Abstract

AYURVEDA AND PSYCHOLOGY

*Dr. Manish Walia and Himanshi Singh

Abstract

The name Ayurveda was given to the ancient healing tradition of India. It is often translated as the "science of life," from ayus (life) and veda (knowledge). It is an ancient science of body, mind and spirit which has stood the test of time for over 5,000 years. One of the branch of ayurveda as per ashtanga ayurveda is Graham chikitsa or Ayurvedic psychology. It is also called bhut vidya and deals with psychology and psychiatry. Ayurvedic psychology addresses mental imbalances and how to treat them with holistic methods so that patients may return to their inborn state of mental equilibrium. Manas vikruti can be classified by the three doshas or Ayurvedic body types: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The imbalances in vatta, pitta and kapha and past karmas, “past deeds” are said to be the major cause for mental illness. Treating mental disorders naturally through the principles of Ayurveda still influence people from all over the world. Learning the relationship between Ayurvedic treatment and contemporary medicine can help a person in understanding the development of psychiatric medicine.

Keywords: Ayurveda, bhoot vidya, psychology, doshas, ashtanga ayurveda.