‘Anadhimavyayam Dhivyam Vyapakam Viswa Beshajam
Thirkala Baadhitham, Nithyamayurveda, Mupasemahe”
A science having neither a beginning nor an end.
A divine all-encompassing medical science
Promoting universal good.
An eternal omniscient system
Ayurveda: worth a lifetime’s study.
Indians have always been proud of their rich heritage. We have inherited a vast legacy of medicinal knowledge in Ayurveda, our traditional medicinal system which has been serving the Indian people for more than 5000 years.
Ayurveda, as the name implies (Ayu = life and Veda = pure knowledge ), is the science of life in which knowledge is systematised and truth is ascertained. It further explains immortality or the flow of life from the level of its creation, i.e., ‘Consciousness’ - the perfect being. Ayurveda encompasses not only the study of human anatomy physiology and the treatment of diseases but also the religion and philosophy of life with gives meaning and guidance to every individual to attain a purposeful, happy and enlightened life.
In India, Ayuvedic thoughts and methods have a deep impact on the lifestyle of the people. In almost every household, there is an awareness of Ayurvedic treatment for common aliments. Ayurvedic principles of healthy living are incorporated in day–to–day living, often in the form of religious rituals. It has also found expression in several practices like use of spices in traditional Indian cuisine. In fact, India’s folk medicine is also closely related to Ayurveda. In the villages, many old men and women think and speak Ayurvedic language and prescribe Ayurvedic remedies even if what they practise is referred to by others as folk medicine, it is also closely related to Ayurveda. Nowhere else in the world’s is folk medicine so akin to official medicine as in India.
Ayurveda is widely practised in India and caters to the needs of nearly 75 per cent of the population. The pharmacopoeia of Ayuveda is a rich heritage of herbal practices describing the medicinal uses of over 600 plants in 70 books containing 8,000 recipes of drug combination. India occupies even today the topmost position in use of herbal drugs and drug extracts for the treatment of diseases. Its Ayurvedic formulary is rich and diverse and holds a very sound position, probably because of the fact that it has grown and matured in the soil of India and that has always been an uninterrupted contact with the people for whom it was meant.
If we really reflect on Ayurveda in the light of contemporary medical thought, we find that even though Ayurveda is full of only observations and conclusions without the backing of scientific experimentations or statistics, we still realise that it is an extremely precise science, elucidating several intricate exercise in logic and offering a system of medicine which emphasises promotion and preservation of health. We cannot help but admire the wisdom of the ancient scientists who unfolded the secrets of Nature by way of substantiated hypotheses without experimental analysis. However, it is true that some concepts are apparently beyond the realm of rational and experimental analysis in contemporary terms.
“Hitahitam Sukam Dhukkam Ayusthasya Hitahitam
Manamcha Thacha Yathroktam Ayuveda Sauchyate”
Acharya Charaka has defined Ayurveda as the
Knowledge which deals with the happiness
And misery of life, the advantages and
Disadvantages of life, and the life span or the
Measurement of life span.
Thus, if we consider the meaning of Ayurveda in totality in the light of the above discussion, we find how much of wide ranging sense is covered by the same word. Unless and until such a vision is adopted in the study of the entire Ayurvedic knowledge, we cannot understand and appreciate the underlying sense of Ayurvedic knowledge in general and Ayurvedic fundamentals in particular.
“Ayurvedou Amrithanam”
Ayurveda is the science of Immortality.
The philosophy and concepts of Ayurveda
“Ayuhu Kamayamanena Dharmartha Sukasadhanam
Ayurveda Upadesheshu Vidheyea Parama Dhara”
According to the teachings of Ayurveda, every human being has four biological and spiritual instincts:
1. Religious / righteousness;
2. Financial / acquiring knowledge;
3. Procreative/ fulfilment of desires; and
4. The instinct towards freedom/enlightenment.
Balanced good health is the foundation for the fulfilment of
these instincts and if man follows the advice of Ayurveda, it helps him attain this fulfilment.
Ayurveda encompasses not only science but religion and philosophy as well. The word religion is used to denote beliefs and disciplines conducive towards states of being, in which the doors of perception open to all aspects of life. In Ayurveda, the whole of life’s journey is considered to be sacred. The word philosophy refers to love of truth and in Ayurveda truth is being – pure existence – the source of all life. Ayurveda is a science of truth as it is expressed in life.
All Ayurvedic literature is based on the Samkhya philosophy of creation (the roots of the term ‘Samkhya’ are two Sanskrit words ‘Sat’, meaning ‘truth’ and ‘Khya’, meaning ‘to know’). The ancient realised beings,
rishis or seers of truth, discovered truth by means of religious practices and disciplines. Through intensive meditation, they manifested truth in their daily lives. Ayurveda is the science of the daily living and this system of knowledge evolved from the
rishi’s practical, philosophical and religious illumination, which was rooted in their understanding or creation.
They perceived, in the close relationship between man and the universe, how cosmic energy manifests in all living and non-living things. They also realised that the source of all existence is cosmic consciousness, which manifests as male and female energy –
Shiva and Shakti.
The rishi Kapila, who realised the
Samkhya philosophy of creation, discovered 24 principles or elements of the universe, of which
prakruti, or creativity, is the most basic.
Purusha is the male, while prakruti is the female energy.
Purusha is formless, colourless and beyond attributes and takes no active part in the manifestation of the universe. This energy is choiceless, passive awareness.
Prakruti has form, colour and attributes, it is awareness with choice. It is divine will, the one who desires to become many. The universe is the child born out of the womb of
Prakruti, the divine mother.
