FREE online courses on Concepts of Ayurveda - Philosophy Phenomenon and
Noumenon
The basic doctrine on which the Ayurvedic
conception of physiology, pathology, pharmacology, medicine and therapeutics are
founded is known as the Doctrine of Panchabhutas. This doctrine has been
expounded, among others, by the Shad-Darsanas of the sic philosophical systems
of India. Of these, Ayurveda has largely relied on the Nyaya-Vaiseshika and
Sankhya-Yoga Systems.
It has to be observed that the term
philosophy used here should not be confused with religion, as is generally the
case. Ordinarily, this term has often been confused with the supernatural and
the superstitious. On the other hand, it has been understood and used in the
past as in the present, to signify, "the science which aims at the explanation
of all phenomena of the universe by ultimate causes," and "as the science which
aims at an explanation of all phenomena as explained by and resolved into causes
and effects." The term phenomenon used here means, "the form through which, it
(the thing) becomes known to the senses or understanding. It is the opposite of
the term ‘noumenon,' which means, "the unknown and unknowable substance or thing
as it is in itself." In other words, the former tern is used whenever
materialisation and manifestation perceivable by our senses has taken place
(i.e.) Vyakta, and the latter term is used whenever things exist in an
unmanifested or Avyakta state:
"Whatever is perceptible, being
apprehensible by the senses in the manifest or Vyakta, but what is inperceptible
and is beyond the senses and can be known only by inference is the unmanifest."
Philosophy can be classified under the
following three broad - based headings viz.,
- The
Natural Philosophy - Physics, Chemistry, etc.
- Mental
Philosophy - Meta-physics etc.,
- Moral
Philosophy - Ethics, etc.
In the context of Ayurveda or the Science of
Life or Knowledge of Life, the term philosophy comprehends all these three
categories which, between them, seek to elucidate and explain the phenomenon of
life and life process and lay down the laws and principles that govern them. The
Shad-Darsanas claim to have sought for and ascertained the ultimate causes
relating to life and life process in terms of causes and effects and enunciate
the laws and principles that govern them.
The term Darsana which is derived from the
root ‘Dris,' means "to see" "seeing," "looking" or "sight." It also means, the
‘eye' ‘mirror' and ‘knowledge.' The Aptas like Kapila, Kanada, Goutama,
Brihaspati and the rest who were the authors of the respective Darsanas viz.,
Sankhya, Vaiseshika, Nyaya and Charvaka Darsanas are, according to Nyaya Sutras,
those who taught what they saw. Aptas, say the Sutras, "may be Rishis, Aryas or
Melechas."
In order that we may not mix up these
philosophical systems with religion, supernatural and superstitious, it may be
noted here, that these systems include the materialistic or atheistic philosophy
of the Charvakas - the Charvaka Darsanas. The Charvakas, while denying the
existence of God or a Creator, held that every aspect of the phenomena of the
universe including life, was the result of the combination of the atomic
particles. For that matter, the Sankhya system is of two kinds viz., the Seswara
Sankhya and Niriswara Sankhya. Whatever the difference between one system and
another, all of them are material basis of the phenomenal universe and every
thing included in it.
