An Analytical Study on the Philosophical Concepts of Vaiśeṣika Included in the Āyurvedic Treatments (Based on Carakasamhitā, Susruta samhitā, and Vaiśeṣikasūtra)
Abstract
Both Āyurweda and Philosophy are two subject streams, which are more close to the worldly and spiritual lives of human beings. Their connection is non-separable even in the beginning of these two systems. Therefore, it is worthy to investigate the connection between these two systems according to the cognition of seven categories and atoms, which are defined in the philosophy of Vaiśeṣika and how they are applied for the treatments of Āyurveda. The enumeration of categories included in Vaiśeṣika system such as; Dravya, Guṇa, Karma, Sāmānya, Viśeṣa, and Samavāya have been applied for the descriptions in the Āyurvedic treatments. Both these systems accept that the substance is the main component and that others all depend under the substance. Vaiśeṣika mentions of five types of Karma developed by Ūrdhva etc. Caraka and Susṛta have discussed about Pañca karma, Agni karma, Jāta karma etc. According to the philosophy of Vaiśeṣika, Sāmānya (General) means similarity of all objects and each other. For instance, the existence in combinative position of Substance, Attribute, and Action are depended upon their appearance of Sāmānya as well as Viśeṣa. In Āyurvedic system, one of the fundamental elements is awareness of resemblance. The resemblance of the substance, attribute, and action is always becomes the cause of increasing healthiness. On the other hand, their dissimilarity is the cause of reducing healthiness itself. Both systems accept that the Ātma is eternal. From these facts, it would appear that the Āyurvedic system have applied the concepts in philosophy of Vaiśeṣika for the use of a practical methodological system.
References
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