Ayurveda is an Indian medical science, originating
over 5000 years ago. The written source of this 
science is ancient books of knowledge known as
the Vedas. The Vedas contain practical and scientific 
information on a wide variety of issues including 
philosophy, logic, engineering, agriculture, economics 
and politics, amongst other subjects. These areas are 
fascinating subjects in their own right, but this book
explores only one of the Vedic branches - that of health,
Ayurveda.

Vedic knowledge propounds the principle of natural balance 
within the body and harmony with the environment. People 
are seen as an integral part of their habitat - not as a separate 
entity from the natural world. Obtaining and maintaining balance
within the body and mind, and with the external environment, is 
one of the goals of this knowledge. Living in harmony with nature
and according to natural principles ensures complete physical health 
and peace of mind.

Modern life often violates the principles of natural living. We work long hours in offices with artificial light and air conditioning systems. We rush from one mundane task to the next while being bombarded with advertising and constant noise, and absorbing pollution through the air and water. Pure water and air are becoming scarce resources, in an environment that is becoming increasingly toxic to the humans that live in it.

Living naturally according to some simple principles can prevent the need for expensive medical treatment or suffering needlessly from debilitating conditions. Learning to listen to your body and read the signals of distress can help you maintain health, making you more productive in your life as well as contented.

So is this ancient wisdom secret, or only available to a fortunate few? Or are the principles hard to comprehend and difficult to apply? You will be pleasantly surprised to know it is easily learnt by anyone and can be adapted into your life starting from today. It does not require any fancy equipment or expert knowledge, and costs no more (and probably less) than what you already spend on groceries. Maintaining your health is based on nothing more complex than understanding the characteristics of your body and qualities of the food you eat. Many of the remedies for common ailments can be simply and quickly prepared in your own kitchen with widely available herbs.

The instruction manual for the natural living of human beings is called Ayurveda, which is presented here in a simplified form. Understanding this philosophy of life enables you to become your own "healer". You learn about your body, how it functions and how to treat it through diet and herbal remedies. In fact, you also become your own dietician, personal trainer, counselor or psychologist, stylist and beautician! Ayurveda is a unified system that encompasses all these aspects. The magic of it is that it involves nothing more expensive or complex than adapting your diet and lifestyle.

Meaning of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is derived from two words, Ayus and Veda. Understand-ing the meaning of both words is necessary to fully grasp the philosophy of this discipline.

Definition of Ayus
The English translation of ayus is “life”. In the Vedic context, the definition of life is broader than simply chronological lifespan. It does not mean the age of a person; the number of years lived on Earth measured from birth until the present day. Ayus is much more than that, it is a combination of the:

• Body sarira
• Senses indriya
• Mind manas
• Soul atma

Together, these four factors are responsible for sustaining the life air or force (prana) in the body, and each must be present in order to produce ayus. If any one of the above factors is absent, we cannot say there is life/ayus. Everything on Earth has a physical body and a soul, but whether it also has a mind and senses determines whether it is alive. The reason why a rock is not alive (has no ayus) is that some of the factors mentioned above are absent (mind, senses). Prana cannot be sustained in the absence of these factors.

Every species of animal has each of these four factors, so prana can circulate and ayus is present. The senses and minds of animals are different to that of humans, but they still exist as living beings. Insects and animals may perceive things differently (such as colors, sounds, temperatures, odors) and the mind may not be as well developed as human beings, but the souls are alike. So ayus is the basis of distinction between inert objects and dynamic entities, or living beings.

Definition of Veda
Veda is a Sanskrit word which means “knowledge” or “science”. Vedic knowledge is enshrined in fourteen sacred texts. There are four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva), six Vedangas (auxiliaries), Meemamsa (interpretations), Nyaya (logic), Puranas and Sastras. There are also four Upangas, which can be considered appendices to the Vedas. These are Ayurveda (health and medicine), Arthasastra (xxx), Dhanur Veda (martial arts) and Ghandarva Veda (music).

Although Vedic knowledge originated in India, it does not mean this information is of relevance only to Indians. Knowledge is the universal asset of mankind—it is not the property of one region. Vedic information can be utilized by anybody, in any part of the world. If we, as Indians, think this wealth of information is our exclusive property and don’t share it, we are not providing you with the chance to learn from the profound wisdom that has enriched our culture for centuries.
 

Objective of Ayurveda

There are two complementary aims of this discipline.
The first is to maintain the health of those who are 
well. This entails specific diet and nutrition, hygiene, living habits, exercises and stabilizing techniques. Following these guidelines
enables  a healthy person to maintain health and increase  their life-span. The other is to
cure diseases of those who are sick. This aspect relates to  various diseases, their causes, diagnosis, remedies and therapies to cure and prevent relapses of illness.

Although both of these aims are connected and are comprehensive areas in their own right, the primary focus of this science is to maintain your health from the outset. This is done on a daily basis with attention to diet and lifestyle, helping the body and mind to be clean and stable. In this way, diseases do not find ground for establishment and growth.

A patient being treated with Ayurveda is considered a purusa, not merely a body. A purusa is the total combination of body, mind, senses and soul. The Ayurvedic doctor aims to achieve complete health for the patient, not just to suppress or alleviate troubling physical symptoms. The approach is to diagnose the root cause and eliminate it, allowing genuine healing to
take place.

The basis of Ayurvedic healing is a personal relationship with, and compassion for, the patient. Healing is not possible without this personal connection between the patient and doctor. During treatment, the physician develops an intimate understanding of every aspect of the person’s physical, psychological and emotional nature to make an accurate diagnosis. The patient is treated with dignity, as a unique individual who has the ability to recuperate fully with caring support.