Ayurveda said to be the eternal science of life is one of the branches of vedas. It is observed as the Upaveda of Rigveda or/and Atharva-veda the emergence of which is said to be from the creator (Brahma) himself prior to the creation. A holistic system of medicine from India, evolved from Brahma sages of Ancient India around 3000-5000 years ago, the principles and philosophy of Ayurveda view man as a complex whole, including our external and internal environments. The principles of Ayurveda are derived from universal laws of nature that have reformed little through time. With subjective, objective, and intuitive approaches to gaining knowledge, incorporated with a deep understanding of the unseen intelligence of the universe. All the protocols defined in Ayurveda have withstood the test of time.
Ayurveda defines life ‘Ayuh’ as the intelligent coordination of our four parts namely the soul, the mind, the senses, and the body, with the totality of nature and the cosmos. Health is not just a state of the body. The Human interacts with the seasons, planetary alternations of the earth, and moon, other planets as well as evolving relationships within our lives, our loved ones and friends, co-workers etc. Ayurveda suggests that ever being in the existence is affected by every other animate and inanimate thing in existence. Bringing all of this into balance is the mantra to living healthy.
Implication of Ayurveda
There are several aspects of this system of medicine which distinguish it from other approaches to health care:
1. Ayurveda is a complete medical system which recognizes that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flows from one Absolute source (Paramatma).Health manifests by the grace of the Absolute, acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti).Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual and Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws.
2. It focuses on establishing and maintaining balance of the life energies within us, rather than focusing on individual symptoms.
3. Ayurveda suggest that universe is created from the five great elements (the Panch Maha Bhutas) ie. Akasa (Ether or Space), Vayu (air), Tejas (fire), Ap (water) and Prithvi (Earth).
4. An individual is bundle of 'spirit' that desires of expressing itself and uses subjective consciousness to manifest sense organs and a mind. Spirit and mind then project themselves into a physical body. These five elements have evolved in man to form the different body organs and organ systems, out of which the five sense organs (the ears, skin, eyes, tongue and the nose) form the senses through which man perceives the external world in five different ways. Through these sense organs, the external object is not only felt, but also absorbed into the human body in the form of energy.
5. The Bhutas combine into 'tridosas' or bioenergetic forces that govern. all-natural processes on both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels to determine our health or physical condition:
· In Vata dosha, the mahabhuta involved are air (Vayu) & space (Akasa);
· In Pitta dosha, fire (agni) and water (Jala) are involved,
· and in Kapha dosha, water (Jala) & earth (Prithvi) mahabhuta are involved.
The doshas govern all biological, psychological, and pathophysiological functions in the body, mind, and consciousness. Each person is born with a unique combination of these dosas which decides their basic constitution called Prakruti. Understanding of each person's Prakruti for deciding their personal regimens for different types of body. Although two people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, their energetic constitutions may be very different and therefore call for very different remedies.
6. To balance the elements and the doshas of the body and the senses, there are many treatments, therapies, and exercises available. To balance the elements of the mind, meditations, mantra, and exercises are often used. Massage and rasayana treatments, along with visualization, pranic breathing, and other practices, allow personal access to intuition, and the innate knowledge of the soul; Ayurveda employs various protocols for the maintenance and restoration of health.
7. Finally, the ancient Ayurvedic physicians realized the need for preserving the alliance of the mind and body and offers mankind tools for remembering and nurturing the subtler aspects of our humanity. Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony to all people.