Is Ayurveda Connected to Hinduism?
Ayurveda is a form of alternative medicine that is believed it have originated in India. It encourages very specific lifestyle changes and therapies that are meant to be grounded in nature to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment.
Ayurveda in Hinduism
Dhanvantari is the Hindu god of medicine/healing and ayurveda, and an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Dhanteras, which kicks off the five-day long festivities of Diwali, is in essence a worship to the god of health.
His mantra, outlined below, is recited by followers when wishing for good health: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantraye Amrutha Kalasha Hastaaya Sarva Maya Vinashanaya Trailokya Nathaya Shri Mahavishnave Namaha
Origin
The origin of Ayurveda is said to have originated from Lord Brahma who passed down the knowledge of ayurvedic practices to Dhanvantari, sages, followers and the population at-large. It was passed down through oral tradition and poetry of a specific meter, called Shlokas. The earliest concepts were set out in the portion of the Vedas known as the Atharvaveda -- a collection of charms, prayers, hymns and spells.
Sanskrit Texts
The Charaka Samhita (named after the respective physician and surgeon) is most referenced text and dates back to circa the 7th century. It contains most of the theoretical framework, and concentrates heavily on a person’s digestion: the ability to absorb and assimilate nutrients is the bedrock of attaining and maintaining good health, according to Ayurveda.
What is it based on?
The concepts of universal interconnectedness, the body's constitution, or prakriti, and life forces, or doshas are the primary basis of ayurvedic medicine. These three Doshas are the three main systems that control the functioning of the body, mind and conscienceness. When any of these three are out of balance, ayurvedic practices are said to be the greatest help.
1. Vāta
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
Best Practices
Ayurveda is not a one-size-fits-all solution for health. It is, instead, a very personalized system of health management in which the motto of “what is nectar for one maybe poison for another,” is commonly echoed.
- Wake up before sunrise
- Follow the Sattvic diet -- and also, eat slowly
- Drink warm water
- Maintain oral hygiene (tongue scraping and oil pulling)
- Lunch is the most important meal
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