Textbook of Ayurveda

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to a vast subject!
Review: I'm about halfway through this book at the time of writing this. This is my first book/introduction to Ayurvedic medicine and I'm feeling that I made a wonderful investment. Every topic thus far has been presented in a straight-forward and well organized manner. In learning this subject there are a lot of Sanskrit terms, and Lad clearly defines each new term or concept as it arises, and even reminds you of the definition during the discussion in case you forgot. This book makes a complicated subject very enjoyable to learn and is easy to follow. He does a great job of providing many examples to keep the information relevant, and you can begin applying these concepts and principles to your own life almost immediately.

Rating:
Summary: A "Complete Guide"
Review: I've recently purchased several ayurvedic books and will be returning most of them now. This book has everything. I MUST have. It is very thorough and extremely interesting. Not just a rehashing of information found elsewhere. If you only have one book - get this one!

Rating:
Summary: A must have for the Ayurvedic student!
Review: Thank you Vasant Lad for this great tool that helps one unlock the truth called Ayurveda. Vasant Lad has presented a true text book that will become a companion of the modern day Ayurvedic student. Normally if one was to source concise information on the fundamentals of Ayurveda then one had the difficult task of studying the translations of Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Vagbhata Samhita. While these texts are the foundation for modern Ayurveda they can be daunting to the student new to this amazing science. The only other method was to correlate information from books written by Vasant Lad, David Frawley, Atreya, Robert Svoboda, Subhash Ranade, Maya Tiwari etc.... and then one would build up a collection of information from different sources. Whilst this is not a bad thing (and I will continue to read books offered from these great teachers) finding enough detailed information was sometimes very hard. "The Text Book of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles" is truly amazing. It is a must for the serious student of Ayurveda. Vasant Lad has indicated that this if the first of three, the next two dealing with; the clinical assessment of health and disease, and the management of disease. The contents of this book is vast, it covers all aspects of the philosophical foundation that Ayurveda stands upon, The Tridosha, Agni, The Seven Dhatu, The Fifteen Srotas, Ojas, Tejas, Prana, Digestion and Nutrition, to be honest this does no justice to what is actually in this textbook. Get it!