gentle, consistent practices are often enough to bring these forces back into alignment.
How to cultivate Ojas, Tejas, and Prana
Ayurveda offers many gentle yet powerful methods to support these subtle energies. The journey begins with living in greater harmony with nature and yourself.
A sattvic, constitutionally appropriate diet is essential to nourishing ojas, tejas, and prana. Whole, fresh, local and in-season foods provide the physical fuel these energies depend on.
Supportive practices:
- Spiritual routines such as meditation, mantra, and yoga
- Nature immersion like forest walks or time near flowing water
- Balanced lifestyle with regular routines, meaningful connections, express gratitude, selfless service and rest
- Healing modalities such as Ayurvedic herbs, Abhyanga (oil massage), Pranayama (breathwork), Sound Healing and Sound Baths, Marma (Ayurvedic acupressure)
When we live with presence, purpose, and nourishment, these energies grow stronger, leading to greater vitality and joy. True healing happens when we care for not only the body but also these subtle dimensions of life.
True healing unfolds when we nurture the body, mind, and spirit and embrace life as the sacred gift it truly is.
When prana, tejas, and ojas shine brightly, we live a life of peace regardless of the external circumstances and we truly live an Awakened Life.
Supporting your inner vitality
Prana, tejas, and ojas are the subtle energies that shape how you think, feel, and show up in the world. When they’re nourished, you experience greater clarity, steady energy, and deeper resilience. Simple, intentional choices can help you build this foundation from the inside out.
If you're ready to align with these vital forces in your daily life, personalized guidance can help you get started.