Saturday, January 26, 2008
The UNIVERSE is the MACROCOSM
The treatise on Ayurveda begins with an exposition on the creation of the Universe, or the macrocosm.
It then goes on to explain how, finally human beings, or micro-cosms, are formed and are continually being formed from the macrocosm.
The link between the macrocosm and the microcosm is a permanent one.
It is this invisible link which binds every individual to the macrocosm through his various births as also in the intervening periods between his successive births.
Rebirth of each soul is taken for granted and no separate explanation is needed, nor given, for the same. This is a very vital concept in Ayurveda.
How the Macroscosm was formed:
Before Time began, the universe was envisaged by the Purush (who can be equated with Intelligent Consciousness, in our understanding ), from the primordial , unmanifested Prakriti (which can be equated with potential Energy, in our understanding).
As the universe began to evolve, unmanifested Prakriti began to continually evolve through various stages and started to become more and more manifest.
Two distinct streams of Prakriti then began to form from this manifesting Prakriti.
From the First Stream were formed the elements of the gross universe and from the Second Stream, the finer and intangible elements of the universe were formed.
Further formation of the gross and finer elements of the universe is a continuous process, which runs parallel to Time.
Simultaneously, Prakriti also causes destruction of the gross and finer elements of the universe that have been formed, leading to dissolution of the creation.
There is a perpetual cycle of creation and dissolution.
The interval between them is perceived by our own individual Consciousness as our manifest universe.
Infinite macrocosms are being created and dissolved all the while, but we are unaware of them or of the phenomenon itself.
From the first stream of Prakriti are formed the five basic elements of the entire universe, the panch mahabhootas:
Akaash ( ether )
Vayu ( wind )
Tej ( fire )
Aap ( water )
Prithvi ( earth )
are the five elements which thus came into existence.
Each preceding element contributes to the formation of the successive element.
This process is reversed during dissolution and the sequence then becomes Prithvi – Aap – Tej – Vayu – Akaash in succession.
The Three Doshas:
Admixtures of some of these five elements give rise to what are called, rather confusingly, the three Doshas, because the term ‘dosha’ does not automatically imply ‘fault’.
Earth and Water admix to give the kapha dosha
Fire, Water and Wind admix to give the pitta dosha
Wind and Ether admix to give the Vata dosha.
The panch mahabhootas and the three doshas are the structural units of the macrocosm.
They also are the structural units of the microcosms ( the microcosms are our individual selves ).
The five elements and the three doshas are made up of matter and so, have weight.
Because they are made up of matter, the five elements and three doshas are subject to and are governed by, the laws of physics, chemistry, etc.
The five elements and three doshas are, therefore, each in varying amount, perceptible to our senses or if not, their existence can at least be deduced and measured with the help of sophisticated instruments.
In other words, their existence is either obvious, or can be verified.
Measureability and proof of existence is a characteristic of those areas of the macrocosm and microcosm that are formed from the First Stream of Prakriti.
.....................................................................
The Second Stream of Prakriti is not manifest to us because it cannot be perceived with our Senses.
Its existence is neither obvious, nor can it be proved.
The Vedas say that this stream of Prakriti can be perceived in super and supra conscious states of the Mind, which some Yogis sometimes have.
The five tanmatras (pre-matters) are said to arise from this stream of Prakriti. We will learn about the tanmatras in a later article.
It then goes on to explain how, finally human beings, or micro-cosms, are formed and are continually being formed from the macrocosm.
The link between the macrocosm and the microcosm is a permanent one.
It is this invisible link which binds every individual to the macrocosm through his various births as also in the intervening periods between his successive births.
Rebirth of each soul is taken for granted and no separate explanation is needed, nor given, for the same. This is a very vital concept in Ayurveda.
How the Macroscosm was formed:
Before Time began, the universe was envisaged by the Purush (who can be equated with Intelligent Consciousness, in our understanding ), from the primordial , unmanifested Prakriti (which can be equated with potential Energy, in our understanding).
As the universe began to evolve, unmanifested Prakriti began to continually evolve through various stages and started to become more and more manifest.
Two distinct streams of Prakriti then began to form from this manifesting Prakriti.
From the First Stream were formed the elements of the gross universe and from the Second Stream, the finer and intangible elements of the universe were formed.
Further formation of the gross and finer elements of the universe is a continuous process, which runs parallel to Time.
Simultaneously, Prakriti also causes destruction of the gross and finer elements of the universe that have been formed, leading to dissolution of the creation.
There is a perpetual cycle of creation and dissolution.
The interval between them is perceived by our own individual Consciousness as our manifest universe.
Infinite macrocosms are being created and dissolved all the while, but we are unaware of them or of the phenomenon itself.
From the first stream of Prakriti are formed the five basic elements of the entire universe, the panch mahabhootas:
Akaash ( ether )
Vayu ( wind )
Tej ( fire )
Aap ( water )
Prithvi ( earth )
are the five elements which thus came into existence.
Each preceding element contributes to the formation of the successive element.
This process is reversed during dissolution and the sequence then becomes Prithvi – Aap – Tej – Vayu – Akaash in succession.
