Ayurveda History – What is Ayurveda?
Vedas are the basic scriptures of Indian Philosophy of Life and Spirituality, dealing with all the facts of the birth of the Universe.
Ayurveda evolves from one of the 4 basic Scriptures (Atharva Veda), dealing only with the LIFE of Humans and Nature in total. Ayurveda was first recorded in the Veda, the world’s oldest existing literature. The three most important Veda texts containing the original and complete knowledge of Ayurveda, believed to be over 1200 years old, are still in use today. These Ayurvedic teachings were customarily passed on orally from teacher to student for over 1000 years. The wisdom of Ayurveda is recorded in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India that reflects the philosophy behind Ayurveda and the depth within it.
Widely practiced since ages, Ayurveda has evolved itself without changing its basic ideologies of healing with Nature.
Different Era’s in the History Indian rulers and the widespread of Ayurveda by Scholars have brought in a change in the way Ayurveda is practiced today.
Nalanda and Takshashila, the well-known Universities of the 500 AD and 200 AD respectively, have been the center for transcription of Ayurveda texts and Vedas into various different languages and records to be the center for debates and discussions with various scholars from different regions be it far east or far west.
Nonviolent practice
The Buddhist Philosophy had a greater influence on Ayurveda practice to be “nonviolent”, hence Ayurveda was promoted to be major herbal medicine practice and not adhering the surgical practices which were considered violence.
Sushruta Samhita together with Charaka Samhita, served as the textual material within the ancient Universities of Takshashila and Nalanda. These texts are believed to have been written around the beginning of the Common Era and are based on a holistic approach rooted in the philosophy of the Vedas and Vedic culture. Holism is central to Ayurvedic philosophy and elements of holism are found in several aspects of Ayurveda.
The core of Ayurveda practice is that the functioning of all creation, the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms, can be understood as the interactions of three fundamental energy complexes (DOSHAS). The three energies are vata, pitta and kapha – signifying the dynamic or mobile, energetic, non-material aspect of nature; the transformative, intelligence aspect; and the structural, physical aspect respectively.
Vata, Pitta and Kapha
Vata governs respiration, circulation, elimination, locomotion, movement, speech, creativity, enthusiasm, and the entire nervous system.
Pitta governs transformations such as digestion and metabolism, vision, complexion, body temperature, courage, cheerfulness, intellection and discrimination.
Kapha governs growth (anabolic processes), lubrication, fluid secretions, binding, potency, patience, heaviness, fluid balance, compassion, and understanding in the organism. All have physical expressions in the body.
Sustenance of life occurs by the balanced and coexistence of the three DOSHAS.
Co-factors as the Genetic binding DNA structure of the parents, the condition of the womb of the mother, season of conception, the prevalent energy at the Geographical location of conception. etc. All factors combined lead to a permutation and combination of the dominance of the Doshas. This body or constitutional character is called PRAKRUTHI.
PRAKRUTHI is the Bio Energy structure of an Individual for life which does not change.
Hence analyzing an individual’s PRAKRUTHI is similar to mapping the DNA structure of a specific character, molded in certain varieties of Individuals of the dominant DOSHAS.
Hitahitam Sukham Duhkhamayustasya Hitahitam
Maanag Tachha Yatroktam Ayurveda Sa Uchhyate. (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana 1/14)
I.e. the science which deals with or describes the favorable or unfavorable, happy or unhappy measures for a span of life. What is conductive or non-conductive for such life span, is known as Ayurveda. Answers related to all such quarries are found in Ayurveda.
Healthy Span of Life
For a Healthy Span of Life of an individual the three energy complexes as stated above have to be balanced at every season and phase of life and the guide which helps to lead is AYURVEDA.
Mangosteen Ayurveda & Wellness Resort adopted this science in coexistence with the other Relaxing Spa experiences to provide Guests of the Resort to experience the in detail concepts of Ayurveda with customized DOSHA balancing approach to treatments, be it therapeutic, relaxing, rejuvenating, detoxifying, balancing energies in the chakras, understanding and awakening the real YOU.
