The Basics of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient philosophy, a vedic science of life. Considered to be one of the oldest healing sciences by many scholars, there also seems to be a forgotten divine origin of this ancient concept. Brahma, Hindu God and creator of the universe (as believed by the Hindus), passed on this knowledge of healing to mankind when they began to fall ill. This knowledge in the form of traditional medicines was then passed on by means of various writings and oral narrations through time.
The information on traditional medicine and art of healing was composed in the form of poems called ‘shlokas’ and used to describe the many beneficial uses of medicinal plants and herbs. The Hindu system of healing is therefore believed to be based on the compilations of knowledge (vedas) called Yagur Veda, Rig Veda, Sam Veda and Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda is the most commonly and well known of all four, and the practice of Ayurveda is therefore based upon the knowledge gained from each of the Vedas. Ancient texts are available in various translations and languages all over the world today.
“There are two scopes of Ayurveda”, describes Dr. Gayathri Nissanka, Ayurvedic Physician at Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions. “To preserve the health of an individual and to the cure the ill. Unlike other methods of healing and maintaining a healthy self, Ayurveda personalizes the healing process, and caters to each and every individual as is”.
According to Ayurveda, the human body is composed of four basics — dosha, dhatu, mala and agni. There is tremendous significance of all these basics of the body and they are also called the ‘basic fundamentals of Ayurvedic treatment’.
- Dosha — The three vital principles of doshas or basic biologies of the body are vata, pitta and kapha, which together are known to regulate and control the catabolic and anabolic metabolism. Vata is referred to as the energy of movement — walking, speaking, blinking, even gas exchange in lung epithelial cells, iron transportation through cell membrane and so on; pitta is directed towards the energy of digestion or metabolism — perceptions like vision, and correlates with hormones too, and kapha focuses on the energy of lubrication and structure — between two bones and also nourishing the body tissues. The main function of the three doshas is to carry the byproduct of digested foods throughout the body, which helps in building up and strengthening the internal body tissues. Any malfunction in these doshas causes disease according to Ayurveda.
- Dhatu — Dhatu can be defined as one in which supports the body. There are seven tissue systems in the body, and they are rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, mjja and shukra which represent the plasma, blood, muscle, fat tissue, bone, bone marrow and semen respectively. Dhatu provide the basic nutrition to the body and helps in the growth and structure of mind.
- Mala — Mala means waste products or bodily wastage. There are three main types of malas; that being purisha, mutra and sveda — stool, urine and sweat respectively. Malas are mainly the waste products of the body so their proper excretion from the body is essential to maintain the proper health of the individual.
- Agni — All kinds and variations of metabolic and digestive activity of the body takes place with the help and support of the biological fire of the body called Agni. Agni can be termed as the various enzymes present in the elementary canal, liver and the tissue cells, converting food into energy, which is responsible for all the vital functions of our body.
“According to the ancient texts in reference to Ayurveda, life is the combination of sharira (physical body), indriya (sensory organs), sathva (mind) and athma (soul or spirit). According to its scriptures, a healthy person is such a person who has dosha, dhatu, mala and agni in balanced and proper proportions, a person who has a viral sharira and indriya, a sensible sathva and calm athma” added Dr. Gayathri.
According to ancient Ayurveda texts, all aspects and objects that exist in the universe including mankind are composed of the five basic elements, also known as panchamahabhuta. They are namely prithvi (earth), jal (water), agni (fire), vayu (air) and akash (ether). Scholarly knowledge and understanding of these basic elements describe it as yet another way or methodology of understanding structures and functions of the body matrix and its various parts. It is said that there is a balanced combination of these five elements in different proportions to suit the needs and requirements of each and every individual and other living and non-living matter.
“As a holistic science and philosophy, Ayurveda understands the mind, body and spirit as it aims in keeping them in a well balanced and healthy state. An individual falls sick or has deteriorating health due to the presence or absence of a balanced state of the total body matrix including the balance between its different elements. A malfunction of each of these factors can cause a disturbance in the natural equilibrium and give rise to disease or illness. This loss of equilibrium can be causes by multiple forces including dietary hazards, undesirable habits and completely straying away from the basic guidelines of healthy living. Abnormalities, improper or lack of exercise or erratic application of sense organs and incompatible actions of the body and mind can also result in creating an imbalance,” she added further.
The treatment consists of focussing on balancing the mental, physical and spiritual state, by means of regulating diet, reaffirming a a healthy lifestyle, routine and behaviour, and also resorting to some Ayurvedic therapies and treatments.
(to be continued….)
