INTRODUCTION The term Ayurveda is composed of two basionyms: Ayu and Veda. Ayu is derived from the primary word Aayus, meaning Life. The basionym Ayu is explained in Charak Samhita Sutrasthanam as a combination of Sharir (destructible body), Indriya (Sense entities in micro and macro forms), Satva (Mind) and Aatman (Indestructible Soul). The word Veda originates from the word Vid which means Knowledge. Thus Ayurveda roughly translates as the Knowledge of Life. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 1
ORIGIN The origin of Ayurveda could be roughly traced back 5,000 years, when writing was not even evolved in its physical forms. It is believed that the Vedic knowledge was passed through COGNITION or was gained through MEDITATION. Knowledge of the use of various methods of healing, prevention, longevity and surgery came through DIVINE REVELATION. These revelations were transcribed from the oral tradition into book form, interspersed with the other aspects of life and spirituality. The earliest scripts would have been written on perishable materials such as Bhojpatra, which is the bark of the Himalayan plant Betula ultilis. The manuscripts could not be preserved over time or required utmost care due to the perishable nature of Bhojpatra and subsequently the later scripts were inscribed on STONE AND COPPER PLATES. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 2
HISTORY Scholars of Vedic literature and Indology contemplate that SAGE VED VYAS would have been the first person to document major portions of Ayurveda in addition to other Vedic literature through his spiritual enlightenment and deep introspection of the cosmos. The Vedas are comprised of 4 major books, which deal with various aspects of life. THEY ARE: Rig (Rik) Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharvaveda Of all the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda is accepted as the oldest surviving treatise on the planet, dated as long back as 3000 B.C. Rig-Veda details the concepts of Cosmology on the principles of Sankhya Darshan. References to the Tridosha theory of VATA PITA AND KAPHA, which forms the basis of Ayurveda are sporadically found in the Rig-Veda. Herbs and their use as medicines and pathogens (Krimis) are also discussed. However it is in the Atharvaveda where major references of Ayurveda are found. Ayurveda is hence considered as a supplement or Upveda of Atharvaveda. Atharvaveda gives a systematic description of Ashtang-Ayurveda (8-fold branches of Ayurveda). National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 3
ASHTANG AYURVEDA. Ashtang Ayurveda progressively developed in individual streams around 1500 B.C. The 8 branches of Ayurveda are: TANTRA [STREAM] KAYA-CHIKITSA SHALYA-TANTRA SHALAKYA -TANTRA AGAD-TANTRA BHOOT-VIDYA KAUMARBHRUTYA & PRASUTI-TANTRA RASAYANA VAAJIKARAN MODERN EQUIVALENT Internal Medicine Surgery Head and Neck, Ophthalmology & Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Toxicology Spiritual Healing & Psychiatry Pediatrics & Gynecology Geriatrics Reproduction & fortification of carnal pleasures Ayurveda and its streams were propagated through two schools at that time. Atreya Sampradaya or The School of Physicians of which Charak Samhita is a major treatise. Dhanvantari Sampradaya or The School of Surgeons of which Sushrut Samhita serves as a major treatise. These two schools made Ayurveda a more scientifically verifiable and classifiable medical system. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 4
GOLDEN ERA OF AYURVEDA AND THE DECLINE Ayurveda practice was at its peak in the Buddhist era (around 520 B.C.). This period saw the growth of Ras-Shastra and Siddha medicine, which is marked by the prominent use of Mercury, Sulphur and Metals in conjunction with herbs to prepare medications. Prior to this, Ayurveda medicines were only constituted of herbs and certain minerals. Due to the rich progress of Ayurveda, formulations during this period and their high effectiveness, the science was highly patronized, with many foreign scholars visiting India to learn this craft and by the time of the the regime of Chandragupta Maurya around (340-298 BC), Ayurveda was an established health care system of India. This period hence could be classified as the Golden Period of Ayurveda. However the Buddhist era could also be marked as the pivotal point for the decline of Dhanvantri-Sampradaya, which specialized in Shalyatantra (Surgery). Emperor Ashoka, around (304 BC - 232 B.C.), influenced by the Buddhist teachings after the famous Kalinga war, implemented the path of peace and spirituality, thus refraining from injury and bloodshed. The decision had a massive impact and by 250 B.C. Ayurveda Shalyatantra was almost non-existent. Conversely, the spread of ATREYA SAMPRADAYA or the school of physicians was rapid during this era. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 5
The Mughal invasion of India saw destruction of many Ayurvedic treatises as the Mughals razed down ancient universities like Takshila and Nalanda, which housed huge compilations. The Mughals were known for their high indulgence in carnal pleasures. Therefore, during the Mughal regime the Rasayan and Vaajikaran streams of Ayurveda received heavy patronage, taking Ayurveda to a magnamous level and continued to do so until India faced colonization by the British, which resulted in the massive decline of Ayurveda practice and the implementation of our modern health care system. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 6