2006.01.26 The name 'Vrindavan' is derived from 'Vrinda', another name for the sacred tulsi (basil) plant. A legend has it that the entire place was a tulsi grove at one time. The town is on a peninsula of land that is surrounded on three sides by the Yamuna River. The sacred Yamuna was once much closer to the town but has receded and has left much land between the town settlement and the river. This area has been developed for agriculture. A path around the town called the parikrama path encircles the town, staying on the edge to the developed area, looking out over the fields of wheat, barley and mustard.

Ayurveda recognizes three primary life-forces in the body, or three biological humors called Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which correspond to the elements of air, fire and water. As the active or mobile elements, they determine the life processes of growth and decay.

The Ayurvedic term for these life forces is dosha, which in Sanskrit means "fault". This implies that the doshas are that which darkens, spoils or causes things to decay. When out of balance, the doshas are the causative forces behind the disease process.

This is a simple and quick technique to assist the lymphatic system by cleansing the skin so that toxins can be eliminated from the body more efficiently through the skin. If pores are clogged, the elimination from the skin is impaired, and the overworked liver and kidneys wind up having to eliminate the toxins. It is estimated that one third of all impurities leaving the body are eliminated through the skin, more than one pound of waste per day! This is a good reason to keep the skin functioning as an eliminative organ.