The word Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term meaning "Science of Life".
Ayurveda is not only a science; it is also a philosophy, a way of living with ourselves in which the entire journey of life is considered sacred.
The word philosophy refers to the love of truth and, in Ayurveda, truth is being, pure existence, the source of all life. It is a science of truth as truth is expressed through life.
All Ayurvedic literature is based on the Samkhya philosophy of creation. The roots of the term are associated with the Sanskrit concepts of truth and knowledge, and Samkhya can therefore be understood as Knowledge of Truth.
We generally recommend cultivating an open mind and an open heart towards Samkhya philosophy because of its intimate connection with Ayurveda.
The Rishis, or Sages, through intense meditation were able to understand and manifest the science of Ayurveda in their daily lives, realizing that the source of all existence is cosmic consciousness, which expresses itself as masculine and feminine energy, Shiva and Shakti, Purusha and Prakriti.
The Rishi Kapila realized the Samkhya philosophy of creation, discovering the 24 principles or elements of the universe, of which Prakriti, or creativity, is fundamental.
Purusha is masculine energy, while Prakriti is feminine energy. Purusha has neither form nor colour and takes no active part in the manifestation of the universe. It is passive awareness, without choice. It is Pure Existence.
Prakriti, on the other hand, has form, colour and attributes, and is awareness with active choice. It is divine will, the unity that manifests itself through its own multiplication. The universe is the child born from the womb of Prakriti, the divine mother.
Prakriti creates all the forms of the universe, while Purusha is the witness of this creation. Prakriti is the primordial physical energy containing the three attributes, or Gunas, found throughout nature and the evolving Cosmos.
The three Gunas are: Sattva (essence), Rajas (movement) and Tamas (inertia).
These three attributes form the basis of all existence. They are maintained in equilibrium by Prakriti.
When this equilibrium is disturbed, the Gunas interact and thereby generate the evolution of the entire universe.
The first manifestation of Prakriti is Cosmic Intelligence, Mahat, from which the Ego (Ahamkara) is formed.
Sattva helps the Ego manifest through the five Tanmatras associated with sensory perception and through the five organs of action, creating the organic universe.
Tamas helps the Ego manifest through the five basic elements, the Bhutas: ether, air, fire, water and earth, creating the inorganic universe.
Sattva and Tamas are inactive, potential energies that require the active and kinetic force of Rajas, the active vital force that supports both the organic and inorganic universes.