Fundamental Theories [in Charaka philosophy]

Cosmology, the theory of five physical elements (pañcabhūtasiddhānta), and the theory of “three faults”^[1] (tridoṣasiddhānta) are the most important fundamental theories of Āyurveda.

A real understanding of man and the world presupposes the knowledge of the world constituents. Without ascertaining their real nature, their role in world construction, and also the recurrent events of origin and destruction, it is not possible to arrive at a true or at least satisfactory conclusion regarding their role in human existence. This is most essential in Āyurveda because the coceptualisation and practice of therapeutics solely depend on the theoretical concepts of world constitution. Āyurveda is scientifically established on the foundation of the theory of five physical elements,^[2] the edifice being the theory of three faults. Āyurveda explains the physiological and psychological aspects of human existence and formulates the theories for the protection and promotion of health on their basis. It is with this view that Caraka describes how the world is constructed and by what being it is peopled. The pañcabhūta theory essentially explains the structure of things, on which the particular qualities and properties are based.^[3] Āyurveda tries to understand the pharmacology, pathology, human physiology, medicine and therapeutics on the basis of the pañcabhūta doctrine.^[4] The theory of the three faults (tridoṣasiddhānta) is a biological interpretation of the pañcabhūtasiddhānta. So, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the fundamental theories of cosmology, the five physical elements (pañcabhūtas), and the three faults (tridoṣa). Time and space, the two substances, also share importance in therapeutucs. So they are also discussed in this chapter.