AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM is the river of knowledge with Her Holiness Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi as its fount. This river finds its course across five campuses, with 15 schools of excellence, offering more than 120 degree programs (Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral) with a strong contingent of 1500 faculty and 13,000 students. It is today a multi-disciplinary institution in the real sense with path-breaking research in the areas of Engineering, Medicine, Management and Communication. With the mission of offering value-based education in letter and spirit, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham designs the courses of study that are continuously reviewed and updated, keeping abreast with the advancements in the field. The Management is committed to creating and sustaining an ambience that is most conducive to learning and nurturing youth who are intellectually competent and socially committed.
The Amrita School of Ayurveda pursues a unique path in blending ancient philosophies and science of health by nurturing a better breed of Ayurvedic physicians, professionally world class and mentally equipped to meet the challenges of the modern world.
Amrita School of Ayurveda, Amritapuri was established in the year 2004 and managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math Trust. The college has developed into a prestigious centre for education in Ayurveda, nationally as well as internationally, under the gracious guidance of its founder and spiritual guru, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.
In today’s world, Ayurveda is gaining an increasing importance in the healthcare field. The Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre attached to the Amrita School of Ayurveda is engaged in research and manufacturing of Ayurvedic medicines. The Institution is situated on 25 acres of beautiful land near the backwaters along the coast of Kerala, 2 miles west of Karunagappally from NH-47 in Kollam District and is at walkable distance from the Ashram headquarters. It has an overall built-up area of 200,000 square feet shared by the school and an attached hospital with a capacity of 250 beds. The college runs the BAMS graduate course and certificate courses in Panchakarma and Ayurvedic Pharmacy.
The mission of our school is to provide a value-based education and mould the character of our younger generation through synergy of science and spirituality so that their earnest endeavour to achieve progress and prosperity in life is matched by an ardent desire to extend selfless service to the society, one complementing the other.
Providing excellent traditional and classical Ayurveda treatment by a team of dedicated doctors and creating a premier, patient focused and integrated health care delivery system and achieving the highest grade of patient satisfaction.
The Faculty of Ayurveda has been established with the following aims and objectives:
The vision of the school is to actively pioneer the students with highest quality of traditional values of Ayurveda.
The school will strive to advance, innovative teaching methods and research that it can meet the needs of nation in preparation of medicine and management of diseases through Ayurveda.
To provide superior quality undergraduate programmes and in the future, postgraduate programmes in Ayurveda, with state of art facilities, to enhance the research and learning experience, and facilitate the training of a skilled work force to meet the current and future needs of Ayurvedic fields of medical science. Other goals of the institution are:
The B.A.M.S. course provides a vibrant environment where science, education and technology go hand in hand. It catalyzes an environment for innovative teachings and research in the field of Ayurvedic management of different types of diseases. Ayurveda takes care of the disabled and diseased – those who need to be protected , recovered and saved from their disabilities and ailments. These goals are achieved by providing excellent training in the field of preparation of medicine and clinical training of students in disease management, so that they become competent and can satisfy the needs of society in traditional health care. Extension activities include conducting frequent medical camps, awareness classes conducted by students and providing research projects within the curriculum and professional course. These are carried out through:
Swami Sankaramritananda Puri (Dr. C. Nagarajan)
Dean
Amrita School of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the science of life where the knowledge of both Hita and Ahita Ayu, Sukha and Dukha Ayu, wholesome and unwholesome things in relation to life and the Pramana of life are explained.
The doctrine of Ayurveda is not exactly meant only for the medical practitioners. Its principles and practices can be learnt even from the peasants also. Our Grandmothers and cowherds knew the uses of many drugs for common problems, simple formulations, healthy food preparations and many more such things which were according to the principles of Ayurveda. Slowly we see that such knowledge and practices are declining from the society and even though we think that we are protecting the science. But in reality seldom we remember that it is the same science which has given us material prosperity and self respect including health. So we all have a duty toward Ayurveda which has provided everything to us we need.
An incident from the life of Swami Vivekananda will illustrate this point
Once, when Swami Vivekananda was wandering in India, he was travelling in a train. He became acquainted with the T. T. R of the train and they were conversing many things about spirituality. Swamiji was invited to the house of the TTR. When they were having dinner a beggar was begging for food which was a normal custom during that time. Vivekanda moved into tears and could not eat further. Seeing the agony that Swamiji was having, the Guest consoled him saying that he will offer enough food for the beggar also and Swamiji need not worry. Swamiji said “I am not worried about this beggar alone. They are thousands of beggars in India. I am worried about them also.” The TTR could not say anything. He humbly said “Swamiji, Whatever you command I will follow. But please eat now.” Swamiji replied “You join me as Sanyasi and help me in my mission”. The TTR laughed “ Swamiji, You yourself are without food and you are begging. By joining you I will also become a beggar. Do you really want me to do so?”
Swamiji replied. “Yes. That is the way the tradition has been. The disciple has to continue where the Guru has left. In whatever way possible the disciple has to contribute and participate in the mission of the Guru.”
It is needless to say that the TTR became his sanyasi disciple and served the country for many years.
Ayurveda, the great tradition has been kept alive by the great and selfless Vaidyas of past. Most of them lived a very simple and traditional life envisaged in the scriptures. Through their words and action they could inspire people around them to practice Ayurveda. They educated many students in Gurukula freely and propagated the science for the past thousands of years. Now the Ayurvedic students cannot find many role models or Gurus whom they can follow totally.
It is told in Bhagavat Gita “Whatever the elders do, the younger ones follow them automatically”. So it is not enough if we advise our patients or prescribe medicines also but to practice the principles of Ayurveda in our lives and lead a life which is mentioned in the Shastras.
This way we will be contributing and participating in the Great Mission of our Rishis and enriching the mankind.
May Ammas blessings and guidance help the Ayurvedic community to achieve this!