A conceptual analysis on Atma Vijnanam from health care perspective: A Review of Ayurvedic Classics

Abstract

For millennia across the globe knowledge about the outer world i.e. physical knowledge and self-knowledge have been well recognized as the core principle of life and living. Exploration of self-knowledge through understanding the fundamental cognitive part of the self i.e., self-concept and self-realization provide the firm basis for attainment of broader aspect of health as well as for fulfillment of basic pursuits of human life (Purusartha). But the importance of self-concept, self-actualization, self-realization etc. both for a recipient and health care provider from health care perspective are relatively underdeveloped. The most neglected area in medical field is ignorance about exploration of self-knowledge and self-awareness both by healthcare provider and recipient. But the philosophy of Ayurved and visionary thought of great seers of Ayurveda discovered the knowledge of true self lies at the root of all knowledge such as virtue, health, happiness etc to get rid from all miseries created by self. An effort has been made by the author for exploration of value of understanding the true self and self-knowledge from health care perspective as vividly explained in Ayurvedic classics.