Notes

How Ayurveda defines ayu/life
The ancient Indian literature consists of four Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda & Atharvaveda. Each Vedas has many sub-parts which specializes in variety of subjects. Among them Ayurveda is a part of fourth veda, atharvaveda which largely deals with treating diseases through many methods.

The term Ayurveda consists of two words, ‘Ayu‘ which means life span and ‘Veda‘ means science or knowledge. Ayu is nothing but the continuation of consciousness, the act of staying alive. Definition of Ayurveda as documented in Samhita (Ayurveda treatises) is ,

हिताहितम सुखम दुखमायुस्तस्य हिताहितम ।
मानं च त्च्च यत्रोक्तमायुर्वेदः स उच्च्यते ॥

Ayurveda is the science where wholesome and unwholesome as well as happy and unhappy states of life (good and ill health) alongwith what is good and bad for life, its measurement and life itself is described.

In short, Ayurveda is the science which imparts knowledge about substances that both promote as well as demote our longevity.

How Ayurveda defines ayu/life?

Ayurveda forms the basis of Indian medicine which deals with all three –physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of life (Ayu). Ayu refers to the combination of the body, the sense organs, the mind & the soul – शरीरेन्द्रियसत्वात्मा संयोग ॥

The body (sharira) is made of five mahabhutas (basic nature elements) serves as the shelter for pleasure and sufferings of the soul (atma). The sense organs (indriya) are the eyes, etc. that helps us gain any knowledge , and soul is the bearer of that knowledge while sattva is mind. All these combined are designated as life. As soon as this combination is lost, the ayu – life ceases to exist.

Aim of Ayurveda

The science of life was propagated to serve two purposes:

1. स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्यरक्षणं i.e. to help maintain the health of a healthy individual

2. आतुरस्य विकारप्रशमनं i.e. to cure disease of the patient.
To achieve these objectives, Ayurvedic texts elaborate several methods & regimens.

Origin of Ayurveda


The origin of Ayurveda can be traced back to 5000 years ago. However, Vedas say that

Ayurveda is eternal because of the following :

1. It has no beginning, अनादि

2. It deals with such things that are inherent in nature, स्वभाव संसिध्दि लक्षणं

3. Best Way To Quit Smoking are eternal as nature itself is eternal, भाव सवभाव नित्य

Ayurveda is either conceived or taught by preceptors. Because of this, some scholars ascribe a beginning to the Ayurveda. In fact, it is not so and it is not known if ever Ayurveda was non-existent at any time after which it was propagated.
Brahma, creator of the world is described to have originally conceived Ayurveda. He taught it to his son, Daksha Prajapati. Daksha taught the same to Ashvin twins who in turn taught it to Indra.The further hierarchy of Ayurveda varies according to different classical texts. Eventually, various scholars learned it from their respective teachers composed their own literary works showcasing various specialities of Ayurveda . For example, Ayurvedic scholars like Susruta emphasized on Shalya Tantra (Surgery) whereas Charaka on Kayacikitsa (General Medicine) and Kashyapa on Kaumarbhritya (Pediatrics).

So many scholars have developed their works representing different aspects of this science according to the need of the their time, which is why there are a variety of Ayurvedic texts available dealing with every segment of life.

The three fundamental and most important ayurveda texts are Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Samgraha / Ashtanaga Hridaya are believed to be written during the period of 1000BC to 1000AD. In later periods, there were more specific texts written regarding subjects such as pathology, herbology, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, etc. in the form of Madhava Nidana, Bhav Prakash, Sharnagdhara Samhita etc.

Branches of Ayurveda

Knowledge of Ayurveda is grossly divided into eight branches :

1. Kaya Cikitsa (Internal Medicine)

2. Shalya Tantra (Surgery)

3. Shalakya Tantra (Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat disorders)

4. Agada Tantra (Toxicology)

5. Bhuta Vidya (Management of seizures & mental disorders)

6. Kaumarbhritya (Paediatrics with Gynaecology & Obstetrics)

7. Rasayana (Rejuvenation Therapy)

8. Vajikarana (Science of Aphrodisiacs)

With time many more branches have become an essential part of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic Basic Principles, Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, Pathology, Preventive & Social Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology are some of the brand new divisions of Ayurveda.

