Ayu
The term ‘Ayu’ (also spelled as aayu) means lifespan. It is generally considered age, but it has broader aspects in ancient texts. Ayu is defined as span of life or the continuation of consciousness. Ayu starts with the union of sperm (shukra) and ovum (shonita) during fertilization and ends with the departure of consciousness (prana) from the body. In Ayurveda, Ayu (life) is defined as the combination of body, sense organs, mind and soul. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/42] Their combination leads to genesis of life or consciousness, and the loss of this combination leads to the loss of ayu or death. The definition of Ayu and its classification into Hitayu, Ahitayu, Sukhayu and Dukhayu in Ayurveda is quoted in a way that covers both the individual and social aspects of life. The ancient holistic science of life - Ayurveda is principally the means of attaining knowledge about Ayu. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 30/23] Infact, Ayurveda is defined as the science which comprises knowledge of life span and perception of the status of the living body. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/41] According to Acharya Sushrut, Ayu is therein and attained thereby, thus it is called Ayurveda. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/23] Knowledge of Ayu is important because it helps assess the life span of a healthy person, residual life span of a person suffering from severe illness, and the rate of mortality.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts / Ayu |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bhojani M.K.1, Yadav Vandana1 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.2 |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.3 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Kriya Sharira, A.I.I.A. , New Delhi, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3G.J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence email | meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of first publication: | August07, 2022 |
| DOI | in process |
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