What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the Science of Life. A Sanskrit term made of two words. “Ayu” - means life and “Veda” - means science or knowledge.
It is one of the most ancient and comprehensive medical sciences in the world. Ayurveda, according to Dr. Magno and Dr. Kshirsagar, is science for your mind, body, and spirit. It is a consciousness-based approach to health that brings harmony and balance to all areas of your life. (A Guide to Ayurveda Handbook; p.9)
What is the Origin of Ayurveda?
Ayurveda has its origin in the Vedas. A series of Vedic literature from some of the oldest and enriching wisdom on the planet. “Ayurveda is part of the four Vedas - Atharva-Veda, that originated in India five to six thousand years ago” (Kshirsagar, Magno; p.9) The other Vedic Texts are:
Caraka-Samhita - 8 books and 120 chapters describing ancient theories on the human body, etiology, symptomology, and therapeutics for a wide range of diseases,
Susruta -Samhita - 186 chapters on marma, medicine, provides the foundation of surgery
Astanga Hrdaya Samhita - Heart of Medicine, 7120 easily understood Sanskrit verses that present a coherent account of Ayurvedic Knowledge
Bhavaprakasa- Ayurvedic pharmacopeia: Plant origins + concise description of drugs of metals and minerals
Sarangadhara - Samhita - Description of numerous pharmacological formulations used in panchakarma
Madhav Nidana Samhita - Systems and diagnosis of pathology
Kasyap - Samhita - Pediatrics: Care of infants and children, Diseases and Treatment
Bhek- Samhita - Botanical Identifications of 286 medicinal plants species; 419 Sanskrit names are mentioned in different treatment and advised in the text and 1926 citations
Harita-Samhita - Psychiatry, and Neuropsychiatry
Ayurveda emphasis the dynamic balance of life and one’s being. It needs to be achieved in all aspects of one’s life. Physical, mental, emotional, biochemical, spiritual, familial, social, environmental, and universal. Ayurveda treats the individual through the three dimensions: body, mind, and spirit with an emphasis on the prevention of diseases with the help of diet, daily routines, and seasonal routines. It also focuses on diseases, their diagnosis, and treatments with a unique approach towards purification and rejuvenation according to the literature.
What are the basic principles of Ayurveda?
The elements are the pillars of the universe as well as for humans. The five elements of (Pancha Mahabutas) are Space (Akasha), Air (Vayu), Water (Aap), Fire (Tejas), and Earth (Prithvi). The combination of these elements forms the 3 Doshas known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are the individual components of every human and vary in their unique constitution that suggests the balance within every person. According to Ayurveda, we have all 3 of these but in different governments that suggest specific lifestyle and dietary changes to assist individuals in balancing their doshas.
According to Ayurveda, as Dr. Magno and Dr. Kshirsagar explain it, the definition of a “healthy person” is ‘one who has balanced doshas, balanced agni, properly formed dhatus, proper elimination of waste products, all bodily functions are proper, and whose soul, mind, and all five senses are in bliss.’(Kshirsagar, Magno; p.9)
According to our individual composition, or Prakriti, we are lovingly designed by the 3 main doshas. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata dosha is responsible for movement, communication, and transportation. It tends to flourish the most in the winter season as it has gunas or qualities known to be cold, rough, coarse, dry, brittle, airy, spacious, and irregular. Pitta is responsible for the metabolic processes of digestion and is the governor of our Agni or digestive fire. There are 13 agnis, which I go into in AYTT, that contribute to how we digest the information taken in and how it is nourished within our dhatus or tissues. Pitta qualities (gunas) tend to be sharp, hot, pungent, aggressive, and become aggravated when more heat is applied. Pitta season is the summertime and its peak time is mid-day and mid-night. Kapha is the sweet, subtle, soft, stable, and structured version of ourselves. Responsible for lubrication, cohesion, and foundation. I like to think of Kapha as the root chakra of our being. Kapha dosha is quite content where it is and does not like many surprises. More like Eyore from Winnie the Pooh.
So now that you have a little background of the doshas in Ayurveda, the rest of this will make more sense. With having this understanding, in order to prevent and or treat disease or to eliminate the cause of it, we need to get to the root. This can be done by self-reflection of when the onset of the dis-ease occurred, as well as through Nadi Vigyan, which is known as Self Pulse reading. If you want to know what your dosha is, then head over to jbyfnola.org to take the dosha quiz and assessment.
Through the practice of Dinacharya, (morning routine) and Nadi Vigyan, you can actually discover which dosha is aggravated and then begin to apply certain foods to support rebalancing the aggravated dosha. Food is medicine and we must begin to discover how to utilize foods and herbs to re-establish balance back into our lives and heal from the inside out.
According to Dr. Frawley and Dr. Lad, authors of the book “The Yoga of Herbs,” "A fully developed system does not need refinement but rather translation and adaptation." (Frawley, Lad p.1)
Dr.Wallace, professor of Ayurveda at MIU (Maharishi International University), describes Ayurveda as “enlivening the inner intelligence- the field of consciousness). Maharishi Ayurveda views the body as an expression of intelligence. Disease results from losing connection with this underlying field of intelligence.”
It is important to note that the difference between Ayurveda and Maharishi Ayurveda is the consciousness-based aspect of Maharishi Ayurveda and as Dr.Wallace mentions, “through proper education and guidance, Maharishi Ayurveda enables each person to take responsibility for their own health.”