About Ayurveda
the origin of ayurveda, the word conjugated by "ayu" meaning
life and "Veda" meaning knowledge can be traced back to the
evolution of civilization. The Indian sages thousands of years ago
enscripted their knowledge about life and the fundamentals of ayurveda
in the oldest scriptures known to mankind, namely the
Rig Veda,
Yajur Veda, Athrva Veda and Sam Veda.
Ayurved is regarded as the Upaveda or sub-scripture of the Yajurveda.
This Veda contains abundance of information on how to keep oneself
healthy and to combat diseases.
Originated as a part of Vedic science, ayurveda is an integral
spiritual science devised to give a comprehensive understanding of the
entire universe, which it sees as working according to a single law.
Ayurveda is the branch of Vedic science, which deals with physical body
besides yoga, meditation, astrology, etc. Herbal medicine, dietetics,
physiology, surgery, psychology, spirituality etc. are included in
ayurveda under Ashtanga Ayurveda.
From the ancient enlightened sages and period, Vedic culture ayurveda
is the healing gift to mankind. It is believed that the astronomical
records in ancient Vedic texts, the Vedic system, including ayurveda,
was in practice even before 4000 BC. Hence it is evident that ayurveda
was very mature and predominant in India thousands of years ago.
Ayurvedic philosophy says that suffering is disease and contentment is
good health and no human being is healthy if he does not posses a sound
sharira (body), a sound mana (mind) and a sound atma (soul). Ayurveda
advises for smallest things of personal hygiene and social conduct and
describe the whole way of life, narrates how one should keep healthy.
The sages of ayurveda emphasized on the importance of preventive
medicine by developing individual's own immune system to fight against
all possible infections. Ayurvedic healing has two levels:
- One for the layman and self-care
- Second for the healer and his practice.
The first ones outlines many common and home remedies for
different diseases and gives a general constitutional or life-style
treatment for health enhancement and disease prevention. It is also
believe that it is only when our life- style is out of harmony that more
severe disease arise and more specialized and complicated health care
becomes necessary.
The second level provides some of this specialized ayurvedic medical
knowledge and says that more is utilized by a health care professional.
Most disease conditions involve physical and spiritual factors and
require treatment on both levels. Ayurveda traditionally involves a
holistic treatment of the entire human being and its full cosmic
nature.According to the Upanishads, the main spiritual teachings of
ancient India, disease is the highest form of asceticism (tapas),
whereby the truth of life and the truth of one's own self can be
revealed.
Disease may be a sign of wrong action in life, but it can also be an
indication that the soul is directing its energy within. Either way it
requires a spiritual re-examination of our lives, particularly if the
disease is severe. Hence, self-examination is the first step and
fundamental basis of understanding and resolving any disease.
Ayurvedic medicines consist of various natural herbs and minerals and
are rapidly gaining acceptance all over the world. Ayurveda today is
part of a new movement towards a global medicine that includes the best
developments from all lands.
Trisutra Ayurveda
Shloka: Cha. Su. 1/24
According to Charaka entire Ayurveda is explained in three strings
(Trisutra), namely
hetusutra,
lingasutra and
aushadhisutra,
which are extremely helpful in maintaining health and treating diseases.
Hetusutra: It is the causative factor of disease.
Lingasutra: These are the sign and symptoms developed due to the
disease.
Aushadhisutra: It is the means of treatment.
