The modern world, rife with lifestyle diseases, is today rediscovering the value of harmony between the body, mind and spirit - a concept that formed the very basis of Ayurveda - the ancient, Indian 'Science of Living'. Derived from the word ayu and veda, ayurveda comprises the study of sharir, indriya, satva and atma. It shows the way to living a full and productive life, which incidentally, also prevents diseases. In Ayurveda 'disease' does not refer to the manifestation of ill-health alone. It refers to the absence of good helath too.
According to ayurveda, the human body is composed of 3 doshas vata, pitta and kapha, which conduct the bodily functions. Various etiological factors may vitiate one or more doshas, which in turn vitiate the dhatus that hold the body viz. rasa, rakta, maas, med, asthi, majja. Only when all these constituents, along with the mind, spirit and sense organs, are in equillibrium and in harmony, can an individual be truly healthy.
