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Ayurveda is a well-known term to display the Hindu system of medicine which goes back to the Vedic times. When the Aryans entered the Sindhu valley, they brought their culture and medicine. The chief sources of Aryan culture ara 4 vedas. Those vedas are revealed by Brahma in the beginning of Kaliyuga having seen the sufferings of living beings introduced the Upavedas, which consists of 4 tentacles:

» Dharmashaasthra (The science of Law)
» Dhanurveda (The science of Bow)
» Gandharvaveda (The science of Music)
» Ayurveda (The science of Life)

Among the Vedas, Rigveda is considered to be the oldest one and is the original source of Hindu Medicine. The Samaveda and Yajurveda also contains slokas pertaining to medicines but are derived from Rigveda. The Adharvaveda which was composed of the latest state gives solution to all kinds of diseases and distresses. Vedic people know many signs and symptoms of diseases, their treatment with drugs and to perform many surgical procedures with skill. The 4th Upaveda, Ayurveda resembles the Adharvaveda. Thus, the medicinal science was first given by Brahma to mankind for their survival by preventing and curing diseases. Thus Ayurveda is the first system of Hindu medicine which was revealed by Brahma to Daksha.

Actually the name Ayurveda was not given to this branch in vedic text. It was considered as a science which pervades all knowledge of life. During around 600 BC, Ayurveda become intimately associated with Adharvaveda and afterward attained the status of original Vedas. Brahma originally composed the Ayurvedic text in 1 lakh slokas divided into 8 parts with Kaya chikitsa, Salyam as main subjects. Brahma propagated the knowledge through Dakshaprajapathi, he wrote a book Chikitsadarsanam and illustrated the science to 2 Aswinikumaras, the physicians of God. Aswinis wrote many treaties, one of which was named as Chikitsa saratantra.

Lord Indra learnt Ayurveda from Aswinikumaras. For the considerable time, Ayurveda confined among Gods. But sometime later, mankind began to suffer from various diseases. To find the solution for this and relieve mankind from diseases, Bharatvaja and Athreya called a meeting of Rishis in the Himalayan valleys and more than 50 sages attended the meeting. At the end, they arrived at a conclusion that one of them should approach Lord Indra to obtain the knowledge from Indra. From him, Athreya learnt the science and taught the same to pupils.

But according to the School of Surgery Lord Indra actually handed over the science to Dhanwantari. When Gods and demons churned the milky oceans for nectar, many precious things came out of the ocean. Among them Dhanwantari (the physician of Holy Sage) came out with the nectar. Seeing the myseries of man he came to the earth to instruct Ayurveda. He afterwards became the king of Kasi and treated many Rishis.

Basic Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing which evolved among the Brahmin sages of ancient India some 3000-5000 years ago. There are several aspects of this system of medicine which distinguishes it from other approaches to health care. » It focuses on establishing and maintaining balance of life energies within us, rather than focusing on symptoms.
» It recognizes the unique constitutional differences of all individuals and therefore recommends different regimens for different types of people. Although 2 people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, their energetic constitutions may be very different and therefore call for very different remedies.
» Ayurveda is a complete medical system which recognizes that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flows from one absolute source (Paramatman). Health manifests by the grace of the Absolute acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti). Ayurveda assists Nature by living a life of balance according to her law.
» Ayurveda describes 3 fundamental universal energies which regulate all natural processes on both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. They are Vaata, Pittha and Kapha.
» Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorders of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony to all people.

Scope of Ayurvedic Medicines (Ashtaangaas)

  • Internal Medicine (Kaayachikitsa)
  • General Surgery (Shaalya Tantra)
  • Ophthalmology and ENT (Shaalakya Tantra)
  • Pediatrics & Obstetrics / Gynaecology (Kaumarabhrtya)
  • Psychiatry (Bhutavidya)
  • Toxicology (Agaata Tantra)
  • Nutrition, detoxification and rejuvenation (Rasaayana Tantra)
  • Fertility and Virility (Vajikarana)

The five elements

Everything in the universe is made up of combinations of five elenents (panchamahaabhutas). This includes the human being which also acquires a soul or spirit. These five elements are known as:
  • Space or Aakaasha
  • Air or Vaayu
  • Fire or Agni
  • Water or Apa
  • Earth or Prithvi

These 5 subtle elements (Panchamahaabhutas) form the basis for all things found in the material creation, from a grain of sand to the complex physiology of every human being. Balancing these elements in just the right way for each unique individual is the key to maintaining health and treating disease.

The Tridoshas

Five elements are coded into 3 biological forces which govern all life processes. These 3 forces are known as the 3 doshas, or simply the tridosha. The tridosha regulates every physiological and psychological process in the living organism. The interplay among them determines the qualities and conditions of the individual. A harmonious state of the 3 doshas creates balance and health; an imbalance, which might be an excess (vrddhi) or deficiency (kshaya), manifests as a sign or symptom of disease. The Tridoshas are:

» Vaata
» Pitta
» Kapha

Vata dosha has the mobility quickness of aakaasha and vaayu; Pitta dosha the metabolic qualities of fire and water; Kapha dosha the stability and solidity of water and earth. This alerts us to the fact that when in balance, these force are life-supporting but when imbalanced they are the agents of disease and misery. "Vikarodhatuvaishamyam dhatusatmyam arogatha"

More Insights on Tridosha
Doshas are of 2 varieties: Shaareerika (bodily) and Maanasika (psychological, of the mind). Shaareerika doshas are Vaata, Pitta and Kapha. They are what we mean when we use the term "tridosha". Generally, they are intimately connected to physical activities. The maanasika doshas are Satva, Rajas and Tamas. These are often referred to as the 3 gunas, or qualities of the mind. Maanasika doshas have reference only to the mind and mental activities.

