Introduction to Ayurveda (An Old and Rare Book)

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The author Dr. Dwivedi born in 1933 at Village Barigawan, Dist. Palamau, Bihar. Inherited the impressions and concrete background of nationality and Ayurved since early childhood from his reputed freedom fighter father Late Pt. Vidya Dhar Dubey, A.M.S., B.H.U. and an orthodox mother Shrimati Harshvati Devi. In Continuation to inherited Impressions of Parents which further flourished under the able guidance of the eldest brother of the family Late Pt. Suresh Chandra Dwivedi A.M.S., B.H.U. a reputed physician and one of the most favourite disciple of great physician and Scholar of Ayurveda late Kaviraj Pt. Satya Narayan Shastri.

Dr. Dwivedi graduated from Ayurvedic College B.H.U. and obtained A.B.M.S. in 1956. Served as medical officer at Govt. Dispensary Sohar, Mahuadanr, Palamau for about 10Years. Joined Postgraduate Studies & research in 1966 and Completed D.Ay. M (Basic Principles) in 1969. During the Course of Postgraduate Studies appointed as Demonstrator, Basic principles, I.M.S., B.H.U. in 1968. After 3 years of Demonstratership appointed as A.R.O. in C.C.R.I.M.H. in 1971. Served in the Capacity of A.R.O. in C.C.R.I.M.H. in 1971. Served in the Capacity of A.R.O at Calcutta, Varanasi Kurukshetra and Delhi for about 8 yrs. Promoted to R.o. in 1979 and Served the C.C.R.A.S. as Incharge Encephalitis Camp at Gorakhpur, U.P. and Vardhwan W.B.

Appointed as Lecturer, Basic Principles, I.M.S., B.H.U. in 1980 and started the teaching Carrier Appointed as Reader, Ayurveda Samhita, I.M.S., B.H.U. in 1986. Till now guided 10ph. D. and M.D. (Ay.) students.

I am happy to write a foreword to this concise book on Introduction to Ayurveda by Dr. L.D. Dwivedi. This has been brought out very timely since a large number of Scholars from various parts of the world, specially from Western countries, come to us to study the Principles and Practice of Ayurveda. There are many standard books on the subject such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Vagabhata etc. But to study them in their short visit to various centres is very difficult. Hence there is an urgent need for writing a short Introductory Book on the essential Basic Principles of Ayurveda, for the benefit of all.

Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to thank Dr. L.D. Dwivedi for taking so much interest in presenting this very useful book for the benefit of all the people who are interested in studying the basic Principles of Ayurveda. Thus he states "Ayurveda is an alround Philosophy and Science of life'. Ayurveda also emphasises that we should try to take the individual as a whole as a single unit of life and has got integrated relationship with the natural environment around him. Further Ayurveda also emphasises the close relationship between the mind and body during the health and diseased state. Its main emphasis has been in the promotion of Health and Prevention of the diseases first and then only they take up the curative aspect of diseases. Even in the therapy they not only prescribe medicines, but also lay great stress on diet and other regimens, so that the entire bodily systems are repaired and rejuvenated. These medicines are usually of plant origin and hence they do not produce much harmful effects on the patients. Most of these plants are easily available in the villages or in the neighbouring Forest region and they are cheap and very effective. Hence Ayurveda can serve the suffering humanity, specially the poorest of the poor, for improving their health. Thus, if we want to fulfil the W.H.O. resolution of "Health for All by 2000 A.D.", Ayurveda can be made use of its fullest extent so as to achieve the goal.

All the above points have been briefly stated in his introductory book on Ayurveda by Dr. Dwivedi, Therefore, I strongly recommend that this concise book should be read by all those who are involved in the health care programmes, specially of the rural people. I wish the author a great success.

Before taking up the task of writing the preface of this work I want to put up the circumstances under which the book was written and the idea behind the work with which it was initiated to come into this shape. I think that the Idea behind the purpose of Commencing a work and the circumstances under which the work is started are of prime importance behind the accomplishment of any work.

