Soumya Kumari et al. Journal of Biological & Scientific Opinion • Volume 10 (4).

2022

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Review Article
A REVIEW ON AYURVEDA DARSHANA: A PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW
Soumya Kumari 1*, Vidyalakshmi K 2, Likhita DN 3
1
PG Scholar, Department of Samhita and Siddhanta, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda
& Hospital, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India
2
Professor and Head, Department of Samhita and Siddhanta, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda
& Hospital, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India
3
Associate Professor, Department of Samhita and Siddhanta, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda
& Hospital, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

Article Received on: 04/07/22 Accepted on: 26/08/22

DOI: 10.7897/2321-6328.104157

ABSTRACT

The word Darshana is derived from the root “Drishyate” or “Drish” means to see.“Drishyate Anena iti Darshana” means that which facilitates to
visualisation the facts pertaining to the universe. “Sarve Darshanaha Jnanartha saadhanaha” All the Darshanas are the means or instruments of
knowledge. They were born out of Upanishads. The Upanishads were commonly referred to as Vedas. One section of Darshana known as Asthika
Darshana believed that the vedas are “Apourusheya”(not created by man or beyond the intellectual capacity of a common man).They believe in the
existence of Atma(soul),Paramatma(supreme soul),Janana(birth),Marana(death),Moksha(salvation) and Ishwara(creator). Dukha Nivritti and Moksha
Prapti is the purpose of all the Darshanas or philosophical preaches. Moksha is the ultimate aim of life i.e., after attaining Moksha, there is no further
Sukha Dukha Bhava in that individual and the person attains blissfulness. Ayurveda, the science of life, also stresses upon “Purushartha Chathushtaya”
where Moksha can be achieved through a Swastha Shareera, explaining the methods to attain Jeevan mukti (attainment of Moksha during one period of
life span itself). Since the purpose of Ayurveda is also towards the achievement of Moksha either in this loka and the paraloka (Imam Cha Amum Cha)
we can say that it is an independent Darshana.

Keywords: Darshana, Ayurveda, Moksha, Punarjanma.

INTRODUCTION Philosophy, Phenomenon and Noumenon

From the time immemorial, scientists and philosophers have been The basic doctrine on which the Ayurvedic concepts of
engrossed in analysing and unravelling the mysteries of the physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, medicine and therapeutics
Universe including man. Indian physicians and philosophers were founded is known as the Doctrines of Panchabhutas. These
believe that man is the epitome of the Universe. Man, as well as doctrines have been expounded among others, by the Shad-
the entire Universe is composed of the same basic elements. Darshanas or the six philosophical systems of India. Of these,
There is in man as much diversity as is present in the world Ayurveda has largely relied on the Nyaya Vaisheshika and
outside. Visualizing the self in the entire universe and the entire Sankhya Yoga systems.
universe in the self represents the most evolved state of man. The
scientists of today’s atomic era believe that the entire universe, It has to be observed that the term philosophy used here should
including the so called 110 basic elements is composed of not be confused with religion as is generally the case. Ordinarily,
protons, neutrons, electrons, positrons etc. The scientists of this term has often been confused with the word super-natural and
tomorrow will try to further probe into the basic substance or the superstitions. On the other hand, it has been understood and
element from which protons, neutrons, electrons etc. arise. Till used in the past as in the present, to signify “the science which
now, the modern scientists have not much bothered about probing aims at the explanation of all the phenomena of the universe by
into the origin of soul or the life principle. Thus, it is the need of ultimate causes,’ and ‘as the science which aims at an explanation
the hour to know about the science that which talks about the of all the phenomena as explained by and resolved into causes
Atma, Paramatma, Moksha, Punarjanma etc. Ayurveda (the and effects.’. The term phenomenon here means the form through
science of life) is one of the branches of Vedas. It is regarded as which it becomes known to the senses or understanding. It is the
the Upaveda of Atharva Veda. It is a stream of knowledge coming opposite of the term noumenon which means the unknown and
down from generation to generation since eternity parallel to the unknowable substance or the thing as it is in itself. In other words,
Vedic literature. Its emergence has been said to be from the the former term is used whenever materialization and
creator Brahma himself prior to the creation. It is called eternal manifestation perceivable by our senses have taken place.
because nobody knows when it was not there. All this shows its
long tradition and deep attachment to the Indian culture. The similarity between Ayurveda and Darshana: Ayurveda
teaches the science of life, whereas Darshana is seeing life in a
proper way and its understanding. Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktayeth i.e.,

