Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that has been practised in India for over 5000 years. The word Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words - "Ayur" meaning life, and "Veda" meaning knowledge. Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and wellness that considers the individual as a whole, comprising body, mind, and spirit.

Ayurveda uses natural remedies and techniques to promote health, balance, and longevity. It emphasizes the importance of preventing illness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than treating diseases. Ayurvedic treatments include herbal and mineral medications, massage, yoga, meditation, and dietary changes, among others.

In modern times, Ayurveda has gained significant popularity as an alternative medicine system. Many individuals are seeking Ayurveda as a treatment modality for various ailments, especially those that are chronic and not easily treatable by contemporary medicine. The ancient Indian texts of Ayurveda are a treasure trove of knowledge and insights into natural healing methods.

Puranic origin of Ayurveda

It is said that many aeons ago Lord Brahma created the science or tantra of Ayurveda through his power of memory and incorporated it into the mind of his son Prajapati. Soon the knowledge of new science created caused all celestial beings to wonder in Suraloka ( the abode of gods and celestial beings) and hence the twin gods with the face of horses called "Ashwini Kumaras " learned it thoroughly from Lord Prajapati. The Ashwini Kumaras went on to become renowned and the first-ever physician duo of Suraloka. Now the duty of passing this knowledge to the beings of the earth was to be fulfilled by the king of Suraloka Lord Devendra. So he incorporated this into his brain and compiled it all and passed the knowledge down to Rishis like Krishnatreya and Bharadwaja.

Ayurveda on Bhumi or the Earth

The knowledge of Ayurveda that came down to earth was passed on to Rishies and 3 schools of thought formed. Which are:

• The first school of thought was headed by Maharishi Krishnatreya who dealt with all fields of medicine except for surgery and paediatrics.

• The next school of thought dealt with surgeries headed by Maharishi Sushrutha under the guidance of Divodasa who is said to be an incarnation of Lord Dhanvantari.

• The third school of thought involved the paediatrics, prenatal and postnatal care lifestyle and medications headed by Maharishi Kashyapa.

All three schools of thought have surviving texts till now namely Charaka Samhitha following the Atreya School of thought, Sushrutha Samhitha following the Dhanvantari School of thought, and Kashyapa Samhitha following the Kashyapa School of thought.

Definition of Ayurveda

Referenced from Charaka Samhitha ayurveda is defined as :

"हिताहितं सुखं दुःखं आयुः

तस्य हिताहितं।

मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्त आयुर्वेद

स उच्यते ॥"

The tantra or science involving the elements of good or bad in terms of quality or quantity for all types of ayu or lifespan (healthy, unhealthy, easy and uneasy lifespans) is known as ayurveda.

Aim of Ayurveda

"प्रयोजनं चास्य स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्यरक्षणमातुरस्य

विकारप्रशमनं च ॥२६॥"

The Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus made a proverb in 1500 that "prevention is better than cure ". This motto was adopted and extensively widespread by WHO. The Charaka Samhita recorded the aim of Ayurveda in the form of a shloka which says:

• Maintain the health of a healthy individual

• Treat a person with an illness

This has been followed by ayurveda Acharyas of India for 5000 years.

Sanskrit as a medium

Sanskrit was chosen as a medium for the texts to be written in because of reasons like:

• It is easy to create poetic sutras or shlokas to aid in understanding.

• Protecting the science from misuse.

• The science of life is sacred and so is Sanskrit.

• The language was created musically, making it easier to learn.

Conclusion

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that has stood the test of time. Charaka Samhitha's contributions to Ayurveda have played a significant role in shaping the system of medicine as we know it today. Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and wellness that has been practised in India for thousands of years.

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Trisutra Ayushyalaya

Trisutra Ayushyalaya, an Ayurvedic clinic located in Mysore, Karnataka, India, is continuing the legacy of Acharya Charaka by providing authentic Ayurvedic care to its patients. Founded by Dr Roopini N R, the clinic emphasizes individualized treatment and care, using traditional techniques and natural remedies to promote balance and well-being. Trisutra Ayushyalaya is dedicated to preserving the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and making it accessible to modern society.

At Trisutra Ayushyalaya, patients can expect personalized treatment approaches tailored to their individual needs. The clinic offers a variety of services, including Ayurvedic consultations, Panchakarma therapies, and herbal medicine prescriptions. The clinic uses only natural and organic products, and treatments are administered by experienced Ayurvedic practitioners. Patients can also benefit from the clinic's Ayurvedic lifestyle counselling, which includes guidance on diet, exercise, and stress management.

Trisutra Ayushyalaya is also committed to empowering individuals to take responsibility for their health and well-being, and the clinic provides education and resources to help patients achieve optimal health.

Trisutra Ayushyalaya is a valuable addition to the Ayurvedic healthcare community in Mysore, offering authentic Ayurvedic care, personalized treatment approaches, and resources for holistic well-being.

So come join us and start your journey towards self-healing and a better quality of life. Follow this blog to learn more about Ayurveda in the way of the gurukuls of ancient India. Help others learn about this age-old science in the right way.

Next Blog: Atreya School of Thought and Charaka Samhita