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Ayurveda (Samskrit: आयुर्वेदः) is a traditional Indian system of holistic medicine which is widely practiced in भारतवर्षः । Bharatavarsha since ages. Although it is considered as one of the many alternative medical systems, its scope is not similar to the scope of modern medical science or other alternative medical systems. It is important to know that, Ayurveda can not be equated with conventional medical science since the modern medical science deals with the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting only a physical body. However, Ayurveda refers to the knowledge in the scriptures, describing the methods to obtain health and longevity, by preserving health and eradicating the diseases affecting union of body, mind and life energy known as Ayu.   

Ayurveda (Samskrit: आयुर्वेदः) is a traditional Indian medical system practiced widely in भारतवर्षः । Bharatavarsha since ages. Although it is considered as one of the many alternative medical systems, its scope is not similar to the scope of conventional medical science or other alternative medical systems. It is important to know that, Ayurveda can not be equated with conventional medical science since the modern medical science deals with the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting only a physical body, whereas Ayurveda focuses on health of a functional unit composed of union of body, mind and life energy. Thus, the term 'Ayurveda' refers to the knowledge in scriptures describing various methods to obtain health and longevity, by preventing illness in healthy and eradicating the diseases in a diseased individuals.   

[[File:Aushadhi.png|thumb|700x700px|'''Students learning mantras & to make medicines.''' Courtesy: Permitted to use Copyrighted Images from the Book "Sarwang" Published by Adivasi Lok Kala Evam Boli Vikas Academy, Madhya Pradesh Sanskriti Parishad]]

[[File:Aushadhi.png|thumb|700x700px|'''Students learning mantras & to make medicines.''' Courtesy: Permitted to use Copyrighted Images from the Book "Sarwang" Published by Adivasi Lok Kala Evam Boli Vikas Academy, Madhya Pradesh Sanskriti Parishad]]

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

[[File:Ayurveda-Science of life.PNG|thumb|'''Ayurveda: Traditional Indian medical system.''' Courtesy: Book 'Ancient Indian science and it's relevance to the modern world' published by Rashtriya Sanskrita Vidyapeetha, Tirupati]]

[[File:Ayurveda-Science of life.PNG|thumb|'''Ayurveda: Traditional Indian medical system.''' Courtesy: Book 'Ancient Indian science and it's relevance to the modern world' published by Rashtriya Sanskrita Vidyapeetha, Tirupati]]

According to आचार्य सुश्रुतः। Acharya Sushruta, Ayurveda is the Veda from where one can obtain the methods to achieve life or longevity. <blockquote>आयुरस्मिन् विद्यते अनेन वा आयुर्विन्दन्ति इति आयुर्वेदः । (Sush. Samh. 1.15)<ref name=":1">Sushruta Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB Sootrasthanam])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>āyurasmin vidyate anena vā āyurvindanti iti āyurvedaḥ । (Sush. Samh. 1.15)</blockquote>Meaning: Ayurveda is the veda where the (the methods to obtain) Ayu lies or the veda from where the Ayu can be obtained.  

According to आचार्य सुश्रुतः। Acharya Sushruta, Ayurveda is the Veda from where one can obtain the methods to achieve life or longevity. <blockquote>आयुरस्मिन् विद्यते अनेन वा आयुर्विन्दन्ति इति आयुर्वेदः । (Sush. Samh. 1.15)<ref name=":1">Sushruta Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB Sootrasthanam Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>āyurasmin vidyate anena vā āyurvindanti iti āyurvedaḥ । (Sush. Samh. 1.15)</blockquote>Meaning: Ayurveda is the veda where the (the methods to obtain) Ayu lies or the veda from where the Ayu can be obtained.  

The term Ayurveda consists of 2 terms namely आयुः। Ayu and वेदः। Veda.  

The term Ayurveda consists of 2 terms namely आयुः। Ayu and वेदः। Veda.  

# सत्व ॥ Satva (मनस् Manas or commonly known as mind)   

# सत्व ॥ Satva (मनस् Manas or commonly known as mind)   

# आत्मा ॥ [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] (commonly referred to as life energy, consciousness or indestructible spirit)  

# आत्मा ॥ [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] (commonly referred to as life energy, consciousness or indestructible spirit)  

Dhaari (धारि), Jeevitam (जीवितम्), Nityaga (नित्यगः), Anubandha (अनुबन्ध) are the terms synonymously used with Ayu. This union is present till the time of death or in other words death is the discontinuation of this union. Therefore Shareeram, Indriyas, Satva and Atma are considered the essential components of Life. <blockquote>शरीरेन्द्रियसत्त्वात्मसंयोगो धारि जीवितम् । नित्यगश्चानुबन्धश्च पर्यायैरयुरुच्यते ।। (Char. Samh. 1.1.42)<ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Sutrasthana])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>śarīrendriyasattvātmasaṁyogo dhāri jīvitam । nityagaścānubandhaśca paryāyairayurucyate ।।(Char. Samh. 1.1.42)</blockquote>

