Ayurvedic Medicine Foundation Diploma Course

Section 1. Overview & Introduction to Ayurveda (Course notes)

1.Overview
The science of yoga has become renowned in recent years. Yoga has, however, a lesser-
known sister science called Ayurveda. India's traditional medicine system, Ayurveda, has
survived into the modern era for more than 5000 years. For thousands of years, it has
protected human health in a simple yet effective manner.
We will explore Ayurveda through this series of lectures in light of authentic Sanskrit texts.

2. What is Ayurveda?
In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda consists of two words - ayu (age/life) and veda
(knowledge). It means the knowledge of life. Unlike medicine, it doesn't work after
someone becomes sick. Keeping your mind and body healthy is the goal of Ayurveda.
The Life (Ayu)

According to the Sanskrit language, the word "ayu" (life/age) has many meanings and uses,
including meanings related to life, age, longevity, and quality of life.
The permanent disconnection between all these factors leads to the transitional phase
called death. This is a state whether the connection between the world of matter, the mind
and the soul is permanently severed and the soul returns to the celestial world.
The same logic applies to animals, birds, and plants. The Vedic tradition defines them as all
having a soul, mind, or body and being made of matter.
This is the reason why Ayurveda is not just for humans. Ayurveda encompasses every
living thing on Earth.
Ayurvedic veterinary science was highly developed. It is called pashva ayurveda, where the
word pashu refers to the animals.

How does an ayu (life starts)

Ayu begins when the sperm (Shukranu) and the egg (Andanu) unite and provide a space for
the soul to descend.
Ayurveda from a psychosomatic perspective

The definition of ayu includes the element of the mind. Therefore the mental aspect of
health is the first component of Ayurveda, because it includes the mind as an essential
element for life.
For this reason, all health and disorders also emerge from the mind. Today, scientific proof
is available to verify that most of the disorders occur due to chronic stress, anxiety,
depression, negative thinking and similar mental problems.
Summary

“ayu” is the duration where soul, mind, senses and body comes together to form the
phenomenon called life. This term may seem simple, but it represents all the aspects of
Ayurveda.

3. Veda
From the root "vid" comes the word Veda, which means realization. Therefore, you see, the
term does not refer to a simple body of knowledge. Rather, it is about realizing truth.
The system of Ayurveda is not just a body of structured knowledge about physiology or
pathology. Ayurveda instead aims to achieve the greatest goal of all - salvation.
Wisdom is Veda. Knowledge is not created, it is discovered. Similarly, veda or wisdom is not
created or invented. It is already ingrained in the universe. We should be able to receive it.
As with such great mins as Da Vinci, Einstein, or Newton, Veda is the wisdom that descends
upon a receptive mind.

4. What is the goal of Ayurveda & about the Kshetra?

Soul - Subject of Salvation

In Ayurveda, the Kshetra (or Soul in the West )of the subject (ie the person/animal/plant)
plays an important role. The scope of Ayurveda is defined by the kshetra. As previously
discussed, Ayurveda is the science of life, so all living beings can benefit from it.
The Fields of Disease

Kshetra signifies a place for growing things in Sanskrit. According to Ayurveda, humans
have two fields of disease - the mind and the body. These concepts have a lot of
implications
-Overview
Ayurveda practice on a living being works on the 2 levels, the Soul (or the Kshetra) and on
the disease itself.
In Ayurveda, the first Kshetra is the soul. The aim of Ayurveda is to assist all souls on their
journey towards salvation.
Secondly, Ayurveda treats diseases. Besides the physical body, the mind is another source
of diseases in the body. Fields of diseases are those parts of a human that are prone to
disease.

5. What is the Scope of Ayurveda?

All living beings are included in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda used to have distinct specializations for different life forms centuries ago.
In addition to humans, Ayurveda offers special treatment to the major categories of living
beings.
Overview

There were separate branches of Ayurveda - Ayurveda for plants (vrikshayurveda),

Ayurveda for animals (pashvayurveda). There were multiple divisions and subdivisions
within each of these branches.
Takeaway

The Ayurvedic wisdom of healthcare descends to all receptive minds. Neither information
nor knowledge can describe it. Health and not disease is the focus of Ayurveda, the science
of life.
All forms of life are respected, and its goal is to help every soul escape the cycle of death
and rebirth.