History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the oldest medicinal discipline in the world, developed in India. Ayurveda developed from the Sanskrit word Ayur, meaning life, and Veda, meaning knowledge. Ayurveda, known as the science of life, is a well-organized healthcare system widely practised in many parts of Asia. Ayurveda is both preventive and curative and entails a 5000-year-old tradition behind it. This ancient system of medicine was first shaped in the ancient land of India. It is said that according to Hindu Vedas, Ayurveda is a gift to humanity from gods, which was manifested to sages and saints of India through meditation. The vital information on achieving a healthy and balanced life was first recorded in the sacred text Veda, especially in Atharva Veda.
Origin and History of Ayurveda
Maharishi Ved Vyasa was one of the greatest sages of India who wrote the Vedas for the first time. The four main Vedas are Rig-Veda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharva Veda (Ayurveda is a subsection of Atharva Veda). These Vedas record various health topics and the use of herbs to cure various diseases. Earlier, only Brahmana had the right to learn the principles of health and wellness, but later, many people from different social classes started learning these practices, known as vaidya.
Post-Vedic Period
After the Vedic period, Ayurveda was established as a separate entity as a medicinal science. Hence, it led to the further division of Ayurveda into two divisions: the first three classics and fewer classics.
The first three classics of Ayurveda are composed of Charak Samhita, Ashtanga Hridyam Sangraha and Sushrut Samhita.
Charak Samhita
During the second century, Charak Samhita thrived; it is believed that Agnivesha wrote it. He was a disciple of the great Ayurvedic scholar Punarvasu Atreya. It is believed that Agnivesha, with his co-disciples, created it by drawing all the knowledge from his teacher. Still, later on, Charak defined the work of Agnivesha by focusing on the detailed diagnosis of diseases and their treatment.
Sushruta Samhita
It was developed in approximately the first millennium BCE and is believed to have been written by Sushruta. It is the first scripture describing the detailed practices and the concept of surgery in Ayurveda. It comprises at least 184 chapters, with approximately 1100 health ailments, 300 different types of operations, and at least 42 surgical processes. Sushruta and his students developed 121 different kinds of instruments and 650 types of medicines derived from plants and animals. Vagbhata wrote Ashtanga Hridayam Sangraha after Charaka and Sushruta Samhita, and it mainly focused on Kayachiktsa. It specializes in internal medicine and presents detailed descriptions of doshas in the body and its sub-parts.
The lesser classic of Ayurveda consists of Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhava Nidanam, and Bhava Prakash. Sharangadhara Samhita explains the pharmacological formulation utilized in panchakarma treatments.
Bhava Prakash, developed in the 16th century, deals with Kayachikitsa and explains what food you need to consume to balance your doshas.
Madhava Nidanam was created around 700 CE and explained ailments specifically about women and children and conditions of toxicology.
The conquest of the British Empire in India around the 15th century led to a decline in the practices of Ayurveda. At this time, Britishers discouraged and prohibited the practices of Ayurveda and made it the second option of treatments mostly used by poor people. However, Ayurveda started restoring its glory after independence.
Which tools does Ayurveda most rely on to restore balance and preserve health?
Appropriate changes in lifestyle, routines, diet, Ayurvedic herbs, exercises, meditation, and natural procedures like oil massage and sweating are all used. Panchakarma and rasayana therapies are employed for deeper detoxification and rejuvenation.
Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner will help you recognize your current constitution (Prakruti) and current state of imbalance (Vikruti). You will understand the behavioural causes of current imbalances and get advice on changing your lifestyle, diet, and herbs to restore balance.
Modern Ayurveda is divided into eight branches that include
- Panchakarma Chikitsa: comprises of various rejuvenation and purification treatments
- Kulam Svastyam Kutumbakam: That explains all the principles to prevent ailments for the entire family
- Sangakara chikitsa: it deals with addictions
- Sthaulya Chikitsa: it deals towards diet and weight loss through the practice of Ayurveda
- Vatavyadhi chikitsa: It deals with the musculoskeletal ailments
- Saundhraya sadhana: it is related to the beauty treatments
- Vajikarana: It deals with infertility( male and female)
- Svabhaavoparamavaada: It is all about increasing body resistance to various ailments.