Abstract

Dr. Harmander Singh*, Dr. Naresh Kumar Garg, Dr. Om Prakash Sharma and Dr. Monika

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda is essentially the science of healthy living; it is as much concerned with the normal as with the abnormal or pathological. Being essentially a science of healing, it concentrates on what is required to lead a healthy, normal life. It deals not only with what is to be done when one falls, but also with what should be done to maintain one's health and vigour. Ayurveda contains details about body care and the various food and drinks Which promote health. Even though references to the principles of medicine are found in most of the Vedas, the main body of Ayurveda is found in the fourth Veda - the Atharva Veda. However, even though Ayurveda is part of Atharva Veda. It ontains the description of various diseases and their aetiology, and recommends the correct diet and behavior regimen to counter these discases. Mythology states[1] which tells that Lord Brahma, the creator, imparted the knowledge of Ayurveda to Shri Prajapati Daksha who, in turn, passed it on to the Shri Ashwinikumara then proffered this knowledge to Lord Indra. Lord Dhanwantari was instructed by Lord Indra to spread, this invaluable science of longevity on the earth. Acharya Sushruta, a renowned surgeon and student of Lord Dhanwantari, wrote his famous compendium on surgery the Sushruta Samhita. To Acharya Charaka, who probably lived some time between the second century B.C. and the second century A.D., goes the credit for the famous treatise on general medicine, the Charaka samhita and Sushruta Samhita are the two ancient treatises on which Ayurveda is based. According to ancient Indian Philosophy, the Universe is composed of five basic elements or Pancha bhutas : ? Prithvi ( Earth), ? Ap (Water), ? Teja (Fire), ? Vayu (Air) ? Akash (Ether). Everything in the Universe, including food and the bodies we possess, is derived from these bhutas. A fundamental harmony therefore exists between the macrocosm (the Universe) and the Microcosm (the Individual). As already stated, the human being is comparable to the cosmos, being a miniscule image of the Great entity.