What is Ayurveda?

Life is a continuous process. It has no beginning or end. So, Ayurveda the science which describes about the life and longevity is also considered as eternal. The origin of Universe and all its sciences are credited to Lord Brahma. The knowledge of different fields of life is found in Vedas, which are the ancient literary records of Indian culture. There are four Vedas which are considered as the four mouths of Lord Brahma. They are Rgveda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda.  Ayurveda is considered as the Upaveda of Atharva Veda as the maximum information for the promotion of health, prevention and treatment of diseases are described in Atharva Veda. Nowhere in the Vedas the word ‘Ayurveda’ is used, which appears for the first time only in Samhita traditions.

Ayurveda- The knowledge of life – is that which is deal with what is good and what is bad, pleasure and sorrow for life.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA

The concreate basic principles of Ayurveda runs its root deep to the cores of Indian philosophies- Nyaya, Vaisesika & Samkhya. These principles highlight a noble concept – man is the microcosm of the macrocosm. When sun and moon controls the activities of the universe,  agni and jala principles controls the physiological activities of the body.

BHUTAS

The basic components of all living beings are Pancha Mahabhudas or five great elements they are

     1.       Prithvi                           –        Gross aspect

     2.       Jalam                             –        Fluid aspect

     3.       Agni                               –        Fiery aspect

     4.       Vayu                              –        Dynamic aspect

     5.       Akasa                            –        Porosity aspect

     The proportional variation of the bhutas results in the making of different things. Their functions are most or less same within and without. When Vayu moulds a foetus inside the womb, it helps a seed to sprout on earth.

DOSAS

     The five elements presents itself in different combination as TRIDOSAS or functions principles or the body mechanism. They are

                        VATA                  –        VAYU+AKASA

                        PITTA                  –        AGNI+JALA

                        KAPHA               –        PRITHVI+JALA

     The TRIDOSA are the principles present in the body always, having their own definits Pramana (Quantity) Guna (Quality) and Karma (Function). When they are normal they attend to different functions of the body and maintain it. But they have the tendancy to become undergoing increase (Vridhi or decrease ksaya) quantitatively and qualitatively. When they are abnormal, they vitiate their places of dwelling – the dhatus. Because of their tendancy of vitation, they are called Dosas or Vitiators.

     Though Dosas are present all over the body. They are found predominantly in areas below the Nabhi (vata between Hrudaya and Nabhi(pitta) and above Hirudaya (Kapha))

DHATUS—    Dhatus are seven in number and are known as structural principles of body – again seven different combination of Pancha bhutas. They are

     1.       Rasa  –      Essence of food              –        (nourisher)

     2.       Rakta          –      Blood                                     –        maintains

     3.       Mamsa –     Flesh muscles                 –        envelops

     4.       Medas –      Fat                                 –        Lubricates

     5.       Asthi –      Bone                              –        Support     

     6.       Majja –      Marrow                          –        Fills

     7.       Sukra         –      Reproductive principle  –        Reproduction