It was month of November 1986 I was called upon Prof. S.N. Tripathi the then Dean of Faculty of Ayurveda I.M.S., B.H.U to discuss some matter relating to second World Conference on Yoga & Ayurveda which was scheduled to be held in Jan. 1987. There was a great commotion in those days among the teaching staff of the faculty that how this gigantic programme could be made to a big success. During the Corse of discussion Prof. Tripathi put up me a suggestion to bring out such an introductory work containing the salient features and fundamentals of Ayurveda which could be distributed among the deligates attending the conference from the different part of the country and abroad. Accordingly I accepted his suggestion and started writing the book with the consultations of Prof. S.N.Tripathi.

I have no hesitation to say that it was only the inspiration of Prof. S.N. Tripathi that this introductory work on Ayurveda came into being. Hence I have a deep sense of gratitude for Prof. Tripathi for his scholarly consultations and inspiration. Although as thought earlier this work could not be published by the time of Conference, nevertheless the book in typed form came into existence. Most of my friends and senior Collegues asked me about the work which was to be distributed among the delegates attending the international conference But due to its non-publication I could not respond them positively, in this way the work which was written with great enthusiasm turned into despair.

I was a bit aggrieved and perturbed by this situation but by the way my teacher and senior college. Prof. L.V Guru encouraged me and advised to get the work published on the own initiation. Accordingly I showed him my typed manuscript. Having gone thoroughly into the work Prof. L.V. Guru Suggested me alterations, additions and corrections in the work andinspired me to get the same published. Accordingly Prof. Guru contacted Shri Bitthal Das Gupta one of the Director of Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series and asked him to publish the work. In this way it was the great effort and inspiration of Prof. Guru that this work could be brought in this form. Prof. Guru played a great role in publication of this book. I owe a deep sense of gratitude to him. Some of the basic ideas are added in this work according to the suggestion of Prof. Guru. In many ways Prof. Guru helped me to bring out this book into being hence I contemplated to add his name as the co-author of this book.

Now I want to say something about the book and its subject matter to have a clear understanding to the readers regarding the objectives of the book meant for and the scope of the work which it covers in the vast knowledge of Ayurveda. So far as the purpose of the book is concerned I want to mention that the main aim of the work is to arouse interest and trust among readers of Ayurveda by giving some of the basic facts of Ayurvedic principles which are based on the sound and incontrovertible forotings of Scientific temper in such fashion that its relevance could neither be challenged during the past immemorial period, nor at present or in future. A pertinent question may be asked in this context that after all what is the speciality of Ayurveda that it is regarded relevant in the past, present and would be same in future? On the contrary the principles of modern medicine is ever changing what was regarded scientific and true a few years back the same has been rejected today. And whatever is regarded true and scientific today would be rejected in future. So why there is such great dissimilarity in regard to the acceptance between Ayurveda and Modern Medicine? The proper answer of the question would be this that the approach of Ayurveda is synthetical based on the subjective findings which is nearest to the law of nature. Where as the approach of modern medicine is analytical based on objective findings which becomes farther and farther from the law of nature. Since Ayurveda regards the human to day as the epitome of this universe, in other words the abridged form of nature hence whatever doctrines established by Ayurveda Have an integral approach towards the nature. Since there are a few basic elements in nature which are by no means changed and the Ayurveda following the law of nature has no possibility of change. Ancient seers of Ayurveda identified those basic elements of nature through their subjective approach and put them in such a fashion to formulate a few basic doctrines like Panchbhtavada, Tridoshavada and Rasa gune virya vipakavada etc. on which the entire Ayurvedic concepts are based. Since the Ayurveda is based on eternal facts so there is no chance of any change or rectification in the principles of Ayurveda. But this is a great gesticulation that the India which had been a great champion in medical field during ancient period has forgotten its own treasure of eternal knowledge to look and lend help from the west. This is a ridiculous and unfortunate situation.