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Article                THE GREAT HERITAGE OF INDIA        

Abraham Karemmel 

AYURVEDA – World’s oldest System of Medicine, and the only Science of Holistic Life

Even though an Indian from its Kerala state, except the bitter taste of some dicoctions (concentrated teas, called ‘Kashaya’ in Sanskrit), I did not know much about the traditional Indian system of medicine called ‘Ayurveda’, when I was in India. My unsatisfactory experiences with ‘Modern Medicine’ in Germany reminded me how Ayurvedic treatment completely cured my grandfather’s serious paralysis of the complete left side, at the age of 74. The Ayurvedic treatment consisted of a special system of massage with warm, specially prepared oils containing herbal extracts etc, intake of Ayurvedic decoctions, tablets etc. This massage therapy is called ‘Navarakkizhy’. The treatment cured my grand father completely and without any traces of the paralysis, and he lived a normal life for another 8 years. He was first treated by Indian doctors of modern medicine for about three weeks; only when they gave up, an Ayrvedic physician was consulted as an obligatory last resort. My aunt’s skin pigment deficiency was also fully cured with ‘Amlaki’ (Emblica officinalis) wine, as advised by an Ayurvedic physician. For both the said problems, modern medicine has still no real cure (in Kerala, paralysis through stroke is successfully treated routinely by Ayurvedic system; immediate treatment is decisive for quick and complete cure). These made me read intensively on Ayurveda. Here, I am sharing the summary of the surprising features of Ayurveda, gathered from several books in English, German and Malayalam (language of Kerala state, India) on the subject.

HISTORY: The Indus Valley Civilization of India is characterized by planned dwellings made of bricks, straight streets, well laid baths with drainage systems, and large grain storage facilities, indicating a developed social system around 4000-3000 B.C. Figures in yogic poses and medicinal substances such as deer antler, bitumen etc discovered from the Indus Valley excavations indicate Yoga and use of medicines at that time; however, no link of it with Ayurveda has been established. Unfortunately, as the Indus-Valley scripts found are still not read, a final conclusion on Ayurveda’s relation to Indus Valley civilization is also not possible. The earliest hints of some ‘sort of treatments’ are found in the four ‘Vedas’ (means divine wisdom) Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atherva Veda, which are the basic fundamental books of Hindu religion. Rig Veda, considered to be evolved between 4000-3000 B.C., transmitted verbally for centuries adopting certain special techniques to prevent changes, is considered written around 2000 B.C. Rig Veda, considered the oldest literary work of humanity, has 10 books (‘Mandalas’), 1028 hymns (‘Suktas’), and 10,572 verses. Yajur Veda has 1975 verses under 40 chapters; Sama Veda 1800 verses from Rig Veda and 75 original verses; Atharva Veda has 5,977 verses in 731 hymns. They prescribe chanting of some ‘mantras’ (magical words or sentences), and the use of certain herbs against diseases, believing that their magical powers cured diseases.

Developed form of Ayurveda, which means ‘divine knowledge for life, is in the collective works called ‘Samhithas’ in Sanskrit language. These works are highly influenced by the Vedas, the six important Indian Vedic philosophies of ‘Samkhya’, ‘Yoga’, ‘Nyaya’, ‘Vaiseshika’, ‘Meemamsa’ and ‘Vedantha’. It has also been influenced by Buddhist and Jain Philosophies as well. Vedic knowledge is said to be divine or given by God; this is to be understood as knowledge acquired by the Indian sages or ‘seers’ through intuition. Several facts indicate that this is not just a convenient and easy assumption. According to Charaka Samhita, the most fundamental work on Ayurveda, considered written around 600 BC, Yoga and Meditation can lead to eight extraordinary powers (‘Siddhies’) like Extrasensory Perception (ESP), Telepathy, Clairvoyance, Pre-cognizance etc, and some of these have also been proved through modern researches in Psychology. Ayurveda has remedies for some very complex diseases for which Modern Medicine has no remedy. The Indian system caught the attention of Modern Medicine, when it came to know about 15 years ago that ‘Ayurveda’ uses the herb ‘AMALPORI’ (Botanical name unknown) against High Blood Pressure, and ‘SARPAGANDHI ’ (Ruvolvia serpentina) against Schizophrenia which was still not well understood by the modern medicine.

