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Click here to find the details of authentic and traditional ayurvedic treatment centres in Kerala. Prayer to Dhanvantari (The Lord of Ayurveda): Chakram, Samkham,
Jalookam, dadhathamarutha kumbham shcha thorbhi shchathurbhi Sookshma swacchadi
hridyamsuka parivilasa moulim ambhoju nethram Kaalombhodojwalangam
katithada vilasal chaaru peethambaradyam, Vande
Dhanwantharim tham nighila gada vana prouda davagni leelam. "One who
bears in his attractive four hands conch, circular weapon, a set of leeches
and a pot with ambrosia, whose fine, shining and pure upper garment makes him
appear especially wonderful, whose eyes are like lotus flower, whose bright
bodily luster is of the colour of a fresh rain cloud, whose beautiful waist
is adored by a magnificent yellow dress and who burns away all diseases just
like a forest fire, to such Lord Dhanvantari, I bow respectfully” Temples of Lord Dhanwanthary in Kerala There
are 4 major Dhanwanthary temples in Kerala - Thottuva (near Kalady,
Ernakulam), Nelluvaya (near Kundamkulam, Thrissur), Maruthorvattom (near
Cherthala, Alapuzha) and Prayikkara (near Mavelikkara, Alapuzha) are these
temples. Motto of Ayurveda "SARVE-JANA SUKHINOBHAVANTU" History of Ayurveda Pretext “Health is the supreme foundation of virtue, wealth,
enjoyment and salvation – Dharma, Artha, kama and Moksha. Diseases are
the destroyers of health, of the good life and life itself. Thus has
arisen the great impediment for the progress of humanity. What shall be
the means for removing it? The sages sat in meditation” Charaka, I – 15-16. The remedy revealed to the seers are embodied in
Ayurveda – the science of life. Since life is precious to all, this is
the most meritorious of all sciences. The great principles underlying
this discipline can be summed up in two terms – i) quest for longevity and
ii) compassion for creatures. Age: Ayurveda is one of the 4 Upavedas (others are Dhanur
Veda – archery and other military sciences, Gandharva Veda – science and art
of music and Sthapathya Veda – engineering, architecture and other
mathematics) and derived the philosophical aspects from Vedas. Though
it believed that Vedas are as old as 5,000 years, it is not possible
to calculate the age of the “science of life” to a time frame. Meaning
of the word The word Ayurveda derived in different ways – i) to ward
off diseases, ii) to cure, if any and iii) to improve the lost health.
Vedas are considered to the repository of all knowledge. Scientists
or Sages The scientists (sages – sanyasis – hrishis) are a
peculiar clan seen nowhere else, who always chose to remain anonymous,
dedicated themselves to the cause of knowledge by their careful observation
of the world, untiring spirit of enquiry and quest for knowledge. They
have a tendency to mix-up things – science with metaphysics, history with
tradition and every thing with poetry. [It is interesting to note that
University of Taksasila (2nd century BC) and University of Nalanda
(6 century AD) attracted many students from Greece, Rome, Japan, China
etc.] What those sages (with names attached to their works) had done is
to collect, classify, analyse, summerise and provide a logical frame work to
the scattered knowledge pool of scholars in the country and even outside the
country. The approach of ayurveda is field oriented, holistic and
functional. This makes it truly universal and hence could not be limited
to a small geographical area called India as aptly told by them as “Let the
Whole World be Happy” (“Loka samastha sughino bhavanthu”). Mythological Names Brahma: The
creator – who wrote a text with 1,000 chapters and 100,000 stansas (slokas)
is said to be the creator ayurveda also. Prajapathy: Brahma
Vaivartha puranam says about Prajapathy Samhitha, but no one else had quoted
from it. Aswini Devas (the
heavenly twins and physicians) – mentions are found in Vedas about their
expertise in treating infertility, blindness, skin diseases, organ / body
parts transplantation, etc. They (or some one in their name) believed
to have written books – Aswini Samhitha, Bhramaghnam, Chikilsara Thanthram,
and Dhathurtna Mala. Indra:
According to the epics, the sages learnt ayurveda from Indra.
But, other Samhithas are giving other stories about the
inception and order of disciples (sisyaparampara) in a different way.
Bhardwaja:
Bharadwajeeyam and Bheshajakalpam are the books now available from him.