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the true knowledge which lead us to attain Moksha. Ayurveda attachment, it becomes the way for attaining the ultimate aim of
explains many concepts like life. (Purushartha Chathushtaya). Thus, Naishtiki Chikithsa is
the mean of salvation.
1-Dukha traya or the Threefold miseries.1
2-The Pramanas or the Means of Right Cognition. Pravritti- When desires gradually accumulate, one becomes
3-Purusa or Atma materialistic and gets attached to the sense objects. This
4-Concept of Chikitsa-Naishthiki Chikitsa attachment is addicting and injuring in long term. Because it gives
fodder for further desires. Ayurveda explains attachment by the
Adi Bhoutika, Adi Daivika and Adhyatmika are the three types of name Pravritti. Attachment and Desire form a vicious
Dukha. The aim of Darshana is Dukha Nivritti and Moksha combination and cycle.
Prapthi. The two reasons for Dukha are-Aprapti and Ajnana.
Darshana explains how to get rid of Dukha. Maharshi Patanjali Nivritti- (Detachment). Nivritti is detachment from the six
explains Chaturvyuha of Indian Philosophy. enemies or Arishad Varga.ie Kama, Dwesha, Lobha, Moha,
Mada and Mathsara. Nivritti or detachment is ultimate
They are- peace,eternal and supreme. It is the right path to attain salvation.
Heya (suffering), Heya Hetu (cause of Dukha), Hana (freedom
from Dukha) and Hanopaya (means to achieve Hana state). Yatha lohe thatha dehe karthavyaha soothakaha sada
Ayurveda also explains the fourfold strategy of life.ie Roga, Roga Samanam kurute devee pratyayam deha lohayoho.
Karana, Arogya and Bhaishajya.
Parada acts as catalyst, and it enhances the chemical reaction
Importance of Swastha Shareera whenever it combines with the other metallic compounds.
Similarly Daivathwa enhances the quality of life.
Dharmartha Kama Mokshanam Arogyam Moolam
Uttamam2 DISCUSSION

Maintaining health is the priority to achieve Dharma, Artha, Darshanas are the intellectual sections of the Hindu writings.
Kama and Moksha. Dhatu Samya Kriya3 is the ultimate goal of Darshanas are the philosophical world views or teachings that
Ayurveda, thereby achieving health. There are different treatment emerged in ancient India. Dukha Nivritti and Moksha Prapti are
modalities explained in Ayurveda to attain Swasthya. One among the aim of Darshana Shastra. Similarly, Ayurveda Darshana also
them is Naishtiki Chikitsa4, Hanteethyuktam Chikitsa Tu has the aim of Dukha Nivritti by Roga Mukti. State of Roga Mukti
Naishthikee Ya Vinopadham5. is attained when Dhatusamya Kriya is attained. Even Ayurveda,
the system of life talks about Naishtiki Chikitsa- a way to Moksha
The greed which is not under control becomes the foundation of Prapthi. Moksha Prapti or achievement of moksha is ultimate
self-destruction. Attachment, possessiveness and selfishness aim of every human. Moksha is considered as the state where
leads committing grave mistakes, sins and crimes. there is no further Sukha Dukhadi effect happening to that person
again. But attaining such a state of enlightenment after the death
Upadha or Dehatyaga is of less importance when one can achieve that
Mukti in this Janma itself. For this one has to achieve the sthira
Upadha hi paroheturdukha Dukhashrayapradaha deha through Swasthya Paripalana.Ayurveda explains various
measures to maintain Swasthya along with vikara prashamana.
Absolute annihilation of miseries is obtained by the elimination Thus, one can arrive at the conclusion that Ayurveda is also a
of desires. Desire is the root cause of all the miseries. Elimination Darshana that which facilitates to visualize the facts pertaining
of desires leads to the eradication of all miseries. to the universe. It is the means or instrument of knowledge.

Mana which is dominant of Raja and Tamo guna gives rise to CONCLUSION
upadha, when it comes in contact with Atma. In the same way,
how a silkworm provides for itself with suicidal threats, in the Ayurveda and Darshanas are interrelated. Some concepts are
same way, the ignorant person poses a threat on self. explained in similar way in both the sciences. Though Ayurveda
has adopted some of the theories from various Darshanas and has
Upadha Nivritti (Tools to eliminate upadha) been influenced in bits and parts, Ayurveda has never lost its
identity and independent status. Ayurveda has adopted the
Tyagha Sarvopadhanam Cha Sarva Dukha Vyapohakaha6 theories of Darshana without deviating from its basic concepts
and thus preserving its independency, sanctity and uniqueness as
Sacrificing all sorts of Upadha helps to eliminate ultimate misery, comprehensive and unparallel health science.
which binds the individual to dwell in Janana and Marana Chakra
(rebirth and reincarnation) REFERENCES

To manage physical and psychological ailments, Loukika 1. Sushrutacharya, Sushruta Samhita, Nibandha sangraha
Chikitsa plays a vital role, in the same way, to manage the past commentary by Sri Dalhanacharya and Nyaya
and future days’ physical and psychological ailments Naishtiki Chandrikapanjika Commentary by Sri Gayadasacharya,
Chikitsa plays a vital role. edited by Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharya and Narayan
Ram Acharya Kavyathirtha, Edition: Reprint 2012 Varanasi;
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3. Acharya Agnivesha: Charakasamhita, with Ayurveda Dipika 6. Acharya Agnivesha : Charakasamhita, with Ayurveda Dipika
commentary by Chakrapanidatta,edited by Vaidya Yadavji commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Vaidya Yadavji
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commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Vaidya Yadavji Cite this article as:
Trikamji Acharya, Varanasi: Chaukambha Prakashan,
Shareera sthana, Chapter 5, P-327, Pp-738. Soumya Kumari et al. A review on Ayurveda darshana: A
5. Acharya Agnivesha : Charakasamhita, with Ayurveda Dipika philosophical view. J Biol Sci Opin 2022;10(4):38-40.
commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Vaidya Yadavji http://dx.doi.org/10.7897/2321-6328.104157
Trikamji Acharya,Varanasi : Chaukambha Prakashan,
Shareera sthana, Chapter 1, P-296, Pp-738.

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