Introduction

Ayurveda (Sanskrit: आयुर्वेद), meaning "the Science of Life," is one of the oldest known systems of health and medicine. Rooted in the Vedas—particularly the Atharvaveda—Ayurveda is not merely a system for treating illness but a complete guide to living in harmony with nature. It emphasizes balance between body, mind, and spirit for total well-being.

“हिता हितं सुखं दुःखमायुस्तस्य हिताहितम्। मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तमायुर्वेदः स उच्यते॥”
(Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 1.41)
“That which deals with good, bad, happy and unhappy life, its promoters and non-promoters, its measure and nature is Ayurveda.”

Core Principles of Ayurveda

1. The Five Elements (Pancha Mahabhutas)

All substances in the universe, including the human body, are composed of five basic elements:

• Ākāśa (Ether)
• Vāyu (Air)
• Tejas (Fire)
• Āpas (Water)
• Pṛthvī (Earth)

These combine to form the three doshas (bio-energetic forces):

2. The Three Doshas (Tridoṣa Siddhānta)

• Vāta – Governs movement (formed from ether and air)
• Pitta – Governs transformation (fire and water)
• Kapha – Governs stability and lubrication (water and earth)

Health is the state of dosha-sāmya—a balanced doshic state. Disease arises from dosha-vikṛti—disturbance in this equilibrium.

Concept of Health in Ayurveda

According to Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthana 15.48), a person is considered healthy when:

“समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातु मलक्रियः।
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते॥”

“One whose doshas are balanced, digestive fire is normal, tissues and waste functions are in order, and soul, senses and mind are content—is considered healthy.”

Treatment Approaches

1. Nidan Chikitsa (Diagnosis and Treatment)

• Roga (Disease)
• Rogi (Patient)
• Based on understanding prakriti (constitution), vikriti (imbalance), desha (habitat), kāla (time), and agni (digestive fire).

2. Shamana and Shodhana Therapies

• Shamana (Palliative) – Balancing doshas through diet, herbs, and lifestyle.
• Shodhana (Purificatory) – Panchakarma procedures to cleanse the body: Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Basti (enema), Nasya (nasal), Raktamoksha (bloodletting).

Ayurveda and Vedic Vision

Ayurveda is intrinsically connected to Vedic Darśana. As stated in the Yajurveda (36.23):

“ओषधयः सन्तु नः सुमित्र्यः”
“May herbs become our good friends.”

This is not a materialist medical science, but a holistic psycho-physical system, as developed in tandem with Sāṅkhya and Yoga. It harmonizes with the view of ṛta—the cosmic order—taught in the Vedas.

Modern Relevance

In an age dominated by synthetic medicine and chronic diseases, Ayurveda offers:

• A preventive and curative system.
• Lifestyle guidance based on seasonal and daily rhythms.
• Custom therapies based on individual constitution (prakriti).

Modern research now confirms the efficacy of Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Triphala, and practices such as Abhyanga (oil massage) and Nasya therapy.

Conclusion

Ayurveda is not a relic of the past but a living tradition. It aligns body, mind, and soul with ṛta—the universal law. As the Sāṅkhya Darśana states, the aim of life is trividhaduḥkhātyantanivṛttiḥ—cessation of suffering through wisdom. Ayurveda is one of the vital means to that liberation.

Let us return to this ancient science—not as mere alternative medicine—but as Vedic Ārogya-Vidyā, the eternal science of health and harmony.