Health, health care and the pursuit of wellbeing are pillars of any human social system. However, the social representations of the body, the mind, and their pathologies are strongly influenced by cultural norms and beliefs. The culture of India is a melting pot of diverse philosophical visions translated in practical terms. Historically, Indian tradition comprises nine main Dharshanas, or philosophical systems, which were formalized between the tenth century BC and the fourth century AD. In spite of their differences, these systems of thought pragmatically coexisted in the foundation and...

Health, health care and the pursuit of wellbeing are pillars of any human social system. However, the social representations of the body, the mind, and their pathologies are strongly influenced by cultural norms and beliefs. The culture of India is a melting pot of diverse philosophical visions translated in practical terms. Historically, Indian tradition comprises nine main Dharshanas, or philosophical systems, which were formalized between the tenth century BC and the fourth century AD. In spite of their differences, these systems of thought pragmatically coexisted in the foundation and...