Psychology Ayurvedic View -1

Modern era is a remarkable era in the field of innovation, research and entire development of mankind. World is going through a phase of enormous change in the developmental process. If we compare other centuries and history of evolution, the change in last centuries was gradual but continuous one. This century denotes radical and fast change (like mutation) which, to some extent is difficult for a mankind to cope up with speed of its transformation. This has resulted in lot more psychological than physical suffering. Developed and developing countries as well today are facing these problems.

Mental-psychological conditions are almost epidemic today.- Even children are commonly suffering from these conditions. The current drug-based medicine is developing special designer medications to treat these conditions, which try to follow the rule of radical change, which again becomes difficult for the body to cope up with and results in reactive phase, named as 'side effects'.

Ayurveda provides the best choice for mind and psychological disorders through various formulations and allied therapies. This cultural disturbed psychology requires that Ayurvedic practitioners have the psychological tools to deal with it. Many of the patients who come to Ayurvedic practitioners today do so seeking some spiritual or psychological relief. They will expect that the Ayurvedic practitioner can handle emotional and spiritual issues and not just treat them on a physical level. So the role of Ayurveda in psychology is quite important and Psychology is an integral part of practice of an Ayurvedic practitioner.

The branch which we describe today as “Psychiatry' was termed as “Bhoot Vidya” during Veda period. Atharvaveda (of which ayurveda is upaveda /sub branch) describes this branch in details, of which some part is mentioned in ayurvedic scripts. “Graha chikitsa” is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, which describes psychological and spiritual aspect.

All four Vedas- viz. Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda and Atharva-Veda describes mantras, music, art, rituals for the betterment of mankind. The intension of all these acts is not merely for physical goodness but is for mental and spiritual betterment of mankind.

From health point of view, Atharva-Veda describes most of this psychological aspect and Ayurveda explains all these practices in the form of daily regimen, seasonal regimen, do's and don'ts, behavioral rasayana etc.

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