Ayurveda, the science of life and longevity has a history as long as a human civilization and even beyond. Ayurveda was perfected by astute minds and adept hands and is aimed at the physical, mental and spiritual well being of human beings. Ayurveda is one of the great gifts of the sages of ancient India to mankind and is accepted as the oldest scientific medical system, with a long record of clinical experience. Ayurveda is the original contribution of India (Bharatha) to the world and treats man as a whole – which is a combination of body, mind and soul.
Its written history takes definite shape with the codification of hundreds of slokas of Ayur-Vedic wisdom into ‘Samhitas’. Its highly integrated approach is evident from the way Ayurvedic treatment was divided into eight segments such as Kaya Chikitsa (General medicine), Bala Chikitsa (paediatrics), Graha Chikitsa (Psychiatry), Urdgwanga Chikitsa (ENT, Ophthalmology), Salya Chikitsa (Surgery), Damshtra Chikitsa (Toxicology), Jara Chikitsa (Geriatrics) and Vrisha Chikitsa (Aphrodisiac treatment).
Preventive Measures, effective and practical principles of preventive medicines (Swasthavritha) with Dinacharya (daily regimens), ritucharya (seasonal regimens) along with sound dietary (nutritional) practices / regulation as also with principles of satvrita (good conduct) (mental approach).
Modalities’ with ‘Practice – Ayurveda offers other modalities for preservation and promotion of good health and to mention a few
PANCHAKARMA: Purification process.
PRASAYANA: Rasayana Concept and its practice (Rejuvenation), which addresses the negative impact of aging and helps to preserve youthfulness.
The essence of ayurveda is that it offers in this modern technological age a whole new way of life to find harmony and balance not only within one self but also in relating to environment, nature, society and fellow beings.
Vedas are regarded as the oldest scripts or records of knowledge known to man. They are stated to be of divine origin and given to mankind through the sages or seers of wisdom and thereafter transmitted from generation to generation. There are 4 Vedas namely: Rig, Yajus, Sama, Adharva, which have come down to us through several thousands of years of oral transmission before finally being recorded in writing. Ayurveda is considered as the branch of Adharvaveda. Ayurvedic scholars from subsequent generations collected the materials scattered in the Vedas and arranged them symmetrically to form Samhithas (Collections). Some of them are:
| Books | Authors |
|---|---|
| Charaka Samhitha | Acharya Charaka |
| Sushrutha Samhitha | Acharya Sushrutha |
| Ashtanga Hrudaya | Acharya Vagbhat |
| Asthanga Samgraha | Acharya Vagbhata |
| Madhavanidana | Acharya Madhava |
| Sarngadhara Samhitha | Acharya Sarngadhara |
| Kasyapa Samhitha | Acharya Kasyapa |
