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Equilibrium between the body, limbs and atma (soul) is called life. Atma or soul lives
in the body along with organs and senses. The body survives only as long as the soul
remains in it, and every part of it is active. But when it separates, the body dies and all
its functions cease. Ayurveda tells us of inter-relationship between body, organs, and
the soul. Unlike other systems of treatment, it does not concern itself with body alone,
but takes into its ambit organs, senses and soul too. In other words, we can say that
Ayurveda tells man the way of living and tells him how to develop physically and
spiritually. So, in reality Ayurveda is not a mere system of treatment but a way of life or
the system of living.

AIM

Human beings want to live happily crave for happiness in life. Happy life depends on
health. Therefore, the primary aim of Ayurveda is to make man healthy and happy. In
order to be healthy and happy it is necessary that one should be free from diseases and
even if one is afflicted with one, should be cured of it immediately. Ayurveda tells us
how to keep healthy and if one gets unwell or ill how to be healthy and free from
disease, Its aim is "Swasthasya Swasthyakshnam" and " Aturasya vikar
prashmanam".

Vast Span of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is divided into eight branches which take into account prevention and cure of
disease (1) Medicine (2) Surgery (3) Pediatrics (4) Gynaecology (5) Agadtantra (6)
Physiology (7) Pathology and (8) Chemistry.

Ayurveda however has in its conspectus most of the known and unknown branches of
science relating to the human life. The main branches among them are (1) Allopathy (2)
Homeopathy (3) Physiotherapy (4) Naturopathy (6) Heliotherapy (6 Hydropathy (7)
Telepathy (8) Siddha Mantra tantra (9) Physics (10) Chemistry (11) Cosmology (12)
Astronomy (13) Astrology (14) Metaphysics (15) Anatomy (16) Physiology (19)
Hygiene (20) Medicine (21) Surgery (22) Ophthalmology (23) Gynecology (24)
Obsteries (25) Pediatrics (26) Otorrhinillarygonogy (27Odotology (28) Psychology
(29) Para-Physiology (30) Geriatrics (31) Sexology (32) Midwifery (33) Biology (34)
Botany (35) Anthropology etc,

Trihumoral Concept of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is based on Tridosa-Sidhanta, three basic fundamentals of the system, They
are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, In reality they do not denote any defects, rather they are
the elements present in the body, When these elements become unbalanced they
create disease and then are called defects (dosh).

As there is air, fire and water in the cosmos, so human body has Vata, Pita and Kapha
and as the universe depends on air, fire and water so is the body dependent on Vata,
Pitta and Kapha When Vata, Pitta and Kapha are well balanced the body remains
healthy, but when they are imbalanced they make the body unhealthy. In order to attain
health once again the balance between these three elements is to be restored.

This is the main principle of Ayurvedic system of treatment.

Vata

Vata is that principle element in the body which is prime mover of its entire limbs and
sub limbs. It provides them motion and keeps control over them. Our body's entire
function like flexion, extension, elevation, depression respiration, abduction,
contraction adduction etc. are done through Vata Blood circulation, defecation,
urination sec- retion of digestive fluids, and heart beating too are done through it
Though Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the trihumoral have their individual characteristics, yet
Vata is dominated in them and keep even Pitta and Kapha under its control.

Pitta

It represents fire of the outside world and of the cosmos. It maintains body
temperature, digests food, helps absorption and assimdition of the elements required
for the body, carries metabolism, induces chemical function in retina, thyroid, liver,
pancreas etc.

Kapha

It is watery or fluid part of the body. It is responsible for the body growth and
maintenance of the watery fluid structure in the body.

The dominance of Vata

Though Pitta add Kapha run the katabolic and anabolic parts respectively of
metabolism, yet it is the Vata, which controls them. Without the help of Vata, they
cannot fun-

tion. As wind takes clouds hither and higher causing rain, similarly Vata takes Kapha
and Pitta to different parts of the body and gets work out of them. Without Vata, Pitta
cannot perform its digestive functions nor can Kapha induce body growth and maintain
the watery fluid structure of the body.

