The global scenario in the health field is changing drastically. Ayurveda is being recognized as a most dependable medical system and more people are turning towards Ayurveda both for preventive and curative modes of treatment. Institutions providing Ayurvedic education and treatment facilities are being established in and around India to meet the increasing demand.
That system of medicine is called Ayurveda, the Science of life, where wholesome, unwholesome, happy and unhappy life are described along with the things which cause happy or unhappy life as well as the parameters to assess these four types of life spans.
AYU means life span.
VEDA means knowledge.
AYURVEDA means knowledge of life.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a science of life and not a mere therapy. Ayu means life and veda means knowledge. It is said that the Lord Brahma himself transferred his knowledge of life to the sages many thousands years back. Ayurveda, thus is considered as a divine science and is a upaveda of Atharvaveda. The science was then taught to groups of sages, discussed in seminars, subjected to tests and experiments and transferred to knowledge seekers over the years during different periods like vedic period, puranic period, pre independence and post-independence.
"Ayurvedam upavedam atharvana"
There are 4 VEDAS :Rugvedam, Yajurvedam, Samavedam and Atharvavedam.
Purpose
Ayurveda was evolved and projected for the relief of the human from various miseries. Protecting the health of the healthy person and curing the disease of the sick, these two are the main two purposes of this science. Equal emphasis has been laid upon preventing the diseases as well as curing it.
Compendia
All ancient original texts are in Sanskrit. The major compendia are Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Ashtangasamgraha and Astanga Hridaya. Others include Yogaratnakara, Madhavanidana, Sharangadara Samhita Bhavaprakasha.
Concept of health
Man according to Ayurveda is not a just physical body. His very existence is based on three prime factors called satvam(mind), Atma(soul) and the Sareeram( body). Health is defined as a state of balanced doshas (humours), healthy agni(digestive fire), a good state of tissues and their metabolic end products in the presence of blissful state of the senses, mind and spirit.