INSIGHT OF THE FASCINATING WORLD OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is a combination of 2 words 'AYU' meaning 'life' and 'VEDA' meaning 'science'. Therefore the word itself represents 'SCIENCE OF LIFE'. It is a part of 'ATHARVAVEDA' (one of the four Veda).
According to an ancient ayurvedic text 'CHARAKA SAMHITA', ayurveda is where good, bad, happy, unhappy life and its promoters and non- promoters, its measure and nature is dealt with.
Ayurveda has a holistic definition of health that includes body, mind, soul, and senses. Unlike other medical systems, ayurveda focuses more on preventing the disease rather than curing it. It is one of the main objectives of ayurveda.
स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणं आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनं च ।(चरक संहित सूत्र ३०।२६)
According to Ayurvedic principles, every person has its own unique personality just as a person has its own unique fingerprints. Therefore, the healing system should also be personalized.
Ang (Branches) of Ayurveda
Ashtang Ayurveda refers to the eight limbs or branches of Ayurveda:
- Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine)
- Shalya Tantra (Surgery)
- Shalakya Tantra (ENT)
- Kaumara Bhritya (Pediatrics)
- Agada Tantra (Toxicology)
- Bhuta Vidya (Psychology)
- Rasayana (Science of rejuvenation)
- Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac Therapy)
THREE PRINCIPLE ENERGIES OF THE BODY
According to Ayurveda the entire cosmos is an interplay of five elements, the Panchamahabhoot - Aakash (space or ether), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jala (water) and Prithvi (earth). So are the Vata, Pitta and Kapha
As described in Ayurvedic samhitas (texts) a person is fundamentally constituted by three doshas (entities) Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Every person has different percentages of these doshas, that constitutes the unique prakriti (nature) of that person. That is why, every prescription is a personalized one.
Vata is the energy of movement; Pitta is the energy of digestion or metabolism and Kapha the energy of lubrication of structure..
- Vata - composed of Aakash and Vayu. It governs all the movement in the body like blinking of eyes, breathing, muscle movements etc.
When in balance controls mind, breathing, blood flow, heart function and ability to get rid of waste through intestines.
When out of balance can endure joint pain, constipation, dry skin, anxiety and other ailments.
- Pitta - composed of Agni and Jala. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature.
When in balance controls digestion, skin colour and complexion, lustre of the eyes, vision and intelligence.
When out of balance can result in ulcers, inflammation, digestive problems, anger issues and heart burn.
- Kapha - composed of Prithvi and Jala. It lubricates joints, moisturizes skin and maintains immunity.'
When in balance lubricates the joints, provides moisture to skin, helps to heal wounds, gives biological strength and supports memory retention.
When out of balance can result in obesity, diabetes, sinus problems, indigestion and increased risk of depression.
AYURVEDA - system of healing
Ayurveda practitioners spend quality time with the patient,building a relationship and thereby focusing on the person first and the disease or imbalances later.
A lot of care is then put into developing the most appropriate diet, daily routine, seasonal routine, exercise regimen, yoga and meditation practice, herbal medicines and more for each person. It is a personalized regimen for every person.
In ayurveda a human being is seen as an integrated whole, with not only a body and mind, but also a soul and five senses, which are like the five doorways through which we perceive the world around us.
If you visit a ayurvedic hospital or clinic, the ayurveda practitioner would dig deep into your daily routines and habits as a part of initial intake process, it will then help the practitioner to know about your lifestyle, dietary habits, constitutional imbalances etc. that are the underlying cause for your health problems.
Ayurveda practitioners have a big loaded toolbox of balanced dietary guidelines, exercise regimen, home remedies, seasonal routine plans, communication strategies and a lot more to treat our inner imbalances.
Investing time to learn a new tool for our personal health allows us to reclaim our health and sustain it. In the first place it will seem daunting to follow a routine equipped with discipline. But remember that your progress from imbalance towards balance is proportional to how well you stick to the diet and lifestyle plan.
Old habits sometimes die hard and your changes may be very gradual but to achieve progress, the changes need to be made.
At the end,you are in-charge of your own health and responsible for it too.
Ayurveda is just a path for you to follow!
15 Comments
Aurved hi jeevan hai,good define by varnika
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Well done....and keep going.. .. The bright future of ayurveda# growing talent.... Heartiest best wishes to evolve the incredible power of ayurveda
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