Introduction to Ayurveda
A Revived Interest in Ayurveda Today
Recent surveys have shown that, among the general population, there is a growing trend toward a more holistic approach to health care. Traditional medical practices are being re-evaluated in the light of a deeper understanding of modern science that looks at the individual as a complex whole rather than a collection of parts.
It is therefore not surprising that these surveys also reveal that many family practitioners have added some form of complementary medicine to their practice through recommendations of diet, life style, exercise or herbs, etc. Most of the medical schools in the North America including John Hopkins, Harvard and Yale, have added CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) courses to their curriculum.
Another driving force in the renewed interest in traditional medicine is the upsurge in the incidence of stubborn chronic disorders that have been successfully treated by traditional medical approaches.
Ayurveda, the time honoured traditional medical system of India, is especially suited to treating these disorders because it is based on a paradigm that looks at the individual as a complex network of mind/body functions. This holistic approach to health is transforming conventional medicine and also offers a new dimension of hope through an emphasis on prevention. This comes at an opportunate time as spiraling health care costs are overwhelming the health care system.
Wholistic in Terms of Ayurveda
To gain greater insight into the Ayurveda health paradigm, we should allow ourselves to see Ayurveda through the eyes of the ancient sages that conceived of this remarkable view of human health. " Ayurveda " literally translates to “knowledge of life span” or “science of life”.
It is a life science paradigm based on the holistic view of the individual as an integral component of our cosmos. Holistic in this context means all encompassing, ranging from the outermost galaxies to the smallest subatomic particle.
Science has shown that our Universe is an expression of pure intelligence. We can say this because our Universe can be so beautifully described in the language of mathematics, the most abstract and pure expression of intelligence.
From the thermonuclear transformations within the sun to the photosynthesis within a leaf, the same Laws of Nature simultaneously express themselves in their infinite diversity and precision. At whatever level we look at the cosmos, we see the same all-pervading field of structure and organization silently and methodically bringing about cosmic evolution.
These innumerable laws and principles governing the outer cosmos and the inner cosmos emerge from the Unified Field, an abstract, unmanifest, all pervading field of organizing power, out of which the Universe as we know it has emerged.
The Unified Field
This Unified Field is not only responsible for the innumerable stars and galaxies that promote planetary evolution, but it is also responsible for life itself. The Laws of Nature are structured in such a precise way as to favour the production of complex structures that are the precursors of life. Complex eco systems, also a product of Natural Law, then sculpt these complex structures into living organisms that so abundantly populate our planet.
Ayurveda states that life is inevitable in our Universe because it was designed to create life. Although we seldom think of ourselves as an expression of the intelligence that spontaneously emerges from the Universal Field, modern science has shown that we are. The Rishis, ancient sages of India, cognized in their most subtle awareness, an even more fundamental relation between the individual and this Universal Unified Field: the Unified Field is a Field of Consciousness.
From the point of view of modern science, Consciousness is an epiphenomenon of the physical nervous system; from the point of view of Ayurveda, Consciousness is synonymous of Unified Field.
Let's imagine, just for a moment, that our Consciousness is a Unified, Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent Universal Field of Consciousness. In this state of perfect being there is no distinction between the individual and the cosmos. Consciousness is eternal and all pervading, all encompassing. Nothing else exists.
However, in its self awareness, a three in one structure exists: the knower, the process of knowing and the object of knowing. If in its play the three are no longer seen as one, then the illusion of our object oriented world emerges. We perceive ourselves as merely a physical body with no connection to the Universal Intelligence.
Ayurveda further describes how the three values of Consciousness, the knower, the known and the process of knowing express themselves in the form of abstract psycho/physiological principles known as doshas.
Vata is described as the principle of motion; Pitta, as the principle of transformation; and Kapha, as the principle of structure. Man is strategically located at the center of this Cosmic play of the Unified Field, as an observer to its infinite glory. We are embedded in an unimaginable Sea of Consciousness. How is it then that this glory is not experienced in our everyday life? How is it that suffering appears to be so abundant?
Pathogenesis of Disease
Ayurveda describes how the highest ideal of life can become overshadowed, producing the onset of disease. If we lose sight of this eternal glory then everything about our lives become restricted, bounded and the bliss of life is constrained. This is the beginning of disease.
Having lost connection with the Eternal Cosmic Intelligence we begin to live only partial value of life and this causes suffering. Life becomes a strain, and our behavior is no longer in accord with the best interests of our world, our family and even our own physiology.
