Ayurvedic Quotes

Ayurveda is the time-tested, natural, prevention-oriented and holistic health care system of ancient India. Living an Ayurveda lifestyle can certainly lead us to a life of complete well-being on all levels. Here are some Ayurvedic quotes that you should practice in life:

• There are ten sins pertaining to the body, mind and speech which should be avoided. They are violence, robbery, unlawful sex, calumny, abuse, lie, and speech which cause dissension and quarrel, jealousy and finding fault in others.
• One should speak appropriately to the occasion; which words are good, in brief, which is not true and which is pleasing.
• One should not be a slave to the senses nor should one let loose his fickle mind.
• One should not inflict too much burden on the intellect or the senses.
• Be tolerant towards unpleasant words uttered by others. Be the controller of intolerance.
• Be friendly to all creatures, reconcile the anger, console the frightened, be merciful to the poor and be truthful.
• Be peaceful and conquer the very roots of attachment and hatred.

The following are not exact quotes but rather some food for thought.

• Maharshi Charaka said that the one desirous of his well-being here in this life and hereafter should suppress urges or impulses relating to rashness and evil deeds – mentally, orally, and physically.
• Mental urges which need to be checked are greed, grief, fear, anger, vanity, shamelessness, jealousy, feverishness and malice.
• Oral urges which need to be checked are harsh words, excessive talking, backbiting, lying and the use of untimely words.
• Physical urges which need to be checked are violence, adultery and persecution.
• Ayurveda has a theory that anything can be food, medicine or poison, depending on who is eating, what is eaten and how much is eaten. A familiar usage in the context is the quote “One man’s food is another man’s poison”.

Aparna K. BAMS, MD, PhD

Aparna is one of the few specialists worldwide with a PhD in Ayurveda. Born into an Ayurvedic family which operates a traditional Ayurvedic Panchakarma hospital in Kerala, India, she grew up observing her father, the renowned Dr Padmanabhan.