Introduction - Ayurveda (the science of life)
Ayurveda (the science of life) is one of the branches of vedas. It is regarded as upaveda of atharva-veda, in fact it is a stream of the knowledge coming down from generation to generation since eternity parallel to the vedic literature that is why its emergence has been said to be from the creator (Brahma) himself prior to the creation. This reflects its long living tradition and deep attachment to the Indian culture.
Ayurveda ‘the Science of Life’ is a holistic system of medicine from India, which evolved in Ancient India some 3000-5000 years ago. The principles and philosophy of Ayurveda view man as a complex whole, including our external and internal environments. The principles are derived from universal laws of nature that have changed little through time. With subjective, objective, and intuitive approaches to gain knowledge, it’s incorporated with a deep understanding of the unseen intelligence of the universe. The practices of Ayurveda have withstood the test of time.
Ayurveda defines life ‘Ayuh’ as the intelligent coordination of our four parts, the soul,the mind, the senses, and the body, with the totality of nature and the cosmos.Health is not just a state of the body. We interact with the seasons, planetary changes of the earth, and moon, other planets, as well as orbiting relationships within our lives, our loved ones and friends, co-workers etc. We affect and are affected by every other animate and inanimate thing in existence. Bringing all of this into balance is the key to living healthy.
Wisdom of Ayurveda is based on major authoritative classical texts like Charakasamhita, SushrutaSamhita and AstangaSamgraha&AstnagaHrudaya. Other important texts of medieval period are MadhavaNidana, SarangadharaSamhita&Bhavaprakasa. It’s a living tradition of science of life promoting wellness.
Ayurveda defines Health as the state of equilibrium when an individual’s Doshas, Agni and function of Dhatu and Malas are in the balanced state and who has cheerful mind, intellect and sense organs is termed as “Svastha” (Healthy).
The objective of Ayurveda is to protect health of the body and to alleviate disorders in the diseased. Ayurveda advocates for Disease-free condition is the best source of virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation while the disease is destroyer of this source , welfare and life itself
- Operational framework of Ayurveda
Ayurveda provides knowledge of etiology, features/symptoms and therapeutics, best way for both the healthy and the sick,tri-sutra, continuing since antiquity.
- Salient Features of Ayurveda
There are several aspects of this system of medicine which distinguish it from other approaches to health care:
1.Ayurveda describes three fundamental universal energies which regulate all natural processes on both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels.That is, the same energies which produce effects in the various galaxies and star systems are operating at the level of the human physiology–in our own physiology. These three universal energies are known as the Tridosha.
2.Ayurveda is a complete medical system which recognizes that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flows from one Absolute source (Paramatma).Health manifests by the grace of the Absolute, acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti).Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual and Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws.
3.It focuses on establishing and maintaining balance of the life energies within us,rather than focusing on individual symptoms.
4.It recognizes the unique constitutional differences of all individuals and therefore recommends different regimens for different types of people. Although two people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, their energetic constitutions may be very different and therefore call for very different remedies.
5.Finally, the ancient Ayurvedic physicians realized the need for preserving the alliance of the mind and body and offers mankind tools for remembering and nurturing the subtler aspects of our humanity. Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony to all people.
6.To balance the elements and the doshas of the body and the senses, there are many treatments, therapies, and exercises available. To balance the elements of the mind, meditations, mantra, and exercises are often used. Massage and rasayana treatments, along with visualization, pranic breathing, and other practices,allow personal access to intuition, and the innate knowledge of the soul.
7.Ayurveda believes five basic elements Pancamahabhutas (space,air,fire,water and earth) manifest in the human body as three basic humours known as tridoshas(Vata,Pitta and Kapha). These three govern creation,maintenance and destruction of bodily tissues as well as the assimilation and elimination.Each person is born with a unique combination of these doshas which decides their basic constitution called Prakruti.Understanding of each person’s Prakruti for deciding their personal diet and exercise pattern, supplements and medicinal herbs,cleansing and rebuilding therapies that is right for them are among the chief methods, Ayurveda employs for the maintenance and restoration of health.
- Specialities of Ayurveda :
Ayurveda has Eight divisions(Astanga Ayurveda) such as-
1.Kayacikitsa (Medicine)
2.Salakya (Ent. &Optha.)
3.Salya (Surgery)
4.VisaVigyan (Toxicology)
5.BhutaVidya (Psychiatry Medicine)
6.Kaumarabhrtya(Pediatrics)
7.Rasayana (Rejuvenates)
8.Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac)
Science of life-Ayurveda deals with life as a whole which is conjunction of body, sense organs, mind and self.The uniqueness of this science is that it emphasizes on the preventive aspect, to protect the health of the healthy and normal individual.For this there are guidelines for ideal routine, diet and medicines according to individual constitution and need.There is also a vivid description of ideal conduct to be followed for psychic and social health.
The ones inflicted with disease can be treated by two ways i.e. purification to eliminate vitiated doshas (deranged body humors), the other is to pacify vitiated dosha by medicines. To fulfil these two aims, the subject matter of ayurveda has been divided into three sutras (tri sutra) Hetu – causes for both health as well as disease; Linga Symptoms – of healthy and diseased;Ausadhi‘therapy’ for promotion and maintenance of health and elimination of disease.