Only one chapter on urinary infection is available in the first book. Athri: A
text called Athri Samhitha is believed to have written by him. Athreya
(Chandrabhagi) : Known as a brilliant teacher and general
physician. Names of sages whose texts are
available now Dathathreya:
“Nadee Thathwa Vidhi” is believed to have been written by him.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and manufacturing methods of different
medicines are the subjects of this text. A translated version is
available in Telungu. Agnivesha:
He wrote Agnivesha Samhitha, but not available now. But this had been
quoted by others. Bhela: A
Telungu version of Bhela Samhitha is published by Calcutta University in 1921
and it has 8 sections and 120 chapters. Samhithas by Hareetha, Jathoorkarna, Parasara,
Ksharapanee, and Kharanada are not available now, but the quotes from these
are found in some other available Ayurvedic texts. Names in Psychiatry Both Susrutha Samhitha and Charaka Samhitha had
dedicated one chapter each for psychiatry. None of the texts on
Psychiatry is available now, though Agni Purana, Garuda Puran and others have
descriptions about it. Names in Surgery Nimi (Videhapathy / Janakan) : Charka Samhitha (Sareera Sthanam Chapter 6)
describes about the opinion of Nimi about the fetus in the womb. His
texts Videha Thanthram and Nimi Thanthram are not available now.
Kankaya
(described diseases as curable, manageable and not curable) Garhya, Sathyaka
and Karala (ophthalmology) , Bhadra Saunaka, Saunaka, and Krishnathreya are
sages whose opinions and verses are quoted by others. Dhanwanthari / Divodasan : He is believed to be the father of surgery methods.
He is the teacher (Guru) of Susrutha. Bruhath thrayee (the big 3) These are the three major teachers (Guru) who are being
followed by the ayurvedic physicians in India, today. Sustutha (approx
BC 700 – BC 350, not known correctly) Charaka (1st
Century AD) : He is the student (sisya) of Bhala who is a sisya of
(Punervasu) Athreya who is the sisya of Agnivesh who is the is the sisya of
Bharadwaja. Vagbhata (between
3rd and 4th Century AD) Wrote texts Asthanga Hrudayam
and Samgraham. It is believed that he has traveled to Kerala and had 8
sisyas who later became the ancestors of Asthavaidya families. Interpreters to these 3 eminent scholars also
contributed to ayurveda to a great extend. The names of these scholars
are not described here. Laghu Thrayee (the small 3) Madhava
Acharyan (7th Century AD)
who wrote Madhava Nidanam Sargadharan
(13th century AD) who worte
a Samhitha in his name Bhavamishran
(16th century AD) who wrote
Bhavaprakasam. Chemistry in ayurveda Chemistry and metallurgy found a place in ayurveda
though it is considered to be primarily herbal medicine. Nagarjuna (1st
century AD) is believed the introducer of chemicals and metals into
ayurveda. Incidentally, none of his works related with chemistry are
available now. Others were found from China which translated into
Chinese from Sanskrit his sisya. But, other texts which are available
are followed to make powdered medicines (bhasmam) and used with ayurveda by
many Ayurvedic physicians even today.
Other medical systems Other traditional medical systems such as Unani (Greek),
Sidha, Yoga, Homeopathy, Chinese medicine, allopathic (British Raj period)
etc. must have enriched the evolutionary stages of ayurveda by accepting the
valuable portions from them or even adapting their methods into Ayurvedic
principles. Vrukshayurveda (for plants), aswayurveda (for horses)
and hastyaruveda (for elephants) are some other branches of ayurveda which
are found to be functional even today. Ayurveda in the modern era ·
The success of Chinese medicine in
influencing the West is now beyond dispute. These new movements
contributed to the ideological advancement also. The Alma Ata
declaration of World Health Organisation for “health for all by 2000 AD”
called for unified action of all health systems including the traditional
ones. It is in fact an official recognition of all oriental systems by
the West and approval of the new spirit of the occident to have pilgrimage to
the East. But, the Governments in Europe and other ‘developed’ nations
are still wavering perhaps afraid of the commercial interests of the multi
national pharmaceutical companies. In this back ground the rising
popularity of ayurveda in the West is quite understandable. So setting
our eyes on the world picture and the increasing demand for ayurveda abroad,
we have a promising future. But, how far we have advanced to assess
this trend and realizing the necessity to increase our ability to cope up
with the demand? ·
There are many serious issues which are
affecting the Ayurveda, today. When the biodiversity is threatened and
each day the number of endangered species is increasing, so is the old and
traditional Ayurvedic physicians (acharyas). Protection of both should
be undertaken on a war footing. Is that possible to have gene bank of
both and later clone them in the new planet / satellite for the healthy
living? ·
Commercial interests are determining the
patenting of traditional medical know-how by pharmaceutical industry which is
in its 4th evolutionary stage along with others in the fray.
·
Good Manufacturing Practices and
standardization rules are determined to dominate the philosophical and social
aspects of traditional medical systems. Challenge It is time to have another concerned gathering (in
Himalayas or elsewhere) to find the future course of action for the
sustainable and equitable use of ayurveda for the wellbeing of the living
objects of the world. Bibliography: i)
Scientific Heritage of India – Ayurveda,
Government Sanskrit College, Thripunithura. ii)
Ayurveda Ithihasam – Publication
Department, Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvanthapuram (* Samhitha – the literal meaning of
the term is “collection”) Click
here to find the authentic and traditional ayurvedic centres in Kerala. |
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