Two true stories of our times hints at the amazing power of intuition. Ms. Sakunthala Devi from Bangalore, India, had been competing with computers in arithmetic to do multiplication of large digit numbers so quickly and accurately, apparently through intuition. On 10 Feb 96, world Chess champion Garry Kasparove played against IBM’s super Chess computer ‘Deep Blue’ which could evaluate 100 million moves per second (yes 100 million!!). Kasparove, the best player of all times can evaluate only two moves per second. He was very confident that a computer can never beat him, and took it easy. The computer gave him a shock by taking the first game; however, Kasparow drew the next two and won the following games and the match - he claims his technique is intuition. In May 97, Kasparove played against an updated IBM ‘Deep(er) Blue’, which could evaluate 200 million configurations per second, and also revise itself the programme to match the opponent. This time, Kasparove won the first game, came to draw in the next three games, but lost the last two, and thus lost the match to the machine! The fact that he won the first game and drew on the next three games show that even the tremendous capacity, speed and self-upgrading capability of the computer could not beat him; it beat him only when the human mind was exhausted!! These true stories prove beyond any doubt, that the power of intuition – it cannot be anything else; there is no other known phenomena - is so great that it can match the fantastic speed, capacity etc of a super computer!! Intuition is a faculty many normal human beings have, and it can be improved by meditative techniques. Only India is known to have meditating sages since time immemorial. Knowledge through intuition seems to be the only plausible answer to the mystery of the very high standard of ancient Indian knowledge in Astronomy, Astrology, Mathematics etc, as well as of Ayurvedic medicine and its simple & complex remedies for man’s various health problems.

A well developed Ayurveda first appears in the collective works called ‘Samhithas’ in sanskrit. ‘Charaka Samhitha’ and ‘Sushruta Samhitha’ are the great Ayurvedic works of high standard, written for teaching Ayurveda at ancient learning centers Takshasila, Nalanda etc. As they were specifically written for teaching and as these two were probably the best compared with others, they survived, and are the oldest authentic works available now in a more or less complete state. There were several other Samhithas referenced in these and other ancient works, but are no more available in a complete state. As per records of the Chinese pilgrim scholar, Hiu Yen Tsang, Nlanada had about 10,000 students in various faculties, and included foreign students. Buddhist records confirm a highly developed Ayurveda. According to Budhist records, Jeevaka, the physician of Gautama Buddha (567-487 BC - son of King Bimbisdara), learned Ayurveda in Takshsila (near present Ravalpindi, Pakistan). According to legends, during his final test, his guru asked him to bring a plant without any medicinal property; Jeevaka brought none but convinced that each and every plant has some medicinal property and passed the test. According to Ayurveda, everything in this universe, living or non-living, matter or energy, can be a medicine under suitable circumstances. Modern medicine and science are gradually finding that music, aroma, colours, other human beings etc can influence human, animal and plant health ! Buddhists helped its growth very much, and spread it outside India. Western Experts estimate that Ayurveda is about 3200 years old, while Indian estimates attribute more than 5000 years.

