Changes

</div>

</div>

== Vidhi Vimarsha (Applied Inferences) ==

== Vidhi Vimarsha [Applied Inferences) ==

 

=== History of medicine ===

<div style="text-align:justify;">

<div style="text-align:justify;">

There are a few compelling similarities between ancient Greek medical literature and [[Ayurveda]].  However, ‘which school of medicine borrowed these ideas from whom?' - Has been an unresolved mystery. Some of the ideas that are significantly common to these two systems are humorism, the mechanism of blood formation, breathing, and circulation. One of the points that are widely debated in this context is the supremacy of brain versus the supremacy of heart. It looks like Hippocrates, Aristotle, Erasistratus and Galen had this confusion over the exact functions of the heart and the brain. They ascribed to the heart the functions such as perception of the sensations, motor control, intellect, emotions, etc. The above verse may be read with this background in mind. <ref name=ref1>Patwardhan K. The history of the discovery of blood circulation: unrecognized contributions of [[Ayurveda]] masters. Adv Physiol Educ. 2012 Jun;36(2):77-82. doi: 10.1152/advan.00123.2011.  </ref> Another explanation could, however, be that these vital entities are functionally dependent on the heart, though not exactly located there.

There are a few compelling similarities between ancient Greek medical literature and [[Ayurveda]].  However, ‘which school of medicine borrowed these ideas from whom?' - Has been an unresolved mystery. Some of the ideas that are significantly common to these two systems are humorism, the mechanism of blood formation, breathing, and circulation. One of the points that are widely debated in this context is the supremacy of brain versus the supremacy of heart. It looks like Hippocrates, Aristotle, Erasistratus and Galen had this confusion over the exact functions of the heart and the brain. They ascribed to the heart the functions such as perception of the sensations, motor control, intellect, emotions, etc. The above verse may be read with this background in mind. <ref name=ref1>Patwardhan K. The history of the discovery of blood circulation: unrecognized contributions of [[Ayurveda]] masters. Adv Physiol Educ. 2012 Jun;36(2):77-82. doi: 10.1152/advan.00123.2011.  </ref> Another explanation could, however, be that these vital entities are functionally dependent on the heart, though not exactly located there.

The functions of the brain are in fact well-documented in Ashtaṅga Hṛdaya, in the context of ''prāṇa vāyu'', whose anatomical location is ''murdha'' (head). Vāgbhaṭa in this context explains the functions of ''prāṇa vāyu'' to be the control of higher mental activities, heart, respiration, swallowing, spitting, belching, sneezing and other sensory modalities. Even in Bhela Samhita, the location of mind has been documented to be in the head.  (Verse 3, 4)

The functions of the brain are in fact well-documented in Ashtanga Hridaya<ref>Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam. Edited by Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.</ref>, in the context of ''prana vayu'', whose anatomical location is ''murdha'' (head). Vagbhata in this context explains the functions of ''prana vayu'' to be the control of higher mental activities, heart, respiration, swallowing, spitting, belching, sneezing and other sensory modalities. Even in Bhela Samhita, the location of mind has been documented to be in the head.  [Verse 3, 4]

The detailed information on different kinds of blood vessels, functions of the heart, and physiology of circulation can be found in a published review paper titled “The history of the discovery of blood circulation: unrecognized contributions of [[Ayurveda]] masters." <ref name=ref1/> (Verse 12)

The detailed information on different kinds of blood vessels, functions of the heart, and physiology of circulation can be found in a published review paper titled “The history of the discovery of blood circulation: unrecognized contributions of [[Ayurveda]] masters." <ref name=ref1/> [Verse 12]

The ideal way of reading, understanding and teaching a good textbook in the manner that is comprehensible for all categories of students has been explained here. Repetition of the concepts that are complex has been further highlighted. The contemporary theories on education to highlight the optimal repetition to enable good comprehension. (Verse 16, 17, 18, 19)

