Ayurveda
 
Keeping alive a Glorius tradition !
 
THE NATURAL WAY TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
AYURVEDA is derived from Vedas, the divine Hindu legacy of knowledge. The aim of Ayurveda is not only healing of the sick but prevention of illness and preservation of life and in that way it comprises a noble system of living that makes Ayurveda the most complete system of medicine and health care we know today. Hence Ayurveda is the science concerned with the life span of human beings. The word Ayu is derived from Ayussu meaning life span and veda means knowledge. Altogether the ancient medical system is the knowledge concerning life and health. Apart from medicine and treatments it contains other subjects related to treatments such as Yoga. Yoga, an essential part of Ayurveda, is a science as well as a method of achieving spiritual harmony through the control of mind and body. The asanas (yogic postures) and pranayamam (control of breath) are practices that not only help us to acquire perfect health but also to develop a calm and serene mind.
 

The position of Ayurveda is unique among other medical systems for many a reason. According to Ayurveda, the human body is made up of the five natural elements (panchabhoothas), identical to those which constitute the universe itself (Prithivi, op, theja, vayu and akash.) Again it is comprised of THRIDOSHAS , namely Vata, Pitha and Kapha.. When these three Doshas are in balance, the state of the body is said to be healthy and any imbalance will lead to disease. The ratio of these doshas differ from person to person. An expert physician is generally capable of understanding these doshas and diagnose the disease properly by analyzing the symptoms through Darsana (observation), Sparsana (physical examination of the body) and Prasna (enquiry and discussion with the patient). Ayurveda acknowledges the differential metabolism of each individual human body. Treatments in ayurveda are therefore individualized. No two ailments can be the same due to differences in body constitutions, age, sex and place. Timing is also important. Curative medicines are to be taken in perfect harmony with nature in keeping with universal timing (change in Rithu, weather) in contrast with the man-made measurement of time in other systems of medicine.

The diagnostic process in Ayurveda comprises of Darsana (observation), Sparsana (physical examination of the body) and Prasna (enquiry and discussion with the patients). Ayurveda also considers the state of the human mind. A calm and serene mind is a vital component for physical well-being. Hence Ayurveda evolved the system of Yoga, A comprehensive series of exercises for the mind and the body. Thus Ayurveda established its credential long back and later spread its wings of influence to many other cultures notably the Arabs.

 

Ayurveda is more than a medical system, because it enforces on the patient a code of discipline and ethics in order to achieve physical comfort, mental happiness and improved life span. For example apart from Pathyam (dietary restrictions) smoking, drinking and sleeping during the day are prohibited. The emphasis is more on the patient, i.e the treatment is patient oriented. Cure may therefore take a longer time but it will usually be complete and the patient will have improved resistance of the body against future ailments. Hence it can be safely termed as user-friendly.

According to Hindu mythology Ayurveda was advised for the welfare of mankind by none other than Brahmah, the creator of universe and was orally transmitted to Agnivesas through Prajapathy, Aswinideva, Indra and Athreya. Merit goes to the sages Athreya, Charaka, Sushrutha & Vagbata for documenting and developing this system of medicine. The Ashtavaidya families are to be credited for preserving and practicing this superior system of medicine in the modern times

 
“Prayers in Ayurveda”- Elsewhere a reference was made to Ayurveda as a legacy that is sacred and at once devine. Prayers have always been a concomitant aspect of Ayurveda in its curative, corrective and constructive processes, though not “enforced” as such. Normally, the treatment begins with prayers submitted to Almighty for effective and quick results. Most practitioners of Ayurveda in Kerala have themselves been people commited to religious disciplines that involve morning and evening prayers to invoke blessings not just for themselves and their families but for all those who come for treatment and for the world at large- “LOKAH SAMASTHA SUKHINO BHAVANTHU“.