The three Gunas are satva (essence),
rajas (movement) and tamas (inertia). These three are the foundation for all existence. They are contained in balance in
prakruti. When this balance is disturbed, there is an interaction of the
gunas which thus engenders the evolution of the universe.
The first manifestation from prakruti is Cosmic Intellect. From
Mahad, Ego (Ahamkar) is formed. Ego then manifests into the five motor organs, with the help of
satva thus creating the organic universe. The same Ego further manifests into the five basic elements
(bhutas) with the help of tamas, to create the inorganic universe.
Rajas is the active vital life force in the body which moves both the organic and inorganic universe to
satva and tamas, respectively. So satva and
tamas are inactive, potential energies which need the active, kinetic force of
rajas. Satva is creative potential (Brahma);
rajas is kinetic protective force (Vishnu); and
tamas is potential destructive force (Mahesha). Creation
(Brahma), Protection (Vishnu) and Destruction (Mahesha) are the three manifestations of the first cosmic soundless sound,
aum, which constantly operates in the universe.
Ayurveda is a holistic science and lays emphasis on preserving & promoting the fitness of healthy individuals besides giving methods for treatment of disease. Health is defined in Ayurveda as the well-being of mind, body and organs and soul and their proper coordination.
“Sama Dosha Samagnischa Samadattu Malakriyaha
Prassannathemendriya Manaha Swasthaithyabi Dheeya they”
Sushruta, Suthra Stana – Chapter -15
The person who has doshas, ‘agni’dhatus and
malakriya in equilibrium and who has sound soul, senses and mind, is declared to be healthy.
“Sareerendriya Sathawathma Samyogae Dhari Jeevitham Nithyagascha Anubandhashcha Pariyayair Ayuruchiyethey”
- Charaka Samhita, Suthrastana – Chapter 1, Sloka -42.
The continuum of body, organs, mind and soul is called as life
That which holds, that which animates, which is eternal, which
is interdependent, all these are synonyms of life.
The conceptual framework of Ayurveda is based on certain basic doctrines - the
Darshana. These visualise the fundamental functional units of the body to be formed by three
doshas (humors), seven dhatus (tissues) and mala (metabolic end products) which are in equilibrium during health.
Ancient Ayurvedic physicians describe disease as a disequilibrium of these functional units. The objective of any therapeutic measure is, therefore, primarily to re-achieve a state of equilibrium.
The Tridosha theory:
“Vayu: Pittam kafam Chedi Threyo Dosha Samasatah: Prethyakam The Thridha Vridhikshaya Samyavibedhataha Uthkrishtamadhyalpathaya Thridha Vridhi kshayavapi Vikritavikrita dheham Gnanthi thee Varthayanthi cha
- Asthanga Samgraha, Suthra Sthana, Chapter – 1
There are three doshas in the body, namely
vata, pitha and kapha. These three doshas undergo a transformation in the body in three ways – there can be an increase, a decrease of the above, or they can be in equilibrium. In the state of imbalance, there are three stages, (i.e.) highly vitiated, moderately vitiated and mildly vitiated. A balanced state of the three
doshas preserves the body, whereas an imbalanced state, causes destruction of the body.
According to Ayurveda the first requirement for healing oneself and others is a clear understanding of the three
doshas. The concept of vata-pitha-kapha is unique to Ayurveda and it holds the potential for revolutionising the healing system of the West. However, the concept of the three principle and the Sanskrit words,
vata – pitta – kapha, are very difficult to translate into Western terms.
Vata is a principle of movement. That which moves is called
vata.
Therefore, vata may be translated as the bodily air principle. However, the element of air in the external atmosphere is not the same as the air in the body. Bodily air, or
vata, may be characterised as the subtle energy that governs biological movement. This biological principle of movement engenders all subtle changes in metabolism.
Vata is formed from the two elements - ether and air.
Pitha is translated as fire, although the term does not literally mean “fire”. The fire of a candle or the fire in a fireplace may be seen, the bodily heat energy, the
pitha-dosha, which manifests as metabolism, is not visible in this way.
Pitha is formed from the two elements fire and water.
The translation of kapha is biological water, and this bodily principle is formed by the two elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure. This
dosha maintains body resistance. Water is the main constituent of
kapha, and this bodily water is responsible physiologically for biological strength and natural tissue resistance in the body.
A balance among the tridosh is necessary for health. For example, the air principle kindles the bodily fire, but water is necessary to control fire, otherwise the bodily fire would burn the tissues.
Vata moves, kapha and pitha are immobile. Together, the
tridosha governs all metabolic activities; anabolism
(vata), and metabolism (pitha). When vata is out of balance, metabolism will be disturbed, resulting in excess catabolism, which is the breakdown or deterioration process in the body. When anabolism is greater than catabolism, there is an increased rate of growth and repair of the organs and tissues. Excess
pitha disturbs metabolism, excess kapha increases the rate of anabolism and excess
vata creates emaciation (catabolism).
In childhood, anabolism and the kapha elements are predominant, since this is the time of greatest physical growth. In adulthood, metabolism and the element of
pitha are most apparent, because at this stage the body is matured and stable. In old age, catabolism and
vata are most in evidence, as the body begins to deteriorate.
Even though the three doshas are circulating in the body, there are particular areas in which they are situated or in which they function predominantly and by virtue of their attributes in the body, they are responsible for certain functions separately.
Dr C C Sagy
Ph No: 044 – 25735800 / 09884022742
E-mail: Drsagy_cheru@yahoo.com
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