Executing Health, the Supreme Determinant of Puruṣārtha through Āyurveda

Abstract

Health is the supreme determinant of dharma (moral virtue),artha(desires), kāma(pleasure/fulfilment of desire)and mokṣa(self-realization/ liberation). According to traditional texts of Āyurveda, puruṣārtha is the reason behind the birth of puruṣa (human being) on this earth. But it cannot be achieved without health and longevity. Health is compared with the happiness (sukha) and disease with the sorrow (duhḳa). Āyurveda, the science of life, guides about the ways to achieve holistic health. Āyurveda is eternal. It was evolved and documented in ancient India by our sages to help human beings remain healthy and enjoy long life in order to attain puruṣārtha. This paper is an effort to explain the significance of Āyurveda in executing health, the prerequisite for achieving Puruṣārtha in contemporary time as it was in the ancient India. Āyurveda is deeply rooted in Vedas and is very much influenced by Indian philosophy. In order to comprehend the philosophical basis of Āyurveda, I will take into account Brihatrayi i.e. Caraka-Saṃhitā (4th-2nd century B.C.), Suśruta-Saṃhitā (4th-2nd century B.C.), Aṣṭānga-Hridyam(4th century A.D.) and some linked concepts of Indian philosophy.