The World Association for Vedic Studies (WAVES) conference hosted an insightful panel discussion on the ongoing challenges in Ayurveda, particularly addressing the dietary conflicts and integration issues with modern day life, as well as co-existence with Western medicine. Moderated by Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman from the field of integrative healthcare, the panel brought together esteemed experts, including Dr. Bal Ram Singh, Dr. Sangeeta Sharma, and Dr. Vandana Baranwal, to explore the deeper epistemological conflicts, regulatory disparities, and modern challenges facing Ayurveda today.

One of the plenary talks at the WAVES conference focused on the ongoing conflict between Patanjali Ayurveda and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), delving into the epistemological differences between Ayurveda and modern medicine. The talk also discussed the implications of India’s National Education Policy (NEP), which aims to integrate Ayurveda and modern medical education, sparking debates among healthcare professionals.

This blog will explore key insights from the panel and the talk, focusing on dietary conflicts in Ayurveda, the struggle between traditional and modern medical systems, particularly the conflict between Ayurveda and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and ways forward in reconciling these approaches.

Meet the Panelists

The panel was moderated by Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman who is a Duke Integrative Healthcare Leader and the Founder of Ayurveda Living. With his background in integrative medicine, Dr. Seetharaman provides a balanced perspective on merging traditional and modern health systems. His work and experience span the United States and India, and currently serves as a faculty at the Hindu University of America (HUA). The panel included:

• Dr. Bal Ram Singh, a renowned professor and researcher with expertise in both modern biochemistry and Ayurvedic biotechnology. His work on neurotoxins and consciousness research, as well as his editorial roles in various journals, positions him as a thought leader in integrative medicine.
• Dr. Sangeeta Sharma, a dedicated Ayurveda Vaidya, brings years of practical experience in Panchakarma, metabolic and lifestyle disorder treatments. Her scholarly background combined with her compassionate practice exemplifies the holistic nature of Ayurveda.
• Dr. Vandana Baranwal, a specialist in women’s health, draws from her deep Vedic roots in Varanasi. She has pioneered women’s wellness solutions through personalized Ayurvedic care, furthering the intersection of traditional wisdom and modern health issues.
  

Ayurvedic Dietary Conflicts: A Key Focus

The panel delved deeply into dietary conflicts in Ayurveda, particularly how globalization and migration create challenges for Ayurvedic principles related to food. According to Ayurveda, food is considered medicine, and diet must align with an individual’s Prakriti (constitution), age, gender, and environmental factors like the season and local ecosystem.

However, when people relocate—whether for education, work, or other reasons—their new surroundings might not provide access to region-specific Ayurvedic diets. For instance, individuals from India moving to colder, non-tropical climates face challenges in following the same dietary principles prescribed in their native regions. Additionally, the influx of genetically engineered foods and non-native food choices further complicates adherence to Ayurvedic dietary recommendations. The panel discussed how food grown in different regions has different Prabhava (inherent properties), which might not suit an individual’s constitution when consumed in foreign lands.

The WAVES Ayurveda panel discussion explored how Ayurveda can contribute to the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), particularly through the lens of dietary practices. The discussion focused on how Ayurvedic texts, like Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita, remain relevant today for their holistic approach to health, though the challenge lies in adapting these principles for global contexts. Panelists questioned whether current Ayurveda training includes sufficient practice of historical texts to verify ancient practices and discussed the incorporation of cultural foods from around the world into Ayurveda’s predominantly Indian framework. The relevance of understanding regional variations in fruits, grains, milk, and condiments, all of which differ globally, was also addressed. By broadening the scope of Ayurveda to include food diversity, the panel emphasized the need for evolving Ayurvedic guidelines to support the health of a truly global family.

Ayurveda vs. Indian Medical Association (IMA): A Broader Conflict

Another significant part of the Waves Conference was the plenary talk on the growing conflict between Ayurveda and modern medicine, exemplified by the ongoing disputes between Ayurveda practitioners and the Indian Medical Association (IMA). One of the critical issues is that a substantial number of BAMS graduates (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) are transitioning to modern medical practices rather than sticking to traditional Ayurveda. This trend is partly because the BAMS curriculum has been modeled on the MBBS curriculum, leading to a dilution of Ayurvedic principles in education and professional practice.

The IMA has raised concerns over Ayurvedic treatments being promoted without the same rigorous clinical trials and peer-reviewed research demanded in allopathic medicine. The most publicized of these disputes involved Patanjali Ayurved’s Coronil, which was initially marketed as a COVID-19 cure, leading to a legal confrontation with the IMA. The Drugs & Magical Remedies Act, 1954 and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, further complicate the issue, as they emphasize stringent regulatory standards that Ayurveda often struggles to meet due to its reliance on traditional and historical knowledge.

Conflicts in India’s National Education Policy (NEP): Ayurveda and Modern Medicine

India’s National Education Policy (NEP) seeks to integrate Ayurveda into mainstream medical education, which has sparked diverse reactions across the healthcare sector. AYUSH practitioners welcome this development, seeing it as a formal recognition of traditional medicine’s importance in promoting holistic health. However, some allopathic doctors and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have expressed concerns, fearing the policy might create “official quacks” by blending traditional medicine with modern medical practices without ensuring the same level of scientific validation. Additionally, some scientists argue that the NEP’s emphasis on integrating alternative medicine could compromise the advancement of modern medical research, if not properly regulated through clinical trials and evidence-based standards. This highlights the challenge in balancing traditional knowledge with modern healthcare while ensuring both maintain high standards of practice.

The Fundamental Epistemological Differences

A significant theme in the panel discussion was the epistemological differences between Ayurveda and modern medicine. Ayurveda’s holistic approach focuses on maintaining balance in the body, mind, and spirit through proper diet, lifestyle, and herbal treatments. On the other hand, modern medicine adopts a more reductionist, symptom-focused approach, diagnosing and treating specific ailments through pharmaceuticals and surgery. This fundamental divergence in worldview creates barriers to integration, as Ayurveda’s preventive care and lifestyle management contrast with the intervention-based approach of modern medicine.

Path Forward: Reconciling Ayurveda and Modern Medicine

Here are some recommendations for resolving these conflicts:

• Scientific Validation of Ayurvedic Practices: There is a need for more clinical trials and research to validate Ayurvedic treatments within the framework of modern science. Integrative research centers can bridge this gap.
• Customized Diet Plans: The discussion underscored the importance of creating regionally adaptable, Ayurvedic dietary plans that consider the local ecosystem and the evolving nature of food production.
• Educational Reform: The BAMS curriculum should include a deeper focus on Ayurveda’s philosophical foundations, ensuring graduates have a stronger grounding in traditional knowledge.
• Open Dialogue Between Systems: Finally, fostering collaboration between Ayurvedic practitioners and modern medical professionals through platforms like WAVES can promote mutual respect and shared goals.

Conclusion

This panel discussion at the WAVES conference and the plenary talk highlighted the complexities and ongoing challenges in Ayurveda, in its Practice, Education and Research, apart from issues in integrating with modern medicine, particularly in light of dietary conflicts, educational reforms, and the regulatory landscape in India. By addressing these issues through open dialogue and integrative research, both systems can contribute to a more holistic and balanced approach to global healthcare.

