IKS

Module 2: Unit 1: Medicine (Ayurveda)

Q.1 What is Ayurveda? What are its principal objectives?

Answer: The word Ayurveda is formed by the combination of two Sanskrit words - "Ayu" meaning life,
and "Veda" meaning knowledge. Ayurveda is regarded as "The Science of Life" and the practice
involves the care of the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of human beings. It is the ancient
system of Indian medicine. It has the capability for both the prevention and treatment of diseases. The
system also emphasizes on ‘Tri dosha’ including “Vata”, “Pitta”, and “Kapha” which are perceived as
different energies of the body and their impact on health and diseases. Ayurveda is one of the world’s
oldest systems of medicine, dating back to the world’s first civilizations and the Vedic era. Different
plant-based formulations serve as the primary source of Ayurvedic medicines. The prime principle of
Ayurveda is based on enhancing the immunity power of the body or acting as an immune modulator to
completely eradicate diseases.

The two principal objectives of Ayurveda are:

(a) To prolong life and promote perfect health

Q.2 Write about the origin of Ayurveda.

Answer: Ayurveda is derived from four Vedas, Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda which
are the oldest Hindu scriptures containing hymns, philosophy, and directions on some rituals. Amongst
these Vedas, the Atharvaveda contains many regulating techniques and numerous prescriptions for
varieties of plants with curative properties; it is one of the important sources of early Ayurvedic
knowledge. The system was however matured and written down by many ancient philosophers and
scholars including Charaka, Susruta, and Vagbhata. Charaka authored the work known presently as
“Charaka Samhita” which is a vast treatise on Internal Medicine as well as fundamental concepts of
Ayurveda whilst Sushruta is known for the work titled “Sushruta Samhita” which primarily deals mainly
on Surgery and human anatomy. Vagbhata has gifted Ayurveda with the ‘Ashtanga Hridayam’ and
‘Ashtanga Sangraha’ - both of which classified Ayurvedic knowledge into eight sections or Ashtanga
Ayurveda.

Q.3 What is the scope of Ayurveda?

Ayurveda encompasses the areas of preventive, curative, as well as promotional, and rehabilitative
healthcare that primarily focuses on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of human beings. It

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focuses on disease prevention through health promotion which entails appropriate diets and sleep
and administering prescription remedies to various acute and chronic illnesses. Ayurveda is different
from modern medicine and treats the source of ailments with holistic natural cures, cleansing, and
other practices with the goal of long-term treatment and well-being. It comprises gynecological
services, pediatric services, psychiatric services, and rejuvenation treatment that enhances
longevity. Additionally, Ayurveda contributes to public health through principles of hygiene and
community wellness, and its integration into the global wellness industry reflects its growing
acceptance as a complementary medicine. Its comprehensive approach to health makes Ayurveda a
valuable system for enhancing quality of life and addressing modern health challenges naturally.
Overall, Ayurveda's scope extends beyond treating diseases to enhancing the quality of life, promoting
overall well-being, and achieving harmony between the body, mind, and spirit. Its principles are
timeless, making it relevant in addressing modern lifestyle challenges and supporting sustainable health
practices.

Q.4 Write short notes on the following:

(a) Charaka Samhita, and

Answer:

(a) Charaka Samhita:

Charaka Samhita is one of the foundational texts of Charaka and originally written in Sanskrit, the work
is now considered an important work on internal medicine. Ascribed to the Indian sage Charaka, it is
estimated that this work was written around the 1st century CE, although its origins may be even older,
dating back to earlier oral traditions of India. The text incorporates all specialties in medicine, having
sections on anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, diagnosis, and therapy. It underlines the
catabolism of three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha as the technique of avoiding illness and features ways
of keeping the right nutritional balance through dieting, exercise, and preparation of healing herbs.
Charaka Samhita also discusses the moral and ideological issues of Medicines and treatment, the
character of the physicians, the needs of patients, and the holistic approach to treatment based on
Ayurveda. Its systematic approach to diagnosing and treating diseases makes it a cornerstone of
Ayurvedic knowledge, influencing medical practices in India and beyond for centuries.

(b) Sushruta Samhita

A comprehensive composition of Ayurveda is the Sushruta Samhita which is said to be compiled by an

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approximately 6th century BCE this work is one of the earliest of its kind to focus on surgery and
different surgical procedures which puts Sushruta in the rank of surgery pioneers. As it was noted earlier,
the text provides the readers with comprehensible information on surgeries, instruments, and strategies
for executing various operations, such as cataract surgery, Rhinoplasty – reconstruction of the nose, and
fractures and wound management. It also supplies extensive detail on specific structures of the human
body as veins, arteries, nerves, bones, and organs. Another interesting aspect of the Sushruta Samhita
is the mantra given to cleanliness, sterilization, precise surgery, and caring for the patients, which shows
a great adroitness in the field of medicine of the period. Aside from surgery, it covers general medicine,
toxicology, pediatrics, and the preparation of remedies from herbs, thereby enriching the above-stated
science of Ayurveda with its elaborate discussion on both surgical and non-surgical cures.

Q.5 What is the modern-day relevance of Ayurveda?

Answer: The principles of Ayurveda are highly applicable in the current world, as they provide an
integrative system of health and healing that is capable of addressing many modern discrepancies in
lifestyle. As the negative consequences of synthetic drugs are emerging and the understanding of
preventive medicine is growing, more and more people are trying to use Ayurveda. What is unique about
Ayurveda is that it proposes treatment based on constitution (Prakriti) and dosha which goes well with
the idea of customized treatments prevalent in today’s world. This means that the prescriptions given
by Ayurveda go along with the primary concept of the new age problems like stress, anxiety, digestive
disorders, and many chronic diseases and that too in terms of diet, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
Further, other forms of treatments such as yoga, meditation, and detoxification processes are embraced
since they provide the best results for mental status, stress, and quality of life.

Additionally, Ayurveda’s principles of balance and prevention align well with the growing global
emphasis on wellness and holistic health. The use of natural herbs and remedies, which have fewer side
effects compared to conventional medications, appeals to those seeking alternative treatments for
chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions. Ayurveda also plays a significant
role in the wellness industry, influencing spa treatments, beauty care, and rejuvenation therapies that
promote longevity and vitality. Modern research is increasingly validating the efficacy of Ayurvedic
treatments, leading to greater integration with conventional medical practices and a resurgence of
interest in traditional knowledge systems. As a result, Ayurveda is not only seen as a traditional system
of medicine but also as a complementary and alternative approach that enriches modern healthcare by
emphasizing prevention, personalization, and the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit.

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