ABOUT AYURVED
Definition of Ayurveda
The word Ayurveda is a composed word, containing ‘Ayu’ & ‘Veda’. Ayu means the life & Veda means knowledge. So, the meaning of this composed word is “the knowledge of Ayu (life)”. The science which deals with the knowledge of life in total is Ayurveda. Hence, this science deals with all the aspects of life and also describes those processes of knowledge by which one can achieve the true knowledge about the life (Pramana Pariksha). According to Sushruta, the knowledge by which one can get the longevity of life and knowledge about life is Ayurveda. These are the actual etymological meanings of Ayurveda. While giving the definition of Ayurveda, Caraka has very truly and precisely given the definition as “The science which describes about Hitakara (favorable / wholesome) and ahitakara (unfavorable / unwholesome) factors for the life along with those factors which may create the plea sureness and painfulness in the life”. The pramana of the Ayu (life Span) that how mach it could be? It is also mentioned in this science i.e. the Ayurveda.
Looking to the applicability of this definition it becomes very clear that the ayurvedic scheme virtually deals with all the objects & subjects present in this universe, So, the science (knowledge of Ayurveda,) could say about their effect and their relation in context to wholesome, Sukhakara, (Pleasing) and Dukhakara (Painful) not good for health or may create the problem or disease and also to those factors by which the person may get happy / cheerful & long life.
It is told by the learned authors of Ayurveda that this science is not for earning of money, not for to fulfill the desires, but it is for the welfare of all the creatures, means not only for the human being but it is also for all the plant kingdom and animal kingdom.
The science Ayurveda is for the welfare of all the creatures and also describes those methods by which the person may attain the happiness and benefits in the present life as well as in the next life.
After giving the definition of Ayurveda, it becomes necessary to say something about the Ayu for which this knowledge stands. According to the statement of Acharya Chakara the “Ayu” is the combination / inclusion of Sarira, Indriya, Sattva and Atma i.e. body (some), sense organs, psyche and soul. Till these four factors remain adjoin the life process remains continued. Hence, Ayurveda deals in detail about the body which in pancabhautika, similarly about the sense organs and psyche which are also pancabhautika Atma / soul is such an super energetic substance which keeps them alive and in the presence of which all the three factors become conscious but the activities are only in the body, sense organs and psyche, in the presence of soul. Alone neither soul is active nor the other 3 factors. Hence, in this way Ayurveda gets its field unlimited to describes the theories like pancha mahabhuata and their role in the universe. It is also one of the most important principles of Ayurveda that as the body, mind & sense organs are panch Bhautika similarly all the objects and subjects present in this universe are panchbhutika. It gives the holistic approach to Ayurveda that this science is meant for to make the homeostasis between the man & universe.