Marma Points of Ayurveda - Vasant Lad and Anisha Durve - ISBN 978-1-883725-19-8
Classical Ayurveda is based on Tridoshas (three cardinal humours - Kapha, Vata and Pitta). Maintaining the balance of the Tridoshas in the body results in health, while vitiation of one or more of the Doshas results in imbalance called Vyadhi (disease).
Tridoshas are derived from five universal elements called Panchamahabhutas (Panch = five, Maha = great, Bhuta = principles). The principles are Prithvi – Matter, Aap – Water, Tej – Fire, Vayu – Air and Akash – Space.
The balance of Panchamahabhutas in the body results in health, while their imbalance leads to disease. It is a deeper and sutler form of targeted treatment. Since it eliminates the root cause of the disease at a more elemental level, rather than its symptoms, its effectiveness has been proven with miraculous results.
This specialisation in Ayurveda was re-learnt and further researched by “Brihattrayiratna* Vaidyaraj Atmaram Waman Datarshastri”. Along with his huge lineage of student Vaidyas^, he established the “Vaidyaraj Datar Panchabhautik Chikitsa & Samshodhan Kendra” (an education and research centre) at Sangli, a small town in the State of Maharashtra India.
This form of Ayurvedic treatment has helped the poor and working class, who can rarely afford an expensive Panchakarma Treatment. Datarshastri also developed a unique set of simple herbal formulations making them more effective and potent, resulting in reduction of dosages and costs.