Changes

{{NeedCitation}}Vayas is the term that refers to the age of an individual. Ageing is a continuous process which starts with conception and ends with death. Ageing is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. The phenomenon of ageing is described in Ayurveda as Svabhavika (natural) and is inevitable. Ayurveda classics have divided the entire lifetime into 3 or 4 sections on the basis of age in years. This division of age is such that individuals in any one group of this represent some special physical, mental, emotional and behavioral aspects that are relevant to that age group and are manifested due to specific dosha dominance in that age.   

{{NeedCitation}}Vayas is the term that refers to the age of an individual. Ageing is a continuous process which starts with conception and ends with death. Ageing is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. The phenomenon of ageing is described in Ayurveda as Svabhavika (natural) and is inevitable. Ayurveda classics have divided the entire lifetime into 3 or 4 sections on the basis of age in years. This division of age is such that individuals in any one group of this represent some special physical, mental, emotional and behavioral aspects that are relevant to that age group and are manifested due to specific dosha dominance in that age.   

Introduction  

== Introduction ==

 

Vayas is one of the important point of consideration in diagnosis and treatment in Ayurveda. A specific vayas vibhaga (age group) is vulnerable to specific diseases and must be guarded against them for maintaining their health. Predominance of a particular dosha is normal for a particular age group and to be more precise it is a necessity in order to be able to carry out the specified Purusharthas in that age. Vaya (Age) is one of the medium to achieve the knowledge regarding [[Ayu (आयुः)|Ayu]] (span of life) besides other tools. When these points are considered, evaluation of a diseased state becomes precise, appropriate treatment can be administered and guidelines given to that individual  regarding [[Svasthavrtta (स्वस्थवृत्तम्)|svasthavrtta]] could be more specific and beneficial. Thus, ancient Ayurveda acharyas have given high importance to understanding this point.   

Vayas is one of the important point of consideration in diagnosis and treatment in Ayurveda. A specific vayas vibhaga (age group) is vulnerable to specific diseases and must be guarded against them for maintaining their health. Predominance of a particular dosha is normal for a particular age group and to be more precise it is a necessity in order to be able to carry out the specified Purusharthas in that age. When these points are considered, evaluation of a diseased state becomes precise, appropriate treatment can be administered and guidelines given to that individual  regarding [[Svasthavrtta (स्वस्थवृत्तम्)|svasthavrtta]] could be more specific and beneficial. Thus, ancient Ayurveda acharyas have given high importance to understanding this point.   

== Definition of Vayas ==

== Definition of Vayas ==

<blockquote>वयस्तश्चेति कालप्रमाणविशेषापेक्षिणी हि शरीरावस्था वयोऽभिधीयते| </blockquote><blockquote>तद्वयो यथास्थूलभेदेन त्रिविधं- बालं, मध्यं, जीर्णमिति| (Char. Samh. Vim. 8.122)<ref><nowiki>http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read</nowiki></ref></blockquote>Vaya is defined as the state of body corresponding to the length of time that has passed since birth. Vaya (Age) is one of the medium to achieve the knowledge regarding Ayu (span of life) besides other tools[5]. Both Charaka and Sushruta say that before prescribing any therapeutic procedures, physician should examine to obtain knowledge regarding the span of life, strength and intensity of morbidity. (Sush. Samh. Sutr. 35.3)

Ayurveda defines vayas with respect to the kala (time). It is called the characteristic of [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|shariram]]. The entire time span in vayas is divided in 3 phases. This has been described in Charaka samhita as follows, <blockquote>वयस्तश्चेति कालप्रमाणविशेषापेक्षिणी हि शरीरावस्था वयोऽभिधीयते| </blockquote><blockquote>तद्वयो यथास्थूलभेदेन त्रिविधं- बालं, मध्यं, जीर्णमिति| (Char. Samh. 8.122)<ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 122]) </ref></blockquote><blockquote>vayastaśceti kālapramāṇaviśeṣāpekṣiṇī hi śarīrāvasthā vayo'bhidhīyate|</blockquote><blockquote>tadvayo yathāsthūlabhedena trividhaṁ- bālaṁ, madhyaṁ, jīrṇamiti|</blockquote>Vaya is defined as the state of body corresponding to the length of time that has passed since birth. Both Charaka and Sushruta say that before prescribing any therapeutic procedures, physician should examine to obtain knowledge regarding the span of life, strength and intensity of morbidity. (Sush. Samh. Sutr. 35.3)

== Ageing in Ayurveda ==

== Ageing in Ayurveda ==