Dhaari (धारि), Jeevitam (जीवितम्), Nityaga (नित्यगः), Anubandha (अनुबन्ध) are the terms synonymously used with Ayu. This union is present till the time of death or in other words death is the discontinuation of this union. Therefore Shareeram, Indriyas, Satva and Atma are considered the essential components of Life. <blockquote>शरीरेन्द्रियसत्त्वात्मसंयोगो धारि जीवितम् । नित्यगश्चानुबन्धश्च पर्यायैरयुरुच्यते ।। (Char. Samh. 1.1.42)<ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Sutrasthana Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>śarīrendriyasattvātmasaṁyogo dhāri jīvitam । nityagaścānubandhaśca paryāyairayurucyate ।।(Char. Samh. 1.1.42)</blockquote>

=== वेदः ॥ Veda ===

=== वेदः ॥ Veda ===

As per Acharya Charaka, establishing धातुसाम्यम् । Dhatusamyam is the only aim of Ayurveda.<blockquote>धातुसाम्यक्रिया चोक्ता तन्त्रस्यास्य प्रयोजनम् ।। (Char. Samh. 1.1.43)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>dhātusāmyakriyā coktā tantrasyāsya prayojanam ।।</blockquote>Meaning: Establishing Dhatusamyam is the only aim of Ayurveda.       

As per Acharya Charaka, establishing धातुसाम्यम् । Dhatusamyam is the only aim of Ayurveda.<blockquote>धातुसाम्यक्रिया चोक्ता तन्त्रस्यास्य प्रयोजनम् ।। (Char. Samh. 1.1.43)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>dhātusāmyakriyā coktā tantrasyāsya prayojanam ।।</blockquote>Meaning: Establishing Dhatusamyam is the only aim of Ayurveda.       

In another discourse Dhatusamyam is defined as  आरोग्यम्। Aarogya. Aacharya Charaka defines विकाराः।  Vikara as धातुवैषम्यम्। Dhaatu vaishamya.  Dhaatu samyam is labelled as प्रकृतिः । Prakruti or state of equilibrium of the human system. Vikaras are considered as दुःख । Dukkha and consequently the opposite, सुख । Sukha, is considered to be the state of absence of vikara. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Sootrasthana 9.4)</ref> Ultimately Dhaatu samyam is referred to as Aarogyam and Sukham. This clarifies that, the aim of Ayurveda is to establish Aarogya or Dhatusamyam which ultimately leads to attainment of Sukha.   

In another discourse Dhatusamyam is defined as  आरोग्यम्। Aarogya. Aacharya Charaka defines विकाराः।  Vikara as धातुवैषम्यम्। Dhaatu vaishamya.  Dhaatu samyam is labelled as प्रकृतिः । Prakruti or state of equilibrium of the human system. Vikaras are considered as दुःख । Dukkha and consequently the opposite, सुख । Sukha, is considered to be the state of absence of vikara. <ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Khuddakachatushpada_Adhyaya Sootrasthana Adhyaya 9 Sootra 4])</ref> Ultimately Dhaatu samyam is referred to as Aarogyam and Sukham. This clarifies that, the aim of Ayurveda is to establish Aarogya or Dhatusamyam which ultimately leads to attainment of Sukha.   

=== व्याधिपरिमोक्षः स्वस्थस्य रक्षणं च ॥ Curative and Preventive Medicine ===

=== व्याधिपरिमोक्षः स्वस्थस्य रक्षणं च ॥ Curative and Preventive Medicine ===

== अष्टाङग आयुर्वेदः ॥  Ashtanga Ayurveda ==

== अष्टाङग आयुर्वेदः ॥  Ashtanga Ayurveda ==

This entire knowledge of life in Ayurveda is divided under 8 main branches. These are called उपाङ्गानि। Upanga of Ayurveda and as they are 8 in number, Ayurveda is also called Ashtanga Ayurveda.<ref name=":1" /> <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Sootrasthanam])</ref> These 8 branches are as follows:

This entire knowledge of life in Ayurveda is divided under 8 main branches. These are called उपाङ्गानि। Upanga of Ayurveda and as they are 8 in number, Ayurveda is also called Ashtanga Ayurveda.<ref name=":1" /> <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Sootrasthanam Adhyaya 1])</ref> These 8 branches are as follows:

# Kayachikitsa: कायचिकित्सा । (Internal Medicine for systemic diseases caused due to disturbances in Agni)

# Kayachikitsa: कायचिकित्सा । (Internal Medicine for systemic diseases caused due to disturbances in Agni)

# Baala Chikitsa OR Koumarbhrutyatantram: बालचिकित्सा । कौमारभृत्यतन्त्रम् । (Treatment of neonates, infants and children like Paediatrics)

# Baala Chikitsa OR Koumarbhrutyatantram: बालचिकित्सा । कौमारभृत्यतन्त्रम् । (Treatment of neonates, infants and children like Paediatrics)