=== Method of learning [[Ayurveda]] ===

Unlike various healthcare systems available today, [[Ayurveda]] is unique in its broad approach to health in particular and life in general. Besides managing diseases, its primary aim is to improve the quality of health and thus, prevention of diseases. [[Ayurveda]] considers myriad factors affecting human health in societies – at a macro or gross level – as well as at an individual (or micro level). Since each has a different ''Prakriti'' (body type), the factors favoring health have been systematically classified so that a healthcare provider can choose those factors by the person's body type and guide him/her to achieve a state of optimum health while preventing diseases. Similarly, in the case of diseases, personalized treatment with minimal side effects can be provided through [[Ayurveda]]. In the current world, where diseases, especially cancer, antibiotic resistant infections and autoimmune diseases are rapidly increasing, it is important to understand what health is and how to prevent disease. Sushruta has defined health as "a state of a dynamic equilibrium between entities that constitute a human being such as ''doshas, agni, dhatu, mala, atma, indriya,'' and ''manas''." These factors have been elaborated at different relevant places in chapters of [[Charak Samhita]].

 

Unlike various healthcare systems available today, [[Ayurveda]] is unique in its broad approach to health in particular and life in general. Besides managing diseases, its primary aim is to improve the quality of health and thus, prevention of diseases. [[Ayurveda]] considers myriad factors affecting human health in societies – at a macro or gross level – as well as at an individual (or micro level). Since each has a different ''Prakriti'' (body type), the factors favoring health have been systematically classified so that a healthcare provider can choose those factors by the person's body type and guide him/her to achieve a state of optimum health while preventing diseases. Similarly, in the case of diseases, personalized treatment with minimal side effects can be provided through [[Ayurveda]]. In the current world, where diseases, especially cancer, antibiotic resistant infections and autoimmune diseases are rapidly increasing, it is important to understand what health is and how to prevent disease. Sushruta has defined health as "a state of a dynamic equilibrium between entities that constitute a human being such as [[dosha]], [[agni]], [[dhatu]], [[mala]], [[atma]], [[indriya]], and [[manas]]."[Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/48] <ref>Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.</ref> These factors have been elaborated at different relevant places in chapters of [[Charak Samhita]].

   

   

=== Estimation of life span ===

=== Estimation of life span ===

As indicated earlier in this chapter and preceding chapters, [[Ayurveda]] is that source of knowledge which teaches and deals with ''Ayu'' (life). How so? By its characteristics, it imparts knowledge of joy and suffering, benefit and harm, and authentic/authoritative and unauthentic/unreliable (sources of information). It is also that body of knowledge which informs us about long life and short life (i.e., lifespan) and substances with its properties & actions that decide a person’s longevity.

As indicated earlier in this chapter and preceding chapters, [[Ayurveda]] is that source of knowledge which teaches and deals with [[Ayu]] (life). How so? By its characteristics, it imparts knowledge of joy and suffering, benefit and harm, and authentic/authoritative and unauthentic/unreliable (sources of information). It is also that body of knowledge which informs us about long life and short life (i.e., lifespan) and substances with its properties & actions that decide a person’s longevity.

The end of a life span is signaled by the abnormal changes in the sensory perception, in the objects of perception, in mind, in the intellect, and in movement. These signals help in the prediction of the death of an individual at a particular moment or time or day, after three days, five days, a week or ten days and after a fortnight, a month, six months or a year. ''Svabhāva'' (return to the natural state), ''uparama'' of ''pravriti'' (cessation of all activities), ''maraṇa'' (death), ''anityata'' (temporary state), ''nirodha'' (restriction in the continuation of life)- all these are synonymous with death. This is at the end of life. In the absence of such signs and symptoms, the life span is to be determined as unlimited from the prognostic point of view. In [[Ayurveda]], the life span is determined by nature of the physique, constitution, and special signs. The purpose of this Science ([[Ayurveda]]) is to preserve the health of the healthy and cure the disease of the unhealthy.  

