Page 58 - Scientech 2014-15

yurveda is the most heard word nowadays, but it is very sad to say that
Ait is misinterpreted in many ways or it is consiced into some common
terminologies like herbal medicines and massages. Actually what is Ayurveda?
the way of life! start with the origin itself so that we can confirm how it can be considered
AYURVEDA
AYURVEDA
Is it related with some plants, it’s decoctions, oils, massages etc.? No; let me
as the “way of life” rather a medical system.

Ayurveda means the ‘Science of life’ [AYU means Life and VEDA means
Knowledge] It has a rich history of more than 5000 yrs and it is considered
as the Upaveda/Subveda of Atharva veda which is one among the four Vedas
of India [Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda]. Till the 8
th
century BC it was a knowledge which was shared as an Oral tradition and
th
it was only shared between high castes people/sages. By the 8 century
BC the disciples of these sages have written their acquired knowledges
into palm leaves which was the method of scripting at that time and thus
Ayurvedic principles and practices have got a manuscript to spread it’s
valuable knowledge to humans. The first among those sages were Charaka,
Susrutha and Vagbhatta, they have written the basic principles, theories,
treatmental methodologies of Ayurveda in their books Charaka Samhitha,
Susrutha Samhitha and Asthamga Samgraha/Hridaya respectively and
these are called as the ‘The Great Triads’ or ‘Brhat thrayees’ of Ayurveda.
Actually from these books the modern Ayurveda has evolved and Ayurvedic
Physicians are following these books for their practice. Although these books
are written in Sanskrit and in poetry, the translations in every languages is
available now.

This is the picture of Susrutha
doing surgery in the olden days
and hence he is called the ‘Father
of Surgery’ In addition to the
Great Triads there are 3 other
books too which are considered as
important ones; they are know as
“Laghutrayees” [Minor triads].

They are
1. Sarangadhara Samhitha by
Sarangadhara
2. Bhavaprakaasa Samhitha by
Bhaava Prakaasa
3. Madava Nidaana by Maadava

So these 6 books are the back bone of Ayurveda and still there are many
books which was written and translated into almost all Indian languages
[foreign too]. A wise Physician need to refer all these books to have a perfect

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