The word Ayurveda derived from AYU and VEDA. AYU means life VEDA means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means the science of life. Charaka defines “That science is designated as Ayurveda which deals with advantage and disadvantage as well as happy and unhappy states of life along with what is good and bad for life, its measurement and the life itself (Charaka Sutra 1 – 4)” Ayurveda embraces all living things, animate and inanimate. It is divided into three main branches viz., Nara Ayurveda dealing with human life, Satva Ayurveda the science dealing with animal life and its diseases, Vriksha Ayurveda the science dealing with plant life, its growth and diseases. It is amply clear that Ayurveda is not only a system of medicine but also a way of life for complete positive health and spiritual attainments.
Ayurveda believes that positive health is the basis for attaining four cherished goals of life (chaturvidh purushartha) viz., Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. All these four goals cannot be achieved without sound positive health.
Positive health is defined as
(a) Dosha Dhatu samya (well balanced metabolism)
(b) Prasanna Atma, Indriya, Manah (happy state of the soul, senses and the mind). Senses here mean the five organs of perception Gyanendriya viz., smell, taste, sight, touch, and hearing coupled with the organs of action – Karmendriya viz., mouth, hands, foot and organs of excretion and reproduction.
The origin of Ayurveda dates back to the Vedic era. Most material relating to the health and diseases are available in Atharva veda. Historians claim that Ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda. However RigVeda which is the earliest Veda also mentions about diseases and medicinal plants. In Athrava veda there are hyms which mention about medicines like Accorus calamus and Phylanthus Embelia. The systematized form of Ayurveda dates back to the prehistoric period of Rishi Conference which was held in the foot hills of Mount Himalaya. The earliest codified document on Ayurveda is Charaka Samhita. Sushruta samhita is another codified document. Sushruta tradition was said to be descended and propagated by Dhanvantari whereas Charaka tradition was descended through Atreya. Sushruta School is dominated by surgical procedures and techniques while Charaka Samhita deals with internal medicine.
Charaka Samhita also mentions the names of the earliest disciples of Atreya as Agnivesh, Bhela, Jatukarna, Parashar, Harita and Ksharpani and they separately created their own treaties in the field of internal medicine. Out of these six, Charaka Samhita and Bhela Samhita are available in authentic form today, however, Harita Samhita which is also available, but its authenticity is questionable. Many of the manuscripts were lost due to foreign invasions which resulted in big setback to this ancient knowledge of life.
Modern medicine is based on physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Ayurveda is based on Indian Philosophy – the theory of macrocosm and microcosm. Man is the epitome of greater universe. Matter is composed of five elements (Panchamahabhuta). They are Prithvi (earth or hardness), AP (water or liquid), Teja (fire or energy), Vayu (gaseous state of matter) and Akasha (ethereal state of matter). The existence of any matter is attributable to Kala (time) Dik (space). Manas (mind) and Atma (soul) are essential to make it animate. These nine components are called the Nitya dravyas or eternal elements. Just as the universe has the sun, moon and wind, in the same manner all living beings have motion, liquid and the heat or energy component. They are called Vata, Kapha and Pitta respectively. Living body is composed of Panchamahabhuta i.e., the five basic elements like universe and they are explained in terms of Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala. Life is the union of body, sense organs, mind and soul. The dosha are vata, pitta, kapha. The seven Dhatus are Rasa (chyle or nutrient fluid), Rakta (blood), Mansa (muscle tissue), Medas (fats), Asthi (bone, connective tissue), Majja (bone marrow) and Shukra (reproductive elements or the vital substance). The three main Malas or excretions are purisha (faeces), mutra (urine) and sweda (sweat). The doshas when exist in dynamic equilibrium help to maintain the human body in a healthy condition. Then they are called Dhatus. Any disturbance in this equilibrium causes malfunction and results in disease. In that event they are called Doshas. Thus Vata, Pitta, Kapha, are alternatively called Dhatu or Dosha depending on the effect they have on the functioning of the body.
Vata: The root “Va” is derived from va-gatigandhnayah i.e., which has motion. Vata initiates and promotes biological activity responsible for all the movements of the body.
Pitta: Responsible for generation of heat and all actions relating with digestion, absorption, metabolism, pigmentation of skin, vision, intelligence and ego.
Kapha or Sleshma: Responsible for moistening of ingested food, nutrition to the heart, mind and body tissues, perception of taste and lubrication of joints.
Vata,Pitta and Kapha are further classified into five types depending on their situation and normal physiological conditions.
Just as the body is governed by the three doshas, the mind is also governed by three attributes – Guna, mental Doshas. They are called Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Satva is responsible for righteous and kind thoughts and feelings. Rajas is for arrogance, desire, love and passion. Tamas is for sleep, stupor and ignorance.
Food, behavior and thoughts will increase, decrease or neutralize the physical and mental Doshas.
