|
|
Ayurveda
Text and History of Ayurveda –
5
A Hindu Heritage of Healing
Ashtanga Hridaya
Vaghbata in the 5th century compiled two sets of texts called Ashtanga
Sangraha and Ashtanga Hridaya. The latter of the two combines both the
Ātreya and Dhanvantari schools. It details the Kaya-chikitsa of Charaka
Samhita and the various surgical procedures of Sushruta Samhita.
Exhaustive descriptions of kapha, vayu and pitta are given. However, the
emphasis seems to be more on the physiological rather than the spiritual
aspects of the disease processes. Ashtanga Hridaya is written in prose
whereas the Ashtanga Sangraha is in poetry form.
The Ancient Indian Physician
Originally only Brahmins were practicing physicians. Later people from
other castes became well versed in the art of healing and a term Vaidya
came to be applied to the practitioners. Merely by their art and
knowledge, the physicians gained high social status regardless of their
caste of birth. The court physician was of political importance and sat on
the right side of the throne, an important symbolic place. Though the
physician, patient, the nurse and the medicine were all important in
curing a disease, the physician was thought to be the most important.
The codes of conduct for physicians and medical students were laid down by
the texts of Laws of Manu. The poor and downtrodden were to be treated
free of charge. Others were charged according to their ability to pay.
The physician was expected to behave in an exemplary manner, conforming to
the highest ideals of professional and personal life. His dress, manner
and speech were expected to be beyond reproach. Medical education was
arduous, consisting of many years of sacrifice learning the art of
healing. Visiting the sick, collecting herbs and preparation of drugs,
memorizing the Vedic texts of Āyurveda, performing procedures on dead
animals, melons, and leather bottles and bladders were part of the
training. These exercises helped refine both theoretical and practical
training of the student. When finally the student is deemed ready to
practice on his own, he is certified by the ruler. The system closely
resembles that of the Hippocratic Oath of Greece.
How much influence Greece had on Indian medicine is hard to say. We know
that astrology and astronomy were both greatly influenced by the Greeks
(solar calendar, for example). Most of the texts available to us were
written after the Greeks made their appearance (Alexander in 3rd century
B.C.) and stayed in the Northwest India for several decades. How much the
Indian physician learned from the Greek counterpart and vice versa is a
question not answered.
–
Neria Harish Hebbar, MD
April 11, 2004
Page :
1 | 2 | 3 |
4 | 5
References:
1. Albert S. Lyons MD and R. Joseph Petruccelli MD; Medicine: An
Illustrated History
2. D.P. Agrawal; Sushruta: The Great Surgeon of Yore
3. Parveen Chopra; Āyurveda: A Healthy Revival
4. P.V. Sarma: History of Medicine in India
5. Sankaran P. S. and P.J. Deshpande; Sushruta
6. Internet Sources
Top | Ayurveda
|
|
