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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 Bharatavarsha. It is considered to be the उपवेदः ।Upaveda of अथर्ववेदः । Atharvaveda with its main focus on maintenance of आयुः। Ayu (life).   

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

The term ‘Ayurveda’ consists of 2 terms namely आयुः “Ayu” and वेदः “Veda”.  

Ayurveda refers to the knowledge in the scriptures describing the divine method for obtaining Ayu which is a union of 4 elements Shareeram (Body that has natural tendency to degenerate), Indriya (commonly known as sense organs and motor organs), Satva (Manas or commonly known as mind) and Aatman (commonly referred to as life energy, consciousness or undestroyable spirit). This follows that, purpose, scope and application of Ayurveda is not limited to physical body but to all the 4 elements and the union of these.  

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

 

Ayu is defined as the close union of 4 elements namely  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

# 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.  

Dhaari (धारी), 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>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana)</ref></blockquote>The other term Veda means Knowledge or Wisdom. Vedas are texts which in general describe the methods for obtaining what is desirable and for giving up what is undesirable.

 

Acharya Charaka defines Ayurveda as the Veda which offers the knowledge about Ayu, its measurement, various aspects of Ayu like hitayu (favourable or beneficial life), Ahitayu (Unfavourable or disadvantageous life), Sukhayu (comfortable and peasant life) and Dukhhayu (Unpleasant, uncomfortable life), in addition to, the knowledge of factors acting as promoters and non-promoters of these types of Ayu.

<blockquote>शरीरेन्द्रीयसत्वात्मासंयोगोधारीजीवितम्॥ śarīrendrīyasatvātmāsaṁyogodhārījīvitam॥ (Char. Samh. 1.1)<ref>charakasamhita, sootrasthana</ref></blockquote>

Dharma (धर्मः), artha (अर्थः), kama (कामः), moksha (मोक्षः) that are the foundational principles of India’s culture.

Through the fulfilment of these, life became complete socially, physically, psychologically, intellectually, and spiritually.[1- Swami Krishnananda Heritage of Indian culture (under article varnashramadharma ref 1)]

Aarogya (meaning health) is believed to be the basic criteria before taking a step towards fulfilling all these purushartha. Roga (Meaning anything experienced as a painful event in life, anything that hurts, commonly referred to diseases) are the destructive events to anarogya and thus considered to be the obstacles in fulfilling Purushartha. Therefore there is a necessity to know the methods to achieve the desired Aarogya and eliminate the roga. This necessity gave rise to the quest for knowledge of Ayu and origin of Ayurveda.

Dharma (धर्मः), artha (अर्थः), kama (कामः), moksha (मोक्षः) that are the foundational principles of India’s culture. Through the fulfilment of these, life became complete socially, physically, psychologically, intellectually, and spiritually.[1- Swami Krishnananda Heritage of Indian culture (under article varnashramadharma ref 1)]

Aarogya (meaning health) is believed to be the basic criteria before taking a step towards fulfilling all these purushartha. Roga (Meaning anything experienced as a painful event in life, anything that hurts, commonly referred to diseases) are the destructive events to anarogya and thus considered to be the obstacles in fulfilling Purushartha. Therefore there is a necessity to know the methods to achieve the desired “Aarogya” and eliminate the “roga”. This necessity gave rise to the quest for knowledge of “Ayu” and origin of Ayurveda.

History of Ayurveda:

History of Ayurveda:

The origin of Ayurveda could be roughly traced back 5,000 years, when writing was not even evolved in its physical forms. It is believed that the Vedic knowledge was passed through COGNITION or was gained through MEDITATION. Knowledge of the use of various methods of healing, prevention, longevity and surgery came through DIVINE REVELATION. These revelations were transcribed from the oral tradition into book form, interspersed with the other aspects of life and spirituality.

The origin of Ayurveda could be roughly traced back 5,000 years, when writing was not even evolved in its physical forms. It is believed that the Vedic knowledge was passed through COGNITION or was gained through MEDITATION. Knowledge of the use of various methods of healing, prevention, longevity and surgery came through DIVINE REVELATION. These revelations were transcribed from the oral tradition into book form, interspersed with the other aspects of life and spirituality.

Scholars of Vedic literature and Indology contemplate that SAGE VED VYAS would have been the first person to document major portions of Ayurveda in addition to other Vedic literature through his spiritual enlightenment and deep introspection of the cosmos. The Vedas are comprised of 4 major books, which deal with various aspects of life. THEY ARE: Rig (Rik) Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharvaveda Of all the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda is accepted as the oldest surviving treatise on the planet, dated as long back as 3000 B.C. Rig-Veda details the concepts of Cosmology on the principles of Sankhya Darshan. References to the Tridosha theory of VATA PITA AND KAPHA, which forms the basis of Ayurveda are sporadically found in the Rig-Veda. Herbs and their use as medicines and pathogens (Krimis) are also discussed. However it is in the Atharvaveda where major references of Ayurveda are found. Ayurveda is hence considered as a supplement or “Upveda” of Atharvaveda. Atharvaveda gives a systematic description of Ashtang-Ayurveda (8-fold branches of Ayurveda).

