What is health:-
“sama dosha sama agnischa sama dhatu mala kriyaaha|
Prasanna atma indriya manaha swastha iti abhidheeyate”
– Sushruta Samhita
Meaning:
One is in perfect health when the Three doshas( vata, pitta and Kapha)Digestive fire ( digestion, assimilation and metabolism) all the body tissues & components (Dhatus)(the entire physical body) all the excretory functions (the physiological functions of urination and defecation) are in perfect order with a pleasantly disposed and contented mind, senses and spirit.
Explanation:
Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three functionalities, which govern all the physiological, psychological and spiritual aspects of one’s life. They each have five subdivisions, delicately intertwined. Ayurveda describes in great detail as to how they function and how to keep them in balance and also how to bring them into balance when they are out of balance.
Digestive fire: This is called Agni. Agni can be equated to the word metabolism. This includes the digestion, absorption, assimilation. Conversion of the assimilated food into various Dhatus, such as Plasma, blood, muscle, bone, fat, seminal fluid in men and Artava in women (There is no equivalent term in English for Artava) and finally Ojas or the vital force of the body.
Excretory functions: Ayurveda puts great emphasis for the excretory functions to be in perfect order to be in perfect health. This would prevent diseases. Keeps one in good health, spirit and gives long life. Ayurveda elaborately describes how one should maintain one’s lifestyle.
Pleasantly disposed contented spirit, senses and mind:Ayurveda’s definition of health is all encompassing. Social well being can only be possible when all these criteria are met.
Definition of Health acc. to WHO:
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Needless to say that thousands of years ago, Ayurveda defined health so perfectly that it reflects in the definition of health by WHO.