Ayurveda is the most ancient science of all the medical sciences. Like Yoga, it is also based on Samkhya philosophy of creation and manifestation.
The union of body, sense organs, mind and soul is called ‘Ayu‘; ‘Veda‘ means knowledge. Thus, ayurveda is the ‘science of health’, ‘science of longevity’, ‘science of life’. Ayurveda therefore is not simply a health care system but a form of lifestyle adopted to maintain perfect balance and harmony within the human existence i.e. from the most abstract transcendental values to the most concrete physiological expressions based on premise that life represents an intelligent coordination of the soul, mind, senses and physical body.
Indian Sages have seen man in depth, a depth dimension of the human personality. They discovered in an individual, there is a physical dimension, an intellectual dimension and there is a deeper spiritual dimension. They discovered this profound dimension penetrating the external body system, internal nervous system, and internal psychic system in every human being, and called it the ‘atman’ – the pure Self. Today, the world is researching on this ‘science of spiritual strength’; it is this yearning that is attracting people world over towards India’s great philosophies and Yoga
Ayurveda defines a human as an assemblage of the five great elements plus the immaterial self i.e. atman. According to Ayurveda, our basic constitution (combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha) is determined at the time of conception. This constitution is called Prakriti. Prakriti is taken as the base-point of an individual and is fixed throughout the lifetime of an individual. Different people have different combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha as their basic constitution. Prakriti in an individual is unique just as fingerprint or DNA. This is how Ayurveda explain the subtle differences between individuals and explain why and how everyone is unique i.e. reacting differently when exposed to the same environment or stimuli. Thus, in order to understand an individual, it is necessary to determine his prakriti.
It explains the material existence, constitution and character of all that exist.
The theory revolves around the five great elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether) that go into the making of the constitution of each individual, called Prakriti. Which in turn is determined by the vital balance of the three physical energies – Vata, Pitta, Kapha &
the three mental energies – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
Ideally, this constitution remains fixed throughout the life. Unfortunately, it is not the case. Every individual is subject to constant interaction with environment which impacts his basic constitution. This current condition is called vikriti. The body tries to maintain a dynamic equilibrium or balance with the environment adjusting to inborn base constitution as closely as possible. But, if the current proportion of this gap i.e. ‘doshas’ differs significantly from original constitutional proportion, it indicates imbalances. This imbalance results in illnesses. Farther the vikriti from prakriti, more ill the person is. Ayurveda teaches that our vikriti can be changed by following the principles and methods of ayurvedic treatments like panchkarma and combining it with the “Means of YOGA” – meditation, diet etc to approach our prakriti – state of perfect health!
45 Comments
Interesting.. Ayurveda and yoga both helps to create balance between these three Doshas to heal the body!!
Thankyou Kranti for giving it a read. Yes, we win right from within if we are able to balance the three doshas. The secret to balance has a mention in both 🌸🙏🌸
My pleasure 😊
Great post, concise and clear information, thanks for sharing this with us.
Thankyou Judy! I’m glad you like it 🌸🙏🌸
You’re very welcome! Thanks for writing it! 🌸🙏🌸
This was a interesting read. I did get with ” everyone is unique” and that they Will respond differently in certain situations when they are exposed to. Very true.
I´ll have to do more Google search on other terms you used though, but very interesting.
Haha… that was an honest feedback. The issue is to find an equal alternate of the Sanskrit terms in English. Also, it being philosophy (not the favorite subject for most) make this and previous blog a brain twister for anyone who doesn’t have Sanskrit as base.
Having said the above, the most important aspect of Yoga, rather all Indian philosophies is to put things into practice; if that is missing then no point in any intellectual or physical gymnastics… so don’t bother about the terms. The bottom line is simple i.e. ‘indian medical science also mentions the means of Yoga for achieving holistic health’.
Thankyou for being on my blog and giving it a read (despite heavy terms) ☺️…
Stay healthy 🌸🙏🌸
Such an informative post. Thank you.
Thankyou for appreciating and visiting my blog 🌸🙏🌸
It was pleasure reading something refreshing.
Very informative post!
I nominate you for the Liebster Award! No pressure! 💞
Thankyou always for your visits. I don’t know how do I thankyou for your appreciations and for considering me for these awards. Feels great being recognised by someone who’s becoming an expert on blogging☺️…really can’t thank you enough🌸🙏🌸
Thank you for the nice words
Wonderful article Gunjan!
Ayurveda and yoga both are wonderful gift to us if someone can really have faith in them. Both put our life and lifestyle in balance.
Thankyou for appreciating Deeksha 🙏
Yes, very rightly said… The most important aspect is faith… Having that ayurveda and yoga can bring in the perfect body mind balance🌸🌸
Are you An Ayurvedic Doctor,,, great insight you have thrown here,,, thanks
Thankyou for your kind words🙏
No, I’m not an ayurveda doc but a Yoga therapist. Ayurveda and naturopathy are two important subjects that we study/apply during Yoga therapy…as both these sciences work with the 5 elements… though differently!
Thanks for info,, will look forward to gain knowledge from you🙏😊
And I’ll look forward to learning from your knowledge and experiences 🌸🙏🌸
Hahaha,,, I have limited ,,,lol!
Another great post. 🙂
Thankyou Kevin for visiting and appreciating ☺️🙏🌸
My pleasure, Gunjan. 🙂
Awesome knowledge sharing….. I strongly believe in Ayurveda… Thanks for sharing 😊😊
Thankyou Hema for the kind words. Yes, Ayurveda is magical… I strongly believe in it too 🌸🙏🌸
Very informative!
I’m glad you found it useful. Thankyou for your visit 🌸🙏🌸
You’re welcome 😇
Thank you for sharing this post! very informative!
Thankyou Ravi ji for stopping by. Also thanks for appreciating 🙏
You are most welcome! You can simply call me Ravi! Y formal!
Thanks so much for sharing
Thankyou for your visit and appreciation 🌸🙏🌸
Very interesting, Gunjan. Coincidentally, I just interviewed a woman for a project and she listed one of her certifications was as a Ayurvedic counselor. Makes me wonder if what she studied is the real deal or an Americanized version?
Thankyou Sean! An American learning this beautiful science is interesting. It would rather be appropriate to customize the learnings to be able to execute within her local environment. As long as the essence is not lost, I personally believe it should be good. I would rather look forward to her Americanized version 🙂
After reading your blog very carefully, I think I’m going to devote myself to seeking my balance in the spiritual, the psychic and my way of relating to others. These are new things for me, but I am learning from your writings. I know it will cost me to do it, but the key is to start doing it gradually. I love reading you. I discover more of my life with you.
Im so glad Mac, you’re relating to these blogs this way. We all are striving to reach that optimal balance. May you discover your path soon.
I’m always greatfull to your visits and valuable comments. Appreciate them a lot 😊🌸🙏
In that we are. A good week for you.
Happy week to you too 🙏
Thanks for the information. I’m looking to adopt some Ayurvedic principles into my diet and this is a good start.
That’s awesome. I wish you progress in making life healthier adopting these principles. Thanks for your visit and kinds words of appreciation 🌸🙏🌸
Likewise. Thank you 🙂
Great summary! I’m interested in learning more 🙂
Thankyou for your kind words; it means a lot 🌸🙏🌸
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