If Vata loses control over Pitta the latter's function will get arrested, leading to
depletions of nutrients and wasting of the tissues and thus causing wasting diseases as
also inflammation, fever, jaundice, hyperthyrium etc. which will weaken body and
make it unhealthy.

On the other hand, if Kapha is vitiated and goes out of Vata's control, it will diminish
heat in the body, hamper digestion and metabolism, cause accumulation in the body of
waste and half metabolized products and cause diseases like indigestion obesity,
diabetes, rheumatism, ascets, edema dropsy, general anasarca, hyperthyodin etc.

This proves the Vata and Pitta and Vata and Kapha are complementary to one
another and these three work together When they work in pure form, in proper
balance, then we call it samyavasta, (equilibrium). This equilibrium alone is called
health. But when this equilibrium gets disturbed and there is imbalance body's normal
function gets arrested and that condition is called abnormal or unhealthy one. This
condition of their is the root cause of all diseases.

Good Health depends not only on the equilibrium of trihumoral but on the correct fire
or heat too. Correct heat means that neither the digestive-heat is neither excessive nor
low. This heat digests only when it is natural state.

It is also necessary that the seven elements such of as blood and bodily fluids and
refuses, function normally. For good health, it is essential that whatever we eat and
drink should get digested properly so that different parts develop and get proper
nourishment and the process of discharge of urine, residual portion of feaces and sweet
goes on properly.

The last requisite of health is exuberant happiness and bliss of soul, mind and all the
senses.

Samposhah satnagnischa, samdhatumalkriah

Prassannatemndriyamanah swasth itmyamidhyite.

How old is Ayurveda

We have found that Ayurveda is a complete science and while keeping man healthy
and cheerful, it tried to develop him fully. The system is as old as man, and it remains
constantly with man from his birth to his death. Vedas are full of teaching of Ayurveda,
Ayurveda progressed during the time of Ramayana and Mahabharta. In those days,
two branches of Ayurveda that is medicine and surgery developed especially. Those
whose limbs got severed in the war used to have them joined back through surgery
and the warriors who get unconscious were restored to life through medicine. During
Lakshman-Meghanad battle, Lakshman become unconscious due to the blows of
Meghanad. He was revived by Lanka's Vaidya Susesan through Sanjivini Booti (Life
restoration herb) .No one should doubt as to the Vaidya of enemy side came to
Rama's camp. As the humanitarian societies like Red Cross Serve nowadays without
distinction so were there societies in ancient time as well. They used to attend to the
wounded soldiers irrespective of their sides.

Modern Age

Charak Sanhita and Sushrut Sannita are the two most ancient textbooks of Ayurveda
that are now available. The author of Charak Sanhita is Acharya Charak and that of
Sushrut Sanhita, Sushrut. Charak Sanhita is an authority on medical treatment and
Sushrut Sanhita on surgery. These two books are regarded the highest in the world of
science.

After Charak and Susrut, Begbhatta, Sharanghar. Chakradatt etc. were famous
teachers (Acharyas) who have enriched all the eight branches of Ayurveda by writing
books on them. Many of the previous ancient Ayurveda books perished due to foreign
invasions and some burnt by the tyrants Despite this there is so much literature on
Ayurveda available in India that we can proud of it.

Ayurveda Abroad

Some of the invaders had carried with them Ayurvedic text books and after getting
them translated in their own languages propagated them there. Among such invaders
was Alexander the Great of Greece, who got several books of Ayurveda translated in
Greek and propagated the Ayurvedic system of treatment.

In fact Yunani system of medicine is just the interpretation of Ayurveda, the difference
lies in the variation in the language only.