The Three Doshas:
Admixtures of some of these five elements give rise to what are called, rather confusingly, the three Doshas, because the term ‘dosha’ does not automatically imply ‘fault’.
Earth and Water admix to give the kapha dosha
Fire, Water and Wind admix to give the pitta dosha
Wind and Ether admix to give the Vata dosha.
The panch mahabhootas and the three doshas are the structural units of the macrocosm.
They also are the structural units of the microcosms ( the microcosms are our individual selves ).
The five elements and the three doshas are made up of matter and so, have weight.
Because they are made up of matter, the five elements and three doshas are subject to and are governed by, the laws of physics, chemistry, etc.
The five elements and three doshas are, therefore, each in varying amount, perceptible to our senses or if not, their existence can at least be deduced and measured with the help of sophisticated instruments.
In other words, their existence is either obvious, or can be verified.
Measureability and proof of existence is a characteristic of those areas of the macrocosm and microcosm that are formed from the First Stream of Prakriti.
.....................................................................
The Second Stream of Prakriti is not manifest to us because it cannot be perceived with our Senses.
Its existence is neither obvious, nor can it be proved.
The Vedas say that this stream of Prakriti can be perceived in super and supra conscious states of the Mind, which some Yogis sometimes have.
The five tanmatras (pre-matters) are said to arise from this stream of Prakriti. We will learn about the tanmatras in a later article.
Friday, January 25, 2008
The VEDAS and AYURVEDA
The Vedas are ancient Indian treatises whose origins are lost in Time.
They form the cornerstone of Hindu Philosophy (Philosophy, as distinct from Religion).
There are four Vedas:
Rig-veda
Yajur-veda
Sam-veda
Atharva-veda
Vedas are Sanskrit verses or hymns which have been passed on through oral tradition since time immemorial.
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language which was used almost exclusively by Brahmins or the Priestly class.
AYURVEDA is contained in the Atharvaveda.
Ayurveda was once the dominant medical system here, until Western medicine made inroads into the Indian subcontinent in the early 1900s.
Today, with the realisation that modern medicine has too many drawbacks to be used exclusively, Ayurveda has begun to stage a come-back into mainstream medical practice.
Ayurveda is a Holistic system of medicine.
It considers the cosmic nature of an Individual while dealing with his problems.
Ayurveda uses the connection which a person's environment has on his body, to help him stay healthy and in balance and harmony with Nature.
When a person becomes sick, Ayurveda uses the various Forces of Nature and medicines sourced from Plants and Minerals, to restore him to health.
Because non-violence is inherent to Hinduism, medicines sourced from the Animal world are rarely, if ever, used in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is concerned not only about a person's health in his current birth, but advocates that every person should live according to and follow its tenets in order to get progressively healthier physical and spiritual bodies in his successive births as well as to help maintain a harmonious environment in the world at all times.
You can see that these noble aims of Ayurveda are indeed very relevant to the world today!
Dr. Jayashree Joshi (M.D)
http://healthy-living-website.blogspot.com/
http://astrological-remedies-indianpedi.blogspot.com/
http://indianpedi.blogspot.com/ (alternative therapies for Hyperactivity and ADHD)
http://www.herbaltradition.com
I am a senior, experienced, award-winning medical doctor in India.
I provide solutions for achieving optimum health and fitness, using both Allopathy as well as the Alternative therapies, including medical astrology, through my websites .
They form the cornerstone of Hindu Philosophy (Philosophy, as distinct from Religion).
There are four Vedas:
Rig-veda
Yajur-veda
Sam-veda
Atharva-veda
Vedas are Sanskrit verses or hymns which have been passed on through oral tradition since time immemorial.
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language which was used almost exclusively by Brahmins or the Priestly class.
AYURVEDA is contained in the Atharvaveda.
Ayurveda was once the dominant medical system here, until Western medicine made inroads into the Indian subcontinent in the early 1900s.
Today, with the realisation that modern medicine has too many drawbacks to be used exclusively, Ayurveda has begun to stage a come-back into mainstream medical practice.
Ayurveda is a Holistic system of medicine.
It considers the cosmic nature of an Individual while dealing with his problems.
Ayurveda uses the connection which a person's environment has on his body, to help him stay healthy and in balance and harmony with Nature.
When a person becomes sick, Ayurveda uses the various Forces of Nature and medicines sourced from Plants and Minerals, to restore him to health.
Because non-violence is inherent to Hinduism, medicines sourced from the Animal world are rarely, if ever, used in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is concerned not only about a person's health in his current birth, but advocates that every person should live according to and follow its tenets in order to get progressively healthier physical and spiritual bodies in his successive births as well as to help maintain a harmonious environment in the world at all times.
You can see that these noble aims of Ayurveda are indeed very relevant to the world today!
Dr. Jayashree Joshi (M.D)
http://healthy-living-website.blogspot.com/
http://astrological-remedies-indianpedi.blogspot.com/
http://indianpedi.blogspot.com/ (alternative therapies for Hyperactivity and ADHD)
http://www.herbaltradition.com
I am a senior, experienced, award-winning medical doctor in India.I provide solutions for achieving optimum health and fitness, using both Allopathy as well as the Alternative therapies, including medical astrology, through my websites .
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