AYURVEDA: History At A Glance

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word; made up of two words: Ayu meaning "life" and veda meaning "collection of knowledge" or "science". Thus the word Ayurveda means "the collection of knowledge of life or the science of life".

Many experts believe Ayurveda as a fifth veda or pancham ved. It is rated after first four vedas ie. Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurvaveda and Atharvaveda. While some experts call it as an upved of Atharvaveda as Atharvaveda is also mostly concerned with health related topics, hence closely related to ayurveda. Atharvaveda is said to be compiled by Atharva Rishi; hence the name. Atharva Rishi is said to have discovered fire.

Thus, ayurveda traces its origin way back to the origin of world's first written scriptures. The knowledge of ayurveda has evolved through ages. Though it is known to have passed on the earth by Gods. Brahma who is believed to be the creator of the entire universe according to Hindu mythology is said to have created ayurveda before creating the universe.He is said to have written Brahmasamhita containing one lakh verses.Later on it was passed to Daksha Prajapati and then to Ashwinikumars(who are known to be physicians of God), then to Indra(the king of Gods). This is the divine part of sharing the knowledge of ayurveda.

Then Indra in turn passed this knowledge to various sages(Maharishis) who later on gave this knowledge to their disciples. Prominent among these were Maharishi Punarvasu Atreya and Bharadwaj.

This was the oral transfer of knowledge. These disciples in turn created various treatises or texts and the knowledge of Ayurveda was stored in written form. Out of these texts Agniveshtantra written by Agnivesha which later came to be known as Charaksamhita and Sushrutsamhita written by Sushruta are still found and followed even today. These texts hold a prominent position and have left their mark on people who seek knowledge of ayurveda even today.

According to other opinion, Lord Dhanwantari The God of Ayurveda came to earth and passed the knowledge of surgical ayurveda to his disciples, among whom Sushruta was prominent and he is said to have written Sushrutsamhita.

Thus the science of Ayurveda has divine origin and was transferred to earth which is helping people even today to maintain their health.