The ancient and sacred Ayurvedic Text, the Charaka Samhita, teaches us that the sages of old went in prayer and meditation to the Divine to seek guidance,
"Good health stands at the very root of virtuous acts, acquirement of wealth, gratification of desire and final emancipation. Diseases are destroyers of health, well being and life. This has manifested itself as a great obstacle in the way of human life. What would be its remedy?"
The answer they received to "How do we help our people?" was Ayurveda, literally translated as "The Science of Life".
The sages were told that the knowledge of Ayurveda consists of:
* All of the immediate and distant causes of disease,
* The entire signs and symptoms of disease and health, and
* The knowledge of all therapeutics for wellness.
Not only does Ayurveda include all of the above, but the sages were also told it includes:
* The knowledge of all that which is useful or advantageous,
* All that is harmful or disadvantageous, and
* All knowledge of that which makes one happy and sad.
Ayurveda is considered the "life-giver" and thus the knowledge of which is held most sacred. For what is of value in this life, if not the gift of life itself? Even the definition of "Life" is given to us; "Ayus" (the Sanskrit root for Life) stands for "the combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul". Dr. Ram Karan Sharma and Vaidya Bhagwan Dash, translators of the Charaka
Samhita comment, "The body made of the five mahabhutas (basic elements) serves as an abode of the enjoyments and sufferings of the soul. The sense organs are the eyes, etc.; the sattva is the mind and soul is the bearer of knowledge. All these combined with the virtue of the invisible past actions are designated as life."
It is interesting to note here that soul as "the bearer of knowledge" is included in the definition of Life. This science acknowledges that the soul needs to be cared for. What other medical science of the Western Hemisphere teaches us this? Ayurveda acknowledges the eternal nature and existence of the soul. Therefore, Ayurveda, consisting of knowledge for the soul's health, is knowledge that is good for this life and the life beyond.
Our self consists of a Body/Mind/Soul system, and Ayurveda holds knowledge of how to bring this system into a state of harmony and balance in order that we may then pursue the goals of this life - "virtuous acts, acquirement of wealth, gratification of desire and final emancipation". To be able to walk the path of these four goals in life and beyond is the great gift of "Living Ayurveda".
