|
It might be a bit difficult to believe from a contemporary point of view, but vast research carried out by the Indian rishis and sages have indicated that there is a strong planetary influence on human bodies. These studies were carried on through meditation and observation of nature, something in which these ancient sages were quite proficient. Most of these findings have been incorporated into the holy Hindu scriptures, known as the Vedas. These Vedas are the focal point of all astrological and Ayurvedic research that is being carried out all over the world today.
Indications that both astrology and Ayurveda have developed four thousand years ago are present in the ancient Sanskrit texts. This was the time when the early versions of the Ayurvedic treatises – the Sushruta Samhita and the Charaka Samhita – were developed. They contained a wealth of information on how diseases are caused due to vitiation of the nature elements that surround the human body. While Ayurveda probed at the natural elements as the root of the human diseases, astrology scoured the skies. They believed that movements of the planets and the constellations in the sky have some definite purpose, which is felt in the diseases that attack the human body. Among the planets there are the malefics and the benefics. When the malefic planets are present in the wrong houses, then they can cause all sorts of diseases in the human body.
In this sense, both Ayurveda and astrology are ancient Indian nature sciences. One of them relies on the earthly elements, while the other relies on the heavenly bodies. Both of these can have very negative effects on the human body when vitiated. This is the scope under which Ayurveda and astrology both perform. Ayurveda provides treatments to remedy the diseases, but astrology would provide suggestions to correct the effects of the harmful positions of the planets. In some cases, astrologists would prescribe some Ayurvedic preparation in order to reduce or even completely eliminate the perils of planetary positions. Similarly, Ayurvedic vaidyas would also make a detailed investigation into the horoscope of the patient before deciding on a treatment. In this way, it can be said that both Ayurveda and astrology are hand in glove with each other. They are not different kinds of treatments, but they are branches of the same overall kind of treatment in the ancient Indian tradition.
Ayurveda, Astrology and Modern Medicine
Despite several attempts, modern medicine – read allopathy – has proved to be a failure in the treatment of chronic disorders like cancers, AIDS, etc. Even with adequate knowledge on the causative factors of these diseases, modern medicine has not come up with effective treatment methods. Then there are also several idiopathic ailments whose causes are either not known at all, or not fully understood by modern doctors. What could be the cause of the failure of modern science in this respect? Could it be that the modern medicinal methods rely too much on the human body itself and are reluctant to look elsewhere?
This could well be the case if the principles of astrology and Ayurveda are considered. The cause of the disease is perhaps not seated within the human body itself, but is predetermined by the planetary positions at the time of the person’s birth and elements of nature that surround the person. The sun has been connected since millennia with the human soul. Progress of the sun in the person’s birth chart decides several psychological aspects of the person. This is the cause of mental disabilities for which medical science has not been able to find credible causative and treatment explanations.
There are several examples in scriptures of all religions how diseases were cured by seers and prophets in the form of miracles. Could these miracles have been actually an effective use of astrology and Ayurveda? Some Ayurvedic herbs (especially those for skin diseases) need nothing more than an application on the afflicted part. Could this have been the miraculous touch of healing recorded in our religious texts?
Sushruta in his Samhita has divided Ayurveda into eight classes. These are general medicine, surgery, ear-nose-throat and eye problems, toxicology, psychiatry, gynecology, sexology and virility. These are all the main branches of medicine in even modern science. To supplement this, ancient rishis and munis have shown how various planets influence these very aspects of human health in particular cases. So, a careful study of Ayurveda and astrology taken in conjunction is what is needed to better understand the treatment options of various diseases.
The Union of Ayurveda and Astrology
Ayurveda directly indicates the necessity of astrology in completing its treatment procedures. By rectifying the malevolence of the planetary positions, diseases can be cured – this is one of the fundamental points under which Ayurveda works.
Whether the diseases are of a simple type – like coughs, cold, fevers, constipation – or of a very complicated type – like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular problems or mental problems – they can be treated over time with an effective balance of astrology and Ayurveda. Astrology will help to ascertain which planet is causing the negative aspect of the disease, while Ayurveda would prescribe a herb to rectify the planetary disposition as well as the vitiation of the doshas within the body.
In conclusion, Ayurveda without astrology and astrology without Ayurveda are incomplete. In order to make the greatest use of these hitherto unexplored aspects of science, one must devote equal time and effort in grasping the ideals of both these sciences.
|