The unmanifest perfection is no longer guiding the body's inner intelligence and therefore, weakness is born. Impurities begin to collect in our weakened physiology; the immune system fails to safeguard the integrity of the body's systems, thus allowing physical disease agents to grow and spread. Where did it all begin? Not with the coughing that passed the virus into our system, but with a weakened, compromised physiology that no longer flows attune with cosmic purpose. Lost in petty desires and trivial worries, our existence goes on, unaware of the immense beauty, harmony and liveliness that exists within us and around us.
Restoring Life to Perfection
Ayurveda brings the knowledge of how we can get back to this primordial state of perfection, which is our birth right, through a wide range of techniques that work on multiple levels:
Ayurveda works on the level of Consciousness, awakening the hidden reality of life through techniques of meditation.
Ayurveda works on the level of the intellect, providing understanding of the relationship of the mind, body and Consciousness.
Ayurveda works on the level of the body, bringing purification, so that the fullness of life can be reflected through the human physiology and in particular, through the human nervous system. For the human mind to attain its supreme value it must clean the windows of perception.
Ayurveda works on the level of behaviour, restoring balance to mind and body through life supporting and evolutionary action.
Ayurveda works on the level of the environment, providing guidelines for creating a harmonious environment conducive to evolution.
All the techniques of Ayurveda aim at reconnecting the individual with his or her divine natural heritage. From this lofty perspective we can truly appreciate the many branches of Ayurveda.
Meditation brings the practitioner to that inner silence that reveals the unchanging ultimate reality amidst the ever changing ephemeral reality.
Panchakarma frees the body from the impurities that obstruct and obscure the perception of higher states of Consciousness.
Whether we meditate, do panchakarma, balance the doshas through dietary regimes, or stimulate the digestive system so food can have its optimal nourishing value, or promote Ojas through lifestyle and rasayanas, all techniques ultimately find their fulfillment in Self realization. In other words, in experiencing our Self as being the knower, process of knowing and the object of knowledge.
We can never be totally happy without this ultimate fulfillment. Whenever we are not in that ultimate state of happiness, there is always the nagging fear of losing it. Whenever we have fear, there is some 'dis' 'ease'. 'Dis' 'ease' is the precursor to disease. As a medical system, Ayurveda alone treats disease at its very source. Ayurveda is a road map for our journey back to the Self - pure bliss Consciousness.
Ayurveda has a multitude of therapies for bringing us out of the state of disease and suffering, from whatever level of Consciousness or whatever state of human physiology we are at. Some may come simply to gain relief from chronic pain. Others may be suffering from a life threatening disease, while others may be seeking a more permanent and profound happiness.
It is the ability of Ayurveda to treat the whole individual that distinguishes it from our current medical paradigm. Ayurveda has something for everyone. It is not at odds with other systems but, instead, it can be said to complete and complement other systems.
While modern medicine focuses mainly on the superficial cause of disease, Ayurveda fulfills the need for an approach that focuses on the prevention of disease, from its grossest level to its subtlest level.
To achieve this lofty goal, Ayurveda simply restores balance to the three primordial mind/body principles or doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Diagnosis of Imbalance
Our individual body/mind type, as determined by the relative dominance of the three doshas, is identified through our physical traits, biorhythms, mental state, personality, behavior, life style, likes and dislikes. Each of these doshas can either be in a state of balance and harmony or in a state on imbalance.
A very effective way of diagnosing imbalances in the doshas is through consultation with a physician trained in the art of Ayurveda, the pulse diagnosis. Pulse diagnosis is an invaluable tool, as it allows the physician to detect imbalance in the early stages of the disease process, and therefore to avert sickness even before symptoms arise.
Modalities of Ayurvedic Therapies
Once an individual’s mind-body type has been determined, a specific program, tailored to the individual's physiology, can be implemented to promote the restoration of balance. Balance can easily be restored through simple changes in diet and lifestyle that allow the body's natural healing power to become enlivened.
Special consideration is given to the removal of toxins from the system, the establishment of proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Even something as simple as a tasty meal, prepared according to the guidelines prescribed according to your body type, can have therapeutic value.
Ayurveda’s individualized health care program is holistic and comprehensive, yet attractive and easy to follow. Ayurveda follows systematic principles in recommending herbs and their combinations, to enliven the natural functions of physiology, promote healing, restore balance and well being, and help individuals to remain healthy.
Ayurveda’s unique way of addressing health imbalances makes it rather unusual: the treatment for any given condition, for example asthma, would not be the same for two individuals, even though they may be experiencing the same symptoms. The root cause may be different from one individual to the other, and would therefore require a different therapeutic approach. Ayurveda’s diagnosis tools, like pulse taking, allow for a very fine assessment of the individual’s specific imbalances and their specific root causes.
