Definition of Ayurved

हिताहितं सुखं दु:खं आयुस्तस्य हिताहितम् |
मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तं आयुर्वेद: स उच्यते ||

Ayurved is a science which illustrates life, lifespan along with things and actions which are favourable for life and those which are unfavourable for life.

Ayurved is a word composed of two words namely; Ayu or Life and Ved or to Know. Thus in simple language, the word Ayurved means a way of understanding life. But Ayurved runs much deeper than that. It encompasses the knowledge of things around us including plant and animal kingdom as well as things of mineral origin.

The strength of Ayurved lies in its strong base formed by the principles which are universal and are not bound by passage of time.

Ayurved, being not only a health science but a complete philosophy of life, takes care of well-being of not only the material component of the body but also the non-material components of our lives that is our consciousness, mind, thoughts and emotions.

Ayu in Ayurved means life, which can be interpreted as an intelligent co-ordination of Atma आत्मा (the soul), Mana मन (the mind), Indriya इंद्रिय (the senses) and Sharira शरीर (the body). Ayurved envisages and helps to achieve a balanced and integrated relationship of these most important constituents that make up life. Imbalance in any of these can lead to unhealthy state.