The Primer of Ayurveda

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Prof. Dr. RH. Kulkarni is well Known Ayurvedic Physician, Research Guide in Ayurveda, University of Poona, Director, Institute of Indian Medicine, Editor of seven journals including Deerghayu International’ Author of nine books related to Ayurveda. Worked as president, Secretary, Treasurer of many Ayurvedic, Medical and Social Organisations at national and international level. Dr. Kulkarni have established Ayurvedic Centres in many countries of the world and travelled extensively for propagation of Ayurveda. Prof. Dr. Kulkarni is receipient of many international awards including Pax mundi Fellowship (Dag Hammarskj old awards committee).

I studied Ayurveda at Tilak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Pune (India) and got the opportunity to teach Ayurveda in the same College and same University.

I was fortunate enough to have stalwarts to Ayurveda as my teachers. I am still more fortunate to have many Deans, Principals, Professors in the field of Ayurveda as my students Amongst thousands of students all over the world, such as Prof. Dr. M. Junius (Australia), Dr. V. D. Lad (U.S.A.), Dr. Robert Svoboda (U.S.A.), Dr. Horst Poehlmann ;Australia), Dr. Krishna Kumar (Australia), Prof. A. A. Kaid Germany), tops the list of my students from other countries. I am thankful to them all.

1 learned Ayurveda from my teachers, from my students and from my patients all over the world.

I gratefully acknowledge the debts from every one who knowingly, unknowingly helped me in the field of Ayurveda.

(1) Ayurveda is a Science of Life. It is an ancient medicine of India. It is derived from Vedas more than four thousand years back. It is based on observations of nature and man. Ayu means Life and Veda means Knowledge.

(2) Aim of Ayurveda is primarily for promotion, prolongation and maintenance of healthy and happy human life. It also aims at prevention and cure of disease.

(3) First objective of Ayurveda is to strive for Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
Dharma means to observe social and moral rules.
Artha means understanding by sense--organs of body and thinking over it.
Kama means desire of various kinds.
Moksha means salvation. To break the cycle of birth-death and rebirth.
It aims at maintenance of metabolic equilibrium.

(4) For achieving above aims, Ayurveda insists that, every man should observe Dincharya means Daily Routine, Ritucharya means Seasonal Routine, and Sadvritta means Ethical Routine. Ayurveda gives stress on observing Aahara - Diet, Nidra - Sleep and Brahmacharya i.e. voidance of mental or sexual intercourse without purpose.

(5) Ayurveda emphasizes that whatever is present in the universe or Macrocosm, is also present in the individual or Microcosm. Man is a miniature of Nature. Hence basic components of man and universe are same. Material non-material, two components are necessary for creation of universe. These are known as Panchmahabhootas or Primordial Substances. They are in number - Prithvi - Earth, Aap - Water, Tej - Fire, Vayu -Wind (Air) & Akash - Space (ether). Non-material or omnisubstances are three - Sattva, Raja and Tama. They are also known as Trigunas. Sattva means consciousness or knowledge, Rajas means motion or action and Tamas inertia, resists other two.

(6) Vata, Pitta and Kapha are three forces acting in the body known as Tridosha. This theory is a modification of Panchamahabhoot theory.
Vata is responsible for all voluntary and involuntary movements in the body. It also regulates activities of body and mind.
Pitta is responsible for Food digestion, conversion into body tissues, regulation of body temperature, etc.
Kapha builds body and protects it from destruction.

(7) Universe is composed of five basic elements viz. Earth (Prithvi), Water (Aap), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu) and Ether (Akash). Our body is composed of these five elements. When these elements become activated in the body, they join each other to form three humours (Doshas) viz. Vata (Air Energy), Pitta (Fire Energy), and Kapha (Water Energy). Vata from air + ether, Pitta from fire and Kapha from water and earth principles. After extensive investigations on the nature of three humours biochemically, they are similar to the three basic neuro -- humours viz. acetyicholine = Vata, Catecholamines = Pitta and Histamine = Kapha.

Five elements meansPanchamahabhootas.
Vata, Pitta & Kapha are the three forces acting in the body and known as Tridoshas. It is now well established that acetylcholine is a neuro-humour which is released and transmitted in the cerebral cortex and the nerve endings of all the spinal nerves and also the nerve endings of the para-sympathetic nervous system. It has extensive connections between the brain and the rest of the body, it is the most important at sensitive neuro-humour of our body.

Pitta has been equated with catecholamines such adrenalin and noradranalin. They are mainly in the hypothalamus, adrenal medulla and also at the nerve endings of the sympathetic nervous system. Similarly, Kapha has been equated with histamine which is released in the brain stem and also in all the tissues the body in greater or smaller quantities, especially in skin and the respiratory and gastro intestinal systems.

These three neuro humours are present all over the body. Their main releasing centre is in the brain. They control all the functions of various organs and tissues. In the event of too much stress and strain of life, they are first components which are disturbed in the body and they lead to the various changes in the body functions. Vata Dosha is first disturbed and it leads to various chain reactions in the body.

All individuals do not respond to the same stimulus alike. There are variations in the reactions. And this is due to different constitutions. This is classified mainly in three categories.

Basic constitution is decided at the time of conception. Constitution means Prakriti. Its meaning is nature, creativity or the first creation. The first expression of the basic five elements is the constitution. There are seven types of Prakriti.

Throughout life, there is a constant interaction between the ernal and external environment. A basic principle of healing in Ayurveda holds that one may create balance in : internal forces working in the individual by altering bet and habits of living to counteract changes in his her external environment.

Equilibrium of three doshas is disturbed by slightest stimulation from outside or within the body. To he healthy, equilibrium of three doshas, seven Dhatus and Three Malas is very essential.

Seasonal conduct or Ritucharya is advocated for the maintenance of health by Ayurveda. If one observes daily routine, i.e. Dincharya, then there is disturbance in the body for that or following few days.

If one observes seasonal routine i.e. Ritucharya, then will not be disturbances in the body for months together.

Hence by following this routine, equilibrium of body is maintained properly and without disturbing the human and the man will live long, say more than hundred years.