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BRAHMA SMITTWA AYUSHO VEDAM PRAJAPATI ANUGRAHATE
KRYATE ASTANG HRIDYAM NATI SANKHS VISTARAM
- Ashtanga Hridaya Chapter 1-3

Just as milk is present in the breast of a mother before the child is born, so was Ayurveda created by Brahma before the creation of the Universe. The knowledge of Ayurveda was offered to Lord Dhanvantari to ease the suffering of Creation and Lord Dhanvantari transmitted the knowledge of Ayurveda to mortal sages.

The Vedas are believed to be the oldest available body of knowledge known to man. The Vedas are not only an important source of knowledge about religion and spirituality, but also describe the best and most beneficial modes of conduct with regards to food, housing, music, social living and social organization (GARAMAY JIVAN). In the Vedas we find detailed descriptions of anatomy, medical treatments and explanations of diseases. Hence, Ayurveda is viewed as a divine science of revelation and thus values personal insight as much as empirical observation.

Ayurveda flourished from around 1500 B.C. to 1000 A.D. during what is called the Golden Age. The ancient rise and acceptance of Ayurveda is associated with the preparation of the Samhitas. Samhita means 'compilation' or 'collection'. The three most important treatises in Ayurveda are referred to collectively as the Senior Triad. They are the Charak Samhita, the Sushruta Samhita, and the Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita. A second important treatise of Ayurveda is collectively known as the Junior Triad. These treatises are the Madhava Nidana, the Sarangdhara Samhita, and the Bhava Prakasha.

When India was invaded in the 13th or 14th century, the formal practice, research and development of Ayurveda declined. However Ayurveda was kept alive by families loyal to humanity. Even when Western medicine was promoted under British rule; Ayurveda quietly remained alive in India.

In 1947 when India gained independence from British rule, the Indian government officially recognized Ayurveda, Allopathy, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy, as the official forms of medicine. Since then Ayurveda has regained popularity not only in India but around the world.

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