THE AYURVEDIC CLASSICS: (1) Charaka Samhita - Teachings of Athreya, written by Agnivesa (600 BC), revised/improved by Charaka and by Dredabala of Kashmir. This work on general medicine has 120 chapters in eight sections. (2) Sushruta Samhita - Teachings of Dhanavanthari written by Sushruta (800 BC), revised/improved by Sidhanagarjuna. This work’s major theme is surgery, has also 120 chapters of Sushruta in five sections, and 66 chapters considered as added by Nagarjuna. This was first printed in 1836. (3) KASHYAPA SAMHITA - Taught by Kashyapa, written by Jeevaka, and revised by Vyasa, specialises on Paediatrics. Parts of this were found from Nepal and are published together with parts of another Ayurvedic work called ‘Jwarsamuchaya’. (4) Bhela Samhita and Hareetha Samhita available now are incomplete and of doubtful origin. (5) ‘Ashtangasamgraha’ and ‘Ashtangahredaya’ (between 600-800 AD) - Written by Vagbhata (some consider these were written by a senior and a junior Vagbhata), these condense and combine Charaka and Sushruta Samhiths, and add new know-how. The first has 150, and the second 120 chapters; both have six sections. Ashtanghredaya is completely in poetry. Both these works are meant for physicians’ daily practice, are very popular, and have many translations and commented interpretations. (6) ‘Navaneethaka’ - In 1890 the English army officer Bover discovered some manuscripts from the ruins of a Buddhist Stupa (temple) in Kashgar, central Asia. Of these, called ‘Bower’s Manuscripts’, three are on Ayurveda, of which ‘Navaneethaka’ is the most important. Original is preserved in Oxford and printed versions are available. There are about 1500 Ayurvedic works before 1800 AD are available now, and includes works on Ayurveda for animals and trees. Many works lost in India have their translations in Nepal, Tibet, China, Cambodia etc. The eight specific sections of Ayurveda as in the two Vagbhata works are: (1) Internal Medicine, (2) Maternity & Child care, (3) Ear, Nose, Throat and Eyes, (4) Demonology or Mental Diseases, (5) Surgery, (6) Toxicology, (7) Vitalisation and Rejuvenation, and (8) Aphrodisiacs or Sexual Medicine.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES: 1. THE CONTINUOUS INTERACTION OF THE FIVE BASIC ELEMENTS (‘PANCHA MAHABHOOTHAS’): (1) All phenomena in the universe, living or non-living, is made of one or more of the seven basic components - Space (Akasa), Air (Vayu), Fire (Thejas), Water (Jala), Earth (Prithvi), Mind (mana), and Soul (Athma). (2) Living beings are microcosms, and are in continuous interaction with all the phenomena in the universe, the macrocosm. (3) Man has five sense organs (skin, ear, nose, tongue, and eye), and five organs of action (hands, Legs, vocal cord, digestive system and reproductive system). And above all, the mind which is the sixth sense organ as well as the sixth organ of action. (4) Any impulse received or processed in any of the six sense organs has an effect on health. (5) 17 groups of channels (srothas) in the body allow the movement/flow of various impulses, fluids, food and waste materials etc. (6) 107 Vital Points (Marmas) - injury to which can cause immediate or eventual serious adverse effect on body function and/or death.

2. TEN PAIRS OF OPPOSING QUALITIES (SANSKRIT - ‘DRAVYA GUNAS’) : (1) Heavy/Light (guru/laghu), (2) Cold/Hot (seetha/ushna), (3) Oily/Rough (snigdha/ruksha), (4) Slow or Dull/Intense (manda/theekshna), (5) Stable/Mobile (sthira/sara), (6) Hard/Soft (kadhina/mredu), (7) Sticky, Translocent/Clear (picchala/visada), (8) Smooth/Solid, Rough (slaksna/khara), (9) Subtle, Penetrating/Gross, Obstructing (sukshma/sthula), and (10) Solid/Liquid (sandra/drava). All phenomena in the universe have one or more of these qualities.

3. ‘PRAKRETHI’: The fundamental constitution or nature (which is ‘Prakrethi’ in Sanskrit) of every living being is unique and is determined at the time of conception. It is influenced by the psycho-somatic condition, fine energy and aura levels of the parents, the climatic and planetary constellation etc. This basic constitution (‘prakrethi’) of a living being, by birth, remains without much changes during a healthy life time. But being in continuous interaction with all the features of the living being (a person) and the universe, it will be affected by itself and the universe. This means, the microcosm itself and the macrocosm will influence each individual being and mutually, through the qualities and behaviour patterns of both. The ‘Prakrethi’ has in itself all the strengths and weaknesses including physical features, character traits, disease tendencies etc. Ayrveda has developed a system TO determine an individual’s fundamental constitution based on the physical, physiological and psychological, features of an individual which indicates the strengths and weaknesses of the three groups of functions classified under Vata, Pitta and Kapha (see the ‘test for constitution type’). Ideally, a person will be of best health, if all the three systems are in a well balanced state; however, this is very rare. There are eight principal combinations of constitution types: (1) vata, pitta and kapha well balanced; (2), (3) and (4) where ONE of vata, pitta and kapha dominating alone over the other two; (5), (6) and (7), where the DUAL group functions vata-pitta, vata-kapha and pitta-kapha dominate over the remaining single group function; and (8) where all the three group functions vata, pitta and kapha are weak. Most people have double predominance, but considering the various possibility of strengths of each functional feature, i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the number of combinations become infinite, making every individual a unique masterpiece. In Charaka’s words, ‘every human being is the singular expression of a uniquely composed space-time and self-consciousness state of the universe’.