An intimate inter-relationship exists between these two types of doshas. In fact, according to charaka, derangements in one arena is always accompanied by changes in the other (Charaka samhita, sarirasthana 4, 35-36). However, greater importance is attributed to the tridosha (vata, pitta & kapha) as the primary causative agents of disease. For every individual, each dosha has a unique quantity (pramana), quality (guna), and action (karma) in the physiology. Equilibrium of these 3 attributes with respect to an individual engenders health. When this balance is distributed through indulgence in foods and habits which are similar in nature to a specific dosha, this causes vrddhi - increase - in that dosha; food and habits of a dissimilar nature to that dasha will likewise cause its kshaya - decrease. This is the Ayurvedic doctrine of "like increases like "Vrddhi samanyarsarvesham vipareethairviparya:"

Vaata

The term Vaata comes from the Sanskrit word Vaayu which means "that which move things". Vaata regulates the nervous processes involved with movements, thoughts, emotions, eating, drinking, elimination and our general functioning, its disturbance can often have far-reaching consequences.

Pitta

The term pitta comes from the Sanskrit word pinj means "to shine". It carries the meaning of "that which digest" and is associated with the idea of being yellow-tinged or bilious. Pitta is often regarded as the "fire" within the body. Think of it as the energy stored in the chemical bonds of all the organic substances which make us up: it's encoded in our hormones, enzymes, organic acids and neurotransmitters. Charaka samhita, teaches that pitta functions in digestion, heat production, providing colour to the blood, vision and skin luster.

Kapha

The term kapha derives from the Sanskrit word "shlish" which means "that which hold things together; to embrace; coherent". It is the force which provides structure to everything from an individual atom or cell to the sturdy musculoskeletal frame. It gives strength, stability, and endurance - both physical and psychological - and promotes human emotions and capacities.

Saptha Dhaathus

The dhaathus are the basic varieties of tissues which compose the human body. The word dhaathu comes from a Sanskrit word which means "that which enters into the formation of the body". The root Dha means "support, which means bears". The primary dhaathus are 7 in number. They are:
  • Rasa
  • Raktha
  • Maamsa
  • Meda
  • Asthi
  • Majja
  • Sukra
Rasa dhaatu catalyzed by Rasagni - is transformed into Rakta dathu, the second fundamental bodily tissue. Rakta dhaatu in turn, with the help of Raktagni, becomes Maamsa dhaatu and so on.

Malaas

As a consequence of foods which we take into our bodies from the external world and the normal biological processes which take place internally, we generate different kinds of waste materials or mala, which must be excreted.

  • Aahaara mala - Purisha, mutra, sveda.
  • Dhaatu mala - Secretions of nose, eyes, ears, carbon dioxide, lactic acid, exfoliated hair, skin, nails. Although these are all waste products, they serve a role in maintaining health as long as they are normal in their pramana, guna and karma. However if the malaas become abnormal in some regard, they become a factor in creating disease. When the dhaatus and malaas become imbalanced, they are called dushyas. "Samadosha: samagnicha samadhatumalakriya: Prasanathmendriyamana: swasthaethyabitheeyathe "

Panchakarma

Ayurveda is the rich store house of time tested and effective recipes for the treatment of several obstinate and otherwise incurable diseases. More important than these recipes are the specialized therapies which, while curing such diseases, strengthen the immune system in the body and thus help in the prevention of diseases and preservation and promotion of positive health. These specialized therapies in Ayurvedic Science are called PANCHAKARMA. It is no wonder therefore, that scientists and physicians in India and abroad are showing deep interest in this classical form of Ayurvedic treatment.

Panchakarma therapy primarily aims at cleaning the body of its accumulated impurities, and nourishing the tissues. Once this is achieved, it becomes very easy to rejuvenate these tissues and prevent the process of aging. The term 'panchakarma' literally means five specialised therapies. The therapies that are included under this collective term are:
  • Vamana Karma: Emetic therapy
  • Virechana Karma: Purgation therapy
  • Vasthi: Enema containing decoction of drugs
  • Raktha Mokshanam: Blood-letting therapy
  • Nasya karma: Nasal therapy


Prior to the administration of these therapies, the body of the patient is to be suitably prepared and the therapeutic measures used for this purpose are called Preparatory Therapies. These are:
  • Snehana karma: Oleation therapy (external and internal oleation)
  • Swedana karma: Fomentation therapy
Based on the vitiation of Doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) and the physical constitution of the patient, the physician decides on the suitable therapies. Three courses of panchakarma therapy at a time interval of 6 to 12 months is highly recommended to rejuvenate the body.

NAVAJYOTHI