Silhouette of a woman doing yoga on the beach at sunset

Ancient Indians accorded great importance to health and wellness derived from the practice of yoga, and the application of the ancient science of healing, Ayurveda. These are highlighted in our next two themes. The importance of health was emphasized by the ancient seers as Shareeramadyam khalu dharma-sadhanam. The basis of all life’s endeavors is Swasthya. A sound body is the epitome of perfect health, which is a pre-requisite for the attainment of spirituality. The entire lifestyle in ancient India aimed at the achievement of physical, mental, spiritual, economic, and social well-being—to be enjoyed over a hundred autumns. Jeevaama sharadah shatam (Let us live for a full hundred years) was the Vedic prayer chanted by everyone. The science of Ayurveda (Ayurvedic medical science) rooted in the Vedic system as upa-veda (ancillary Veda), is further expounded upon in the great texts of Sushruta (600 BC). Charaka (300 BC), Vagbhata (700 AD) are highlighted in subthemes. The content of this section was jointly compiled and edited by Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan of Pune, India, and Dr. Gururaj Mutalik.