Ayurveda Science & Principles

Definition of Ayurveda as in Ancient Texts

The Sanskrit verse "Ayurasminvidyate" defines Ayurveda. It means Ayurveda is a science which deals with "Ayur" (life) and how to prolong the life-span. Another verse "Sarir endriya satvat masam yogo dhari jivitam" also tells what Ayurveda deals with. It deals with good, bad, happy and unhappy parts of life, the life span, nature and promotes healthy lifestyle.

There are three things that make life — body, self (spirit) and mind. The living being is called Purusha and the three things are contained in him. Ayurveda simplifies the organization of Human body unlike modern medical science. The body's layout is considered to consist of three elements viz. Doshas, Dhatus and Mala. Doshas are the body humours, Dhatus are the tissues and Mala are the impurities. While specifying a treatment these three things are considered.

A human being as an individual is composed of spirit which desires to express itself using the mind and the body. The expression is done through sense organs. Body is the carrier of the higher energies, spirit and mind and is made of Panch Mahabhutas (Five Greater Elements). These Panch Mahabhutas combine to form the Three Doshas in the human body. The three Doshas are a combination of energy and bio-force that is responsible for our physical health. The three psychic forces of Rajas (activity), Tamas (inertia) and Satvam (Truthfulness) are the elements which determine our mental health. Ayurveda is a system of health care which balances all these elements to achieve optimum health.

What is Contained in Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a science which gives knowledge about the causes of disease, the symptoms of disease and the way to remove the causes and symptoms. Ayurveda is quite distinct from other systems of treatment and medicine. The distinguishing features of this ancient system are:

• There are three fundamental energies which regulate all natural processes at macro and micro level — the same energy system responsible for the creation, movement and destruction of galaxies and star systems. The human physiology is thus connected to the Universe. Tridoshas is the name given to these three universal energies.
• Ayurveda believes that there is one super energy source (Paramatma). All energy, wisdom and intelligence flow from this source through nature (Prakriti) to the human (Purusha). Ayurveda assists in keeping a harmonious relationship between individuals and nature.
• The focus of Ayurveda is to balance the energies responsible for life — it does not treat symptoms but removes the root cause of disease.
• Every individual has a unique body. So every individual receives different treatment even if the disease is the same.
• Mind and body are both part of the human being. Overall health comprises both a healthy mind and a healthy body.
• The Tridoshas can be balanced by therapies and exercises; the mind can be balanced by meditation, Japa and Pranayama.
• The five basic elements that make up the human body are fire (Agni), earth (Prithvi), water (Jal), air (Vayu) and space (Akaash). These combine to form the Tridoshas — a unique combination for every person called their Prakruti. All treatments — diet, exercises, detoxification, herbal medication and rejuvenation therapy — are based on this.

Basic Principles Guiding Ayurveda as a Medical System

Ayurveda is comprised of six basic principles which guide the whole system:

• The Three Fundamental Psychic Energies

  There are three universal psychic energy systems: Sattvic (Truthfulness), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (inertia). All human beings are a mixture of all three, but one is dominant and determines mental status. Sattvic is the purest — it activates the senses for grasping knowledge. Rajas is the most active force, guiding desires and ambitions; imbalance causes fickle mindedness. Tamas causes resistance to change; imbalance causes laziness, delusion and ego. They can be unbalanced by greed, anxiety, anger, fear and stress.

• The Five Basic Elements (Panch Maha Bhutas)

  Earth (Prithvi), water (Jal), air (Vayu), fire (Agni) and space (Akaash) are mixed in infinite ways to produce uniquely different matter. Space in the body includes the mouth, nasal cavity and stomach; Agni is enzyme functioning; Vayu makes the muscular and nervous system move; water makes up two-thirds of the body; and earth forms the skeletal structure, hair, flesh and skin.

• The Three Body Humours (Tridoshas)

  Vata, Pitta and Kapha dominate the functioning of the whole body. Vata (Vayu + Akaash) governs body physiology — it is light, cold and dry. Pitta (Agni + Jal) governs all chemical processes including hormones and enzymes — it is light, hot and oily. Kapha (Jal + Prithvi) governs the skeletal and anabolic systems — it is heavy, cold and oily. All diseases can be explained in terms of these three Doshas.

• The Seven Body Tissues (Dhatus)

  The seven tissues are: fluid tissue (Rasa Dhatu), blood tissue (Rakta Dhatu), muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu), fat tissue (Meda Dhatu), bone tissue (Asthi Dhatu), nervous tissues (Majja Dhatu) and reproductive tissues (Shukra Dhatu).

• The Thirteen Fires of Digestion

  They are the digestive fire (arising from the stomach), seven tissue fires (arising from the seven tissues) and five elemental fires (arising from the five elements in the body).

• The Three Impurities (Mala)

  Body wastes are classified into three kinds: Faeces (impurities remaining after nutrient absorption from solid food), Urine (formed after water is purified and toxins collected) and Sweat (formed by burning of fat, responsible for maintaining body temperature).