4. (1) ‘VATA’, (2) ‘PITTA’ AND (3) ‘KAPHA’. All functions in a living body can be grouped under Vata (or Vayu) consisting of nervous activity, movements and associated functions such as flow of nerve impulses, blood, body fluids, food & drink, muscle movements etc); Pitta consisting of metabolism, digestion and associated functions such as energy production, body temperature control, etc; and Kapha consisting of body building and associated functions such as tissue formation, repair of injuries, immune function etc. Vata has been attributed the qualities dry, cold, light, hot, mobile, clear, rough and subtle. Pitta has the qualities slightly oily, hot, intense, light, fluid, sour or with bad smell and mobile. Kapha has the qualities oily, cold, heavy, stable, viscid/sticky, smooth and soft.

5. THE SIX TASTES: In Ayurveda, the tastes sweet, sour, salty, bitter, hot and stringent indicate the properties of the various substances. Also, in addition to the initial or immediate taste (‘rasa’), substances have a concealed second taste or potency (‘veerya), and a taste after digestion (‘vipaka’), the extraordinary potency or synergy (‘prabhava’). The action of a substance absorbed into the body is dependent on these properties of the substances. The result of action of any substance will be its influence on the ten opposing qualities listed above. Thus black pepper has hot taste, hot energy, hot potency, and hot synergy. It increases Pitta, decreases Vata and Kapha; affects the tissues of blood, fat, bone & nerve, and the systems of digestion, circulation & respiration. It is a stimulant, have anti-fever property etc. The fruit Amlaki (Emblica officinalis) is a very famous and important on in Ayurveda. Its main taste is sour, but it has all the tastes except salty; its energy (veerya) is cold, post-digestive taste (vipaka) is sweet; it balances all the three systems Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Charaka calls it the best medicine for preventing aging. One fruit of about 6-10 gms contains as much Vitamin C as in one dozen orange, reportedly in a heat-withstanding molecular structure. Ayurveda has determined the taste (Rasa), energy (Veerya), post-digestive taste taste (vipaka), and synergy (Prabhava) of hundreds of plants, plant and animal products, minirals, metals etc. Ayurveda’s know-how in this area is of surprisingly high standard, and is one of the most important features of it.

6. HEALTH: Definition by Charaka – ‘Man is healthy, when the life activities, metabolism, digestion, tissues and excretions are in a balanced state of function, and the senses, mind and soul are in stable happiness’. Definition by WHO (UN) – ‘Health is the state of complete well being of body, mind and soul’. The close similarity shows the high standard of Charaka’s perception in this field.

According to Ayurveda, as all the systems of a living being comes under Vata, Pitta and Kapha, when these are balanced, the living being is healthy. To understand this better, a living body may be compared to a complex factory. Roughly, the systems of communication and transportation come under Vata; the burning of fuel to produce power/energy, and the processing of raw material into component parts come under Pitta; and the assembling of components into final products, and inspection and repair work come under Kapha. In the human body communication and transportation are nerve impulses and the flow of blood, body fluids, food and waste materials etc. Digestion, production of the digestive enzymes, conversion food into a form suitable for absorption, body temperature control, etc are related to energy production, production of small parts and related functions. The products made in a living body are the various tissue cells; protection of body from foreign elements with the immune system etc are also considered associated with this system under Kapha. The fundamental principle of Ayurveda, regarding the effect of the continuous interaction of the environment on the living being is ‘The law of Like and Unlike Qualities’. Charaka explains ‘the like is the cause of increase of all things at all times, and the unlike is the cause of their decrease. In the context of treatment of the body, like causes increase, and unlike causes decrease of the body’s constituents. Like combines, and unlike differentiates; like is that which agrees, while unlike disagrees.’ In case of a living being, food with quality heavy will increase the weight, while food with quality lightness will decrease body weight; food with hot quality such as spices will increase Pitta or digestion, while food with the quality cold will decrease the digestive fire; and so on. Similarly, cold or wet climate will increase Kapha and Vata functions, as they both have the characteristics cold and wet. But cold weather may increase the digestive fire indirectly, by increasing the energy requirement of the body, which may require a higher rate of digestion or burning of fat. On similar basis, the effect of any feature or entity of the universe on a living being can be derived, based on the inherent quality of that entity or feature.

