Introduction to Ayurveda

The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is a combination of two words – ayu (age/life) and Veda (knowledge). Ayurveda signifies the knowledge of life. It is not a medicine system that cures after you fall sick(it is the traditional medicine system that not only cures after you fall sick but also preventive measures to keep healthy body disease-free. Ayurveda is the art of staying heathy, both mentally and physically. 

5,000 year old system of natural healing originating from the Vedic culture of India.  It is considered by many to be the oldest healing science there is.  The primary goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to help people live long, healthy and balanced lives without the need for prescription drugs, complicated surgeries, or suffering through painful conditions 

The definition of Ayurveda originates from the word ayu(age/life) and is an elaborate and interesting concept. Like most Sanskrit words, the word “ayu” (age/life) has multiple meanings and uses. “Ayu”(age/life) means life, age, duration of life, quality of life. According to the Ayurveda, ayu(age/life) is defined as the duration for which the soul, the mind, and the (physical) body are in connection with each other. This is the most comprehensive meaning of the word ayu or life because even if one of these 3 components is missing, the person cannot be called living. For a similar reason, sleep is called “pralay” or partial chaos (death) as the connection of the body and the active mind loosens a little during sleep. 

The word Veda is formed from the root “vid” which means realization. Ayurveda is not merely structured information about the physiology, pathology, and treatment of the body. Instead, Ayurveda aims to achieve the final aim of human life – salvation. The word Veda is beyond information or knowledge. Information is nothing but electrical signals from our sense organs. It is dependent on the senses. Moreover, information is dependent on the mind. Our beliefs, prejudices, likes, and dislikes color our perception. Therefore, the information thus processed is not a reliable source.

The Kshetra or the subject of Ayurveda is a very important factor. It defines the scope of Ayurveda. As discussed earlier, Ayurveda is the science of life, therefore it applies to all living beings.

The Kshetra or the subject of Ayurveda is purush. This Sanskrit word “purush” has multiple meanings. The most comprehensive and fundamental meaning is – the soul. Therefore, the ultimate aim of Ayurveda is to help the soul attain its prime objective – salvation. Salvation is the sutra or the seed of the tree of Ayurveda.

The Sanskrit word Kshetra signifies field, a place where things can grow. Ayurveda says that there are two fields of diseases in humans – mind, and body. This concept has two implications –

• Firstly, there are two types of disorders – physiological (for example – psoriasis, fever, cold and cough, etc.). In these disorders, the body shows pathological symptoms.
• Secondly, there can be two dimensions or aspects of each disease (for example –mania, phobia, multiple personality disorder etc). In these disorders, a person may feel the mental symptoms. However, he will not suffer from any physiological symptoms.
• Thirdly, there can be a combined imbalance in the two fields (for example – epilepsy led depression, fever due to fear, etc). Such disorders have both physiological and mental contributions.

Ayurveda embraces all living beings.

Centuries back, Ayurveda had distinct specializations for different life forms.

Ayurveda offers special treatment to the major categories of living beings apart from human beings.

Ayurveda also had a glorious veterinary division.

Distinct specializations like GajAyurveda (Ayurveda for Elephants), Ashwa Ayurveda (Ayurveda for Horses), Go Ayurveda (Ayurveda for Cows) and many more specializations emerged to embrace all living beings.

Ayurveda for plants is called vrikshayurveda and that for animals is called pashvayurveda.

Ayurvedic plant medicine called Viksha Ayurveda was used to manage vegetation and cure plant/trees disorders.

India, being an agrarian country with fertile land, has a history of rich agricultural knowledge. Vrikshayurveda includes the classification and characteristics of the plants, food and medicinal benefits, growth cycle, abnormalities, diseases, and their treatment in the plants. Vrikshayurveda talks about natural manure, good agricultural practices, and organic farming. Now a lot of research initiatives are being undertaken to revive this ancient knowledge. The major text available for Vrikshayurveda today are Vrksayurveda by Salihotra, ‘Brhad Samhita, and Agni Purana.

Unfortunately, there is no specific literary evidence available today for other branches of Ayurveda. However, we can find this knowledge ingrained in traditional Indian practices and folklore. For example, a story in Panchatantra talks about specific treatment procedures of burns in horses.

Ayurveda is healthcare wisdom that descends on all receptive minds. It is beyond information or knowledge. Ayurveda is the science of life, focused on health and not on diseases.

It respects all forms of life and aims to help every soul reach the far end of life – liberation from this cycle of death and rebirth. CALL 561-301-6442 NOW and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.