Scholars of Vedic literature and Indology contemplate that SAGE VED VYAS would have been the first person to document major portions of Ayurveda in addition to other Vedic literature through his spiritual enlightenment and deep introspection of the cosmos. The Vedas are comprised of 4 major books, which deal with various aspects of life. THEY ARE: Rig (Rik) Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharvaveda Of all the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda is accepted as the oldest surviving treatise on the planet, dated as long back as 3000 B.C. Rig-Veda details the concepts of Cosmology on the principles of Sankhya Darshan. References to the Tridosha theory of VATA PITA AND KAPHA, which forms the basis of Ayurveda are sporadically found in the Rig-Veda. Herbs and their use as medicines and pathogens (Krimis) are also discussed. However it is in the Atharvaveda where major references of Ayurveda are found. Ayurveda is hence considered as a supplement or Upveda of Atharvaveda. Atharvaveda gives a systematic description of Ashtang-Ayurveda (8-fold branches of Ayurveda).

Adhikaran of Ayurveda  

Adhikaran of Ayurveda  

Adhiakrna means the substratum or the object for which the entire knowledge is offered. Aacharya Charaka has clearly mentioned that knowledge about life offered under Ayurveda is related to the “Ayu” of “tridandatmaka Purusha” and not just human being. The concept of human being in Ayurveda is explained by this term “Tridandatmaka purusha”.  

Adhiakrna means the substratum or the object for which the entire knowledge is offered. Aacharya Charaka has clearly mentioned that knowledge about life offered under Ayurveda is related to the Ayu of tridandatmaka Purusha and not just human being. The concept of human being in Ayurveda is explained by this term Tridandatmaka purusha.  

Satva (Mind), Aatman (Soul) and Shareer (Body) and their union form the tripod of life. The entire life depends and sustains on this union. It must be understood that anyone of these individually is not sufficient to uphold the life. when each one of these factors support other forming a union, they acquire the ability to sustain the life. When any one of these factors is absent, their union breaks and life discontinues. Hence each of these 3 factors and their union hold equal importance. This union is also called as “Puman” or “Chetan” and this is the object under discussion in “Ayurveda” in fact “Ayurveda” had been brought in light for this object only.

Satva (Mind), Aatman (Soul) and Shareeram (Body) and their union form the tripod of life. The entire life depends and sustains on this union. It must be understood that anyone of these individually is not sufficient to uphold the life. when each one of these factors support other forming a union, they acquire the ability to sustain the life. When any one of these factors is absent, their union breaks and life discontinues. Hence each of these 3 factors and their union hold equal importance. This union is also called as Puman or Chetan and this is the object under discussion in Ayurveda in fact Ayurveda had been brought in light for this object only.

Aim of Ayurveda:

Aim of Ayurveda:

As per Acharya Charaka, establishing “Dhaatusamyam” is said to be the only aim of knowledge offered in Ayurveda. Dhatusamyam is defined as Aarogya  

As per Acharya Charaka, establishing Dhaatusamyam is said to be the only aim of knowledge offered in Ayurveda. Dhatusamyam is defined as Aarogya  

Cha soo 9

Cha soo 9

Here Aacharya Charaka defines Vikara as Dhaatu vaishamya and Dhaatu samyam is labelled as Prakruti. Next to it Vikara are considered as Dukkha and consequently Sukha is considered to be the state of absence of vikara meaning Prakriti. Ultimately Dhaatu samyam is referred to as Aarogyam and Sukham.  

Here Aacharya Charaka defines Vikara as Dhaatu vaishamya and Dhaatu samyam is labelled as Prakruti. Next to it Vikara are considered as Dukkha and consequently Sukha is considered to be the state of absence of vikara meaning Prakriti. Ultimately Dhaatu samyam is referred to as Aarogyam and Sukham.  

10.  Wyadheenam ashrayani

10.  Wyadheenam ashrayani

11.  Aatma in Ayurveda

11.  Aatma in Ayurveda

12.  Dosha in Ayurveda – Shareer & Manas

12.  Dosha in Ayurveda – Shareeram & Manas

13.  Aushadhi- type daiva- yuktiwyapashraya  

13.  Aushadhi- type daiva- yuktiwyapashraya  

References: detail references from standard Texts, classics/ compendia of Ayurveda.

References: detail references from standard Texts, classics/ compendia of Ayurveda.