What Is Ayurveda?
What is Ayurveda? By its most commonly understood meaning, Ayurveda literally means "the science of life". In its most literal sense, Ayurveda means "the science of life". This is a classical, non-Indian origin term for what is undoubtedly the ancient Indian system of medical treatment and prevention of disease. Ayurveda includes a variety of medicines and herbal treatments whose potential use we shall now explore.
Ayurveda originated in India itself and is one of the oldest Sanskrit therapies that has survived intact from the great epics of the Indus Valley civilization. Ayurveda can be said to be a surviving copy of the "saiva" or "samsara" medicines that were widely used by the people of India thousands of years ago. The word Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words: "yuj" or "yut" and "veda" or "vedic". Ayurveda literally means "the science of life" and is a synthesis of all the wisdom of the ancient Sanskrit medicines that has survived intact from the time of the antiquity of India up to the present period.
The ancient Sanskrit texts mentioned above describe the treatment of diseases using a combination of herbal medicines and different techniques based on ancient yogic philosophy and knowledge. These holistic therapies are highly regarded because they have been shown to produce effective results even in cases where traditional medicine is ineffective. Ayurvedic treatment is therefore extremely popular among people from all over the world. Ayurveda treatment is also known to be a convenient treatment method compared to undergoing surgery and other more complex forms of treatments which may involve a number of medications.
For generations, people in India have been practicing what is Ayurveda in an effort to maintain or improve health and well being. Ayurveda has a profound effect on the mind and body of individuals and has been practiced in India for more than five thousand years now. It is still widely practiced in many parts of Asia, especially China and India.
What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda literally means "the science of life" and it is a unique blend of yoga and herbal medicines. Ayurveda includes a powerful arsenal of tools to achieve wellness. As with any healing system, what is Ayurveda consists of both internal and external techniques to heal individuals. Ayurveda incorporates yoga, naturopathy, herbalism, hypnotherapy, meditation and various exercises to achieve overall wellness.
In India, what is Ayurveda continues to be practiced as part of the traditional cultural practice. However, in India, what is Ayurveda has become much more than a simple healing technique. It has become a part of a philosophy, known as Sankrit. Sankrit is a set of moral guidelines on which the healing techniques are based. Ayurveda Sanskrit basically aims at cultivating eternal life in the spirit, mind and body through knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
So what is Ayurveda exactly? Ayurveda consists of an infinite wisdom comprised of 4 pillars; Sattva (symbolized by the sun), Tamas (placing of meditation and tranquility), Vidya (withdrawal from worldly pleasures) and Praval (withdrawal from pleasures). The first two pillars, Sattva and Tamas, are the rules that regulate all other aspects of ayurvedic practices. The last two, Vidya and Praval, are the foundations on which all the other aspects depend. Ayurveda consists of many different styles of practice, such as Panchakarma, Jnana, Asana and Moksha. Ayurvedic doctors who follow the pure words of Sankrit are often called "Sanksrit masters."
Today, it is widely accepted that what is Ayurveda has affected the world's health in a positive way. All over the world, individuals who have followed this ancient wisdom have experienced physical, mental and spiritual enrichment. The secrets to preserving and maintaining health, as well as to enhancing one's life, can now be learned through the art of meditation and Ayurveda yoga.