Indian Ayurveda & Spa Holidays

About Ayurveda & Spa in India

Ayurveda is a perfect ancient science of life, the word AYUR literally means life and VEDA, the science or knowledge. Ayurveda briefly explains the knowledge of the do's and don'ts one has to follow, which favours the well being of each individual to lead a healthy, happy, comfortable and advantageous life both physically, mentally & socially. Ayurveda also emphasises that "prevention is better than cure".

History
There are four vedas or treatises which form the basis of Indian Philosophy. They being the RlGVEDA, the YAJURVEDA, the SAMAVEDA and the ADHARVA VEDA. Ayurveda has emerged out as the branch of ADHARVA VEDA dates back over five thousand years. It is said to have been originated from LORD BRAHMA (creator of the universe according to Indian Philosophy). and has been descended to the earth through various generations of GODS and SAINTS. This has been handed down to us by means of ancient venerable scripts as palm leaf books, leather leaves etc. The oldest works in Ayurveda now available are the CHARAKA SAMHITHA, SUSRUTHA SAMHITHA, and ASHTANGA SAMGRAHA.

Ayurveda is also known as "ASHTANGA VEDA" (the word literally means "Eight branches of knowledge") as it is divided into eight spedalised branches. They are as follows.

1. Kaya Chikilsa - General Medicine
2. Kaumara Bhrithya - Paediatrics
3. Graha Chikilsa - Psychiatry and Psycho Somatic diseases
4. Shalakya Tantra - Diseases of Eye, Ear, Head, Nose, Throat and its surgery
5. Shalya Tantra - General Surgery
6. Agada Tantra - Toxicology
7. Rasayana Chikilsa - Rejuvenation Therapy
8. Vajeekarana Chikilsa - Aphrodisiac Therapy

According to Ayurveda every living and non-living being in this universe is a combination of
five basic eternal elements, called Pancha Maha Bhoothas. Human Body is also constituted by this five eternal elements in various compositions. Hence it can be conceived that every cell of body is possessed with all the properties of life. The only difference of Human Body from the external

World is the expression of CHAITHANYA or consdousness or life spark or spirit or soul. The five basic eternal elements are.

1. Earth
2. Water,
3. Fire,
4 Air,
5. Ether

These eternal elements manifest in the Human Body as three basic prindples or subtle energies or humors (Thridosha in Sanskrit). The word Dosha literally means that which maintains and controls the body. They are Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. The Pancha Maha Bhoothas and Thridoshas are not prevalent to the naked eye. But they should be conceived on comprehensive terms in which all physical structures and physiological functions of the body are induded. The Air and Ether elements combined to form the Vatha prindple. The fire element constitutes Pitha prindple. Earth and Water elements combine to form Kapha prindple. These three basic prindples govern all biological. physiological and physlo-pathological functions of the body, mind and consdousness. They act as basic constituents and protective barriers for the body In its normal physiological conditions.