An ancient science that supercedes modern medicine

The literal meaning of of Ayurveda is “Science of life “ or” Science of longevity “ . Dhanvanthri, who was known as God’s physician, was the first practitioner of Ayurveda about 3000 years ago.

Unknowingly the seed of interest to know about  was planted in my young mind long back, when first time I  heard the  story of Laxman’s  miraculous survival from the Indian epic Ramayana. It said, when Laxman was critically injured on the battlefield, Hanuman (the monkey god ) was sent to bring Sanjivani - an herbal  plant, from a far away mountain called Dronagiri in the Himalayan range. And when the great devotee of Rama,  Hanuman, could not identify that  special herbal plant, with his immense strength, he lifted the whole mountain and brought it to the battle field. Then Laxman was given that special herb, and he survived. As a child I was thrilled to hear that story, but as I grew up, that story faded from my memory. My interest in Ayurveda sprouted up again in my middle age, when I started having knee pain from rheumatoid arthritis. I  consulted an authentic  Ayurvedic doctor and within a year of treatment, I was able to improve to the point where I could taper off and finally discontinue immunosuppressive therapies. That experience  inspired me to share my experience with Ayurveda which I have benefitted from immensely.

According to Ayurveda, the five fundamental elements of creation  earth, water, fire, air, and space, also work within the human body and help to keep balance of body and mind. Ayurveda describes three orientations, which are called Vata (related to air and space), Pitta (fire and water element) which affects digestive system and third is Kapha (earth and water element) which affects bones, muscles, and teeth etc. Like the mix of primary colors can make up infinite palette, these three orientations mixed together manifest as the multitude of individuals, who are each to be treated distinctly if they are to be treated holistically as the balance of these three differs from person to person. As Ayurvedic medicines are chosen from plants, herbs, minerals and not synthetic or chemical extractions,  they don't create side effects. Another popular cleaning system of Ayurveda is known as 'Pancha Karma',  which means cleaning and eliminating toxins from the body  through five different actions. Ayurveda considers body as a temple, and which must be nourished with right food, right environment and right life style  with harmonious relations with all. Yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar rightly said, “The body is your temple , keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in it". Ayurveda, as a sister science to Yoga ultimately supports the cause of spiritual enlightenment through manifesting balance in the mind and body. And for that I am grateful.

The Simplicity of Choice

Sometimes the memory of a funny story may bring a serious thought to mind -as it happened to me when I was having my evening walk in our garden. Few lines of a much forgotten poem floated in to my mind, which told the story of the invention of shoes. When people were fending off dust everywhere, someone suggested they drench the earth with water, while others suggested covering it up with cloth or leather. Then a wise old man suggested that before trying to change the landscape, why not cover  your own feet  with leather. Thus shoes were born. 

I realised that  in any situation of life, self-protection is more effective than trying to change the outside world. We find our world is burning today with hatred, injustice, greed and anger, expressed through wars between countries, social ideals of different cultures and also within families. Wars fought with weapons or words  are unable to bring permanent peace. So we must be ready to listen and learn from the wisdom of that mythical inventor of the shoe.

One such effective idea is expressed in the first few sutras (lines) of the ancient text, “Yoga Sutras”, written by Maharishi Patanjali around 400 C.E. In his first chapter, “Yama “refers to the five external aspects of individual must do's. They are as follows, Ahimsa or non violence, Satya meaning truthfulness,  “ Asteya “ prescribes  non-covetousness in any form, let alone the act of stealing. “ Brahmacharya “ asks to develop self restraint, and” Aparigraha “is to stay unaffected by greed or the desire for accumulation.

The second chapter, “Niyama “ refers about five internal aspects of must dos of an individual. “Sauch “means to maintain inner and outer cleanliness. Santosh, is to have contentment. Tapas prescribes self-discipline and right effort,  “Svadhyaya” prescribes study for self improvement and self-awareness and finally comes “ Ishvara Pranidhan, “which means surrendering to God with love and humility.

Patanjali with his deep insight realised that we can change our world by purifying and strengthening our own mind. The world we create within is the world we live within.