The end of a life span is signaled by the abnormal changes in the sensory perception, in the objects of perception, in mind, in the intellect, and in movement. These signals help in the prediction of the death of an individual at a particular moment or time or day, after three days, five days, a week or ten days and after a fortnight, a month, six months or a year. ''Svabhava'' (return to the natural state), ''uparama'' of ''pravriti'' (cessation of all activities), ''maraṇa'' (death), ''anityata'' (temporary state), ''nirodha'' (restriction in the continuation of life)- all these are synonymous with death. This is at the end of life. In the absence of such signs and symptoms, the life span is to be determined as unlimited from the prognostic point of view. In [[Ayurveda]], the life span is determined by nature of the physique, constitution, and special signs. The purpose of this Science ([[Ayurveda]]) is to preserve the health of the healthy and cure the disease of the unhealthy.  

=== Non-violence and other factors for sustaining life ===

=== Non-violence and other factors for sustaining life ===

Leading a righteous, non-violent life bestows longevity in human beings while maintaining harmony within societies and the environment at large. As discussed earlier in this (and the preceding) chapter, Valor is the best value among those that promote strength; knowledge is one thing that should always be increased; self-control should always be exercised to stay happy; discovery/understanding/realization helps the most in creating a feeling of exaltation/ecstasy, while celibacy is the most important attribute necessary in the  path to self-realization, as per the view of Ayurvedic scholars.

Leading a righteous, non-violent life bestows longevity in human beings while maintaining harmony within societies and the environment at large. As discussed earlier in this (and the preceding) chapter, Valor is the best value among those that promote strength; knowledge is one thing that should always be increased; self-control should always be exercised to stay happy; discovery/understanding/realization helps the most in creating a feeling of exaltation/ecstasy, while celibacy is the most important attribute necessary in the  path to self-realization, as per the view of Ayurvedic scholars.

Medical Education: Current medical education is disease-centric but and does not consider disease prevention as its priority. This is because of lack of understanding about what health is and how it can be preserved protected and rejuvenated. To provide complete care, a physician should be trained in both health and disease management. He should receive knowledge from authentic books and understand the practical applications of the concepts from experienced teachers before he starts taking care of people on his own.

=== Medical Education ===

Besides increased incidence of diseases in humans, there is increasing polarization and intolerance in our societies causing discord and violence. There is environmental degradation of the planet evidenced by global warming and increased pollution. All these phenomena imply a deteriorating health of humans, society and the planet at large. [[Ayurveda]] considers the human individual as a microcosm that reflects the health of the universe at large – the macrocosm. A healthy planet would need to have healthy societies, requiring healthy human beings. Imbalances within the bodily elements – the ''doshas, dhatus,'' etc. – lead to imbalances between the individual and his environment. This underscores the value of imbibing the knowledge about health from [[Charak Samhita]].

 

Current medical education is disease-centric<ref name="Basisht Symbiohealth">Basisht GK. Symbiohealth-Need of the hour. AYU [serial online] 2011 [cited 2020 Sep 22];32:6-11. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2011/32/1/6/85715</ref> but and does not consider disease prevention as its priority. This is because of lack of understanding about what health is and how it can be preserved protected and rejuvenated. To provide complete care, a physician should be trained in both health and disease management. He should receive knowledge from authentic books and understand the practical applications of the concepts from experienced teachers before he starts taking care of people on his own.

Besides increased incidence of diseases in humans, there is increasing polarization and intolerance in our societies causing discord and violence. There is environmental degradation of the planet evidenced by global warming and increased pollution. All these phenomena imply a deteriorating health of humans, society and the planet at large. [[Ayurveda]] considers the human individual as a microcosm that reflects the health of the universe at large – the macrocosm. A healthy planet would need to have healthy societies, requiring healthy human beings. Imbalances within the bodily elements – the [[dosha]], [[dhatu]],etc. – lead to imbalances between the individual and his environment. This underscores the value of imbibing the knowledge about health from [[Charak Samhita]].

</div>

</div>