Ayurveda

 Recently, on November 10 to be precise, was celebrated the Ayurveda Day. Given the Diwali feel, I felt that it would be better to address it later. So this blog on Ayurveda.

Ayurveda, as  a concept, is rooted in the Indian knowledge system. Its sources are Atharva Veda, Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita. Mainly, these three texts are the storehouse of the ancient medicinal knowledge, though other texts may have a few inputs.

Today as a practice, it is a little controversial though. Unlike the Yoga, for example, it is not accepted world wide. It has a constant run-in with the allopathic practitioners, moreover.

I look at the whole issue slightly differently. To begin with, I would like to bust this myth that there is not any side effect of/to the Ayurvedic medicines. Well, may be, we must accept that each and every medicine does have a side effect. The only defence of the Ayurvedic medicine could be that the side effects of these medicines are minimal, and most importantly, least invasive. 

Let me give you an example. Haldi/turmeric whose property rights became an international issue, would be dangerous, if taken in excess.Otherwise, even in the raw, unprocessed mode, a spoonful of turmeric per day is the best to maintain internal health.

Personally though, I think that Ayurveda is a holistic way of life.  It teaches you pranayam for the spiritual growth, and yogasanas for the psychosomatic balance. It is rooted in the Trisutri of the IKS. Basically, it discusses the tridosh. It shows us, moreover, how to be either satvik or rajas, and to avoid, the tamasik. In this sense, it shows us how to avoid the very source of the various dis-eases.

Moreover, it relates us to the larger whole. I think it shows us how to respect the flora for a  balanced life. As for fauna, all the references to "a tortoise with twenty-one nails" and "a snake with two mouths" are mere superstitions, and such profit-making businesses, a salute to international markets, are an outright insult to the real ayurvedic thought. 

Hence the need to understand, and practise Ayurveda. I would insist, moreover, that there be an open and honest dialogue with allopathic praxis. It would help establish the authenticity of this alternative and effective medicinal praxis.

Pratima@ The best solution is always symbiotic, right?