kid doing pranayam
Scope of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is not just a medical science, as is commonly believed, but is much more than this. Various topics discussed in this science are –

1. Anatomy (sharira)

2. physiology (vritti)

3. etiology of disease (hetu)

4. pathology (Vyadhi)

5. therapeutics (karma)

6. healing effects (karya)

7. climatology including the stage of disease(kaala)

8. physicians (karta)

9. therapeutic devices (karana)

10. medical and surgical procedures( vidhi-vinishchaya)

The knowledge of Ayurveda is documented in the manuscripts (Samhita).Samhita have several sections (Sthana) that further contains various chapters (Adhyaya). The above topics are described in respective sections in the order of their occurrence among the chapters.

Basic Principles of Ayurveda

Basic principles of Ayurveda are similar to that of the elementary principles of creation of the universe.

Five elements (Pancamahabhuta) principle

Ayurveda says that the body is made up of the same five elements, known as Pancamahabhuta, which makes up everything in our universe. Those five elements are: Jala (water), Prithvi (earth), Vayu (air), Aakash (space), & Agni (fire)

Theory of Tridosha

Doshas, the primary constitutional factor of the body maintains its integrity. Basically, doshas are three, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Doshas represent groups of physiological activities going on continuously in the body.The body is said to be healthy when these doshas work in harmony, and it is said to be diseased when these factors get imbalanced.

Agni: Digestive fire

Agni is concerned with digestion and metabolism. The human body can utilize the food nutrients, only if it digests appropriately and hence, agni is a crucial factor in making sure that the mahabhutas taken in the body in the form of food are effectively broken down.

Sapta Dhatu : 7 body tissues & Tri Mala (3 excretory products)

The food essence obtained from digestion helps in proper nutrition of dhatus or body tissues which are building blocks of our body. The seven dhatus are – Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja,& Shukra.

The synthesized elements formed after digestion which are taken in by the body are termed as’Dhatu’ and discharged excretory waste is called ‘Mala.’ The three wastes of body are Mala, Mutra, & Sweda.

Prakriti (Nature): Constitution & Temperament

Prakriti determines physical, mental &emotional characteristics of an individual and therefore, their vulnerability to illnesses.In Ayurvedic terms, Prakriti is the status of balanced dosha present since conception. Prakriti is what makes every individual different from others.

Mind: another seat of the disease

Ayurveda says that body & mind are closely interrelated, which is why the mind is also considered as the abode of disease as well as of well being. Three qualities of mind (Triguna) namely, Sattva, Raja & Tama are the functional units of the brain.

Ayurvedic Diagnosis

Ayurvedic diagnosis are very simple and do not require lengthy laboratory investigations. Both disease and patient examination are carried out at the same time with variety of diagnostic tools and techniques such as by pulse examination (Nadi pariksha), urine & stool, observing the sense organs, direct questioning, observation, physical exam as well as inference.

Along with the evaluation of signs and symptoms of illnesses, the origin and cause of dosha imbalance are also derived.

Treatment in Ayurveda

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on bringing about a balanced state of various entities of the body such as dosha , dhatu, mala , soul, sense organs & mind.

There is no single standard treatment in Ayurveda as it depends on an individual’s natural constitution, season, age, climate, etc. Therefore, Ayurveda has a unique concept of healing for every individual.

Prevention : better than cure

Ayurveda has always emphasized on prevention rather than treatment of disease. Ayurveda encourages to pay close attention to one’s body by maintaining balance with the help of right diet(ahara), lifestyle, use of palliative(Shamana) & eliminative (Shodhana) therapy appropriate to one’s constitution for healthy body and mind.

Why to study Ayurveda?

In ancient times, brahmins (priests or scholars) were designated to study Ayurveda for providing benefit to all creatures, kshatriyas (rulers or military class) for their protection and vaishyas (common people) for earning livelihood.

In general, Ayurveda can be studied by all for the attainment of virtues (dharma), wealth (artha), and pleasure (kama). Dharma can be attained by practicing & propagating righteousness as well as the spiritual knowledge contained in ayurveda. To lead a comfortable life one can earn wealth (artha) by treating diseased people. One can draw pleasure (kama) by the respect & prestige shown to him by everyone and by his ability to protect others.


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