Ayurveda is not only the oldest Indian, but also the oldest medical science in the world. Infact, some researchers have also proclaimed it to be the fifth Veda (veda = knowledge) of India. But, in reality it is part of Arthvaveda.

Every living being desires a happy and a long life. Ayurveda is the way to achieve a healthy and disease free life.

Ayurveda: (Ayur =life; veda =knowledge) is the science of life. All the knowledge regarding life, even in the ages beyond, is available in Ayurveda. Ayurveda cures the disease, helps people lead a healthy life and achieve a long life. Renowned ayurvedic teacher "Charkacharya" has said that " The best medicine (Aushad) should be such that it cures the patient and the best doctor is that who cures the patient."

Ayurveda is not only a medical science, but it is an insight, which helps to protect the health of healthy men and cures the malady of a diseased man. In addition, it also caters to complete social happiness and also presents a direction to the spiritual and godly joy. One special aspect of Ayurveda is that it treats the human being as a whole, whereas other medical sciences treat only a particular diseased part of the body. [It is considered in Ayurveda that the human body is made of 24 elements (chaturvisaatitatvaatmak samast purush )]

In Ayurveda, one can also get knowledge about religion, art, literature, philosphopy and science. Charkacharya has said that "In this world, each and everything can be used as a medicine."

"Naanauausadhibhutam Jagati kichidh Dravyamuplabhamahe"

The origin of Ayurveda has come from the sanskrit word "Ayushoveda".

"Chaitanya nuvartan Mayu : "

A living body is called life. Ayu= The combination of body (sharir), senses (Indrya), mind (Man) and soul (Attma) is called life (Ayu). The state of liveliness is called life(Ayu)(Ayurjeevitkaal -Author: Amarkosh ,2/8/120).

Till one is alive, one has life. The age of a living body is called life (Ayu). The combination of body and soul is called as life and the period from conception to death is called age (Ayu).

Synonyms of ‘Age (Ayu)’ in sanskrit are Ayu, Dhaari, Jeevit, Nityagya and Anubandh.

Veda denotes knowledge. Its origin has come from the sanskrit word ‘Vid’. The meaning of Vid can be taken as, what is already present (astitva), what can be attainable (Veti- Gyaayate), what can be thought about (Vite, vichaaryate) and what can be achieved ( Vindate Vindati Labhyate).

Definition of Ayurveda : - Ayurveda is defined along the path of good and bad matter (Dravya), good or bad quality and the good or bad actions of a living being. Also, the length of life and its quality are described here. The concept of health is categorized into 4 parts:

1. Good living (Hitayu)
2. Unfavorable living (Ahitayu)
3. Happy living (Sukhayu)
4. Miserable living (Dukhayu)

"Hitaahit sukh dukhmayustasay hitahitam | Maan Cha Tach yatroktamayurveda sa uchayte ||"

Why is Ayurveda necessary ?

The aim of Ayurveda is to protect the health of a healthy person. To achieve this it takes care of the health in the following manner : -

1. To protect health during the day (Dincharya)
2. To protect health during the night (Ratricharya)
3. To ensure right living (Sadvritya)
4. To live according to one’s characteristic (Trividhya Upstumbh )

It acts first subduing the disease in the body and then cures the patient by removing the disease from the roots.

It is said that the knowledge of ayurveda is ageless and ever pervading. Lord Brahma got its realisation and the knowledge of ayurveda soon dispersed to the heaven (Devlok) and the earth. Lord Brahma is the founder of Ayurveda. His famous ayurvedic book is called "Brahmasahita". According to different ayurvedic bibles, the generations of ayurvedic followers differ slightly. But still, Brahma, Daksh Prajapati, Ashiwinokumaro, Indra, Bharadwaj, Dhanwantri are considered the pioneers of ayurveda.

Ayurveda is divided into 8 parts : -

1. Surgery (Shalya)
2. E.N.T (Shalaakya)
3. Medicine (Kaya chikitsa)
4. Science of ghosts ( Bhoot Vidya )
5. Pediatrics (Komar Bhritya)
6. Toxicology (Agat tantra)
7. Rejuvenating science (Rasayan tantra)
8. Sexual health (Vaajikaran Tantra)