Ayurveda-The Original Medicine

Jayasri Radha 02/01/2007

The Vedic Viewpoint and Other Spiritual Perspectives

Veda means knowledge, and the Vedas are the original "how to" books sent by God, who is also known as Krishna, Jehovah, Allah, Vishnu, etc. Ayurveda is the original medical science and science of life, given by God, who is called by the name Danvantari Bhagavan.

According to Ayurveda, there are three items which make up the physical body, namely phlegm (Kapha), bile (Pitta), and air (Vata). Ayurveda treatment concerns itself with the cause of these three elements (water, fire, air) which are the basic conditions of the body. Ayurveda contains the field of biology, botany, herbology, medicine, anatomy, nutrition, hygiene and surgery.

The body is composed of five gross elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether. These elements are shaped according to the modes of nature each person has acquired, such as goodness (Sattva), passion (Rajas), and ignorance (Tomas). These modes mix with the five gross elements to form subtle energy principals, which the Ayurveda calls tri dosha, (vata, pita, and kapha) which are the energy principals that help produce and distribute these substances along with others to keep the body fit.

Vata is air, also called life energy, as His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada describes in his translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.6.9.) There are ten kinds of these life airs circulating through the body. Vata or air is perceived in the body as movement and pain. Pain and pleasure are experienced due to vata. Its qualities are described as the lightest dosha, invisible, colorless, dry and cold. Vata is centered in the pancreas and duodenum- the first section of the small intestine, and is also in all joints, bones, and skin. The five main life airs are prana, udana, vyana, samana and apana.

The next energy principle that is generated is known as Pitta or fire, which is heat energy expressed in liquid form. Its qualities are bright, warmth and heat, slightly yellow in color, sharp, burning sensation, hot, vicious and liquid in character. Pitta gives color to the skin and aura, and is perceived by sight and has an unpleasant odor, and it is expressed as body heat. It is centered in the umbilicus, and is also in the stomach, sweat glands, blood, lymph, eyes and skin. There are also five divisions of Pitta.

From Pitta comes Kapha or mucus, which is a solid energy principle. It is compared to the amino acids and proteins upon which the gross body is built. Its qualities are the heaviest and the slowest of the doshas. It is solid, soft and cold, it carries Pitta and Vata inside it and it is perceived as shining, white, viscous material. Kapha is located in the chest as the main center and also in the throat, head, large intestine, Synovial membranes (found in large joints), nose, tongue and fat. It also has five divisions.

Longevity and health of the body depends on the three doshas, to maintain balance. The Ayurveda stresses proper diet, exercise, regulation of or abstinence from sex, proper mental attitude, and an unpolluted environment.

There are also seven Dhutas or structural elements of the body, which the body is built and sustained by them, by the food we eat. When digested, the usable portion of the food becomes the first dhuta-lymph (Rasa). From Rasa, the second dhuta- blood (rakta) is produced. Rakta plus Rasa combine to produce the third dhuta- muscle tissue (mausa). This process continues to form the remaining dhatus, (fat, marrow, bone, and semen or ovum).

Shukra is also known as virya, or vital essence. Virya is in the reproductive organs and pervades the entire body and radiates light known as the bodily luster or aura. Excessive loss of shukra through unregulated and illicit sex destroys all seven dhatus.

The Ayurveda is also the science of nutrition which is based on the six Rasas or types of taste. (Not the same rasa as described as the dhatu known as lymph). These tastes are sweet, sour, salty, hot, bitter and astringent. These rasas should be balanced in the diet for optimum nutrition and health.

Hygiene includes regular bathing, mouth care including tongue scraping, and regulated sleep, which is important in maintaining good health. Massage is also recommended with specific oils prescribed for the particular doshas. Pancha Karma is a specific massage therapy done at least three days in a row and up to one week along with a strict diet prescribed and medicated enema's, that will clear all kinds of diseases, toxins and pains from the body and is much recommended in Ayurveda.

An expert Ayurvedic doctor can give an accurate diagnosis, by reading specific energy pulses which are assessed from pressing their fingers in specific places at the wrist area of the patient. In conjunction with looking at the skin, nails, tongue, eyes, and symptoms of the patient, they will be able to diagnose and recommend diet, herbs, exercise, etc. to bring the patient back to good health.

The original Ayurveda teaches only a vegetarian diet, but many practitioners of today acquiesce to there patients and allow animal flesh, which only adds to their karmic reactions. Other practitioners have introduced animal flesh as a part of the diet due to their own misunderstanding and desire for it themselves.

This science is being practiced more and more in the US and around the world, which was given by God who knows the body better than all of us put together. Why should scientists reinvent something that has already been given perfectly?

By Jayasri Radha

Much of this information is taken from the book Lessons from the Ayurveda by Navayauvana dasa Adhikari

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