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Ayurveda Day 2024 – Bay Area

– A Gathering of Knowledge, Wellness, and Tradition

On October 29, 2024, the Bay Area hosted a vibrant celebration of Ayurveda Day. Organized by the California Association for Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM), the event gathered Ayurveda practitioners, students, and enthusiasts to honor the ancient science of life and its modern applications in health and wellness. The theme, Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health, highlighted the potential of Ayurveda as a holistic approach to global healthcare. The evening began with the Dhanwantari Homa, performed with deep reverence. This sacred Vedic ritual, dedicated to Lord Dhanwantari, the divine physician and father of Ayurveda, was conducted to invoke blessings for health, healing, and well-being for everyone present. Hindu University of America (HUA) and the California College of Ayurveda (CCA) played significant roles in supporting the event, promoting Ayurveda’s integration into contemporary health practices and raising awareness about its preventive benefits. Distinguished guests included the Consul General of India in San Francisco, Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, and Deputy Consul General Mr. Rakesh Adlakha, both of whom emphasized Ayurveda’s global significance and its ability to address current health challenges.

Key Discussions and Speakers

Theme: Ayurveda in Daily Life

1. Dr. Rammohan Rao on the Importance of Food and Mindful Eating

Dr. Rammohan Rao from the California College of Ayurveda (CCA) and Hindu University of America (HUA) delivered an insightful talk on Ayurveda’s approach to diet and lifestyle. Dr. Rao underscored the significance of understanding the quality and source of food (Ahara). “Consider where your food is grown and how it is processed,” he advised, pointing out that natural, fresh food aligns better with our bodies than highly processed or fried foods. He encouraged attendees to observe their eating habits: “Are you eating too quickly, or are you chewing thoroughly? Chewing creates memory circuits within our body, allowing us to fully experience our food’s nourishment.”

He further highlighted that eating habits extend beyond the meal itself. Timing is key in Ayurveda, with the largest meal ideally eaten during midday when digestive fire is strongest. Dr. Rao also advised against eating mindlessly in cars or while walking, which can disrupt digestion and contribute to stress. Such mindful eating practices allow people to connect more deeply with food, aiding in both physical and mental health.

2. Dr. Rucha Kelkar – Traditional Ayurvedic Home Remedies

Dr. Rucha Kelkar shared practical Ayurvedic remedies and their everyday applications, focusing on natural ingredients that support health. She emphasized Turmeric for its well-known wound-healing properties and Trikatu (a blend of black pepper, ginger, and long pepper) as a potent aid for digestion. Additionally, Dr. Kelkar recommended Tulsi (holy basil) and turmeric for daily immunity support, as both have significant anti-inflammatory properties. She also spoke on Sandalwood (Chandana) as a cooling herb that soothes the mind and heart; applying it to the forehead, she noted, promotes calmness and is especially beneficial during stressful times. This focus on traditional herbs demonstrated how Ayurvedic remedies can be easily incorporated into modern lives, showcasing Ayurveda’s flexibility and timeless relevance.

3. Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath – Aligning with Nature’s Rhythms through Dinacharya and Ritucharya

Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath from Kerala Ayurveda discussed the Ayurveda concept of Vihaar, or lifestyle, emphasizing that “all healing ultimately happens within our own bodies.” He explained Ayurveda’s approach to aligning with nature’s rhythms through Dinacharya (daily routine) and Ritucharya (seasonal routine). Dinacharya promotes activities such as waking up early, engaging in gentle exercise, and eating meals at regular intervals. “The timing of your biggest meal, the intervals between meals, and even the practice of fasting can influence your well-being,” Dr. Jayarajan explained.

He discussed sleep as an essential aspect of this alignment, advising against late hours that disrupt the body’s natural rhythms. Dr. Jayarajan also recommended prioritizing downtime, such as spending relaxed moments with family, which fosters mental well-being and allows the body to rejuvenate. “Not all time needs to be productive,” he noted, reminding attendees to balance effort with rest—a core Ayurvedic principle. This emphasis on cyclical and balanced living provides a framework that supports not only physical health but also emotional and mental well-being, showcasing Ayurveda as a holistic science of life.

Key Takeaways for Health & Wellness

Perspective on Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health

There are several concepts, principles or innovations in Ayurveda that are Nobel Prize-worthy, concepts that resonate with modern scientific research that is on-going:

1. Dinacharya (Daily Routine) and Circadian Rhythm: The concept of Dinacharya in Ayurveda emphasizes a structured daily routine, including set times for waking, eating, exercise, work, and sleep. This aligns with modern circadian science, which emphasizes that the body’s internal clock is synchronized with the earth’s light-dark cycles, affecting metabolism, mental health, and cellular repair. The 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine highlighted the importance of circadian rhythms, reflecting what Ayurveda advocated thousands of years ago as essential for health.

2. Ayurvedic Clock and Seasonal Cycles (Ritucharya): Ayurveda also aligns health with seasonal cycles through Ritucharya, which advises adjusting diet and lifestyle according to the seasons. This anticipates modern insights into seasonal variations in immune function, metabolism, and mental health, showing Ayurveda’s comprehensive approach to environmental adaptation.

3. Aama (Toxins) and Gut Health: Ayurveda’s concept of Aama describes toxins resulting from poor digestion, which can accumulate in tissues and cause disease. This ancient view aligns with recent research on gut health, showing how inflammation, poor digestion, and imbalances in the gut microbiome contribute to chronic diseases. Ayurvedic practices for detoxification, such as fasting and herbal therapies, emphasize a balanced digestive fire (Agni), aligning with what we now know about the gut-brain connection and immune health.

4. Gut Microbiome: Ayurveda’s emphasis on balanced digestion and gut health is way ahead of its time, paralleling modern studies on the microbiome’s influence on conditions like obesity, immunity, and mental health. Ayurveda promotes probiotics, herbs (ex: Triphala, fermented foods), which are now known to support beneficial gut bacteria and health.

5. Prakriti (Individual Constitution) and Personalized Medicine: Ayurveda’s Prakriti principle—personalized health based on unique body constitutions (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)—is analogous to today’s personalized medicine, which considers individual genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Ayurveda’s tailored dietary, lifestyle, and treatment recommendations align with the personalized healthcare movement, which seeks to match treatment to genetic and phenotypic variations.

6. Rasayana (Rejuvenation) and Anti-Aging: Rasayana therapies, Ayurveda’s rejuvenation practices using herbs like Ashwagandha and Amalaki, aim to enhance vitality, mental clarity, and immunity. This is closely related to the field of anti-aging and longevity research, which investigates antioxidants, adaptogens, and cellular repair. Ayurveda’s proactive approach to aging anticipates much of today’s research on disease prevention and health optimization.

7. Mental Health and Holistic Preventive Care: Ayurveda considers emotional well-being essential to physical health, advocating lifestyle practices like meditation, Yoga, and a balanced diet for mental clarity and resilience. This aligns with modern integrative health, which sees mental health and lifestyle modifications as central to disease prevention.