Apart from foreign invaders tourist from abroad had also taken with them various
Ayurvedic books and propagated this system in foreign lands. Ayurvedic medicines
are being used in many countries like China Japan, South East Asian countries. Burma,
Nepal, Srilanka and Mauritius. Ayurvedic therapy is very popular in Srilanka.
Presently many renounced Vaidyas are engaged in propagating the science of
Ayurveda and many foreigners do visit India every now and then to study this
wonderful science.

World Health organization (W H O) has also recognised the importance of this system
and have accorded Ayurveda a place in their research activities Govt. of India has also
passed a bill in the parliament giving Ayurveda recognition equal to that of Allopathy
and have established institutions for research and training in Ayurveda.

Training courses extending over a period of five years are being conducted by many
universities and is recognised as equivalent to M.B.B.S Degree. Research is being
done in many Ayurvedic research centres. Besides India Govt. of Srilanka, Nepal,
Thailand and Mauritius have also accorded recognition to Ayurveda and its
propagation is steadily on the increase in these countries.

Ayurveda has also attracted the attention of many western countries like West
Germany. Australia and America. Books on Ayurveda are presently being translated in
German language in West Germany.

At present two main systems of medicines are prevalent in India. Alopathy and
Ayurveda Alopathy is a western system thrust upon India during the "Raj" The British
had relegated the Ayurvedic system to an inferior position and propagated Alopathy
very enthusiastically. India has inherited Alopathy from the British at the time of
Indepden- ce. Protagonists of alopathy propagated this science in Independent India
by all means. When vaidyas and protagonists of Ayurveda launched a movement and
proved the supremacy of this system only then the Government was compelled to
accord recognition to this system.

Those in India who are wedded to English language are wedded to allopathic also. The
reason is their ignorance about the merits and demerits of this system. The fore most
thing is, that Ayurvedic medicine are available in abundance everywhere Allopathic
medicines on the other hand are not available easily. Any ordinary person in India is
quite aware of merits and demerits of Ayurvedic Medicines., where as public at large
is quite ignorant about good or bad effects of allopathic medicines.

Any body can prepare simple Ayurvedic medicines with ease where as Alophatic
medicines can not be prepared easily and can not be used without the doctors
prescription Ayurvedic medicines are comparatively very cheap and most of them are
found in fields, where as allopathic medicines are quite expensive and people in general
are not aware of their origin. To cap it all Ayurvedic medicines have no side effects
while most of the allopathic medicine have adverse side effects and reactions.

The Ideal system of medicines therefore is the one, which offers to cure the disease
without causing any side effect or reaction. In this way, Ayurveda is the only system
that eradicates the disease without causing side effects. Allopathic goes with the
symptoms and cures the symptoms without removing the real cause this results in
recurrence of the disease or some other disease or reaction.

Vaidyas and Doctors basically differ in their approach towards their patients while a
vaidya would endeavor to restore to his patient complete health by eradicating the
causes of his disease the doctor would concentrate on eliminating the symptoms of
disease oblivious of the side effects his medicines may cause, sometimes treatment
itself becomes the cause of his patients death.

Ayurveda-A Science of Life

Vaidraj Pt. Jagdish Prasad Sharma

President-International Institute of Ayurvedic

Ayurveda an ancient indrawsystem of medicine in India is not confined only to the
science of medicine but ha: much wider scope. It is more appropriate to call it i: known
as Science of Life, it is as old as Vedas and has been considered a knowledge of
revelation (divine know ledge from God) and forms a part of Atharvaveda.

Historically reference to Ayurvedic is found in the earliest civilization of Vedic Era.
Later during the Ramayana and Mahabharata times, the Science made progress.
Laxmana when wounded in war, was cured by Susen who was the physician of
Ravana. It shows how the tradition a professionalism was practiced as is the case with
the International Red Cross Society, in about 3000 B. C. Two great scholars of
Ayurveda 'CHARAK' and 'SUSART compiled the famous books in Medicine and
surgery. Their works were highly, regarded in the scientific world, and formed the
school of Medicine and the school of Surgery Further, as the research work
developed and progress made in the respective field the system was classified in the
following eight fields:

a)Medicine

b)Surgery

c) Pediatrics

d) Toxicology

e) Psychotherapy

f) Ophthalmology, Oteology and Laryngology

g) Chemistry including rejuvenation and sexology

h) Midwifery

Authors, like Sarandhar, Vagbhatt and Chakradatt have written valuable literature and
contributed to the different plants, rivers, and oceans etc. Still further, even pitta and
kapha, the other two components of the tribumoral concept require Vata itself for the
movements and animation of the cells, their products or functions within the body or
the universe.

