KNOW AYURVEDA

What is AYURVEDA?

THE SCIENCE OF LIFE

Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life”. Ayurvedic Knowledge originated in INDIA more than 5000 years ago and is often called the “Mother of Healing”.

History of AYURVEDA?

Ayurveda or the veda of ayus (science of life) is the medicine of INDIA coming down traditionally from the earliest times. Charaka said that it was revealed by Brahma, the creator, himself while sushruta goes on step further by stating that it was delivered even before creation. Generally Ayurveda is recognized as an Upaveda related to either Rigveda or Atharvaveda. Kashyapa takes it as the fifth veda and give it the topmost position among them. All this proves its existence since antiquity as Charaka explicitly says it sarsvata (eternal) with untraceable beginning.

OBJECTIVE OF AYURVEDA

The healthy should remain full of health endowed with strength and vigour and well-protected from disorders and the sick should be treated for alleviation of diseases- these are the two objectives of Ayurveda.

PURPOSE OF AYURVEDA

That man is fortunate who enjoys happy and wholesome life of one hundred years, acquires virtues, pleasure and wealth by his strong body and in the end, being free from ego and attachments, follows the path to attain blissful liberation.

HEALTH & DISEASE

Svasthya (Health) is normalcy and equilibrium while vikara (disease) is abnormality and disequilibrium. ‘Arogya’ is the aspect of health denoting ‘absence of disorder’ or ‘alleviation of disease’

PARTS OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda has 8 parts
1. Kaya Chikitsa
2. BaalaChikitsa
3. GrahaChikitsa
4. UrdhvangaChikitsa
5. Shalya Chikitsa
6. VishaChikitsa
7. JaraChikitrsa
8. VishaChikitsa

WHAT IS TRIDOSHA ?

The ayurvedic understanding is that there are three main doshas, or mind ~ body types, which are made up of a combination of the five elements ~ air, space, fire, earth & water. These three doshasare :Vata , Pitta and Kapha.

VATA
PITA
KAPHA

VATA

VATA is composed of Air and space and governs movement in the body and the mind – the nervous system, blood flow, breathe, hearing & speech and movement of thoughts across the mind. A balanced Vata dominated physiology is imaginative, spontaneous, resilient and enthusiastic.

PITA

PITA is composed of fire and water and governs all heat, digestion, sensory perceptions and discrimination between right and wrong. A balanced pitta dominant physiology is sharp, focused and enterprising, with a warm personality and strong leadership

KAPHA

KAPHA is composed of water and earth and governs our physical structure and fluid balance in the body – providing moisture to the skin, healing wounds, giving biological strength, vigour and stability. A balanced Kapha dominant physiology is strong, energetic, tranquil and calm.