The key to the successful health care is the systematic restoration of balance at each level of our psycho-physiological system, so that the body's own healing mechanisms can be brought into play. Chronic symptoms such as arthritis, gout, asthma, allergies, chronic sinusitis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity and various gastro intestinal diseases such as colitis and Crohn’s disease can be effectively addressed using the principles of Ayurveda.
Taking Responsibility for Your own Health Care
It is essential at this time of fiscal restraint in the medical care system to ensure that we do everything from our side to maintain good health through prevention. It is time for us individuals to become aware that we are the custodians of our own health, and with proper guidance we will be able to live much healthier, longer and happier lives.
Branches of Ayurveda
The Central Council of Indian Medicine aims at nothing less than producing graduates of profound scholarship, having deep basis in Ayurveda with scientific knowledge in accordance with Ayurvedic fundamentals, with practical training, who would be able and efficient Teachers, Researchers, Physicians (Chikitsaka), and Surgeons (Shalyachikitsaka), fully competent to serve in the medical and health services everywhere. Specialties are also available in the following areas:
Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa)
Surgery( Shalia)
Pediatrics (Kaumarya bhritya - balrogchikitsa)
Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat (Shalakya)
Toxicology and Jurisprudence (Agadtantra)
Psychiatry (Manasrog)
Geriatrics & Rejuvenation (Rasayana)
Science of Aphrodisiacs (Vajeekaran)
There are six main ancient original texts; these are divided into two trio (groups of three books): Brihat Trai (big triad) and Laghu Trai (little triad):
Brihat Trai
Laghu Trai
charak samhita
madhavnadan
sushrut samhita
sharangdhar samhita
vagbhat samhita
bhavaprakash samhita
These texts were originally written in Sanskrit, but translations and commentaries are now available in many different languages including English. They are used in India as main textbooks in the undergraduate, masters and doctorate programs of Ayurveda. Most of these texts cover all of the eight branches, but each emphasises one or another aspect (e.g., Charaka emphasises internal medicine, while Sushrut specializes in surgery).
Quotes from Texts of Ayurveda
The original texts of Ayurveda express the knowledge of life in a beautiful, orderly, sequential manor starting from the first expressions of Consciousness, to the purpose of life, and so on. Reading and studying these original texts re-enlivens this orderliness in the reader, helping to re-establish and strengthen this fundamental pattern of unfoldment in the structure of the reader's Consciousness.
On this page, several key passages from some of the most important texts are given. The passages are given in the Devanagari script, a rough transliteration into the Latin alphabet which should give the reader an idea of the pronunciation of the passage, and finally, a translation of the passage in English.
From Charka, Sutrasthanam (the entire text, in Devanagari, may be found in MUM's Vedic Reserve).
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Health at the basis of fulfullment:
1.15 Being healthy or free of disease, is at the basis of attaining the four goals of life:
virtues (dharma: living according to nature and performing duties), means of living (artha), desires (kama: life supporting desires and their fulfillment), liberation from attachment or enlightenment (moksha).
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Meditation as the source of ayurvedic knowledge
1.17 The process of the emergence of the knowledge of Ayurveda from the state of deep meditation (dhyanamasthista), dhyanchakshi.. coming out - opens the eye of knowledge, knowing the totality of vedic knowledge.
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Tripods of Ayurveda:
1.24 The trifold knowledge of cause (hetu: aetiology), diagnosis (ling: signs to know) and therapeutic modalities (aushadh), with respect to healthy and diseased persons, are of the greatest significance. The knowledge of trisutra (tripod of Ayurveda) is eternal (shashuat) and beneficial (punyam), and is known (cognized) by Brahma himself.
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Application of the six factors (Shadpadarth):
1.28 (last line, first of 1.29) Application of six factors (shadpadarth) with respect to three sutras (trisutra) on: cause (hetu), sign (ling), and treatment (aushad) for health and disease.
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Definition of Ayurveda:
1.41: The science that expounds on the good/supportive of life (hitayu), the non-supportive for life and others (ahitayu), the happy life (sukhayu), the unhappy/miserable life (dukhayu), the measurement of life (manam), and quality of life is defined as Ayurveda.
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Definition of ayu - life span:
1.42: Balanced union of body (shareer), senses (indriya), mind (satva), self/soul/spirit (atma) is called life-span (ayu). Living (jeevit), continuum of flow (nityag), that which sustains (dhari), complementary (anubandha) are synonyms of life-span (ayu).
About Ayurveda