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Philosophy (or Questioning the Existence of God)
Vedic Philosophy offers us a glimpse of human thought in ancient times. The Vedic manuscripts are comprised of Sutras (Verses); beautifully written half sentences describing the vedic people's awareness, perception & description of God & everything that they saw around them.
In describing the element of Air:
“In what place was he born, and from whence came he?
The vital breath of the gods, the world’s great offspring
The God wherever he will moves at his pleasure;
His rushing sound we hear - What his appearance, no-one.”
[Rg-Veda.X.168.3,4]
Ayurveda, with its open attitude, has drawn its principles from different philosophical systems. What is interesting to note, is that none of these Schools of Philosophy have ever been affiliated with "Religion", simply affirming instead the Indefinable Mysterious Energy that is present in the Universe.
For information on the of Indian Philosophy (Shar Dharshanas).
The Concept of Creation
All of the eastern & western Philosophical disciplines have their concept roots firmly embedded within the tradition of Vedic thought. The philosophical background to the practice of Ayurvedic medicine is vast, so we will begin by attempting to describe the Concept of Creation, according to the Samkhya (Numbers) School of Indian Philosophy.
25 Tattvas (Principles) of the Universe According to the Vedas, life is seen as an evolution of Prakriti (Matter), and Purusha (Consciousness). According to the Samkhya system there are 24 non-living and 1 living category, Purusha, responsible for creation. At this stage, the process of cosmic evolution is in a state of standstill or equilibrium. Avyakta (unmanifested state) The evolution of the universe begins with Avyakta. The Universe evolved out of the ‘un manifested’ which implies Prakrti (primordial matter) and purusha (primordial consciousness). * Mahat (Cosmic Intelligence or Buddhi) Mahat evolves from Avyakta 1st manifestation of the interaction between Prakrti & Purusha judgment, intellect, the faculty of discrimination. * Ahamkara (Ego or "I" Maker) Ahamkara follows the evolution of Mahat, as a product of the fragmentation of Mahat sense of I-ness in the external form. It is the fundamental principle of individuality. Ego has three Gunas (Qualities or Principles) At the starting point of cosmic evolution there is a condition of equilibrium consisting of uniform diffusion of these reals When the 3 Gunas start to interact, the balance is disturbed. In an attempt to restore this balance, activity begins. These Gunas are always uniting, separating and uniting again. Everything in this world results from their peculiar arrangement and combinations.
Sattva (Purity) & Rajas (Energy)
Their combination leads to the manifestation of Subject series.
At a subsequent stage of evolution the Subject series is differentiated into Manas (Mind stuff) & Indriyas (Sensory & Motor stuff).
Rajas (Energy) & Tamas (Inertia)
Their combination results in the manifestation of Object series.
They produces 5 tanmatras (energy quanta) or Suksma bhutas, which are determinate matter-stuff. These are the precursor agents for the evolution of atoms.
* Prakrti (Matter or Female Principle)
The creative principle
Sakthi or Divine Mother a.k.a Pradhana
Primordial, Primal or Fundamental Energy
the gross energy of which all lower principles are formed.
Acts to manifest Creation by interaction:
Prakriti creates all forms in the universe & is expressed as Gunas (Qualities or Principles) called Sattva, Rajas & Tamas in perfect balance. These manifest as light, activity and inertia.
* Purusa (Consciousness or Male Principle)
The Absolute: the formless & attribute-less, non-being
The Father principle, which is unchanging a.k.a Brahma
Consciousness or Pure Awareness
Witnesses Creation by interaction:
The transcendental influence of the Purusha (The Absolute) ends this stage of balance or arrest and initiates the process of creation. Evolution begins thereby with a disturbance in this state of equilibrium.
↓
↓
Sattva (Purity)
the pure
clarity, balance, truth
all conscious manifestations
mental (conscious) field created
Tamas (Inertia)
the inert
inertia, obstruction, resistance
all matter, resistance & stability
material field created
Rajas (Energy)
the dynamic
kinetic energy, movement, activity
energy is due to the element rajas
power field created
↓
↓
↓
* Manas (Mind)
The instinctive mind:
the receiving & directing link between the outer senses & the inner faculties.
* Jnana Indriyas
(5 Sense Organs)
karna (ears)
chaksu (skin)
jihva (eyes)
nsika (nose)
payu (tongue)
* Karma Indriyas
(5 Motor Organs)
2 pani (hands)
2 pada (feet)
upastha (tongue)
payu (anus)
upastha (genitals)
↓
* Pancha tanmatras
(5 Subtle Elements)
sabda (sound)
spasa (touch)
rupa (sight)
gandha( smell)
rasa (taste)
The 5 Subtle Elelments being subtle matter are devoid of peculiar forms,
These potentials assume physical form at a later stage of gross matter, like elements or atoms & molecules.
The 5 Subtle Elements in their turn produce the
5 Great or Dense elements, which are elements
in the ancient sense, or sometimes known as proto elements.
↓
* Pancha mahabhutas
(5 Great Elements)
akasa (space / ether)
vayu (air)
tejas (fire) jala (water)
prthvi (earth)
These 5 Great Elements belong to the material field and are the building blocks of the body.
From these Mahabhutas, the entire material world is made up. Living beings consist of the mahabhutas as well as the Indriyas.
Avyakta (unmanifested state) evolves into Dravya (manifested matter) at Conception.
↓
Tri Doshas (3 Bio-energies) The 5 Great Elements continuously interact & combine, creating the 3 Bio-energies. They are the 3 separate & physical manifestations all comprised of mental, physical & emotional qualities, which manifest at conception & are known as Human beings.
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
↓
And then, through the cyle of Evolution, Dravya (manifested matter) returns infinitely to Avyakta (unmanifested state).
This represents the Ayurvedic concepts according to which drug composition & drug actions are explained.
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