‘Daivavyapāśraya Cikitsā’ in Āyurveda and the philosophy underpinning an ancient system of healing

Abstract

The pure being within all creatures is the perfection of creation. The purpose of healing in Ayurveda is to bring about that inner stability of perfection or true health, as symbolized by Dhanvantari, the Deity of Ayurveda, arising from the calm ocean holding herbs and the pot with the nectar of immortality. He also holds a conch shell of symbolic religious significance and book of knowledge of the scriptures. Prayers are offered to Dhanvantari to alleviate diseases and maintain health. Puja rituals are performed daily in Āyurveda Colleges and Hospitals. This thesis brings forth the value of subtle unseen interventions in the form of prayer, or inner determination (sankalpa) and spiritual exercises to maintain balance and health in the three levels of existence, physical body, mind, and inner being or soul. The immortal nature of the true ‘I’ sense experience is the real basis for health according to Indian philosophy. Ayurveda defines the goals of life and the right way of living, emphasizing that normalcy of both physical and mental health is of vital importance. The Sanskrit ‘Swasthā’ means, being established in the Self, (sva/self - sthā/standing) or knowledge of the true nature of pure being. Daiva pertains to divine origins or fate. When the real nature is denied, the original unity of ‘I’ becomes identified with forms in the world (akāra). The original feeling of existence, ‘I am’ (Aham) takes on the attachments and desires for sense objects in the field of creation as ego or identification as, ‘I am something’ (ahaṅkāra). This is the root of all disease according to the philosophy of Āyurveda. Whenever form (ākāra) is made personal, being is dependent on this ego sense (ahaṅkāra), thus imposing limitations on the immortal limitless. The inner being then becomes limited by individual innate habitual tendencies (Saṁskāra), determined by ‘fate’ (daivya) in the form of desires, emotions and mindsets, rules the life through egoism. Daivayāpasraya Cikitsa is an ancient treatment recommended in the Āyurvedic text of Caraka Samhita, a compendium of advice and remedies for health maintenance and disease prevention. The effects of divine or spiritual therapy are said to be ‘instantaneous’ in preference to other methods prescribing herbs and drugs. Vyāpaṣraya means taking refuge in the divine (daiva). The methods given will find resonance in global multi-faith religious practices and beliefs, but their foundations lie in the ancient philosophies of India, where freedom or salvation (mokṣa) is the goal for the health and happiness of humanity. The philosophically based treatments (cikitsā) give access to a different dimension of awareness, healing, and wellbeing, transforming inner and outer perceptions of life and the world. Ayurveda provides knowledge to achieve the human goals in life and methods for attaining this realization. This study explores the Śad (six) Darṣanas (auspicious seeing), known as the six orthodox philosophies underpinning Āyurvedic theory, which support the divine origins of the Vedas. These are Saṁkhya, Yoga, Vaiśeṣika, Nyāya, Purva-Mimāṁsa and Uttara-Mimāṁsa, sometimes known as Vedānta. Philosophy guides the enquiry not only into the attainment of health and happiness, but into the very nature and structure of human life itself based on Vedic insights. Philosophical questions are key to expounding Āyurvedic principles, explained through dialogues between sages (ṛṣis), attributed with realized insights of the philosophical disciplines and theory. The authors of the six philosophies are said to be of the highest intelligence, having attained that perfection through their own efforts. For example, the guru, Attreya teaches the disciple, Agniveśa, said to be the author of Caraka Samhitā, who presents many philosophical queries about health and disease. The philosophical reasoning of the sages is discussed with relevance to attaining wellbeing, stability and balance in life, or perfect health. This is in accordance with the modern-day definition of health by the Alliance for Integrative Medicine (A.I.M. 2017) where not only physical health is considered. Stability in mind and emotions, are required, along with good social functioning, clarity of thought and creative expression, and ability to express love with awareness of a continuing sense of spirituality. The most important element to healing in Āyurveda is consciousness. It is the source of life in a human being, and the underlying connection between individuals. It is often ignored in Western treatments, or unknown except as present or absent, as in a coma unconscious condition. There is more to health, happiness, and wellbeing than what appear as symptoms in the physical body. This thesis seeks to bring to light the knowledge of holistic healing, inspired by philosophy and practiced for centuries in India. The focus is balance and harmony between the mind, soul, and body as causative factors for maintaining health and preventing disease. The research questions of the thesis are firstly to consider whether Daivayapasraya Cikitsa (divine therapy) could be instrumental as a method for health and happiness? Then secondly if the philosophy behind this ancient healing system, would guide people in the West to attain well-being? This is a comprehensive and integral approach to investigate an ancient system of healing with roots in natural philosophic reasoning. […]