Changes

प्रयोजन । Prayojana of Ayurveda means the aim of Ayurveda which is described as below.

प्रयोजन । Prayojana of Ayurveda means the aim of Ayurveda which is described as below.

=== धातुसाम्यम् । Establishment of equilibrium of Dhatus ===

=== धातुसाम्यम् ॥ Establishment of equilibrium of Dhatus ===

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 (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.   

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

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

<blockquote>इह खल्वायुर्वेदप्रयोजनं व्याध्युपसृष्टानां व्याधिपरिमोक्षः स्वस्थस्य रक्षणं च ।। (Sush. Samh. 1.14)<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote><blockquote>iha khalvāyurvedaprayojanaṁ vyādhyupasr̥ṣṭānāṁ vyādhiparimokṣaḥ svasthasya rakṣaṇaṁ ca।। (Sush. Samh. 1.14)</blockquote>Acharya Sushruta opines that, the aim of Ayurveda is व्याधिपरिमोक्षः । Vyadhiparimoksha i.e. to alleviate the suffering of a diseased individual by eradicating the disease and स्वास्थ्यरक्षणम् । Svasthyarakshan i.e to preserve the health of a healthy individual by preventing the diseases. Hence, it is clear that Ayurveda focuses on both the aspects of health namely curative and preventive. The methods of achieving health and longevity by not just treating the diseases but also by prevention of the diseases have been described in Ayurveda indicating its supremacy and the wisdom of ancient Rushis.  

<blockquote>इह खल्वायुर्वेदप्रयोजनं व्याध्युपसृष्टानां व्याधिपरिमोक्षः स्वस्थस्य रक्षणं च ।। (Sush. Samh. 1.14)<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote><blockquote>iha khalvāyurvedaprayojanaṁ vyādhyupasr̥ṣṭānāṁ vyādhiparimokṣaḥ svasthasya rakṣaṇaṁ ca।। (Sush. Samh. 1.14)</blockquote>Acharya Sushruta opines that, the aim of Ayurveda is व्याधिपरिमोक्षः । Vyadhiparimoksha i.e. to alleviate the suffering of a diseased individual by eradicating the disease and स्वास्थ्यरक्षणम् । Svasthyarakshan i.e to preserve the health of a healthy individual by preventing the diseases. Hence, it is clear that Ayurveda focuses on both the aspects of health namely curative and preventive. The methods of achieving health and longevity by not just treating the diseases but also by prevention of the diseases have been described in Ayurveda indicating its supremacy and the wisdom of ancient Rushis.  

दन्ष्ट्राचिकित्सा ॥ Damstra Chikitsa is also known as Agadatantra अगदतन्त्रम् । It is a very well-developed branch in Ayurveda which deals with management of poisoning from various sources like snakes, insects, food combinations, natural and artificial poisons etc. It provides details of identification, causes, clinical manifestations and methods to eliminate the poison from body. Commonly referred as Toxicology in Ayurveda.  

दन्ष्ट्राचिकित्सा ॥ Damstra Chikitsa is also known as Agadatantra अगदतन्त्रम् । It is a very well-developed branch in Ayurveda which deals with management of poisoning from various sources like snakes, insects, food combinations, natural and artificial poisons etc. It provides details of identification, causes, clinical manifestations and methods to eliminate the poison from body. Commonly referred as Toxicology in Ayurveda.  

=== रसायनतन्त्रम् । Rasayanatantra  (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation) ===

=== रसायनतन्त्रम् ॥ Rasayanatantra  (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation) ===

Rasayana tantra is a specialty of Ayurveda. It is also known as Jarachikitsa. Various methods to prevent premature ageing, achieve longevity (by preventing diseases and preserving the health), increase the strength, endurance and immunity are discussed under this branch of Ayurveda. The word जरा । ‘Jara’ means Ageing or senility. Thus, Jarachikitsa also signifies the specialty treatments in Ayurveda for diseases occurring in old age. Therefore, this branch is commonly referred to as Geriatrics but its scope is not limited to the subject of Geriatrics. Detail description of Rasayana is found in Rasayana chapter of Charaka Samhita.<ref>Rasayana Adhyaya, Charaka Samhita available from http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Rasayana</ref>  

Rasayana tantra is a specialty of Ayurveda. It is also known as Jarachikitsa. Various methods to prevent premature ageing, achieve longevity (by preventing diseases and preserving the health), increase the strength, endurance and immunity are discussed under this branch of Ayurveda. The word जरा । ‘Jara’ means Ageing or senility. Thus, Jarachikitsa also signifies the specialty treatments in Ayurveda for diseases occurring in old age. Therefore, this branch is commonly referred to as Geriatrics but its scope is not limited to the subject of Geriatrics. Detail description of Rasayana is found in Rasayana chapter of Charaka Samhita.<ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Rasayana Chikitsasthanam, Rasayana pada,  Adhyaya 1]) </ref>  

=== वृषचिकित्सा ॥ Vrisha Chikitsa  (Aphrodisiac therapy) ===

=== वृषचिकित्सा ॥ Vrisha Chikitsa  (Aphrodisiac therapy) ===

Vrisha chikitsa is also known as Vajikaranam वाजीकरणम् । in Ayurveda. This stream of Ayurveda offers knowledge of methods to preserve sexual health and treat diseases related to reproduction. This involves use of medicines, diet, lifestyle modifications and psychotherapy to correct the imbalances that cause deficiency, impurity, insufficient production and dryness of रेतस् । Retas (Commonly known as शुक्रम्। Shukra, which is one of the 7 Dhatus of पुरुषः । Purusha and is responsible for reproduction. Not equal to but similar to semen). It elaborates on the therapeutic measures for nourishment, fortification and enhancement of the quality and quantity of Shukra. Moreover, it also provides knowledge about methods to increase the libido and aphrodisiac agents.  

Vrisha chikitsa is also known as Vajikaranam वाजीकरणम् । in Ayurveda. This stream of Ayurveda offers knowledge of methods to preserve sexual health and treat diseases related to reproduction. This involves use of medicines, diet, lifestyle modifications and psychotherapy to correct the imbalances that cause deficiency, impurity, insufficient production and dryness of रेतस् । Retas (Commonly known as शुक्रम्। Shukra, which is one of the 7 Dhatus of पुरुषः । Purusha and is responsible for reproduction. Not equal to but similar to semen). It elaborates on the therapeutic measures for nourishment, fortification and enhancement of the quality and quantity of Shukra. Moreover, it also provides knowledge about methods to increase the libido and aphrodisiac agents.  

It is extremely important to understand that, in Ayurveda, Sexual intercourse is considered for the purpose of reproduction. Therefore, this branch of Ayurveda is developed to correct the imbalances in the factors responsible for reproduction and generation of healthy progeny. This specialty deals with diseases of infertility resulting from unhealthy Shukra. It is not intended for enhancing the carnal pleasures like it is misinterpreted many times. Detail description of Vajikarana is found in Vajikarana chapter of Charaka Samhita.<ref>Vajikarana Chikitsa, Charaka Samhita available online from http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Vajikarana</ref>  

It is extremely important to understand that, in Ayurveda, Sexual intercourse is considered for the purpose of reproduction. Therefore, this branch of Ayurveda is developed to correct the imbalances in the factors responsible for reproduction and generation of healthy progeny. This specialty deals with diseases of infertility resulting from unhealthy Shukra. It is not intended for enhancing the carnal pleasures like it is misinterpreted many times. Detail description of Vajikarana is found in Vajikarana chapter of Charaka Samhita.<ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Vajikarana Chikitsasthanam, Vajikarana Pada,  Adhyaya 1]) </ref>  

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]