UNDERSTANDING AYURVEDA THROUGH THE LENS OF ASHTANG YOGA

The convergence of Ayurveda and Yoga forms the philosophical and functional cornerstone of the Vedic health sciences. Ashtanga Yoga, elaborated by Maharshi Patanjali, is not a standalone spiritual discipline but a systematic protocol embedded within Ayurvedic practice. This article aims to critically explore the interplay between the eightfold path of Yoga and classical Ayurvedic constructs. By aligning each limb of Ashtanga Yoga with corresponding Ayurvedic frameworks ranging from Swasthavritta to Sattvavajaya Chikitsa, this study elucidates how Yogic tools are integral to the preservation of health, regulation of mind, and attainment of Moksha. A robust review of classical references affirms that Ashtanga Yoga is not merely compatible with Ayurveda, but philosophically inseparable.