History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c22.s3.16

v1.c22.s3.16

3. *Sattvāvajaya Cikitsā*: The expression ‘*Sattva*’ has many meanings but in this context it means ‘mind’ (*CS. Sū* 1.46). Subjugation of mind has been prescribed as a special therapeutic technique to deal with psychic and psycho-somatic diseases. This has the import of psychotherapy and counselling for it is reduction of mind to restrain itself from unwholesome preoccupation. *Caraka* argues that most of our troubles are due to folly or errors of judgement (*Prajñāparādha*) and to avoid or eliminate the troubles one must live correctly (*Saḍvṛtta*). Correct living, according to Ayurveda, does not involve supernatural sanction or vedic authorities. It is a wholesome integrated living which adequately fulfills the three fundamental motivations i.e. urge for self preservation (*Praṇeṣaṇa*), the desire for material provisions which make life comfortable (*Dhaneṣaṇa*) and a longing for better state of existence, here and hereafter (*Paralokaiṣaṇā*). Ethics is thus judiciously subordinated to pragmatic considerations.