The Decline of Ayurvedic Knowledge: A Loss to Humanity
The traditional medical science system of Nepal is based on the principles of Ayurveda, which is one of the valuable sources of medical knowledge passed down by ancient physicians. This knowledge is available to all human beings to take care of their health. Over time, the true knowledge of Ayurveda has been corrupted by competing with modern medical science, leading to the decline of real traditional physicians, who are losing their confidence. If this negative situation is not addressed, it will result in a significant loss of human knowledge to suffering mankind in the future. Many medical problems remain unsolved, and losing this experienced medical knowledge would be a great curse to those in need.
The Eight Branches and Sixteen Sciences of Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, there are eight branches and sixteen basic sciences for medical practice. These branches include Internal Medicine, Surgery, Cranial Organomedicine, Pediatrics, Toxicology, Spiritual Healing, Purification of Genetic Organs, and finally, Long Life and Good Health. The sixteen basic sciences are: Medical Philosophy, Principles of the Three Pathogenic Agents, Principles of Diagnosis, Principles of Treatment, Five Therapeutic Cleansing Procedures, Study of Life Span, Psychology, Hygiene, Dietetics, Anatomy & Physiology, Physics, Pharmacology, Botany, Zoology, Alchemy, and Pharmacology.
All the medical problems that are well recorded and studied are classified into these eight sections or branches. Some of these problems have been solved, while others still require further study. In fact, the eight branches of Ayurveda deal with both the solved and unsolved medical problems. The historical background of the different schools within these sections is crucial to understanding the development of Ayurveda.
Each basic science has its own theoretical and practical field. Medical Philosophy aims to understand the reality of life elements and the fundamental constituents of objects. Pathogenic Agents help in understanding the true nature of diseases. Different approaches for diagnosis, treatment, and therapeutic cleansing methods form one group of basic sciences. Similarly, the study of life span, psychology, hygiene, dietetics, physics, anatomy & physiology, botany, pharmacology, and zoology are classified into a second group of basic sciences. Lastly, alchemy and pharmaceutics together form the third group of basic sciences. Altogether, these sixteen basic sciences play a significant role in presenting Ayurveda as a comprehensive science of life.
Historical Roots of Ayurveda: A Gift from the Himalayas
The authentic history of Ayurveda begins with the holy books, the Vedas; however, Hindu mythology believes that Ayurvedic knowledge was delivered directly by the creator of the world, Brahma. There are four Vedas: the Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, and Atharva-Veda. These Vedas were written 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. Among these, the Atharva-Veda especially contains medical knowledge based on the principles of Ayurveda. The knowledge of the Vedas was contributed by the Rishis and Munis of different times and places. It is well known that these learned sages and saints devoted their lives to understanding the reality of the universe.
Aryavarta, the native land of the Aryans, encompasses the wide surrounding area of the Himalayas where these Rishis and Munis lived for years. The surrounding area of the Himalayas, in the present political situation, includes countries like Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, etc. The ancient civilizations of these countries were deeply influenced by the unique intellectual contributions of these Rishis and Munis. In different timely situations, they divided Ayurveda into eight sections or branches to facilitate further study and learning, as mentioned earlier.
Different schools and traditions still teach these eight sections of Ayurveda along with related sciences. These traditions continue in Nepal and abroad. In Nepal, there are still about eight hundred families of traditional Ayurvedic physicians. They pass down their knowledge from father to son, generation after generation, with additional experience. People benefit from them in maintaining their health. All the plants they need for treatment grow in the various climates of Nepal. They prepare their own medicines and have a good reputation and moral support from both the local people and those abroad. However, their medical practices have been influenced by historical fluctuations. Currently, the situation is not particularly favorable for their progress and development.
Ayurveda vs. Modern Science: Understanding the Differences
Ayurveda is an ancient, original science of life. It is connected to many intellectual understandings and skills. The science of Ayurveda does not follow the rules of modern science; it is based on the reality of cause and effect. This is the truth and reality of the universe. The universal truth cannot be presented in just any way. The presentation of Ayurvedic science and modern science is different; however, the aim of both is the same. This is the fact that must be understood to recognize the unique contribution of Ayurveda.
The Fundamental Principle of Ayurveda: Balance in Bodily Systems
Ayurveda is not a folk treatment. It has a fundamental principle based on the theory of balance within the bodily systems, which includes the nervous system, arterial system, and venous system. These three systems are the main sources of the body’s functioning, and their balance is the key to good health, while imbalance or overbalance is the cause of sickness. The approach to restoring balance in these systems is the cure. Following this principle, all diseases and their cures are well presented in Ayurveda. The functions of bodily organs depend on the balance within these systems. Consequently, the subject of anatomy and physiology is well studied in Ayurveda to understand the relationship between the body, mind, and their functions.