These Ayurvedic insights show a sophisticated understanding of the body’s balance with nature, preventive health, and personalized care. I anticipate that many of the insights will be validated by modern science over time.

A Broader Vision for Global Health: Insights from CAAM

The California Association for Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM) organized this event to raise awareness of Ayurveda’s potential in preventive and promotive healthcare. The association has been working actively to integrate Ayurveda into the mainstream healthcare system by promoting educational events and fostering collaborations with medical professionals. CAAM’s representatives shared that Ayurveda’s philosophy aligns with sustainable, preventative healthcare model that could greatly benefit global healthcare systems overwhelmed by chronic diseases. The Consul General of India in San Francisco reiterated Ayurveda’s value as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern health needs. He spoke about the Indian Government’s efforts to support Ayurveda globally through educational partnerships and initiatives aimed at making Ayurveda more accessible and integrated with modern medical practices.

Conclusion: A Day of Connection, Learning, and Tradition

Ayurveda Day 2024 was a celebration of ancient wisdom and modern health insights, offering a space for learning and connection among Ayurveda enthusiasts and practitioners. The event showcased how Ayurveda’s principles—mindful eating, aligning with natural rhythms, and incorporating traditional remedies—are timeless practices that can be adapted for modern life. Through their commitment to this event, the Hindu University of America, California College of Ayurveda, and CAAM demonstrated the growing interest and respect for Ayurveda within California’s health and wellness community. By integrating Ayurveda into broader health practices, these organizations are paving the way for a healthier and more balanced approach to living, where ancient knowledge continues to inform and inspire today’s wellness trends. The evening concluded with a sense of collective enthusiasm and commitment to Ayurveda’s growth in the U.S., symbolizing Ayurveda’s enduring role in promoting holistic health. As more people incorporate Ayurvedic principles into their lives, Ayurveda Day serves as an annual reminder of the importance of balance, nature, and self-care in the pursuit of wellness.

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The Hindu University of America commemorates the epoch-making punar-uddharana ceremony of the Ram Lala Mandir at Ayodhya with the release of a music video ‘Ayodhya – A Cultural Renaissance’ as a special tribute to the occasion.

Ayodhya – Music Video

This music video is composed and produced by Dr Kanniks Kannikeswaran, a faculty at HUA. The video weaves a 21st century multimedia-digital portrait of Ram using elements of Indian Classical music, Sanskrit Lyrics and powerful imagery. Earlier in 2022, Dr Kanniks had created the highly acclaimed work ‘Raag Darshan’ a portrait of India in 75 Ragas.

‘Ayodhya’ is released on the HUA Youtube Channel and will mark the occasion in a musical medium that integrates classicism, story telling, history, philosophy, Sanskrit, Hindustani and Karnatic music.

Celebrating the consecration of the mammoth Ram temple in Ayodhya and the cultural renaissance of Ayodhya through this musical medium is more than a fitting way to celebrate the epochal event. In creating this digital monument, we follow the model of leaders such as Rajendra Chola who built monuments such as the Gangai-konda-Cholapuram temple and engraved historic records in the form of inscriptions (celebrating the pan Indian outlook of the Cholas in their victorious march to the basin of the river Ganga), the footsteps of the Nayanmars, Alvars, and the Vaggeyakara Muthuswami Dikshitar.

Conceptualization, Research, Lyrics, Music, Script, Direction: Dr Kanniks Kannikeswaran

Running length:  7.5 min

Release Date:  January 21 11:00 am CST, in time for the consecration of the temple at Ayodhya

Lyrics:

śrī rāmachandram sadārādhayeham

śrīmadayodhyā sadanam dinamaṇi ravikula tilakam

nīrāgam nirāmayam nijānanda sukhapradam

nirālambam nirmalam- virājita sarayū taṭam

krūratara pāpa rahitam – māruti suhrdaya viditam

tāraka nāma sucharitam – dharma sthāpakam aniśam

ayodhyāpura- janmakshetram ānjaneya sannutam –

kalyāṇyā,,ramayā saha- kanaka bhavana- nivasitam|

koṭi-koṭi dīpavijita chandravadana— sphuritam

lalāṭa-tilaka-śobhita- traya- anuja-sahita-janitam

yogījana- kinkara- sevaka – suranarendra moditam –

yugāntara prasiddham -ati- nūtana mandıra- lasitam

parāśarātmajāśritam -mahāmatyādi vanditam

apāra- karuṇā pāngam -hridayasthitha māmakam –

śrī tyāgarāja-chakravarti-kamba – rāmadāsa

gosvāmi tuḷasIdāsa- kavikulaguru kāḷidāsa

bodhāyana- muni vasiṣṭha – śrī guruguha- mahā śreṣṭha

kulaśekhara – kavikokila śrīmadvālmikyārcita

martyāvatāra – maryādā puruṣottama

śrī rāma rāma rāma śrī rāma rāma rāma

raghupati rāghava rājā rāma

jai-śrī rāma rāma

śrī rāmachandram sadārādhayeham

Translation:

I always celebrate Sri Ramachandra who is enshrined in Ayodhya and who is the crown jewel of the Solar Lineage.

Who is beyond likes and dislikes, who confers true joy, who is pure and free and is enshrined on the banks of the river Sarayu. He destroys the accumulated karma and is ever present in the heart of Hanuman. His name bestows liberation and he is worshiped as the one who established the order of dharma in the form of Ramarajya.

He is enshrined in his birthplace in Ayodhya ; Anjaneya resides in his presence (at Hanuman Garhi). He is seated with Sita (who is endowed with auspiciousness Kalyan) by his side in Kanak Bhavan. His moon-like face excels the Dipotsav in its brilliance; born with three brothers, the tilak on his forehead radiates with effulgence. He is revered by the renunciates, the devotees engaged in service, humans, kings and the Gods; his presence in Ayodhya has been well known for eons; and he is (now) worshiped in a newly constructed temple. He is worshiped by great intellectuals such as Vyasamuni (the son of Parashara); he is filled with kindness and compassion beyond compare and he resides forever in my heart.

Victory to Rama, who is worshiped by Swami Tyagaraja, Kavi Chakravarti Kamban, Bhadrachala Ramadasa, Goswami Tulasidasa, Mahakavi Kalidasa, Bodhayana, Vasishta, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Kulasekhara Alwar, Maharishi Valmiki; an avatar in the human form, who is hailed as the noblest of purushas. Jai Shri Ram.

Thoughts from the Composer

Why it occurred to me to create this music video: A significant part of my understanding of Hindu Dharma is through temple visits and the Tamil liturgical music of the 700s and the Sanskrit Kritis of Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775-1835). The 1st millennium Tevaram songs are in praise of temples all over Tamilnadu and they provide a historical record of the temples in existence about 1300 years ago. The music of Dikshitar is along similar contours, and it uses the pan-Indian medium of the Sanskrit language and the Ragas of the 1700s and 1800s.

