The definitions of health were changing regularly since the establishment of the world health organization (W.H.O.). In late 1940s the W.H.O. put this idea in picture that “health is complete state of physical, mental, and social well being and is not merely absence of disease” (W.H.O. in 1946) but at Ottawa conference in 1986 a charter was developed which outlined new direction for health promotion based on the socio-ecological view of health. In exploring the scope of health promotion it state that: --
Good health is a major resource for social, economic and personal development and an important dimension of quality of life. Political, economic, social, cultural environmental, behavioral and biological factors can all favor health or be harmful to it. (W.H.O.1986, Ottawa charter). But the issue does not have a break here, the considerations are still going on and on.
Actually to accomplish an idealistic vision will not come true until and unless we will consider to human being as a combination of mind and body only. We will have to perceive health and person more holistically (mind, body and soul) and not just in physical term.
The Vedic hypothesis about health: --
Almost 2300 years ago from now Sushruta the ayurvedic academician designed an idealistic description for well-being as
|| SAMA DOSHAHA SAMAGNISH CHA SAMA DHATU MALAH KRIYA ||
|| PRASANN ATMA INDRIYA MANAH SWASTHYA IT ABHIDHIYATE ||
Here is the translation of the shlokas word by word: --
Sama = physiologically normal
Dosha = three matters within us those are responsible to generate the disease when they get antagonism.
Agni = the metabolism and digestion of ingested
Cha = and
Dhatu = seven elements with in the body like tissues, blood, etc.
Malah kriya = to excrete the waste and harmful products from body like urine sweat.
Prasann = blissful
Atma = soul
Indrya = sensory organs and bodily systems including limbs
Manah = the psyche or mind stuff
Swasthya = in good physical shape
Means if all bodily organs, systems, limbs, genital organs, metabolism and digestion are in good physical state, soul is in the pink, the mind stuff performing according to need that person is health.
In ayurveda and Vedas there are separate briefings for soul and mind stuff. How they both keep a person in healthy order. What we must to eat so that mind stuff can work properly, it is well illustrated in the texts. With this there are numerous ideas are given in ayurveda and yoga texts to keep body and bodily system health and cure the illness.
The aphorism of Vedic systems of wellness is to maintain the health of a healthy person and to present the appropriate solution to the maladies.
However the science make our lives easier but on other hand the science make our lives emotionless and mechanical. We are being more atheistic and materialistic day by day. The social and cultural values have been missed behind somewhere in the unsighted race to achieve the substances for joyfulness. But sarcastically, we have not accomplished the ultimate joy of life.
We are switching our attitude for an idealistic health but we are ignoring our customary knowledge, which is time tested, dependable, well experienced and harmless too. Though some intellectuals are shifting towards the traditional medicines, yoga and exercises have been established as health providers, herbs are being well acceptable all around the world. These are the better sign to our healthy life.
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Sushruta is supposed to be father of surgery. His classification of diseases, principles of surgery are still very authentic. His book is known as Sushruta- sanmita.
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J.A.Y (journal of ayurveda and yoga)
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