AYURVEDA: WHAT IS IT?

The Sanskrit term ‘Ayurveda’ is made up of two other words: ‘Ayur’ and ‘veda’.

In the Sanskrit language ‘Ayur’ has its roots in the term ‘Ayus’ which means life or the vital life force or health.

The other word ‘veda’ connotes knowledge. Therefore, Ayurveda is the science of medicine and health.

THE FIRST TEACHER OF AYURVEDA AND YOGA

According to Hindu tradition, the creator of the universe – Brahma – also wrote the Vedas by amalgamating knowledge from the four directions. Therefore,

The Vedas contain knowledge about the Universe. Hence it contains knowledge about life too. So, the first teacher or the ‘adya guru’ of Ayurveda and yoga is Brahma.

YOGA: HOW IT WORKS…

The Sanskrit term ‘yoga’ means union. Hence, ‘Yoga’ refers to the synthesis of the body and the mind.

The source of yoga is called Hatha yoga. It is from this form of yoga that the other forms of yoga were distilled and enunciated.

Yoga is turning out to be one of the most practiced means of physical and mental exercises across the world.

One of the popular forms of Hatha Yoga that has been repackaged is ‘Hot yoga’ of Vikram Choudhury. Hot yoga is having lots of fan following in USA.

YOGA: HOW IT WORKS…

A yoga practitioner does this through regular practice of a series of slow and deliberate exercises.

The yogic exercises require total concentration.

The yogi (person practicing yoga) makes use of the breathing techniques and the will power to cleanse the body of the harmful toxic substances and cure all disease.

AYURVEDA: A SUPPLEMENT OF ATHARVA VEDA

In the Indian tradition that has its roots in the hoary past, there are four sources of knowledge or ‘veda’, viz., The Rig Veda, the Atharva Veda, the Sama Veda and the Yajur Veda.

Ayurveda is a supplement to the Atharva-Veda.

OTHER SOURCES OF AYURVEDA

Besides the Vedas, the other ancient Indian treatises that deal at length with Ayurveda are the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Upanishads, and the Brahmanas.

Mention may be made of the Garbhopanisad. We find scattered references to various aspects of Ayurveda like ‘dhatu’ and the ‘doshas’ besides the various stages through which a fetus grows.

WHEN WAS AYURVEDA ACTUALLY ORGANISED SYSTEMATICALLY

The various texts or references on Ayurveda were brought together by various persons at different times between the period from the second century BC and the 10th century A.D.

The term ‘Ayurveda’ is made up of the two Sanskrit words ‘Ayush’ and ‘Veda’. Ayush connotes life while Veda means science or knowledge. Therefore, ‘Ayurveda’ refers to the ‘Science of Life’.

TRACING AYURVEDA ROOTS

Its principles have been encapsulated and detailed in the ancient Indian treatises. It has evolved down the ages and now evolved into a scientific alternative medical science.

The ancient treatises of Ayurveda were composed by noted exponents of the subject like Parashara, Shalihotra and Nakula.

AMERICAN USERS OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Researches estimate that 83 million USA residents spend more than $27 million a year using alternative medicine including Ayurveda. Similarly, there is a large following of Ayurveda and other alternative therapies among the Canadian English and Australian citizens.

THE THREE AYURVEDA EPOCHS

Broadly speaking, the annals of Ayurveda fall into three clear stages down the ages. They are the golden ancient stage, the desecration period and the post-independence rejuvenation age.

The ancient stage was the golden age of Ayurveda. This stage extended over years encompassing the age of the independent kingdoms when Ayurveda was the sole dependant means to effectively diagnose and treat illnesses of plants and also animals. There were royal and public patronages. Ayurveda flourished. Ayurveda treatises were composed. Study of Ayurveda occupied a pride of place. Brilliant students pursued Ayurveda with zeal and vigour.

The ancient stage was followed by the desecration period when the Indian kingdoms (patronizing Ayurveda) was exposed to the onslaughts of marauders from foreign countries. It was a time when most of the invaders destroyed invaluable Indian treasures including Ayurveda tomes. Sadly enough, many valuable Ayurveda treatises were entirely obliterated through various ways. To make matters worse, quacks made hay while the sun shone and introduced illicit variations in the Ayurveda system. Ayurveda also fell into disuse.