Much of the music that I have created over the years celebrates Bharat and the Dharmic Civilization. (e.g. Rivers of India, Monsoons (using the Tirukkural), Raag Darshan – A tribute to Bharat in 75 Ragas). During my recent trip to Bali, where I was blown away by the significant presence of Hindu dharmic ideas – I mused on how Dikshitar would have created music, had he visited Bali. The result was a music video ‘Om Swastiastu’, which uses the medium of the Kriti in Sanskrit, with visuals from all over Bali.

It was around Navaraatri 2023 that I figured out that time was running out*, and a similar kriti /video needed to be created in time for Jan 22. A kriti, which would narrate the story of Ram in Ayodhya, the geography of Ayodhya, the history, and the worship traditions with powerful visuals to accentuate the story. I wrote the first draft of the kriti during Navaratri; made a rough recording after Deepavali. Visited Ayodhya in early December; made a few changes based on the experiential understanding of Ayodhya; recorded the vocals over the Christmas holiday break, and worked on finishing and post-production all the way until Jan 22.

Moola Vigraha at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir

What Ram means to me: Raman is as much a Tamil word as it is a Sanskrit word. Rama-Nama-Japam is very common; and writing ’Sri Rama Jayam’ down multiple times is a powerful exercise that is steeped in Bhakti, stills the mind and improves focus. I have seen people do it all the time. Ram gets referred to in Tamil film songs very often. There is no family with a relative not named after Ram. Even Ayodhya is part of the Tamil vocabulary. Dikshitar refers to Ayodhya as ‘Saketa Nagar’. In the course of my working on music with various groups, the most moving stories regarding the relationship to ‘Ram’ are those thatI have heard from the Indo-Caribbean diaspora.

Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Mandir

What Ayodhya meant to me: My visit to Ayodhya in December this year was a memorable one where circumstances conspired to make it happen. It is a place that has its ‘vibes’. ‘Ram’ is in the air, water and soil and in peoples heart and lips in Ayodhya. There is a simplicity of life that reminded me of Bali. The narrow lanes, surprises around every corner, small temples, the sound of bells, the sound of Ram-Dhun wafting in the air from all directions; the simple greeting ‘Jai Shri Ram’, the kirtankars doing nothing but singing kirtans all day long, the various landmark temples, the lofty towers, the chill breeze by the Sarayu, the modern Arti on the river – all these are memories to cherish; in a lot of ways it was a transformative visit; one that enabled to me to experience the feeling of ‘surrender’ or ‘sharanagati’.

Prana Pratishtha at Ayodhya

What the prana-pratishtha means to me:

It is a ‘punar-uddharana’ or a renaissance of the entire landscape of Ayodhya. It is a renewal. It is a moment of civilizational awakening. The town, the state, the nation (and even the diaspora) will never be the same again. There is a tremendous sense of confidence, an upsurge of energy; the enthusiasm to serve. There is a major renaissance of the ecosystem around Ayodhya. Who would have imagined 10 years ago that Ayodhya would be home to an International Airport with flights (potentially) to Thailand and other places in the Dwipantara (Far East) with deep-rooted connections to Indian culture and dharma? From having been a sleepy town to one which was internationally known for a ‘dispute’ is now a flourishing center of religious tourism. It is only a matter of time before Universities get set up here. To me, this revival and renewal is a moment of tremendous possibility and inspiration; that shows the power of sankalpa or intentionality.

What did I want to convey using the lyrics: I wanted to paint a picture of Ayodhya as it is today. The raga chosen is ‘Kalyan’- in acknowledgement of the auspicious ‘Kalyana-gunas’ of Shri Ram. The first part of the composition describes the timeless attributes of Ayodhya-Ram, the scion of the Surya Vamsha. Ram as the Brahman – the truth of existence, who in his Saguna form resides on the banks of the Sarayu and is ever present in the heart of Maruti. The next part of the composition describes the various landmarks in Ayodhya (Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhavan, Sarayu, Rama Janma Bhumi mandir) and the attributes of the vigraha. There is a line in there that describes the effulgence of his Tilak (that I had written even before becoming aware that the temple was designed to have the sun illuminate his tilak once a year). There is another that compares the moon-like face to the brightness of the Dipotsav.

The kriti also acknowledges the love that the devotees express towards Ram; and puns on words to acknowledge the 21st century contributors to the temple. (For instance, the phrase ‘sura-nara-indra-moditam’ has the word Narendra-Modi hidden in it; ‘Parasharatmaja’ acknowledges Shri Parasharan and the word ‘mahamatyadi’ acknowledges the archeologist K. K. Mohammed). It concludes that (apart from the places described above) Ram resides in our heart.

Purvikas: The next part of the composition acknowledges several poets and musicians who have sung of Rama. Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar (both of whom were mentored by Upanishad Brahmam an exemplary Ram Bhakta in Kanchipuram), Kalidasa, Bhadrachala Ramadasa, Kalidasa and others, and of course Valmiki.

Mudras: I acknowledge Dikshitar as the source of my inspiration using the phrase ‘Sri guruguha Maha sreshta’ and use my mudra- ‘Vidita’ in the phrase ‘Maruti Su-hrdaya viditam’.

The final part of the composition is a kirtan which is pictured on the Arti in Sarayu.

Artists: The singers Abhay Jodhpurkar and Reeshabh Purohit have done a fantastic job emoting the song and delivering it with spirit. The tabla accompaniment by Sai Shravanam is stupendous (and so is the soundscape that he has captured); the sarod played by Pratik Shrivastav adds a layer of depth; the choral singers provide ample support. I have sung a few lines along in the final recording as well.

It was a moving experience to be struck with revelations and discoveries as I composed and produced this piece; it was even more moving to watch the finished product and see the story come alive with great camera work on the artists and other visuals, edited elegantly by Sachin Dave.

My Sankalpa: It is my wish to share this with the world at large and inspire everyone to make a trip to Ayodhya in their lifetime. It is also my Sankalpa to make such music videos on 6 other places Kashi, Kanchi, Mathura, Ujjain, Haridwar and Puri – which along with Ayodhya constitute the 7 moksha-puris. (That I had referred to in the 75 Ragamala, in the raga Purya).

My Sankalpa: It is my wish to share this with the world at large and inspire everyone to make a trip to Ayodhya in their lifetime. It is also my Sankalpa to make such music videos on 6 other places Kashi, Kanchi, Mathura, Ujjain, Haridwar and Puri – which along with Ayodhya constitute the 7 moksha-puris. (That I had referred to in the 75 Ragamala, in the raga Purya).

*My initial idea was to produce a documentary film on the Footprints of Rama tracing his journey (Ramayana) through India using music and visuals from various parts of India. I had even written the outline of a script and a proposal. Perhaps it will happen at a later date.

About the Composer: Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran is an internationally renowned music composer, educator and scholar and an award winning filmmaker who is known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. His recent viral video, Rivers of India has received critical acclaim and has gone viral with words of praise from such luminaries as Anand Mahindra. Kanniks is regarded as a pioneer of Indian American Choral music; his far-reaching work in this area has touched the lives of over 3500 performers, inspired the flowering of community choirs in more than 12 U.S. cities, and built new audiences and collaborations. His flagship production ‘Shanti A Journey of Peace’ featuring a cast of 200+ is rooted in the Upanishadic vision of oneness and portrays 5000 years of Indian cultural history using choral music and multimedia.

