AYURVEDA − the science of the knowledge of life
By Muktamani Claudia
Ayurved is not only an ancient Indian Medical
science but it is a science which gives integral knowledge about life
itself. The uniqueness of Ayurveda is that it sets value on both,=
physical and mental health. It is a science which
describes what is beneficial and what is harmful for life, what is a happy =
and
an unhappy life and also the proper course of life. It gives directions for=
the
life-style how to achieve and maintain a supreme quality of physical, mental
and spiritual health.
What is life?
In old Vedic texts is given the following
definition of life (Ayu): It is the constant and continuous union=
and conjunction of Sharir (body), Indriya (senses), Satva (mind), and
Atma (soul)
What is the scope=
of
Ayurveda?
Swasthasya Swasth=
ya
Rakshana Aaturasya Vikara Prakshamanam
The scope is to maintain the health of the
healthy (physically and mentally) and to cure those who are affected with
disease. According to Ayurveda a healthy person always is defined as being
healthy physically as well as mentally!
What does it mean to be physically healthy? =
Physically healthy is a
person whose Doshas (humors)
– Vata, Pitta, Kapha are in equilibrium, whose Agni (digestive power)=
is
in equilibrium, whose Dhatus (tissues) are functioning normally, i. e. Rasa=
(body
fluid), Rakta (blood), Mansa (muscles), Meda (fat), Asthi (bones), Majja (b=
one marrow),
Shukra (generative tissue), and whose Malas (waste products) are in balance=
: i.
e. Mutra (urine), Purisha (stool), Sweda (sweat)
What does it mean to be mentally healthy?
Mentally healthy is a person whose Atma (sou=
l),
Indriya (senses) and Manas (mind) are balanced and feeling well.
This definition of health was given by Su=
shruta,
the great surgeon and healer. He is the author of one of the greatest Vedic
opus. It has also been mentioned in Ayurvedic texts that those who observe
healthy nourishment and healthy activities in their daily life, who
discriminate the good & bad of everything and abide by a moral conduct,
become free from disease.
Ayurveda always treats a human as a whole=
,
taking into consideration body & mind. So while treating the patient an
Ayurvedic physician always takes note of the aggravation of Doshas, damaged
tissues, environmental influences, strength & constitution of the patie=
nt,
digestive power & psychological factors.
What kinds of tools do we have for maintaini=
ng
physical health?
We shall follow a daily routine (Dinachar=
ya)
as well as a seasonal routine (Rutucharya) including seasonal Pancha=
karma,
a balanced diet, the eliminating of natural urges on appropriate time, the
rules about sleep, the rules about celibacy, the regular use of rejuvenation
treatment and an aphrodisiac treatment.
What kinds of tools do we have for of
maintaining mental health?
We maintain our mental health by following Sadvrutta (ethical conduct) and Dharaniya Vega Dharana (controlli=
ng
emotional urges like anger, fear, greed).
What kinds of tools do we have for curing di=
seases?
To cure physical diseases Ayurveda uses palliative treatments, eliminating treatments and rejuvenation treatments.<= o:p>
For curing mental diseases Ayurveda advises =
the
worshipping of God, the chanting of Mantras-Hymns and counselling.
Rejuvenation Therapies (Rasayana)=
For physical health is suggested the regular=
use
of rejuvenation medicines like milk, ghee, Shatavari (asparagus), Guduchi (=
tinospora
cordifolia), Chayavanaprash.
For mental health the following measures are
suggested: an ethical code of conduct like keeping purity of mind, offering=
of donations,
serving old people, relatives, teachers and worshipping God.
The benefit which can be gained from a
rejuvenation therapy is longevity, good memory, intelligence, healthy life,
youthful age, excellence of lustre, complexion, voice, optimum strength of
physical body and sense organs, successful words, respectability and
brilliance.
Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac Treatment)
The aim of Vajikarana Treatment is to get
physically and mentally healthy offspring and performing sexual intercourse
without any pain or interruption.
The 3 Pillars of the body - Ahara (Diet), Nidra (Sleep) & Brahma=
charya
(Celibacy)
Ahara
As food is the basis of all living beings,
Ayurveda emphasizes proper dietary habits that further strength, complexion=
and
vitality.
Nidra
Nidra (Sleep) gives rest to the body and
enhances the growth of the tissues. It is decisive for happiness and
unhappiness, nourishment and emaciation, strength and debility, sexual power
and impotency, knowledge and ignorance.
Brahamcharya
Celibacy is the third pillar of the body.=
Brahmacharya
or Celibacy, is a topic which is not much discussed and often misunderstood=
.
Most people think that Brahmacharya or celib=
acy
means abstinence from physical relationship. This statement seems very stern
and unrealistic compared with reality. Ayurved defines this term with much
deeper view. Brahmacharya is composed of two words, ‘Brahma’ &a=
mp;
‘Charya’. Brahma is highest knowledge, Charya is behaviour. Bra=
hma
also means ‘Tapas’ which means dedicated devotion.
Brahmacharyashram,
Gruhasthashram, Vanaprasthashram and Sanyasashram are the four phases of human life. The concept of
Brahmacharya passes through these phases with varying characteristics.
In Brahmacharyashram –
‘Brahmacharya’ means dedication towards acquiring knowledge. Th=
is
education or knowledge that is required to attain future means, as the=
re
is: a job, business, trade etc., needs to be pursued during this period,
therefore here abstinence from any other distractions is defined as Brahmac=
harya.
During Brahmacharyashram, a student life, one has to totally abstain from a=
ll
temptations.
In ‘Gruhasthashram’ marriage and
family life is expected. Gruhasthashram is the phase where the state of
Brahmacharya is maintained in another aspect. The person is at his/her prime
age. The physical desires are high. Here the definition allows a physical
relation with the spouse and keeping abstinence from other females/males.
Antenatal & Postnatal care is nicely given for painless labour and a
healthy offspring.
Pancha Karma a Speciality of Ayurveda=
Pancha Karma is one of the special therapies=
in Ayurveda.
It includes Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Nasya (nasal applicatio=
n of
medicated drops), Basti (enema) and Raktamokshana (bloodletting). Properly
undertaken Pancha Karma (purificatory therapy) enhances the clarity of the
mind, strength of the sense organs, stability of the tissues and a good
digestive power.
Ayurveda & its Global Status<=
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-language:
DE-AT;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'>
In the last few years, interest in alternati=
ve
therapy, especially Ayurveda has very much increased, not only in
Therefore, ‘Ayurveda’ the science
that has been neglected for many years is going to regain its old glory of
ancient times. Many scientists and researchers all over the world started to
take interest in understanding this science. The international organisations
such as WHO and UNESCO have increased their faith in alternative therapies =
like
Ayurveda.
Ayurveda believes that life is a continuous
& constant union of Body, Senses, Mind & Soul. According to Ayurveda
physical & mental health are interdependent. This psychosomatic and hol=
istic
approach is unique. Hence it describes Dinacharya (daily regimen) &
Rutucharya (seasonal regimen) with respect to the Doshas for maintenance of
physical health. It also gives guidelines for Sadvrutta (ethical conduct) to
keep mental health. So we can conclude that persons desirous for a long &am=
p;
healthy life should repose utmost faith in the teachings of Ayurveda.