7. DIAAGNOSIS: Ayurveda needs the diagnosis of the patient and of the disease. Diagnosis of the patient is done through careful and close observation and examination of several factors of the patient. (a) The Eight-fold Examination: (1) The general appearance which gives the condition of the body, mind and energy situation of the patient. (2) Skin (3) Eyes (4) Tongue (5) Pulse (6) Nails (7) Urine and (8) Stool. (b) Additionally, ten further factors are considered: (1) Basic nature of physique, (2) Resistance and strength of body, (3) Mental features, (4) Eating habits, (5) Body type and volume of stomach, (6) Age, (7) Time of the year & season, (8) Place and geographical location of the patient, (9) Which ‘Dosha’ system is disturbed, and (10) Which medicine(s) will help.

Diagnosis of the disease - Ayurveda classifies diseases very systematically, based on its origin such as hereditary, birth defects, climatic, infectious etc, as well as physical, mental energy disturbances etc. It also knew that some diseases can only be kept under control, and others cannot be cured at all. Ayurveda classifies diseases into six different stages according to its development; it also recognised different varieties of varies diseases.

8. TREATMENT: Considering the nature and condition of the patient, and those of the disease, a unique treatment is specially devised for the unique situation. If a disease is in the beginning stage, simple alleviating measures will be advised. But if the disease is in an advanced stage and has produced toxins or accumulation of waste material has taken place, first the toxins and/or waste materials have to be cleared of the body through various cleaning methods. A common five fold method called ‘Pancha-karma’, consists of induced sweating, purgation, vomiting, sneezing and blood letting. After purification process, suitable medicinal substances and combinations thereof such as herbs, minerals, animal products and even metallic oxides etc including appropriate food material are administered. The basic approach is to strengthen the weakened system (‘Dosha’), and /or to calm down the overactive system as the case is. At initial stages of disease, in a normally healthy person, treatment is possible through appropriate diet and life style adaptation. It include various types of massages with specially prepared oils, various types of partial and full baths. Plastic surgery was first done in Ayurveda, as well as various other forms of surgery; however, through the influence of the non-violence principle of Buddhism, and its patronage of Ayurvedic system of medicine, surgery lost its elevated position in Ayurveda.

9. MEDICINES: According to Ayurveda, all phenomena in the universe which we experience and perceive through the six – repeat, six - sense organs, where mind is the sixth sense organ, any of these experiences or perceptions can be a medicine under suitable circumstances. Ayurveda recommends to use all of them, as appropriately. Consequently, in addition to food and drink, herbs and medicinal substances etc in all possible combinations and forms, aroma, colours, climate, geographical location, various forms of energy, personal contact and influence etc can have curative effect. Commonly used forms of medicine are decoctions or concentrated teas, tinctures of it, tablets, powders, wines, medicated fats and oils, pastes, jellies and so on.

During the course of Ayurved’s development through the ages, the social and political systems have helped as well as hindered its growth. At the time of the English rule, teaching of Ayurveda was even prohibited by law in 1835; however, as it is one of the most valuable and living sciences ever, scholars with real and deeper perception, including Englishmen, realised its value and contributed to its revival. Even though Charaka prescribed Yoga and Meditation for body and mind, these were not used by Ayurvedic physicians as an integral part of the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Perhaps, at some point of time in history, it somehow lost its place in Ayurveda. But this is now finding its place in maintaining the health of people all over the world. The Vedas and Upanishads (Vedantha) says that Yoga is the science of union with God, with the truth; ‘Tantra’ (the ancient Indian system and technique for the management of human energy system), is the most direct method for controlling the energy, which helps the greatest experience of consciousness; and Ayurveda is the ‘Science of Life’. However, only very disciplined individuals are in a position to realise the union with the ultimate consciousness through Yoga and Tantra. But anyone can adopt Ayurvedic methods successfully, to maintain and/or regain health.

Now, Ayurveda is getting popular all over the world. Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, the proponent of Transcendental Meditaion (TM) is a great Yogi of our times; he has established TM centres all over the world, and is also propagating Ayurveda in a very intensive style. There are more than 70 TM centres and about 10 Ayurvedic Hospitals and Health Centres, including Maharshi Ayurvedic Clinics/Centres, in Germany alone.