Dr. Kanniks At Ayodhya

His research and his first-ever recording of the Indo Colonial Music of eighteenth-century composer Muthuswami Dikshitar in 2008 and his Documentary film ‘Colonial Interlude’ have received critical acclaim and awards in film festivals. Kanniks has collaborated with well-known ensembles and musician such as as Bombay Jayashri, Kaushiki Chakraborty, Ajay Chakraborty, Ranjani and Gayatri, Lakshmi Shankar, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and others. Kanniks is the recipient of several awards including the Ohio Heritage Fellowship and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Madras.

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“Harmony of Wisdom and Wellness: Hindu University of America’s Impactful Role in Ayurveda Beyond Wellness Conference”

In the luminous landscape of Ayurvedic wisdom, the Ayurveda Beyond Wellness conference, held in Orlando from October 26 to 29, 2023, became a focal point for luminaries, experts, and enthusiasts. At the heart of this transformative gathering was the Hindu University of America (HUA), standing proudly as a Silver Sponsor and the gracious host of a memorable pre-conference dinner. This blog delves into the significant role played by HUA, showcasing not only its commitment to promoting the authentic essence of Ayurveda but also its dedication to fostering a community dedicated to holistic well-being.

HUA as a Silver Sponsor:

The National Consortium of Ayurveda Medicine (NCAM) orchestrated the Ayurveda Beyond Wellness conference, bringing together global stakeholders in Orlando. The event, held from October 26 to 29, 2023, featured pre-conference sessions, panel discussions, and experiential sessions led by luminaries like Sadhguru and David Frawley. With a diverse range of topics spanning health, education, entrepreneurship, and scientific integration, NCAM’s conference marked a pivotal initiative to advance Ayurveda in the United States.

HUA’s role as a Silver Sponsor reflected its commitment to the profound wisdom encapsulated within Ayurveda. By contributing valuable insights and financial support, the university demonstrated a shared vision with the conference organizers, advancing the cause of Ayurveda on a national and global scale. This sponsorship underscored HUA’s recognition of Ayurveda as an integral part of Vedic teachings, aligning seamlessly with its mission of preserving and disseminating Vedic knowledge.

Pre-conference Dinner Hosted by HUA:

HUA’s engagement extended beyond sponsorship, as the university took the initiative to host a pre-conference dinner, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for participants. This dinner served as a platform for networking, fostering connections, and initiating conversations that set the tone for the collaborative spirit of the upcoming conference. Hosted at the administrative offices of HUA, the dinner offered a seamless blend of cultural richness and intellectual exchange.

Key Highlights of the Pre-conference Event:

1. Welcoming Address by Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman
2. Introductory Remarks by Shri Braham R. Aggarwal
3. Keynote by Shri Kalyan Viswanathan, President of HUA
4. Sitar Performance by Vaidya Kannada Narahari
5. Networking, Interactions with Ayurveda Community, and Dinner

Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman, a conference organizer and Faculty at HUA, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the university’s dedication to promoting Ayurveda and Vedic knowledge. Sri Braham R. Aggarwal, Chairman of Park Square Homes, provided visionary insights and set the tone for a conference that blended business acumen with a profound dedication to well-rounded growth. His welcome highlighted HUA’s benefactors’ commitment to holistic well-being, reflecting in philanthropy, education advocacy, and spiritual initiatives.

Shri Kalyan Viswanathan, President of HUA, delivered a keynote address that drew on his extensive association with Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati and his deep study of Hinduism, particularly from an Advaita Vedānta perspective. Emphasizing HUA’s commitment to supporting NCAM and Ayurveda initiatives in the United States, Viswanathan set the stage for harmonious integration of traditional wisdom and academic excellence in the pursuit of Ayurveda’s expansion.

Dr. Kannada Narahari, an Ayurveda doctor and accomplished sitar player, delivered a mesmerizing solo sitar performance. His musical prowess resonated, showcasing the integration of Ayurveda, literature, and music in a soulful presentation.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been accepted and adopted with greater success in China compared to Traditional Indian Medicine – Ayurveda, in India. Both Ayurveda and TCM are holistic systems of health and healing, based on a philosophy of balance and harmony. These health systems work by restoring harmony within the human body as well as within our environment in order to create optimal health and well-being. Both systems follow the principle that ‘The body is a microcosm of the universe’. They emphasize detoxification, balancing human physiology, alleviating symptoms and more importantly treating the root causes of diseases. These methods are emotionally soothing, physically calming and spiritually invigorating for the patient and therefore being used traditionally for thousands of years in India and China to treat diseases. Compared to modern medicine, both consider not only the physical condition but also the mind of a patient for diagnosis and treatment.

TCM vs Ayurveda

TCM combines herbs and acupuncture with massage, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle strategies. Physiotherapy and moxibustion are also part of TCM’s treatment regimen. Ayurvedic approaches include diet and lifestyle changes, herbs, massage, steam therapy, natural poultice, Yoga and Panchakarma, ie, Vamana (emesis therapy), Virechana (purgation therapy), Basti (enema therapy), Nasya (nasal administration) and RaktaMokshana (traditional Ayurvedic method for purification and cleansing of the blood). 

While the Ayurvedic system of medicine has been in practice for over five thousand years, it has been only in the past few decades that it started getting attention from the international community. That said, TCM is still more successful and global as it is either legal or recognized in seventy countries while Ayurveda has only been recognized in about thirty countries. Studies also show that TCM is more integrated with modern medicine in Chinese hospitals compared to Ayurveda in Indian hospitals.

Governmental support

The government in China fares better in promoting its traditional medicine, spending hundreds of millions of dollars on promoting TCM compared to what the Indian government is doing for Ayurveda. The Chinese government took over the reins of TCM in China and made sure that it was well funded. Not so for Ayurveda in India, where it is mostly practiced as a form of traditional medicine rather than as a well-researched science. The Chinese government has announced the “Healthy China 2030” as part of their agenda for health and development, which also includes TCM as a National Strategy for its citizens. In India, on the other hand, the government has started recognizing the holistic curative power of Ayurveda only in recent years. Although India houses one of the largest herbal industries in the world, it is still unable to match China’s progress to promote its ancient medicines.

Research and Scientific Evidence

Globally, there is more research and clinical trials on TCM compared to Ayurveda. The Chinese have been researching on herbal medicines since 1970 and have published reports of their findings in internationally recognized journals. TCM has also been studied extensively worldwide, and there is a significant amount of scientific evidence available on its effectiveness. There are more medical journals publishing articles on TCM compared to those on Ayurveda today.

Influence of Modern Medicine

Chinese people generally do not question TCM as much as Indians question Ayurveda even though both have been around for centuries. Interest in western medical systems is rising globally, nevertheless, few people doubt the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. In India, the influence has been the opposite. As a result of Ayurveda being brought into conflict with modern medicine and science, more people have taken up this ancient treatment method only as a last-minute alternative to western style medicine if things don’t work out.