PITTA

It represents fire of the outside world and of the cosmos, is responsible for all sorts of
heat and depletory chemical functions. It maintains body temperature, digests food,
helps absorption and assimilation of the elements required for the body, carries
metabolism, induces chemical function in retina thyroid, liver, pancreas etc.

KAPHA

It represents the watery or fluid part of the cosmos and is responsible for the body
growth and maintenance of the watery fluid structure in the body.

HUMORAL BALANCE IN BODY

Pitta and Kapha together run the Katabolic and anabolic parts respectively of
metabolism, but it is the Vata which controls them and keeps them in right proportions
on the right track, for the balanced and healthy metabolism in the body. So, it is the
equilibrium or homogeneous equibalance of their three humors, namely Vata, Pitta and
Kapha, which keeps the body in the right and ideal condition that is healthy both
structurally and functionally. Without the control of Vata, if pita goes astray, it will not
only induce over digestion and excessive heat but will also increase catabolism leading
to depletion of nutrient and wasting of the tissues and thus causing diseases as well as
inflammation, fever, jaundice, hyperthroidin etc. If Kapha on the other hand is vitiated
and goes out of Vata's control, it will diminish heat in the body, hamper digestion and
metabolism, cause accumulation in the body of waste and half metabolized, products
and also cause disease like indigestion, obesity, diabetes, Rheumatism, asctes, oedema
dropery general anasarca, hyperthyroidin etc. Both pitta and kapha being antagonist to
each other and controlled by Vata to remain in the right proporitons for the benefit of
the body. Any depletion in quantity or weakening or slacking of either of the Pitta and
Kapha is manifested in the quantitative and functional excess of the other two and their
making the body diseased. Such an imbalance in the twin is a clear indication that the
control of Vata has gone off. It may be due to either the Vata having gone down in the
quantum or the faulty having gone up because of the respective causes. Depletion in
quantity or function of one partner of the twin will be manifested in the other partner's
replenishment or increase in quantity or function and vise versa. Vata the prime mover
and controller have also its respective causes for augmentation (acceleration) and
deceleration. If augmented accelerated and increased. Vata will (cause excessive
movement (as in tremors convulsions, jerks, Parkinson's disease, paralysis etc.) but
will also excessively move Pitta and or Kapha (depending upon the either twin also
having gone away or vitiated), causing the ailments connected with the respective
humors characteristics. Furthermore the increased Vata will cause wasting diseases,
depleted vitality etc. The decrease, depletion, or deceleration of Vata will either lead to
dangerous loss of vitality or to Pitra Kapha going out of control to cause numerous
harms.

DEFINITION OF HEALTH

It is thus the equilibrium of their three humors that is Vata, Pitta and Kapha which the
prime condition of the sound health. The condition is termed as SAMADOSHA

(equilibrium) in Ayurvedic parlance.

The second condition is SAMAGNE that is the normal state of the bodily fire,
representing bodily heat on one hand and the digestion metabolic function on the other
hand. The third requisite for the normal health in the equilibrium state (quantitative,
qualitative and functional) of the seven tissues (like bodily fluid, blood, flesh, fat, bone
cartilages, bone marrow etc and these refuse (that is residual portion of feaces, urine
and sweat) all the normal body function. The forth and last requisite of the proper
health is exuberant happiness and bliss of soul, mind and all the senses.

To sum up, here is the Shastric definition of health;