History of Ayurveda, its Origin and Evolution

Ayurveda - a word that means “The Knowledge (Veda) of Life (Ayus)” - is far more than just a system of healing. It is a time-honoured philosophy of living that harmonizes the body, mind, and consciousness with the laws of nature.

With roots reaching deep into ancient India more than 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda remains one of the world’s most sophisticated and comprehensive healing systems, influencing medicine, lifestyle, and spiritual well-being even today.

Let us walk through the history of Ayurveda, origin, mythology, classical texts, and philosophical backdrop of Ayurveda - each a testament to its depth and holistic wisdom.

Early History of Ayurveda - The vedic origins

The origins of Ayurveda are intimately intertwined with the spiritual vision of the Vedic sages (Rishis). These seers, through deep meditation and intuitive knowledge, discovered the principles of health, disease, and natural balance.

Much of this knowledge was orally transmitted and later codified in the Vedas, especially the Atharva Veda, which includes hymns and practices related to healing herbs, disease management, and health rituals.

The Rig Veda contains references to more than 60 medicinal plants, while the Yajur Veda and Sama Veda include rituals and chants to maintain mental and physical health. However, the Atharva Veda is most central to Ayurvedic wisdom, where healing is approached through herbs, mantras, surgery, and spirituality.

Philosophical Foundations: Sāṅkhya Darśana and Ayurveda

At the heart of Ayurveda lies the profound vision of Sāṅkhya Darśana, one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy (ṣaḍ-darśanas). Founded by Sage Kapila, Sāṅkhya offers a dualistic metaphysical framework that forms the theoretical and philosophical foundation of Ayurveda.

Sāṅkhya Darśana is based on the understanding of two eternal realities:

• Puruṣa – Pure Consciousness, the silent witness, unchanging, formless, and passive.

• Prakṛti – The primordial nature or matter, dynamic and active, comprising the entire manifest universe.

According to Sāṅkhya, creation unfolds when Puruṣa comes into proximity with Prakṛti, leading to an evolutionary process that gives rise to the universe and all living beings.

Evolution of the Elements and the Body

From Prakṛti emerge the Mahad (cosmic intelligence), Ahaṅkāra (ego/principle of individuation), and then the Tanmātras (subtle elements), which give rise to the Pañca Mahābhūtas (five great elements) - Earth (Pṛthvī), Water (Āpas), Fire (Tejas), Air (Vāyu), and Ether (Ākāśa). These five elements are the fundamental building blocks of all matter, including the human body.

Ayurveda borrows this concept directly to explain the formation of Tridoṣa:

• Vāta is predominantly formed of Air and Ether

• Pitta is formed of Fire and Water

• Kapha is formed of Earth and Water

Thus, the Sāṅkhya model explains how subtle principles (tanmātras) give rise to the gross reality of the human body, mind, and the entire cosmos.

Mind, Senses, and Healing

Sāṅkhya also explains the structure of the mind and cognition, dividing it into:

• Manas (mind) – processes sensory input

• Buddhi (intellect) – discriminative faculty

• Ahaṅkāra (ego) – the sense of individuality

• Indriyas – five sense organs and five organs of action

These components are essential in Ayurveda to understand psychosomatic diseases, mental health, and the Sāttvika, Rājasika, and Tāmasika states of mind.

Ayurveda emphasizes that true health is attained when there is harmony between body (Śarīra), senses (Indriya), mind (Manas), and soul (Ātman)—a teaching directly drawn from the Sāṅkhya view of life as a layered system of physical, mental, and spiritual realities.

Ayurveda’s Holism: Rooted in Sāṅkhya

Unlike other schools of thought that emphasize logic or rituals, Sāṅkhya is experiential and analytical, focusing on the inner reality and the causes of suffering (dukha). It provides Ayurveda with:

• A cosmology of manifestation (from subtle to gross)

• A psychology of health (the balance of Guṇas: Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)

• A metaphysical base for understanding disease and its root cause

Disease (vyādhi) in Ayurveda is seen as an imbalance in the natural tendencies (guṇas) and elemental constitution (doṣas), disrupting the body’s alignment with Prakṛti (nature). Healing, therefore, is a restoration of harmony, aligning the individual self with the cosmic order.