The post-Independence age of India is the rejuvenation epoch of Ayurveda. Particular reference must be made of the fag end of the 19th Century and the 20th Century. The Swadeshi movement gave the ultimate impetus to the all-round development of Ayurveda. Deliberate attempts of the national governments bore fruits to diagnose the problems and also implement the means to remove those hurdles. This is in spite of the fact that zealous studies of Ayurveda practices proceeded simultaneously along with those of the other modern and alternative medical sciences. Mentionably, Ayurveda studies went along scientific lines. As a consequence thereof, different parts of India witnessed the establishment of Ayurveda institutions, colleges, dispensaries, pharmacies, and even hospitals.

AYURVEDA MEDICINES

Since the ancient times, Ayurveda experts (composed of mendicants or saints) specialized in varied aspects of life of all living beings. Interestingly enough, the medicines prepared for the different types of diseases affecting various plants and animals were brewed from locally available natural substances. Notably, Ayurveda never uses artificial elements or concoctions.

A SUPPORTIVE THERAPY

Ayurveda is considered useful in supporting many other kinds of treatment programs. Ayurveda supporters believe it is a preventive as well as a curative therapy. They opine that Ayurveda strengthens the immune system against disease. So, they advise patients to change their radical lifestyles. They also believe that changing lifestyle habits can improve persistent problems such as back pain, arthritis, tension headaches, high blood pressure, obesity, constipation, allergies and colds, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and other stress disorders.

FOCUS OF AYURVEDIC THERAPIES

Ayurvedic therapies focus on lifestyle changes and herbal remedies, concentrating on diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, herbal tonics, steam baths, enemas, and other alternative medical practices such as aromatherapy. Special cleansing therapies such as bloodletting and blood-thinning herbs are also used to rid the body of disease-causing toxins.

ENJOY THE AYURVEDA ADVANTAGE

Needless to say, the Indian public has been flocking to Ayurveda exponents owing to its effectiveness. Moreover, Ayurveda is cost effective as well.

1. Ayurveda extends the rational ways to treat all diseases of the internal organs.
2. Mentionably, these diseases are deemed by different modern medical sciences as rather chronic and even incurable.
3. What’s more Ayurveda underlines the aspects determining the healthy life of a person.
4. Naturally enough, Ayurveda extends the means to cure and even shield the human body against the attack of all ailments.
5. Ayurveda also offers the steps to pursue a disease free and disciplined life.
6. This Ayurveda does by studying the basic natures of human beings.
7. Above all, Ayurveda studies the human urges like sex, sleep, hunger and thirst among others.
8. Ayurveda gives us the means to keep these urges under control.

THE SCOPE OF AYURVEDA IS QUITE VAST

The scope of Ayurveda is really vast. It includes not just the medicines but all aspects concerning life. Hence, the purview of Ayurveda encompasses biology and also medical sciences.

Ayurveda diagnoses and offers effective homemade treatment for ailments affecting almost all animals and plants. AYURVEDA SPECIALIZED COURSES

Hence, it is not surprising that the ancient Ayurveda exponents specialized in the modern-day veterinary and medical sciences. In fact, there were ‘Vriksha-Ayurveda’ (the natural science of diagnosing and treatment of diseases affecting plants and trees); ‘Gaja-Ayurveda’ (the natural science of diagnosing and treatment of diseases affecting pachyderms or elephants); ‘Go-Ayurveda’ (the natural science of diagnosing and treatment of diseases affecting cattle particularly cows); and ‘Ashwa-Ayurveda’ (the natural science diagnosing and treatment of diseases afflicting horses).

AYURVEDA DEGREES

In India, more than 100 colleges offer five-year courses on Ayurveda. These institutions grant degrees in Ayurvedic medicine upon completion of the program. In the United States of America, Ayurvedic practitioners must be licensed in some other form of health care, such as allopathy (Western medicine), or another system of alternative medicine, such as naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, or acupuncture.