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.