Ayurveda deals in the formulation of fundamentals of medical science with a true wholistic approach; so fundamentals of Ayurveda have universal application. The most important aspect is consideration of space and time as part of the human body. It would be interesting to appreciate the human body in its cosmic relevance.

This book appreciates different methods of gaining the knowledge (epistemology). The references have been taken from the Vedas, Upanishads, Darshans and Gita. Emphasis has been given on the relevant portion of above said texts only. A synthesis of modern and ancient epistemology has been also attempted.

Medical field is a very widely spread system. Medical system has developed along with humankind. Different cultures developed in the different parts of world; and every culture had its own philosophy and methods of the perception of surrounding. When diseases thwarted mankind then the varieties of healing therapies developed, which were based upon different methods of perception. In spite of differences in methods of perception and understanding, the purpose of all healing therapies is to provide a status of health to the mankind. Every therapy has something to contribute. The fact that people are using these therapies to their benefits is sufficient to prove their utility. There must be some deep-seated relation in all therapies since they have developed to fulfill the same purpose.

Application of the philosophy of knowledge (epistemology) in the medical science is needed to answer these questions. It is not a new field; Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, is just that. This book is an attempt to strengthen the Ayurvedic concept of medicine by studying the history and consequent evolution of the knowledge in medical field. We find that various phases in the evolution of science conform only to the various steps of gaining the knowledge.

History of science reveals the repeated changes in paradigms, which were employed to explain the reality. Modern scientific approach is often criticized for being too unstable as the scientific theories change every year; but changes in the paradigms have only further strengthened the universal viewpoint. These paradigm shifts are not the failure of scientific methods but essential components of the process of gaining knowledge.

Above statement will be appreciated by looking into the history of science in context of gradual change in the perception of reality from the sheer objectivity to subjectivity. Subjectivity of reality prevails at the end but objective approach also helps in understanding the reality at the same time. This is wholistic approach in the true sense. Subjective approach alone is as incomplete as the objectivity alone. Wholistic approach is the proper blend of the two approaches. Dominance of any of the two approaches will cause the problem of balance. Today, we can afford to criticize the modern materialistic approach for not being perfect because the advancements made in the field of medical science have peaked and the modern medical science is still far from being perfect. Ancient subjective approach can be applied to explain whatever is not perceptible through the modern objective approach. World would have been devoid of all the modern scientific inventions if only the subjectivity had prevailed.

Purpose of the presented text is not criticism of any particular scientific method but appreciation of different scientific methods in universal view. Science is not different from philosophy; it only relates to the usefulness of the philosophy in context of human kind. Whereas purpose of science is to look into the usefulness of various discoveries and inventions in materialistic sense, the purpose of the philosophy is to look into universality of the usefulness. When the usefulness becomes universal then there is no distinction left between the science and philosophy.

First part of the book starts with the brief opening note on the wholistic nature of Ayurveda. Then it proceeds to its journey in the realm of roots of Ayurveda; the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita and Darshans. Only original texts sans commentaries are discussed. Terse language of Vedas is sequentially unfolded in the ten principal Upanishads. Chapter of Vedic concepts discuss the unfolded Upanishadic principles in relation to basic principles of Ayurveda. Gita further simplifies the Vedic principles and discusses the practical application of those principles. Darshans herald the real application of the Vedic knowledge in the practical life. Darshans reveal path to the true knowledge and paves the way for emergence of science. Vaisheshik Darshan is a real endeavour into the making of a science.

Second part of the book discusses the basic nature and developmental history of the modern science. It is necessary part of the book to understand present approach of the modern medical science.

Third part of the book attempts at the synthesis of Ayurvedic and modern approaches. It is important to understand that the present status of modern medical science was established in late sixties of twentieth century and after that there had been no headway into the scientific researches though the problems are mounting. Systems theories have been proposed as an alternative to remove the prevailing stagnation in modern medical field. Coherence of the system theories with Ayurvedic principles has been established in this book. Ayurveda has the potential and capacity to be adopted as a role model to find solution to the present stagnation in the modern medical science.

Book ends with the epilogue that reveals Ayurveda as a wholistic medical science. Epilogue also forms the catalogue of contents for further reading in the next volume of the book ‘Principles of Ayurveda'.