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Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of holistic medicine which is widely practiced in India 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. Ayurveda, as the name aptly suggests, is a part of vedic literature originated in Bharatawarsha. It is considered to be the उपवेदः Upaveda of अथर्ववेदः Atharvaveda with its main focus on maintenance of आयुः। Ayu (life).   

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of holistic medicine which is widely practiced in India 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. Ayurveda, as the name aptly suggests, is a part of vedic literature originated in Bharatawarsha. It is considered to be the उपवेदः Upaveda of अथर्ववेदः Atharvaveda with its main focus on maintenance of आयुः। Ayu (life).   

== Etymology: ==

== Etymology ==

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”.  

Ayu is defined as ‘the close union of 4 elements namely, शरीर “Shareeram” (Body that has natural tendency to degenerate), इन्द्रीय “Indriyani” (commonly known as sense organs and motor organs), सत्व “Satva” (मनस् “Manas” or commonly known as mind) and आत्मा “Atman” (commonly referred to as life energy, consciousness or indestructible spirit)’. Dhaari (धारी), Jeevitam (जीवितम्), Nityaga (नित्यगः), Anubandha (अनुबन्ध) are the terms synonymously used with “Ayu” and they indicate that, when term “Ayu” or anyone of these is used, it refers to the union of these 4 elements and not just any one of them. This union is present till the time of death or in other words death is the discontinuation of this union. Therefore “shareeram’, “indriyani”, “Satva” and “Aatma” are considered the essential components of Life.  

Ayu is defined as ‘the close union of 4 elements namely  

# शरीर ॥ Shareeram (Body that has natural tendency to degenerate)  

# इन्द्रीय ॥ Indriyani (commonly known as sense organs and motor organs)

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

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

Dhaari (धारी), Jeevitam (जीवितम्), Nityaga (नित्यगः), Anubandha (अनुबन्ध) are the terms synonymously used with “Ayu” and they indicate that, when term “Ayu” or anyone of these is used, it refers to the union of these 4 elements and not just any one of them. This union is present till the time of death or in other words death is the discontinuation of this union. Therefore “shareeram’, “indriyani”, “Satva” and “Aatma” are considered the essential components of Life.  

<blockquote>शरीरेन्द्रीयसत्वात्मासंयोगोधारीजीवितम्॥<ref>charakasamhita, sootrasthana</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>शरीरेन्द्रीयसत्वात्मासंयोगोधारीजीवितम्॥<ref>charakasamhita, sootrasthana</ref></blockquote>