Ayurveda – Basic Principles

Basic Principles of Ayurveda

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The fundamental belief on which the concept of Ayurveda is based is the premise that the universe is an amalgamation of five different elements (panch tatwa) namely the fire, air, earth, water, and ether.

These five elements that constitute the universe are represented in the human body through three different energies or the tridoshas and are named – vata, pitta, and kapha. The balanced state of these three aspects is what is desirable for a healthy life.

According to Ayurveda, if one or more of these three elements is accumulated in our body beyond the required levels, the body loses its balance. Every human being in this world has a discrete and unique balance of these three aspects, and the health and well-being of each individual is reliant on the appropriate balance of these tridoshas. The concept of Ayurveda recommends specific lifestyles and nutritional guidelines to help us minimize the excessive amount of tridoshas in our bodies.

According to Sushruta Samhita, a healthy person is the one who has the balanced level of these tridoshas in the body, has an excellent appetite, all the tissues and organs of the body are functioning properly, and above all whose mind, body, and soul are in joyful state.