Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word, derived from two roots: Ayur, which means life, and Veda, knowledge. Knowledge arranged systematically with logic becomes science. During the due course of time, Ayurveda became the science of life. It has its root in ancient vedic literature and encompasses our entire life, the body, mind and spirit. Purusha/Prakruti According to Ayurveda, every human being is a creation of the cosmos, the pure cosmic consciousness, as two energies: male energy, called Purusha and female energy, Prakruti.
Purusha is choiceless passive awareness, while Prakruti is choiceful active consciousness. Prakruti is the divine creative will.
Purusha doesn't take part in creation, but Prakruti does the divine dance of creation called leela.

In recent years, we have begun hearing more about the ancient healing art of Ayurveda. What has brought on this current interest? With our ever rising growth in consciousness, we are recognizing our oneness with the world around us. Sensing that we are an integral part of nature--not seperate from nature--it's becoming increasingly more obvious that we must learn to live in accordance with these laws of nature. Modern society has brought many wonderful advancements. Yet, at the same time, as we slip further and further from our connectedness with nature, we are seeing an increase in dis-ease and dis-harmony. Out of this lack of perfect balance comes the desire to improve the overall quality of our lives. It is this knowing that there is more to our lives that brings the quest for a greater sense of well-being.

Ayurveda, which literally means "the science of life", is the natural healing system used throughout India. Ayurveda was originally known to have been first developed and established by the great sages who developed India's original systems of meditation and Yoga over 5,000 years ago. The study of Ayurveda includes such aspects as herbal medicine, dietetics, body work, surgery, psychology and spirituality.

Ayurveda deals not merely with medical science, but also with the social, ethical, intellectual, and spiritual life of a man. Ayurveda represents a beautiful blending of the accuracy of science and the sublimity of philosophy, poetry, and art. According to Ayurveda, a living creature is composed of soul, mind and body. It is the compound of these three elements that is the subject matter of the science of life.

The human body, according to Ayurveda, is composed of the three fundamental elements called doshas, dhatus and malas. The doshas govern the physico-chemical and physiological activities of the body, while the dhatus enter into the formation of a basic structure of a body cell, thereby performing some specific actions. The malas are substances which are partly excreted in a modified form after serving their physiological functions. These three elements are said to be in a dynamic equilibrium with each other for the maintenance of health. Any imbalance of their relative preponderance in the body result in disease and illness.

PANCHA MAHABHUTAS THEORY: Similarly, in other extraneous matters, there are also five mahabhutas. In the human body, these five mahabhutas are represented in the form of doshas, dhatus, and malas. Outside the body, they form the basic ingredients of the drugs and food ingredients . In a normal body of a living being, these substances remain in a particular proportion. However, because of enzymatic action inside the human body, this ratio of five mahabhutas or their equilibrium inside the body gets disturbed, The body has, however, a natural tendency to maintain equilibrium. It eliminates some of the mahabhutas which are in excess and takes some of the mahabhutas which are in shortage. This shortage of mahabhutas is replinished through the ingredients of herbs, food, drinks etc.

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