In Pursuit of Ayurveda

Who is Healthy?

2008-03-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

Let us start this post on a positive note by knowing about the features of a healthy person. According to WHO, Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being of the individual on not mere absence of a disease. Acharya Susruta has given the most comprehensive assessment criteria for a healthy person.

Samadoshah Samaagnischa Samadhaatumalakriyah.

Prasannaatmendriyamanaah Svasta Ityabhidheeyate.

Before explaining the above sloka, we need to remember that ancient sciences especially Ayurveda describe things based on two important aspects – Guna (attributes or qualities) & Karma (expression of these attributes as actions). We will have a technical elaboration on guna and karma when we discuss about dosha.

The first line of the above sloka stands for physical plane while the second line indicates mental, social and spiritual planes.

SAMADOSHA – Physiological or equilibrium state of the doshas.

SAMAAGNI – Perfect functioning of digestion, metabolism, absorption and assimilation.

SAMADHAATU – Maintenance of structural integrity of the body or sharira.

SAMAMALA – Proper formation, separation and excretion of waste products.

SAMAKRIYAH – Self dependent performance of routine activities.

The second line can be understood in two ways. Clinically relevant way is

PRASANNA ATMA – Hundred percent focused with clarity, authentic decision making

PRASANNA INDRIYAH – No sensory or motor defect

PRASANNA MANAH – Neither depressed nor anxious, neither inactive nor hyperactive

In a deeper sense it can be understood as

PRASANNA ATMA – Constant recollection of the ultimate truth, ‘paramatma or supersoul’

PRASANNA INDRIYAH – Control over senses.

PRASANNA MANAH – Cooperative social behaviour

Acharya Susruta has covered all entities of life told by acharya charaka. That is Sarira, Indriya, Satva and Atma. Now, we are into an important part of the discussion that is about the tridosha. In clinical practice, if dosha involved is diagnosed, then major part of the treatment is complete.

THE JOURNEY

2008-03-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

After almost two decades of academic tenure under the combined forces of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology in school life, a major step into this ancient science will not seem to be a smooth ride for everyone. Getting convinced with a statement depends on the individual also, but when a new science is introduced there has to be a derivation which is universally acceptable. There is no question of following the science without analyzing, because of favouritism or blind faith.

There are umpteen institutions across the country which officially teach ayurveda and provide a degree. The million dollar question is “ are all institutions laying a strong foundation of ayurveda in students ?”. Most of the institutions will have a common statement, high in frequency that is “ science is understood by experimentation, ayurveda is understood by experience.” And here lies the aetiology of a contagious ayurvedic community-specific disease called INERTIA. Ultimately, if experiment doesn’t explain ayurveda, then experience should be shared. But that sharing seldom happens. Either due to conservatism or lack of enthusiasm, this holy process called ‘ sharing of experience’ remains a rare event.

Marching against these drawbacks, a student’s conviction persists with learning ayurveda . A constant command “ analyze, arrange and never conclude until reasoning is accomplished” is echoing from within.

On one side we have to learn padartha vigyan, sutra sthana, rachana sharira etc., On the other side, we see a majority of the practitioners prescribing by equating medicines to diseases. Here exists a huge gap between theory and practice. We rarely do or see what we learn.

The rishis from all over bharat, under the supervision of atreya met at the base of Himalayas to discuss the solution for diseases. We, the students of ayurveda from all over India may not meet at the base of Himalayas to discuss about our mission that is ‘understanding ayurveda in a better way’. But technology has given us a boon called web publishing, where we can overcome all regional barriers.

Acharya Charaka has said establishment of health is the prime objective of Ayurveda. So our discussion should aim for the same. IT SHOULD NEVER CONFINE TO JUST THEORY. This is our agenda.

Let the Almighty keep all of us in Health and give us the ability to understand Ayurveda.

Welcome

2008-03-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

We at In Pursuit of Ayurveda ( IPA ) cordially invite the ayurvedic students fraternity to this new blog. Wait and watch this site for updated posts.