ABSTRACT
A code for healthy living is often referred to in Ayurvedic texts. The code for mundane activities including daily and seasonal codes is specific to location, time and cultural traits of the people. The injunctions of the code of conduct cover a wide range of activities extending from the earthly to the spiritual, from the tangible to the intangible and the individual to the universal. The code for virtuous living, on the other hand, transcends the mundane and reaches out to values which are eternal and universal. A perfect policy based solely on a code for mundane living would give humans the health and happiness symbolized by a contented cow in a herd; but this would be incompatible with the life of humans; it would fail to achieve a form that will last for thousands of years. Caraka’s directions on virtuous living are however mixed with instructions on many mundane issues relating to the body and social behaviour of individuals.