Ayurveda and the Hindu Religion

TCM in China was not an integrated form of medicine like Ayurveda in India, but it was more widespread and accepted. It did not attach itself to the Hindu religion like Ayurveda did throughout India’s history, creating different philosophical and ideological differences between the two systems of medicine. The Chinese medicine is a form of traditional medicine based on the theory that health and disease are due to the natural laws. Ayurveda includes both medical and philosophical theories, as well as techniques for diagnosis and treatment which can involve spiritual methods and medicinal substances. Therefore, many people believe that Ayurveda as a system includes science, philosophy, and religious faith (Hinduism.) To be clear, while Ayurveda does have its theory rooted in the Vedic view of the world, there is no requirement for one to accept the origins in order to benefit from what the holistic medicinal system has to offer.

Outgoing thoughts

With the rise in popularity of Ayurveda over the last decade, it is fast catching up to TCM globally and becoming more familiar to many in the West. In India, the government has been supporting Ayurveda for many years now and has increased its funding. They are setting up Ayurvedic hospitals in each district making it more accessible and establishing universities for training and research in Ayurveda. The government is also increasing consumer awareness about the benefits of Ayurvedic products, promoting health consciousness among consumers, and expanding product availability across tier II and III cities. With increase in chronic conditions and lifestyle disorders, the world is starting to recognize the benefits of complementary and alternative healthcare systems like Ayurveda and Yoga for managing these diseases. Though Traditional Chinese Medicine is today performing better from mainstream adoption standpoint than Traditional Indian Medicine, the time for Ayurveda to shine has come!

Editorial assistance provided by Dr. Kalyani Samantray, Sri Sri University

Enroll in one or all of HUA’s Ayurveda Courses:

Essential Nutrition

Disease Through the Lens of Ayurveda

Ayurveda – The Wisdom of Wellbeing

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Despite growing support, Ayurveda struggles to compete with modern medicine in India due to a lack of awareness and misconceptions. Limited research and availability hinder its mainstream acceptance, but with increasing government support, awareness and confidence in Ayurveda can be fostered.

Modern Medicine and Ayurveda in India

India has been acknowledged as the pharmacy of the world and an advocate of modern medicine. However, there is a definite lack of awareness about Ayurveda amongst the Indian population, especially the younger generation. Despite growing Governmental support, the system has been facing challenges in disseminating the knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine and its modalities.

Today, the norm in India is that people seek doctors who have an MBBS, MD degrees over ayurvedic doctors with a BAMS, MD degrees. Since India is a fast-growing country with booming industries and overflowing working-class population, the restless need to achieve quicker results makes them choose modern over Ayurvedic medicine. The field of Ayurveda needs to take cognizance of educating the society on what is possible through Ayurvedic medicines along with highlighting its benefits.

Ayurveda and Allopathy have always had a challenging relationship. People have been influenced by modern medicine as they believe it to be scientific, faster in action, showing quicker relief from symptoms, easily available and above all endorsed by the media. Many label Ayurveda as a pseudoscience because of their limited exposure and lack of understanding about its basic principles. Treating a disease or any condition by cutting it open or addressing a symptom with a pill is a faster, easier approach than healing or reversing it from its roots.

The science of Ayurveda has been difficult to translate in terms of modern medical concepts and terminologies since they have different approaches to diseases and are not equivalent systems. Even then, many expect Ayurvedic concepts and its influence on healing to be validated by scientific evidence. There exist widespread misconceptions about this natural science of life. Let us look at some of the common aspects that have led people to not consider Ayurveda as a mainstream system.

Lack of awareness on origins of several Modern Medicines

According to researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the United States, around 70% of all new drugs introduced in the country in recent decades have been derived from natural sources. Friedrich Serturner- integrated natural medicine with modern medicine after extracting morphine from opium which is widely used as a painkiller. As Pharmaceutical industries began using synthetic techniques to develop medicines, many forget that the discovery of several modern medicines was through natural products or sources. The benefits and indications of Ahiphena (opium) have already been mentioned in our ancient Indian literatures.

Insurance Reimbursements

For most people, Insurance has become a major factor in choosing a treatment for most conditions. They are influenced by their health insurance and its coverage in making medical decisions. Cashless reimbursements are not available at most Ayurvedic Centers, where one must first pay out of pocket. Though insurance coverage for AYUSH systems have been introduced in India, the treatment must be done at a government recognized hospital or institution or be accredited by the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).

Limited Scientific Data and Research Publications

During ancient times, acharyas (sages) of Ayurveda have written voluminous works on different specialties like living healthy lifestyles, curing diseases from its roots, performing surgeries etc. The collections of these resource materials have not been adequately translated or made accessible for modern medical research. Despite numerous efforts made by individuals and organizations to conduct research, the lack of investment into Ayurvedic research has been a major setback. With limited people undergoing treatment with Ayurvedic medicines, the availability of data for analysis and publication becomes limited. Research journals that do publish research on Ayurvedic treatment principles and concepts don’t get the necessary spotlight and attention from the media and public. People are hence aware of Ayurveda but are unaware of its true benefits and actual impact on health outcomes.

Western and Media Influence

Western influence has a lot to do with people’s psychology related to modern medicines. People are habituated to following the mainstream media that is heavily influenced by western cultures and way of doing things. This has increased endorsements and advertisements causing a large influx of modern pharmaceutical products into the country. Funding from government and the private sectors for research, testing, and publishing in AYUSH are also influenced by how things are done in the West. For 2022-23, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been allocated with a budge of Rs 86,201 crore, while the Ministry of AYUSH has received an allocation of Rs 3,050 crore (just 3.5% compared to the Ministry of Health). Practice of Ayurveda with a BAMS, MD degree has been a challenge in foreign countries. Lack of Ayurvedic institutions, courses, hospitals, or clinics have caused people to be unaware of its importance in the West. Nonetheless, as we saw a slow transformation in the recent past with adoption of yoga and meditation, the time for Ayurveda is next.

Pseudo Advocates have not helped

Commercial companies instill the word ‘Ayurvedic’ in their products as a marketing strategy to attract and retain customers, whereas, in reality, it wouldn’t even be an Ayurvedic formulation. Several street vendors setup stores proclaiming to treat various diseases in the name of Ayurveda and other irrational methods. These spurious claims impact the reputation of Ayurvedic doctors who spent nearly a decade studying and training in Ayurveda. They tamper with the reputation of Ayurveda and cloud people’s judgment.

Everything takes time and effort with Ayurveda

Ayurvedic treatments require consistency and patience. The number of medicines prescribed are more and repeated consultations are necessary to properly assess the effect of medicine on the patient’s body. Since people demand quicker results, they opt for a faster modern medicine approach compared to Ayurveda. Moreover, as Ayurvedic formulations are all naturally derived, its shelf life is lesser compared to modern medicines. The procedure to source herbs to prepare an Ayurvedic formulation is tedious and requires lot of manual labor, whereas modern medicines are synthetically prepared with the help of machines.

