Yoga and Ayurveda

Author(s): R V Ranade
Publisher: Z_Umravkunvarji_Diksha_Swarna_Jayanti_Smruti_Granth_012035.pdf

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Yoga and Ayurveda
Dr. R. V. Ranade, M. D.
Introduction
Vaidya P. L. Lavgankar, the founder of Yoga Vidya Dham, Pune, was a great expert of both Yoga and Ayurveda. He always insisted that knowledge of both these sciences is essential for anybody who wants to practise, preach or teach Yoga. He was a Nádi-Vaidya who could dignose any disorder by Nadi-Pariksā (examination of the pulse). Regarding this, he used to say that one who has studied yoga and especially prādāyāma for a sufficiently long period can venture to master the art of Nādi-Pariksa.
Fortunately, to-day both Yoga and Ayurveda are receiving greater attention as valuable and useful ways of preventing and curing many disorders, especially where the modern medicine fails.
Yoga and Ayurveda are two important branches of ancient Indian science. Science and philosophy have always remained inseperable in the tradition of ancient Indian thinkers. The main object of all this thinking has been to attain a state which is completely free from the clutches of misery and sorrow. Yoga & Ayurveda are two such disciplines which help to fulfil this difficult task in their own ways. It is therefore interesting to note the points of comparison between these two sciences.
History and Origin
According to our traditional belief, all the ancient arts and sciences in this universe have been created by God-the almighty, for the welfare of human beings. The origin of Yoga can be traced to Lord Siva as clearly mentioned in Hathayoga pradipikā.
श्री आदिनाथाय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै येनोपदिष्टा हठयोगविद्या । I salute the primeval God (Siva), who taught (Parvati) the Hathayogavidya.' In Siva-samhita, God Siva states.
अथ भक्तानुरक्तोऽहं वक्ष्ये योगानुशासनम् । 'I am teaching this Yoga to those who love me.'
Yoga also plays important part in the life of God Ramachandra as well as God Krishna. The work Yogavasiştha consists of the yogic teachings by Guru