Ayurveda
DEFINITION: Ayurveda is defined as the Science of life wherein are described as the good and the bad life, the happy and unhappy life, what is wholesome and what is unwholesome in relation to life, the measure of life; and also the life itself.
EVOLUTION: Ayurveda is an ancient science wherein "Ayu" means life and "Veda" means knowledge. Its origin can be traced back right to the evolution of civilization on Earth. Thousands of years ago India's greatest sages established their knowledge of life in the oldest scriptures known to mankind viz., Rigveda, Atharvaveda and Upaveda or subscripture of the Yajurveda. This Veda contains abundance of information on how to keep oneself healthy and to combat diseases.
Ayurveda originated as part of "Vedic Science". This is an integral spiritual science devised to give a comprehensive understanding of the entire universe, which it sees as working according to a single law. Vedic Science includes Yoga, Meditation, Astrology, etc. and sets forth Ayurveda as its branch for dealing with the physical body, in this broad and profound background of Vedic Science.
Ayurveda is the healing gift to us from the ancient enlightened Vedic culture. It was in practice even before 4000 BC. The fundamental philosophy of Ayurveda says that suffering is disease and contentment is good health. No human being can be called healthy if he does not possess a sound sharira (body), a sound mana (mind) and a sound ama (soul).
Ayurveda describes the whole way of life, it narrates how one should keep healthy by advising on smallest things of personal hygiene and social conduct. The sages of Ayurveda emphasized on the importance of preventive medicine and this was achieved by developing the individual's own immune system to fight against all possible infections.
Ayurveda is a part of the Vedas, the oldest record of supreme knowledge and experience of mankind. Ayurveda is an age-old system of medicine and the origins of this science are evident in Vedic literature, especially in Atharvaveda.
AYURVEDA = AYU (LIFE) + VEDA (SCIENCE) i.e. Ayurveda is the knowledge / Science of Life.
OBJECTIVES: Objective of Ayurveda is two fold "Swasthsya Swaasthyarakshanam" i.e. to maintain the positive health of a healthy
Person and "Aaturasya Vikarprashanam" i.e. to cure the disease of the patient.