Common Misconceptions

There are many common misconceptions associated with Ayurveda that have been bred in people’s minds. For instance, some think that Ayurveda is outdated and hence slow to work. Some blindly believe that Ayurveda means just massages and decoctions, but didn’t know that there is a lot of knowledge in Ayurveda around Surgeries, Deliveries, Pre-conception, Neonatal care etc. Some feel that Ayurvedic treatment does not require a doctor and self-medication can be done with herbs at home. Many others start adopting Ayurvedic treatments only after the modern medicine approach has failed.

Outgoing Thoughts

The roots of Ayurveda being the primary public health system has transformed into deep reliance on modern medicine, especially for the next generation. Though western influence has always impacted the healthcare system in India, people are gradually coming to terms with the benefits of Ayurvedic Medicine. Of course, every healthcare system has its own flaws, but it is important to recognize and acknowledge the advantages of different systems of medicine. Recently, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “AYUSH doctors are equally recognized as Allopathic doctors now.” With increasing government support, it is time to come out of comfort zones for common good and envision a smart strategy to create awareness, build scientific evidence, foster confidence in the youth and open the minds of the public to acknowledge Ayurveda as a mainstream healthcare system.

Enroll in one or all of HUA’s Fall 2022 Ayurveda Courses:

Essential Nutrition

Disease Through the Lens of Ayurveda

Ayurveda – The Wisdom of Wellbeing

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The power of Āyurveda is immense and much of it remains untapped; and it is important for us to revisit this timeless science of healing and unravel its magnificence.

Approaching Āyurveda

Isn’t it a sense of pride and joy to know that one’s heritage holds a potential key to ease human suffering? Our traditional systems of knowledge and wisdom hold the key to unlock the secrets of health and wellness—physically, physiologically and mentally—and even handhold us through our spiritual journey. This ancestral and indigenous wisdom comes to us from a timeless source as an upaveda – Āyurveda, making it a consciousness-based paradigm aimed to maintain a balance between body, mind and spirit.

It is not surprising, given our colonized conditioning, that the first mention of Āyurveda may immediately draw us to thoughts of smelly oils, bitter potions and unpalatable herbal tablets. Some may even immediately think of the numerous spas and exotic wooden tables with intricate carvings in heritage homes – the experience made complete with copious amounts of herb infused oils and body treatments that are a far removed from the European Swedish massage strokes directed for venous return and instant muscle relaxation.

Āyurveda, however, is much more than massages and symptomatic relief. It is a way of life that expresses the wisdom contained in the vedas for all beings to experience good health which is further extended to the spirit and wellbeing of community.

Most people approach health in a very self-contained and restrictive way. The mainstream models of wellness have often been associated with symptomatic relief keeping our attention fixed to the manifested symptoms and effectively away from addressing underlying causes that need to be eliminated. We have been conditioned to downplay our individual sense of ‘knowing’, intuition or very simply, our body awareness. Āyurveda’s approach has always been to put individual awareness of our health and intuitive connection foremost – giving credence to that ‘I don’t know how to explain it, but I don’t feel well’ expression especially when there is no manifested symptom or bloodwork to justify the reported dis-ease.

This intangibility of symptomatic observation has historically and painfully placed Āyurveda in the confines of labels like ‘irrational quackery’ for many generations, creating mistrust and cruelly providing room for ridicule even amongst the inheritors of this wisdom. Yet, the timelessness of this truth, this jñāna, remains intact. Cryptic, philosophical and ethereal, isn’t it?

The philosophy of Āyurveda sets the basic stratum of understanding all of creation. All matter, which not only includes humans and other sentient beings but also the inanimate rocks, crystals and liquids, arises from that same primordial essence which makes our very existence a matrix of sorts. The pañchamahābhūta (five great elements) and the Tridoṣa (three theory are not just imaginative facets. They are energetic principles that look at creation through an unfathomable depth of understanding of their ‘being’ness – giving voice to their inherent nature and subsequently our nature.

The beauty of this tradition of wisdom is that although it may sometimes be a bit vague to logically comprehend without analogies, it relies on recognizing the gunas or qualities of matter; the very substance that we all are made of. Our constitution of both body and mind depends on this. Understanding our constitution helps us to identify natural foods, practices and protocols that can both prevent disease and correct early signs of imbalance to avoid an aggravation of symptoms. When our bodies experience disease and poor health, nature in her abundance has a plethora of remedies that can address the imbalance. I have personally found it fascinating to observe how the state of my mind and mood have drawn me to different foods and cooking ingredients at various times. The possibilities to apply Āyurveda in our lives, including managing relationships and even careers, are limitless! We derive our sustenance from nature and are a part of the same fabric that sustains it as well.

This understanding also gives us a unique insight into the fundamental and existential question of identity that most of us seek at some point in our lives – “Who am I?” In the process, we expand our awareness to recognize the existential truth of those around us too. This expanded consciousness brings with itself the promise of wellness through community and peaceful relationships in the service of Dharma. A healthy body, then, is the ideal vehicle to work towards our swadharma, our purpose in life.

Āyurveda also establishes wellness through an expression of the four objects of human pursuit, the puruśārthas; dharma (ethics), artha (prosperity), kāma (pleasure), and mokṣa (liberation); and our vehicle for this pursuit, being our mind-body complex, needs to be cared for and maintained towards this goal.

Our vedas have always been a source of guidance and empowerment. Āyurveda has traditionally been approached as a tool of empowerment for individuals; making health accessible to every individual, giving us the power to heal and strengthen our bodies and minds through the unfolding of our swadharma-informed choices. Our traumatic colonial history has stripped our nation of our access to and memory of this sacred source of wellness. In the process we have been alienated from our ancestral wisdom in favor of a donor culture, that has its place in its own right, but has also come at the expense of a loss of our heritage, and quite unfairly too. Needless to say, our access to Āyurveda today comes with a sense of deep gratitude to our ancestors who have endured the pain to safeguard this wisdom with severe risk, and having lost many lives and limbs in the process. It is our right to reclaim this gift of our culture from our ancestors, to not just revive what could otherwise potentially be lost, but also to be able to use it to elevate the consciousness of humanity as a whole.

Our physical, physiological, mental, and emotional health stands to be nourished and strengthened with Āyurveda. Interpersonal relationships can be strengthened just from knowing ourselves better, and consequently, knowing others too. The health, stability and peace from our homes hold the potential to influence and impact our environment and the people and beings in our surroundings. The power of Āyurveda is immense and much of it remains untapped. It is important for us to revisit this ancient and timeless science of wisdom and healing, and unravel its magnificence. For truly, it is the Āyurveda – the veda (knowledge) of āyuḥ (life).

Cover Image Credit: iStock images

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Hindu studies in academic institutions of all levels is important to present the breadth and depth of Hindu thought to humanity. The opportunity to receive this education is important for the sake of our own understanding of our past, and for giving credit that is much deserved and long-overdue.