Another major subject of Ayurveda is understanding how people die and how they struggle with life and death. This subject provides a wealth of information concerning immunity, longevity, and the factors contributing to a long or short life.
Classifications of Diseases: The Ayurvedic Approach
Diseases are classified into two categories: those with physical disorders before symptoms appear and those without physical disorders before symptoms appear. All the diseases in the first category are well classified within the principle of the theory of balance, with clear formulas for diagnosis and treatment. However, the second category does not follow the principle of balance. These diseases are diagnosed and treated under the principle of spiritual healing. This approach deals with treatment based on unseen biological aspects and involves religious and psychological concepts.
Different people have different natures, which are classified into three major categories: nervous, aggressive, and delicate. These natures influence the development of the body and mind, leading to different personalities. The study of this is also a unique subject in Ayurveda, helping to understand the relationship between the body, mind, and disease.
The Sources of Ayurvedic Medicine: Plants, Animals, and Minerals
There are three different sources of medicines: plants, animal products, and minerals. Among the thousands of plants in Nepal, nearly 500 have been well investigated for medicinal purposes. The botany concerned with Ayurveda deals with these plants, focusing on their habitat, physical properties, medicinal uses, including toxicology, and diet.
Zoology in Ayurveda deals with animal products, recognizing their habitat, tastes, physical properties, and medicinal uses, including toxicology and diet. Mineralogy in Ayurveda focuses on minerals, studying their taste, physical properties, and medical uses, including ancient chemistry and toxicology. Ancient chemistry is concerned with neutralizing the toxicity of minerals and oxidizing them for safe use.
Ayurvedic Physics: The Science of Elements, Tastes, and Balance
The study of physics related to Ayurveda deals with twenty physical properties, six tastes, and five fundamental elements, which are associated with matter. The body, matter, drugs, and diet must be related to each other to maintain their balance. This, in fact, is the main understanding of Ayurveda for the logical presentation of pharmacology.
Ayurvedic Preparations: Crafting Medicines with Care
There are many preparations of drugs, such as decoctions, powders, pills, fermentations, extracts, tinctures, alkalis, oxides, ashes, pastes, etc. The main aim and theory behind the preparation of these drugs depend on how the body accepts them without any adverse side effects while counteracting the morbid condition.
Maintaining Health: The Ayurvedic Lifestyle
Health is the balanced state of the three bodily elements and their physical systems. To maintain this balance, a proper diet, hygienic practices, and well-regulated mental and physical behaviors are essential. What should be eaten and done must be carefully managed, taking into account daily foods, water, seasonal effects, atmosphere, natural cleanliness, and exercise, among other factors.
The Future of Ayurveda: Preserving a Rich Legacy
Following the intellectual background related to different sciences, anyone can understand the true knowledge of Ayurveda. This is why Ayurveda is so advanced. The thousands of books written by different physicians, including their experiences from different times, are scientific proof of well-organized medical skill. The contribution of traditional Ayurvedic medicine was well recognized by people in the past and still holds a good reputation. However, its future is unclear. Some of the reasons for this include the lack of education, educational resources, textbooks, good teachers, and, most importantly, the unclear policies of the educational authorities and relevant health personnel, along with the domination and influence of neighboring countries and the misuse of authority’s power.
In ancient times, traditional education depended on a good teacher or physician and a dedication to study. A good doctor meant a physician who was well-versed in all the subjects of Ayurveda, including theory, practice, and the preparation of medicines. This is the basic principle of traditional Ayurvedic medical education, which is lacking in modern medical science. Modern medical science does not believe in the theory of balance, the fundamental principle of Ayurveda. Modern medical education encourages students to study modern medicine, thinking that Ayurveda cannot be scientific without the knowledge of modern medicine. This is not true. If it were true, what does Ayurveda stand for?
This is why Ayurveda faces its challenges from the modern point of view. There is still time to reconsider. If we continue in this direction, the historical and intellectual background of Nepal in the field of Ayurvedic science will vanish one day. Neglecting it is neglecting the talent of humanity.
Health is the wealth of humanity. Everyone has to consider it. There should not be any barrier for humans to take care of their health. A person who is sick seeks a cure, regardless of the therapeutic method. They are only concerned with getting better and achieving good health. This is a fact that everyone realizes.
Ayurveda does not claim that it can cure all diseases. Similarly, there are many diseases that modern medicine cannot cure. These can be effectively treated with traditional Ayurvedic treatment and medicine. This is the main reason why traditional Ayurvedic treatment is needed by the new generation.
The new generations of mankind are very advanced with a realistic approach to better health. When it comes to Ayurveda, it has good answers, good understanding, and a good practical approach.
Author
Vaidya Madhu Bajra Bajracharya
Chairman,
Association of Traditional Ayurvedic Medical Practitioner’s of Nepal