The starting mantra in ashtanga hridayam (अष्टांगहृदयम्) of Vagbhatta is treated as “mangalacaranam” and said by physicians in the morning before start of their “chikitsa” or treatment of diseases relating to patients.

रागादिरोगान् सततानुषक्तानशेषकायप्रसृतानशेषान्॥१॥
औत्सुक्यमोहारतिदान् जघान योऽपूर्ववैद्याय नमोस्तुतस्मैः
              
Obeisance to that 'aprurva vaidya' who destroyed all emotional and bodily disorders without any residue.

Ayurveda aims at balancing body equilibrium by correcting and enhancing the body systems in a natural way. It gives equal emphasis to prevention of diseases as well. Hence Ayurvedic texts have elaborate descriptions on daily routines to be followed to maintain health. It has instructions on day-to-day activities from rising up early in the morning to going to bed early. Special regimes to be followed during different seasons are also mentioned.

Ayurveda defines health (Swasthya) as “Samadosha samagni samdhatu malakriya……prasannatmendriya manaha swasthaittyabhidiyate” which roughly translates to “balanced doshas, or pleasantness of mind, body and spirit”. Ayurveda focuses on the promotion of health, and prevention and cure of diseases through the concepts of positive physical and mental health.