Meaning of Ayurveda
- WELLNESS
- February 26, 2021
The term Ayurveda is made out of two Sanskrit words
‘Ayuh’ +’ Veda’
‘Ayuh’ stands for longevity or life.
‘Veda’ stands for science or knowledge It literally means the science of life, to extend one’s healthy and meaningful life.
This ancient science is considered to have originated by the Gods in times
where disease and misery was increasing in the world.
Aim of Ayurveda
Svasthasya svasthya rakshanam,
aaturasya vikaara pras`amanani c ||
(Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana 30/26)
The chief purpose or aim of Ayurveda is to
● relief the misery of suffering people
● preservation of health to help attain principle aim of life that are:
– Dharma – doing right for the wellbeing of individual and society
– Artha – to work hard to acquire wealth
– Kama – satisfaction of the worldly desires
– Moksha – attainment of salvation through liberation and god
consciousness
Panchamahabhutas = The five elements
According to Ayurveda, the whole universe consists of five elements:
i. Aakash (Space element)
ii. Vayu (Air element)
iii. Agni (Fire element)
iv. Jala (Water element)
v. Prithvi (Earth element)
Our bodies also comprise of these five elements where
1. Space element conceives the body cavities,
2. The fluid part in the body is made up of the water element,
3. Fire manages the catabolic processes (like digestion) in the body
4. Where air element control the movements of different entities like
hormones, enzymes, and fluids
5. And earth element is the matter – the hardness of tough parts of the
body respectively
Tridosha – Bio-energies
vāyu: pittaṃ kaphaśceti trayo doṣ ā: samāsata: || vikṛ tā’vikṛ tā dehaṃ ghnanti
te varttayanti ca |
(Ashtanga Hridayam 1/6)
Vata, Pitta, and Kapha- The three bio-energies responsible for the
existence of life. These energies are needed to be balanced to maintain a
healthy body and mind constitution.
Vata manages the nervous system; Pitta with its fire element controls the
metabolism and hormonal flow whereas Kapha works as the support
system of our body.
Their poise and perfect balance is essential for a flourishing mind and body
whereas disturbance of natural function can be destructive beyond our
understanding and belief.
One must learn his body constitution to live a sophisticated and healthier
life.
According to Ayurveda, every other person possesses a different type of
Prakriti (Body Nature) depending on their unique Tridosha constitution.
Though no human being has the body constitution consisting of a single or
dual dosha but all three, however, there is always one dosha or two doshas
that dominates over the other. That one dosha decides one’s Prakriti (Body
type). Depending on this dominant guy your body has different
physiological and psychological functioning.
