On the birthplace of Ayurveda, there are six most important philosophies that affect this artwork of every day dwelling for an ever-evolving lifetime of divinity. These six philosophies are described as Shad Darshan— Shad which means six and Darshan referring to our imaginative and prescient, each internal and outer, that illuminates and orients us with actuality. Shad Darshan can be translated to 6 philosophies and refers to Sankhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Yoga, and Vedanta philosophy.
Sankhya
Sankhya philosophy relates consciousness into matter via a journey of understanding the manifestation of the universe. This philosophy perceives the senses and qualities of nature as a method to bridge consciousness with the fabric world. Lets break this down.
- Consciousness is a possible power which resides within the senses. This Consciousness is a choice-less consciousness (Purusha).
- Purusha integrates alternative when interacting with our inventive will (Prakruti)
- Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (will) are introduced collectively for creation via collective intelligence (Mahad).
- The Mahad (intelligence) in our cells that permits us to digest meals and soak up vitamins in numerous than the intelligence based mostly on our notion and identification with the world. This particular person consciousness is developed via earlier experiences.
Sankhya identifies three common qualities (gunas) that weave via all Creation: sattva, rajas, and tamas. These qualities are additionally vital for sustaining our personal bodily features.
- Sattva— pure, clear, harmonious. “Potential power” in physics.
- Rajas— power of motion and alter. “Kinetic power” in physics
- Tamas— darkness, confusion, and resistance to alter. “Inertia” in physics
Nyaya & Vaisheshika
Nyaya and Vaisheshika philosophies relate logic to concrete actuality via strategies of understanding and sourcing legitimate information. The 4 sources of legitimate information embrace:
- Notion (Pratyaksha) – via the senses and instinct
- Inference (Anumana) – based mostly on earlier expertise
- Comparability (Upamana) – based mostly on noticing similarities and variations
- Testimony (Shabda) – based mostly on verbal fact or authority fact
In response to Vaisheshika, there are 9 substances that trigger creation, the primary 5 are components that make-up nature within the macrocosm of our universe and the microcosms in our our bodies. These components–ether, air, fireplace, water, and earth– are the baseline for doshas in Ayurveda and helpful measures for therapeutic and steadiness.
The next 4 causative substances embrace soul, thoughts, time, and path. Soul offers rise to our consciousness, with out the soul, consciousness isn’t doable. Though the soul can’t be measured, we are able to merge with it and expertise it. The thoughts directs expertise and might join with the soul via meditation. The subsequent causative substance is time, a marker and producer of change. The final causative issue is path: north, south, east and west. Path correlates to the 5 components and offers helpful info in Ayurveda to dwell in synchronicity with the earth by aligning areas in a house to their pure path. For instance, the water ingredient is positioned within the northeast, we are able to carry blessings from this ingredient by working towards meditative rituals on this space of a house. The Vedic understanding of association is known as vastu shilpa shastra and may be carried out as follows:
- Southeast is the path of fireside – kitchen house
- Southwest is the path of earth – sleep house
- Northwest is the path of air – socializing house and space for recent air
- Northeast is the path of water – meditation house
- Center is the path of ether – empty house
Mimamsa
Mimamsa means to deeply perceive the reality via dwelling out one’s obligation, soul’s objective, or performing in mild of consciousness (Dharma). This philosophy describes God as a common being, existent in each human. A part of attaining freedom via Mimamsa includes actually understanding God via understanding oneself. Working towards Mimamsa integrates seeing the divine in each being and is included into Ayurveda via therapeutic rituals, ceremonies, and altars. There’s a huge quantity of formality follow that’s described via Mimamsa.
Yoga
Yoga philosophy is oriented in the direction of union of the decrease self with the upper self via steps of non secular self-discipline and controlling one’s thought waves. This method for increasing one’s consciousness was based by Patanjali and described in eight steps within the Yoga Sutras. Yoga includes inward motion of the senses via more and more aware practices that carry a few state of peace and liberation. If you’re concerned about studying extra in regards to the Eight Limbs of Yoga, we’ve got articles that go in depth on the which means and practices that accompany every step. The eight strategies are as follows: Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Dharma.
1.Yoga’s Moral Information for Social Conduct: The Yamas
2. Yoga’s Information to Self Self-discipline and Non secular Follow: Niyamas
3. The Energy of Posture: Asana
4. Awakening Vitality with the Breath: Pranayama
5. Completely happy Thoughts, Wholesome Soul: Pratyahara
6. Suggestions for Focus: Dharana
7. Meditation in your Dosha: Dhyana
8. Liberation in Your Life: Samadhi and Dharma
Vedanta
Vedanta means the ending of data and the common consciousness that unites us all. To completely notice consciousness in every second requires a launch of data obtained via books and exterior investigation. It requires a deep inquiry of our personal ideas, feelings, and who we’re, placing that intelligence on the forefront of our life.
Buddhism
Ayurveda later included Buddhist thought into it’s philosophy for the alleviation of struggling via persistence, for all the things will move.
Every of the six philosophies has woven collectively a basis of notion for Ayurveda to develop from. Lots of the values and rules ring comparable all through these philosophies, exemplifying the reality in common consciousness.
References
Lad, Vasant. Textbook of Ayurveda Basic Rules. 1st Version. The Ayurvedic Press, 2002
Article by Kaylee Vinson
Revealed 4/22/2025
