What is Ayurveda?

The term Ayurveda comprises two Sanskrit words – ‘Ayur’ and ‘Veda’. These words connote ‘Life’ and ‘Knowledge’ respectively thus constituting the meaning of Ayurveda as ‘Knowledge of Life’. Hence, Ayurveda is a health philosophy that believes in the principle of curative and preventive measures for achieving physical, mental and spiritual well-being to the optimum. Over the past 50 centuries, Ayurveda has undergone comprehensive developments in its evolution as a reliable and all-inclusive health science India, the place of its birth. 

Ayurveda is based on the inherent principles of nature and helps human beings maintain health by keeping the physical, mental and spiritual outfits in perfect tandem with the nature. It is considered one of the oldest forms of healthcare in the world that has its reference in Hindu scriptures called Vedas — the ancient Indian books of wisdom. A comprehensive series of prescriptions of numerous ailments are mentioned in the ‘Rig Veda’ written over 6,000 years ago.

Therefore, it is imperative upon us to make a clear goal-setting plan that we can work out in order to lead a healthy, happy and balanced life. To this end we need a holistic health system. What best system to follow other than Ayurveda? The health astuteness of Ayurveda is primarily based on natural herbs and a regulated lifestyle. It follows the fundamentals of Vedas that maintains that the basic requisite for attaining the goals of life (religious, economic and spiritual) is a healthy body, mind and soul. Ayurveda is a discipline that renders a holistic approach to all health problems. It is full of knowledge about other decisive aspects of human health revolving around human body, mind, senses and soul.

Basic Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is based on the principal of five elements that constitute our existence. They are –
    Air
    Fire
    Water
    Earth and
    Ether

These elements are present in human body in the form of energies (doshas). These energies are known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata is related to air and ether elements. This energy controls nerve impulses, blood circulation, respiration, and elimination of air from body.

Kapha relates to water and earth elements. This energy is responsible for overall growth and protection of human body. Kapha exists in human body in the form of mucosal lining of the stomach and the cerebral-spinal fluid present in the brain & spinal column.

Pitta refers to fire and water elements. This energy governs metabolism of human body. The transformation of foods into nutrients, and proper functioning of organs and tissue system is taken care by Pitta.

When any of these energies (doshas) get accumulated in human body beyond the legible quantity, the human body experiences imbalance. Now the prime principle of Ayurveda is to maintain the balance of these energies in human body, through an ideal way of living and nutritional intakes, during the times of imbalance. Ayurveda maintains equilibrium of these elemental energies to prevent attack of diseases and positively contributes to ensuring longevity of life.

Apart from physical health, Ayurveda lays equal stress on mental health. It emphasizes the importance of a positive state of mind and equates it to that of a healthy diet. Mind, according to Ayurveda, acts as a conduit between us and environment through its positive and negative feelings. Ayurveda demarcates state of mind into three categories- Sattavic mind, Rajasic mind and Tamasic mind.

Sattavic mind is pure and full of knowledge, Rajasic mind is passionate and very action oriented and Tamasic mind experiences ignorance with inertia. Imbalance and mental disorders are caused by the three states of mind, especially Rajasic and Tamasic. When these elements become dominant or prolong over a period of time, it leads to mental stress. This results in anxiety, depression, fear and nervousness in human mind.

Consistent and dedicated practice of Ayurveda enhances all the positive qualities in human mind and body through pure foods and lifestyles. It helps in promoting mental clarity, emotional quietude, physical wellbeing and spiritual balance for a well coordinated functioning of the complete human existence.