Ayurveda and Beyond: The Need for Hindu Studies In Academic Institutions

I was recently engaged in a discussion with a doctor friend of mine around a meme on Ayurveda. The discussion was on a social media platform, and was open to input from other readers and observers. The post had driven a lot of sympathetic agreement from the conventional medical fraternity and, in general, vouched for a sentiment that established Ayurveda to be an inferior, non-scientific, and unrecognized form of nonsense (a.k.a. quackery). The caption indicated that Ayurvedic doctors were ill-qualified medical practitioners who inevitably put patients’ lives at risk, while conventional medical doctors were out there saving lives and picking up the mess after Vaidyas, who were most likely considered graduates of weekend or short-term courses. Of course, there was no awareness of Ayurvedic education, the effort that went into preparing towards its practice, and worse, there wasn’t any impetus to take any step towards understanding the tradition, either.

These conversations are not new to me. I come from a conventional medical background, too. However, being curious and seeking by nature, my education had shifted from curative and symptomatic allopathy, towards Ayurveda and holistic wellness – a more consciousness-based health practice. Now that I have established my perspective towards this conversation with my friend, which then went to many aspects of significance to many of us contemporary Indians, let me narrate further what happened.

My conversation with my friend began with an invitation to place some fillers on the table to clear at least a few gaps in the understanding: that Ayurveda was not quackery, that surgery in Ayurveda was not borrowed from modern surgeons, and that Ayurvedic practitioners, like modern medical practitioners, underwent intensive training in diagnostics, treatment, and surgery before they graduated. I also invited my friend to consider how Ayurveda—like many other indigenous practices and protocols of wellness—were practically annihilated at the hands of colonizers (especially the British), and that what has survived is a cherished legacy that comes from a time much before Hippocrates. I also expounded that Ayurveda had a much deeper intent; one that involves the overall wellbeing of the patient, even spiritual well being. You have to remember that I was speaking to a rational mind, and you can imagine where that might head.

How do you think my passionate plea was met?

With the inevitable “Let’s agree to disagree on this,” and other rational points that refused to budge from the set-in-stone paradigm that ‘Western Allopathic Medicine’ was superior, scientific, accepted, and had a ton of past and ongoing research to prove itself as legitimate; while Ayurveda is unregulated in its formulation, may have ingredients that are toxic (yes, the irony isn’t lost on this one), is established in some mumbo-jumbo pseudoscience, has doctors who cannot communicate universally in common medical jargon, and at best, has quacks holding MS certificates in witchcraft while at worst, it puts innocent and naïve people’s (not patients’) lives at risk by using ‘jadi buti’ concoctions, and, most significantly that—“colonialism, or the effects of our history, have nothing to do with it.”

So, where does that leave us?

I’ll begin by saying that as much as I may have presented the above paragraphs with a tone of frustrated ludicrousness—because it doesn’t really get accepted as ‘ludicrous’ by conventional medics—I come from a place of deep pain and anguish when I say this. Pain and anguish because, aside from the imminent intention that both parties have towards saving lives, the chasm between the two worlds of medicine seems to be ever widening. At the same time, the common history of the two practitioners, both siblings born of the same land, is met with polar opposite views with one glaring difference. The wealth of a legacy in Ayurveda from a bitter history stands to face ridicule, disdain, and eventual elimination at the hands of our educated youth who continue to perpetuate the narrative ingrained deep into our psyche over many generations – that the English Way must be the Right Way!

In my opinion, this can be addressed by ensuring that authentic studies about the history, culture, practices and streams of wisdom of India, as well as the Hindu thought, be an essential part of learning for children of all ages and in all academic institutions. As a mother, I see how children absorb the stories, ideologies, beliefs, and values that they are exposed to. Unfortunately, our educational system is established in a way that conveys the history of figures and dates, without making the learning from history available to our children. Eventually, parents with poor exposure to our rich past will hardly be a repository of authentic resources for future generations; leaving behind a country with one of the largest populations (of both citizens and diaspora) believing in a misrepresented view of their own culture—the largest, and practically the only, survivor of the Ancient Civilizations. An education grounded in pride in one’s heritage, imparted by custodians of that country and community, building a foundation of openness and tolerance, may break the vicious cycle of dominant narratives as perpetuated by those in power, and create space for a more diverse truth leading to subsequent healing for all concerned.

When I was in med school in the Ukraine, we had to study Ukrainian history, religion, and psychology as mandatory subjects for two years. Religion covered Christianity, Hinduism (taught by an Indian Hindu Pandit), Judaism, Buddhism and Islam (with teachers from both Shia and Sunni sections). Additionally, we had a woman who taught us about herbalism and natural phenomena. I found this a very unique approach, because I don’t think this is–or was–standard curriculum in any Indian medical institution.

Hindu studies in academic institutions of all levels is important, not to indoctrinate or proselytize students, but to present the breadth and depth of Hindu thought to humanity. It is an opportunity to represent history as it was experienced by us. The same history of Hindu thought that influenced and impacted modern sciences, mathematics, music, astronomy, and many other fields, and the rich literature and philosophy that stands to help inspire peaceful collaboration between individuals and societies, not to mention countries across the world.

With this in mind, I believe that reaching out to schools, colleges and universities with well-constructed programs, offered by institutions well-versed in the subject matter under Hindu Studies, might be a way forward. I am also aware that changes in the education system to affect such an inclusion will face massive resistance from parents, educators, and the political agenda that would see this as a threat, as opposed to an opportunity to learn, collaborate, and unify.

In an effort to eliminate echo chambers and preaching to the choir, the effort really should include outreach—although it is a bit funny to think of the silenced voice reaching out to the dominant loudspeaker for an opportunity to be heard. Yet, I would like to think that starting somewhere is key.

It is time that we have doctors, lawyers, musicians, scientists, herbalists, activists, and others who are aware of the significance of our heritage and history. To take pride, with humility, from the lessons history has sought to teach us and find ways to incorporate that into our rationalism. This would be of benefit not just to elicit equity, but also to share the gifts of Hindu Thought with the world. It would only help in expanding our awareness, wouldn’t it?

I, for one, as an educator with a platform and a small–yet potent–audience, would love to learn the depth of such conversations to be able to share and educate further.

These conversations are important.

Education is important.

The opportunity to receive this education is important not just for the sake of the conversation and for shifting the paradigm, but for the sake of our own understanding of our past, and for giving credit that is much deserved and long-overdue.

These conversations require courage. It isn’t easy to be the underdog in these conversations, yet with the current tide of the narrative, that is exactly where we would be starting from—a place where they expect us to fail. Initiating these conversations should be approached with thorough preparation, unshakeable intent and support. The people delivering the content should be mentored to be well-versed, approachable and well-grounded critical thinkers with the ability to take the criticisms that will certainly come in.

We should also publish more contemporary literature, even beyond academic papers; to reach the critical mass of readers – even native readers – because the current trend is to absorb the received knowledge that reeks of colonial script. I call it reimporting repackaged wisdom—we pay to consume our own inheritance. We need more contemporary publications from our own authentic sources. We need—no, we deserve the opportunity and supportive environment to lift our heritage back to a place where it gets its overdue credit. We deserve the right to make our voices heard where it matters to be heard – everywhere!

Luvena Krishnamurthy

Cover Picture Credit: Chinh Le – Unsplash

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