Concept of Health in Āyurveda

Abstract

Health is a primary indicator as well as determinant of quality of life in Āyurveda. In fact, health is a prerequisite for the pursuit of well-being in life. Āyurveda defines health as an outcome of a continuous and evolving adaptation of the individual organism to changing situations in the external environment. The outcomes of the adaptive responses are determined to a great extent by the physical and mental constitution of the individual. Āyurveda proposes a dynamic model of health, which is an outcome of the interplay between constitution and environment. Health is not merely the absence of physical or mental disease but a psychophysiological state that exhibits preparedness and aspiration to achieve higher levels of physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Variations in constitutional and mental make-up necessitate an individualised approach to not only management of disease but also health. Each individual presents limitations and possibilities in scaling the ladder of health, which is commensurate with the psychosomatic equipment that the person is endowed with. On the other hand, there is vast scope for psychospiritual growth and well-being when the individual gets established in the optimal state of health, given the limitations of their constitution. Health and well-being are to be achieved by individual and group effort. Quality of life is ultimately measured in Āyurveda by monitoring individual and social well-being.