Ayurveda

Definition of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is defined as the "wisdom of life". It is a wisdom that has evolved over thousands of years, refined, adapted and reborn in many ways to accommodate the needs of the people. It is a peoples life science which is inclusive of all the various aspects of life. There is often a skeptical question asked whether Ayurveda is a part of the Vedas. To this, there is only one answer. The word "veda" means "knowledge". All knowledge that existed in the past, existing in the present and will ever exist in the future is included within the term veda. To consider that veda is limited to a certain language, time or space is a popular misunderstanding.

Ayurveda - Part of the Vedas

The Vedas as we know today, is composed of many branches and sub branches of which Ayurveda is one. These branches are not exclusive of each other but are all part of one complete whole. So to study or perceive Ayurveda separate from the other branches will only give us an incomplete picture at best.

 Ayurveda has been the part of a bigger vedic culture and civilization in which everything was arranged keeping the ultimate goals of human life in the centre. In Ayurvedic texts available to us today, the emphasis is more on health and wellness of the body and .lesser on the mind and other aspects. There are of course glimpses of references in the Ayurvedic texts to astrology, yoga, architecture, music and so on. The details are not included. This is due to the fact that detailed information is already made available in the other branches of the Vedas.

Definition of health in Ayurveda

Health is defined in the Çuçruta Samitha as a state of balance and alignment of body, senses, mind and spirit with the laws of the universe. "Life" is a conglomeration of the interactions between the internal and external energies as they keep flowing within, without and between both. "Wisdom" is about how to keep making the right choices at every moment to maintain that balance and alignment.

The principles that govern nature are very simple. The Ayurvedic view of the universe is based on pairs of functional qualities like cold-hot, heavy-light, wet-dry etc. which need to be balanced in a unique manner. The five elements, three doshas, body tissues, organs, detoxification procedures, rejuvenation programs, daily life style recommendations are all coming from this understanding.

From this overall general understanding arises the uniqueness of Ayurveda. These ingredients come together in unique ways to create a living organism - human, animal, plant, insect or any other. So each human being interacts with their environment in a unique way. Ayurveda seeks to understand this and create a life plan for each person based on the same.