The Mythological Lineage of Ayurveda

Ayurveda’s divine origin story finds its roots in Hindu cosmology. It is said that Lord Brahma, the Creator, conceived Ayurveda in his cosmic mind and passed it down to Daksha Prajapati, who taught it to the Ashwini Kumaras (the twin celestial physicians of the gods). From them, it was taught to Indra, the King of the Devas, and finally passed on to humankind through three legendary sages:

• Sage Bharadwaja – Father of Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa)

• Sage Kashyapa – Father of Paediatrics (Kaumarabhritya)

• Sage Dhanvantari – Father of Surgery (Shalya Tantra)

Maharshi Dhanvantari

These sages, through their disciples, developed systems that would later evolve into classical Ayurvedic texts.

The Classical Samhitas: Foundations of Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda reached its mature, scientific form with the composition of foundational texts known as Samhitas. These are encyclopaedic works that combine theory with practical approaches to health.

1. Sushruta Samhita

Attributed to Acharya Sushruta, a student of Dhanvantari, this text deals with Surgery (Shalya Tantra) and describes detailed surgical instruments, procedures (like plastic surgery, cataract extraction), and anatomy. It is one of the earliest medical texts that discusses dissection and surgical education.

2. Charaka Samhita

Compiled by Sage Agnivesha and edited by Acharya Charaka, this is the authoritative text on Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa). It introduces the Tridosha theory (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), diagnostic methods, daily and seasonal routines, and ethical conduct for physicians. Charaka is rightfully called the Father of Medicine in Ayurveda.

3. Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hridayam

Written by Vagbhata, these texts synthesise medical and surgical disciplines and are widely used in Ayurvedic education even today.

These classical texts form the Trayi, or the three pillars of traditional Ayurvedic learning.

Ayurveda’s Holistic Approach to Health

The Ayurvedic system is not compartmentalized - it is holistic and personalized. It defines health as a dynamic equilibrium between the Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), Agni (digestive fire), Dhatus (tissues), and Srotas (body channels). Any disturbance in this balance leads to disease.

• The Ayurvedic physician (Vaidya) begins by identifying the patient's Prakriti (constitutional type) and Vikriti (imbalance).

• Diet, daily routine, emotional state, and environmental factors are all examined to design an individualized healing program.

• Healing includes Ahara (diet), Vihara (lifestyle), Aushadhi (medicines), and Daivavyapashraya (spiritual practices).

The Eight Branches of Ayurveda – Ashtanga Ayurveda

Ayurveda evolved into eight clinical disciplines, collectively known as Ashtanga Ayurveda:

1. Kayachikitsa – Internal Medicine

2. Shalya Tantra – Surgery

3. Shalakya Tantra – ENT & Eye Disorders

4. Kaumarabhritya – Paediatrics

5. Bhuta Vidya – Psychiatry and Spiritual Healing

6. Agada Tantra – Toxicology

7. Rasayana – Rejuvenation and Longevity

8. Vajikarana – Aphrodisiac and Fertility Therapy

These branches ensure a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of life—physical, psychological, and spiritual.

Ayurveda in the Modern World

Though Ayurveda has ancient roots, its relevance has only grown in the modern world. With increasing interest in natural healing, mind-body medicine, and lifestyle-based wellness, Ayurveda has found resonance across continents.

It emphasizes preventive healthcare, inner alignment, and sustainable living, which the modern healthcare industry is now beginning to value.

From daily routines (Dinacharya), seasonal guidelines (Ritucharya), to Panchakarma detoxification and Rasayana therapies, Ayurveda offers timeless tools for modern life.

Conclusion: A Living Science of Life

The history of Ayurveda is not a story locked in the past; it is a living, breathing tradition that continues to adapt and grow while staying rooted in its deep philosophy. It reminds us that true healing does not just treat symptoms but aligns the individual with nature and the inner Self.

At Samyak Ayurveda, we honour this ancient lineage by offering authentic Ayurvedic treatments and education rooted in the traditional wisdom of the Vedas and Samhitas - brought to life for today’s world.