"Life (ayu) is the combination
(samyoga) of body, senses, mind and reincarnating soul. Ayurveda is
the most sacred science of life, beneficial to humans both in this world
and the world beyond."
— Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, 1.42-43
Ayurveda is the science of life, the
origin of most forms of natural and alternative medicine and has its
mention in one of the oldest (about 6,000 years) philosophical texts
of the world, the Rig Veda. Etymologically it is composed of two words
Ayur and Veda. Ayur means life and Veda means science or knowledge.
Hence, literally Ayurveda means Science of Life. Ayurveda is not only
a medicinal system it is a way of life, a philosophy.
In its broader scope, ayurveda in India
has always sought to prepare mankind for the realization of the full
potential of its self through a psychosomatic integration. A comprehensive
health care is what this natural and alternative medicine prescribes
for the ultimate self-realization. Ayurveda is considered to be the
most ancient medicinal form.
Life according to Ayurveda is a combination
of senses, mind, body and soul. It deals not only with the physical
aspect but also spiritual health too. The laws of the nature govern
it. According to ayurveda the structural aspect of every individual
is made up of five elements, namely: earth, water, fire, air and space.
The verses of Rig Veda, the earliest source of ayurveda, refer to panchamahabhut
(five basic elements of the entire creation), and the three doshas or
primary forces of prana or vata (air), agni or pitta (fire) and soma
or kapha (water and earth) as comprising the basic principles of ayurveda.
The most fascinating aspect of ayurveda
is, it was using almost all methods of healing like lifestyle regimen,
yoga, aroma, meditation, gems, amulets, herbs, diet, jyotishi (astrology),
color and surgery etc. in treating patients. Though ayurveda came into
being as an independent upaveda of Atharva Veda, it has close links
with other Vedas also. The Yajur Veda, which recommends rituals to pacify
the panchamahabhuts in a view to heal both the Cosmic Being and the
individual soul, is related to ayurveda in its principles and regulations
of lifestyle. The upaveda called Dhanur Veda or the martial arts and
ayurveda both refer to each other in the treatment of marmas or sensitive
points in the body. Ayurveda recommends specific ayurvedic massages,
exercises and bodywork for this purpose.
Evidences show that ayurveda had nurtured
almost all the medical systems of the world. The Egyptians learnt about
ayurveda long before the invasion of Alexander in the 4th century BC
through their sea-trade with India. Greeks and Romans come to know about
it after the famous invasion.
In the postmodern age, the popularity
of this vibrant tradition of ayurveda lies in its, subtle yet scientific,
approach to heal a person in its totality. It aims, not only at healing
the body, but also the mind and spirit, at one go. Its unique understanding
of the similarities of natural law and the working of human body, as
well as its holistic treatment methods, help it to strike a balance
between the two. This gives ayurveda an edge over other healing systems.
Perhaps that's the reason behind ayurveda being the longest unbroken
medical tradition in the world, today. It is important to note that
Ayurveda was originally a consciousness based system of health care.
Its philosophy, expressed in modern terms, is to strengthen the immune
system.
