Basic Principles of Ayurveda

Everyone aspires for good health, even if they themselves don't know it! Ask any rich but sick man, what would he rather have: health or wealth? If one has to make a choice, unless one is raving mad, no one will opt for the latter. Good health gives you the freedom to live this precious life to the fullest, with exuberance. And it is indeed very much possible to stave off illness and keep this gift of human body in shipshape. All one has to do is follow some sensible, time tested guidelines that were developed by our ancient sages in the form of Ayurveda.

Our wise sages knew that we cannot make a part well unless the whole is well. Hence, Ayurveda is aimed at keeping our whole being healthy - body, senses, mind and intellect. It is the most complete and holistic medical science in the world.

The endeavour, through this book, is to introduce the basic principles of Ayurveda for the masses at large. It is a generic introduction to the fundamentals of Ayurveda, dealing with maintaining good health and prevention, diagnosis as well as treatment of diseases. The reader will come to know the meaning of health, how to maintain it, how to adapt to seasonal changes, understand the causes of diseases and make use of simple home remedies for common ailments, taking due consultation from an Ayurvedacharya wherever needed.

Take care of the whole, and the part will take care of itself!

Anandmurti Gurumaa is a contemporary master who is guiding millions around the world towards their spiritual growth. Her unique way of explaining the esoteric wisdom makes it easy for even a layman to understand its inherent meaning, and on the other hand inspires the intellectual mind to explore unchartered frontiers, thereby giving everyone a chance to learn and evolve. Her thought-provoking talks not only answer questions but make one question oneself too. Question the purpose of our pursuits. Question our priorities. Question our understanding. In a nutshell, they provoke one to think in the right direction so as to let the answers unfold from within...

Thousands of years ago, our sages gifted mankind with a holistic system of health and healing called Ayurveda, the science of life. And it has not only stood the test of time but the knowledge has spread to all parts of the world such that globally people are benefiting from its priceless wisdom.

It is through Ayurveda that we understand the true meaning of health and the ways of achieving and maintaining it. Besides, by delineating the causal factors of disease, it gives clear guidelines with respect to disease prevention. By under-standing our body, our innate constitution and attuning it with nature, by adapting our diet and lifestyle in accordance with the seasonal variations, we can generally ward off many diseases and keep this precious human body healthy.

A healthy, strong, energetic body is needed not only for worldly pursuits, but importantly also for scaling spiritual heights and evolving our consciousness to the highest level. Ayurveda is thus a boon and every human being should be able to make the most of this invaluable wisdom.

The objective of this book is to outline the basic principle of Ayurvedic healing for the benefit of the common man. It is meant as an elementary guide for lay people so that they can apply the simple precepts in their daily lives and maintain good health. It is not intended as a medical text for formal education and should certainly not be regarded as a substitute to established medical textbooks.

The aim is to simplify the fundamental Ayurvedic principles such that people can understand the factors governing their health and take judicious precautions which will help in maintaining good health. By following simple do's and don'ts, we can stay well clear from many a disease. It also emphasises the importance of a skilled vaidya. A proficient practitioner is needed to evaluate one's prakriti, dosha derangement and arrive at a diagnosis after meticulous assessment. Then alone, can he or she chalk out an appropriate treatment plan. This book gives a generic guidance for disease prevention and healthy living along with some simple remedies for ailments. But this by no means undermines the role played by an adept practitioner.

Our health lies in our own hands. By following the edicts laid down by Ayurveda, the world's oldest fully comprehensive medical system, we can all take the right step in this direction.

**Contents and Sample Pages**