Ayurveda: Way of Life (An Old and Rare Book)

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There is a lot of new interest in the Indian wisdom- Ayurveda (the science of life). This body of knowledge-usually considered exclusively to be a medical discipline- is even discussed in the media in Western countries. The renewal of this interest coincides with a general transition taking place in the world. The shift in our value system is evident from the number of health and ecological movements, and in the modern search for spiritual consciousness.

Ayurveda is a stream of knowledge like the other Vedas and it is said that its existence is as old as human race. It is considered to be eternal, as no one knows when it was not there. Ayurveda does not deal only with disease and its cure, but with life in general, so that people can have a better quality of life as well as longevity. According to Charaka Samhita, the most well-known and complete treatise on this discipline, Ayurveda is defined as "that which deals with good-bad, happy-unhappy aspects of life, promoters and non-promoters of life] and their nature and measurements." Ayus is further defined as the conjunction of body, sense organs, mind, and soul. When this conjunction ends, life finishes. Thus, the word ayns means life.

Ayurveda is a science of life. If you wish to know about Ayurveda and want to follow this path, you must begin with the understanding that this science of life is based upon sound philosophical concepts about our being and our relationship to this universe. Here, you are not dealing with a set of rules and do's and don'ts to be followed: therefore it is essential to understand the principles which form the basis of Ayurvedic practices.

While using any system of medicine, your main concern should be to search for life-promoting methods, preventive measures to ward off diseases and, in case of an ailment, the use of correct medication (which cures and also spares the individual from side-effects), and other curative aids. We should not be fanatic about any system of medicine, nor should we reject totally any prevailing system. Many effective methods from various systems of medicine can be complementary to each other.

Modern medicine is concerned primarily about disease and is not concerned about health. Medical research is directed toward finding cures for diseases, but there is little talk about finding methods to maintain good health and adopting preventive measures to avoid various ailments. Healthy living and preventive measures are not a part of the medical education. In Ayurveda, the principal focus is on maintaining good health and adopting a healthy way of living. The second important drawback in modern Western medicine is that it treats all human beings the same way. Individual differences and individual constitutions are not taken into consideration. We differ as much inwardly in our reactions and responses to a given treatment as we vary in our external appearance and personality traits. In Ayurveda, individual variations are taken into consideration and health care and treatment are based upon the individual constitution.

Ayurveda deals with life in its totality. It concerns not only the body but also the mind and the soul. The body, mind, and soul are the three limbs upon which the three-dimensional therapy of Ayurveda- the physical, mental, and spiritual stands. Ayurveda has a holistic view of life and health care practices. Perfect health can only be achieved when body, mind, and soul are in harmony with each other and with the cosmic surroundings.

The second dimension in this holistic view of Ayurveda is the social level. It not only pays attention to the personal well-being of an individual, but also tells us the ways and means of establishing harmony with and in society. The life of any individual at the social level can be good or bad, and at the personal level it can be happy or unhappy. A good life is beneficial for the well-being of the society and a bad life is the opposite. A healthy person is happy and a sick person is unhappy.

The three dosha (vital forces) theory of Ayurveda is based upon the law of the uniformity of Nature; e.g.. the same laws apply to the human body as to the rest of the cosmos. The three vital forces, of the body are not only responsible for physiological functions, but also for mental activities and human behaviour. In fact, there is an interaction between the body's vital forces and mental qualities (gunas). Therefore, in Ayurveda, therapy is determined by considering body and mind in their totality, and not by dividing the body in terms of its parts. Ayurveda lays special emphasis on the individual constitution, which varies from person to person. Thus, the analysis of health and the therapeutic method is decided according to the person's basic constitution. In fact, Ayurvedic methods of health care are devised to help nature take its course to restore physical and mental balance. Mental equilibrium is sought by bringing in harmony the three qualities of the mind-the sattva, rajas, and tamas. In Ayurveda, the cure does not mean suppressing the symptoms of an ailment, but actually restoring harmony to the body.

Ayurveda believes that the state of health is a normal condition and therapy should be based upon reestablishing this natural state through appropriate nutrition, drugs, exercise, etc. That is why the therapy in Ayurveda is also called prakrtisthapan (re-establishing nature), meaning that therapy is used to restore the normal state.

Ayurveda is an integral part of Indian culture. Indian cooking is based on Ayurvedic principles. It dominates the routine of everyday life and plays a part in customs and rituals. Even leisure time and holidays are planned so people do not fall sick with the stress and strain of time.

Dr. Vinod Verma has understood the soul of Ayurveda, and with extensive study and practical experience, she has enlarged her horizon of wisdom. Her research has led her to add two more purification practices, diuresis and bloodpurifying, to the classical five-the Panchakarma and thereby it may be named Saptakarma (the seven practices).

Dr. Verma provides an understanding of the true message of Ayurveda and its holistic approach to health. This book is an excellent example of her contribution to this field. Through her lucid writing, she has made it possible to use Ayurvedic wisdom in modern lives. I congratulate her for this great achievement and it is my desire that in the sacred yajna of Ayurveda, her sacrificial offerings may always burn to enlighten the world with wisdom so we can maintain and achieve perfect health.