hitāhitam sukham duhkham āyus tasya hitāhitam

mānam cha taccha yatroktam Āyurvedah sa uchyate

Āyurveda is that which deals with good, bad, blissful and sorrowful life, and with what is wholesome and unwholesome for it, longevity, and about what Āyu (life) is in itself. — Charaka Samhita. Sūtra Sthāna. 1:41 (Translation by Ram Sharma, Bhagwan Dash, 2002)

Āyurveda is defined as the science of longevity. It provides knowledge of activities and therapeutics that promote mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, and it also elucidates those activities that destroy it.

Excerpt from LIVING ĀYURVEDA - A guide to life-long practice By Wayne Celeban

In the classical text Sushrūta Samhitā, a healthy person is defined as having balanced dosha (vital functions), balanced dhātu (tissue elements), balanced agni (digestive and metabolic activities), and balanced mālā (waste products). A healthy person will also experience a calm, clear mind and sense organs, and a feeling of bliss that flows from the soul.

In laying the criteria for what is considered a healthy person, Sushrūta has set a high standard that affirms human potential. The bodies in which we find ourselves today have evolved and supported the evolution of our species for millions of years. According to Āyurveda, health is not merely the absence of pain and disease, it is a harmonious balance between our sensory and mental faculties and the functional and structural aspects of our physiology. When these components are functioning normally, the self, soul or witnessing aspect of our experience rests comfortably.

Excerpt from LIVING ĀYURVEDA - A guide to life-long practice By Wayne Celeban

The Ayurvedic understanding of life was established as a system of medicine during the time of the Vedic civilisation. Dating back to the second millennium B.C.E., this period originated when groups of Indo-Aryan peoples migrated into the northwestern regions of the Indian sub-continent.

This migration coincided with the collapse of the Harappan civilisation that previously occupied the Indus Valley region (present day Afghanistan).

The use of herbs as medicine is first described in Arthava Veda, one of the four texts that make up the primary body of Vedic knowledge. These texts are believed to have been written as far back as 1500 BCE.

The Charaka Samhitā (300 BCE) is one of the most widely used and referenced treatises on Ayurvedic medicine. It describes the divine and human heritage of Āyurveda, opening with the following story: in ancient times the rishis (enlightened sages) became concerned that human beings were suffering from so many illnesses and from fear of death. They formed a meeting at the foothills of the Himālayas to find a way to help restore health and eradicate disease. By entering into a transcendental state, the great sage Bharadvaja was able to fully comprehend the knowledge of Āyurveda, and he conveyed this knowledge to the other sages, who passed it onto their students, some of whom composed written texts. Many ancient treatises on Āyurveda have been lost, partially lost or destroyed. The following Āyurveda treatises are among the most complete and widely accepted as authoritative.

BRIHAT TRĀYĪ — THE GREAT

THREE TREATISES

Charaka Samhitā —

Written by Charaka 300 BCE

Sushrūta Samhitā —

Written by Sushrūta 600BCE

Ashtānga Hridayam —

Written by Vāgbhata 500AD

Agnivesha Samhitā, written by Agnivesha in 800 BCE, was amended and renamed as Charaka Samhitā. Agnivesha, a student of Bharadvaja (the original seer of the knowledge of life), is considered to be one of the pioneers of Āyurveda and founder of one of its six original schools. These six schools were Agnivesha, Parāshara, Hārīta, Bhela, Jatukarna and Kshārpāni.

LAGHU TRĀYĪ — THE LESSER

THREE TREATISES

Mādhava Nidāna —

Written by Mādhavakara 1500AD

Shāranghadara Samhitā —

Written by Shārangadharāchārya 1400/1500AD

Bhāvaprakāsha —

Written by Bhāvamishra 1400 AD

These texts contain aphorisms called sūtras, literally meaning a suture or thread. Composed to be succinct and memorizable, these sūtras (written in the Sanskrit language of ancient India) convey multiple layers of meaning. They also help link (thread together) related ideas so that the student can see the webs of relationships between principles and concepts.

The threads of wisdom (sūtras) originating from these and various other Ayurvedic texts have been included in this book, in order to illuminate and bridge the timeless knowledge of this ancient tradition. The information provided in this book elaborates on the visions of sages from these ancient lineages, and it is hoped that it honours their contributions. The intention is to extend the beacon of light these sages have offered to help us navigate the journey through pain, suffering, and any dark places in our lives. May this knowledge transform confusion and suffering into clarity and joy.

Excerpt from LIVING ĀYURVEDA - A guide to life-long practice By Wayne Celeban

Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, is an incarnation of Vishnu (the preserving intelligence of life). First described in the Srīmad Bhagavatam, he is the mythological representation of nature’s healing Intelligence. Āyurveda provides knowledge of how to apply this healing intelligence to treat and prevent diseases and extend life.

Dhanvantari is often depicted with four hands holding a chakra (spinning disc), shankha (conch shell), jalauka (leech) and pot containing amrita (nectar). The disc refers to the uses of surgical procedures; the conch to the vibrational frequencies resonating from the primordial source of the universe; the leech refers to purificatory procedures, and the pot of nectar to the rejuvenative properties inherent in nature.

DHANVANTARI MANTRA

om namāmi dhanvantarim adi devam

sūrāsūrai vandita padapadmam

loke jararuk bhiamrityu nāsham

dhātaranisham vividau shadīnam

I bow my head to Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, whose lotus feet are worshiped by both the gods and the demons. In this world you are the destroyer of fear, disease, old age and death. May we be blessed with the knowledge and wisdom of your medicine.

— From the Dhanvantari Stotram (Author’s translation)

Excerpt from LIVING ĀYURVEDA - A guide to life-long practice By Wayne Celeban