The word ayurveda has been coined
by the conjunction of two Sanskrit words, "ayur" meaning life
and "Veda" meaning knowledge. The word together means the
knowledge of life. In ayurveda the process of ayur (life) is considered
as a combined state of body (sharira), senses (indriya), psyche (mana)
and soul (atma). Among these the visible body is made of
panchamahabhoota and is called sthoola sharir whereas the sense, psyche
and soul are invisible and thus are called sukshma sharir or linga
sharir. Ayurveda not only consists of natural scientific methodology of
medication but also provides the way of life.
During the course of time Ayurveda, the way of life and its knowledge
became the science of life, which has its root in ancient Vedic
literature and encompasses our entire life, the body, mind and spirit.
Punarjanma
It is believed that death takes away the sukshma sharir to the heavenly
abode leaving behind the sthoola sharir that decomposes back to its
constituent elements, the panchamahabhoota. The sukshma sharir takes
rebirth (punarjanma) until it attains moksha.
The splitting of the sukshma sharir into indriya, mana and atma after
it attains salvation (moksha) follows this life and death cycle. Indriya
and mana that originate from the nature, surroundings (prakruti) remerge
with the same whereas atma, the image of parmatama merges back into it.
The other instance that is believed in, is the non- attainment of
salvation (moksha) after death. This leads to the combining of the
sukshma sharir i.e. the indriya, mana and atma with the new sthoola
sharir at the time of shukra shonita sanyoga (fertilization) in the
uterus.
This combination of sukshma and sthoola sharir occurs in accordance
with the karmafala that is to be enjoyed by the new sthoola sharir. The
karma (deeds) of the previous sthoola sharir decide the karmafala of the
new sthoola sharir.
It doesn't always happen that the sukshma sharir combines with species
of sthoola sharir same as itself. According to vedic science the sukshma
sharir can combine with any of the species among the 8.4 million species
that exists.
Attainment of moksha is one of the chaturvidh purushartha. (four main
objectives of life) and the process of splitting and combining of the
sukshma sharir with the sthoola sharir continues till moksha is
attained.
Atma is comparable to god, the creator and is believed to be the
almighty. Once the sukshma sharir and the sthoola sharir have atma
attached to it, due to karmafalbandhan all its strength and might is
lost and he has to lead this cyclical phase of life according to the
karmafala.
In ayurveda itself the Sanskrit word ayur has synonyms that possess the
same meaning and value as life itself. Few synonyms are:
Dhari
As the physical properties of the body is sustained (dharna) during
life.
Jeevita
As the lively activities are carried out.
Nityaga
As the time of life is continuously spent.
Anubandha
As life is possible with the combination (bandhan) of the sukshma and
the sthoola sharir.
Charak Sootra 1/41
In ayurveda ayu (life) can be classified as:
- Sukha Ayu
The ayu that leads a healthy life. Person has good health.
- Dukkha Ayu
The ayu that live a diseased life. The person suffers with some
disease all his life.
- Hita Ayu
The ayu that lives life by serving the society.
- Ahita Ayu
The ayu that live life in destructive activities.
Definition of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the science of life that not only deals with Sukha Ayu,
Dukkha Ayu, Hita Ayu, Ahita Ayu but also deals with the ways and means
to achieve health the path that leads to disease.
In all ayurveda deals with quantum of the Ayu, the life.
