Australian Association Of Ayurveda

We are the national voice of Ayurveda for its members. The aim of our web site is to provide information regarding: the structure and role of AAA, the current priorities and activities of AAA, and contact details and links to the member organisations.

Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic Medicine is a classical traditional medical system that originated in India. Ayurveda roots its origins back to ancient Indian sages who, through observation and contemplation of the laws of nature around them, established some essential rules for longevity and happiness.

Ayurveda is part of the ancient Indian tradition known as the Vedas, which means "knowledge" or "scientia in Latin." The Vedas consist of four primary volumes that deal with diverse aspects of life: the Rig Veda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharveda.

Even though there are references to more than 60 recipes described in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, written about 6000 years ago, almost all scholars agree that Ayurveda is an Upa-Veda - a subsidiary - of the Atharva Veda, the most recent of the four Vedas, written between 1200-900 BCE.

Ayurveda is part of the Samkhya Philosophy

Samkhya is one of the 6 principal schools of Indian philosophy attributed to Rishi Kapila. Samkhya philosophy provides a foundation for all levels of manifestation, from subtle to gross. It is dualistic, with opposites creating "tension" to bring about equilibrium in existence.

Samkhya originates from samyag akhyate, which means "that which explains the whole." It is an enumerationist philosophy in which nothing remains constant, but everything changes and is dynamic.

Samkhya addresses Purusha (consciousness), Prakriti (matter), Buddhi or Mahat (intelligence), and Ahamkara (I-am-ness). Samkyha distinguishes between Purusha, which is fixed and unchanging, and Prakriti, which is ever-changing and dynamic.

Purusha is the Transcendental Self or Pure Consciousness that exists eternally and cannot be expressed or explained.