History of Ayurveda, Story of Sushruta, Story of Charak, Story of Lord Dhanvantari

Abstract

Ayurveda is one of the oldest traditional systems of medicine accepted worldwide. Ancient intelligence in this classical traditional system of medicine is still not completely investigated. The commissure of the vast knowledge from independent perceptions of traditional systems of medicine can lead to current approaches in herbal drug recognition processes. The shortage of the interpretation of differences and resemblance between theoretical doctrines of this system is the main obstacle regarding their connections apart from the other hindrances in the discovering or uncovering of plant based medicines. This article is specially aimed to bring out the public eye on the ancient or age old history and basic principles of Ayurveda science and about the story of Acharya Charaka, Acharya Sushruta and Lord Dhanvantri. This will be the aid for the budding scholars, researchers and practitioners to obtain clarity of the classic system of medicine, clears the way for the strengthening of commonalities as well as overcome the challenges with regards to their global acceptance and transformation of such a marvellous medicinal system.

Introduction

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of healing of the mind and body dating back to 2500 BC, and is one of the most acclaimed traditional systems of medicine that has kept body and soul together plus flourished from ages till date. The interrelation of human body composition along with the major role of nature as well as the collaboration of the elements of universe that influence the living beings with the boundless cognition of plant based medicine, that continued to flaunt in ages and many more to go. This is the responsibility of our experts, researchers and practitioners of the field who carry the traditional system of medicine along with them to give the best support or growth in the future by exploring many new avenues.

History Of Ayurveda

The true history of Ayurveda starts from the time of holy scriptures, vedas. Origin of Ayurveda is claimed as a part of vedas Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda. Ancient mythology contends that the creator of the world ‘Lord Brahma’ revealed the idea plus abstraction of Ayurveda. These vedas sermonise the philosophy of life, dating back to about five thousand years ago. Ayurveda is accredited to Lord Dhanvantri, in hindu mythology textbooks they are mentioned as physicians of gods who received their knowledge from Lord brahma. In Atharvaveda, there are many portions in which Ayurvedic treatments have been discussed. The vedics are rich in various types of treatment therapies for different diseases, numerous different herbs that give marvellous results in many disorders. From 800 BCE to around 1000 CE, this time is totally glaring or the golden age for Indian medicine. Many textbooks are written during this period like Charak-Samhita or Sushrut-samhita assigned respectively to Acharya Charak as Physician, Acharya Sushrut as Surgeon.

Story Of Charak

Acharya Charak was one of the principal contributors in Ayurvedic medicinal system, panchami of shukla paksha of Shravan month is celebrated as the Charak Jayanti to remember the endowment in the field of Medical science each year.
Dates back the systematised discussion of various acharyas on particular disease held a conference on the foothills of Himalaya mountains. The earliest arranged document on Ayurveda is Charak-Samhita, Acharya Charak is known as ‘Father of Indian Medicine’. Under the guidance of Atreya Muni, in the 8th century BC, Agnivesha wrote the encyclopaedic text and then Acharya Charak revised this treatise to gain popularity or known as Charak Samhita. In Ayurveda avtaran, there are six disciples of the sage Punarvasu Atreya; those are Agnivesha, Bhela, Prashara, Jatukarna, Harit, Ksharpani all of these composed a Samhita, and the one that was written by Agnivesha was considered the best. Acharya Charak later revised that samhita and composed Charak Samhita and after some time Charak Samhita was revised by Dridhbala.

According to Acharya Charak health and diseases are not fixed or predetermined, our diet and lifestyle decides our prominence to cause disease. Moreover if we take meals as per Ayurvedic contexts our life’s quality will enhance and life span will also increase. Ayurvedic contexts show prevention of all types of diseases are far better than getting cured from the disease. In the present era we need to restructure our lifestyles to align with nature that will help us to achieve complete wellness. Acharya Charak was the first physician to introduce the notion of digestion, metabolism and immunity. In Ayurvedic texts 3 doshas (Vata, pitta, kapha)and 7 dhatus (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, Shukra) are responsible for the body’s proper mechanism. Doshas are produced when our foods start to digest and dhatus start to act on the food for digestion. Usually, illness occurs due to the imbalance between the three doshas and to restore them Acharya Charak has prescribed medicinal herbs. He also had knowledge of fundamental principles of genetics, factors behind determining the gender of child, anatomy of body, also gave masanumasik vridhi or masanumasik ahar paricharya for pregnant women and he told about number of bones (360), strotas (13), hridaya, and many other concepts that are still hidden. In Ayurveda avtaran, there are six followers of the Sage Punarvasu Atreya; those are Agnivesha, Bhela, Prashara, Jatukarna, Harit, Ksharpani. All of them were taught by Punarvasu Atreya and then everyone wrote a Samhita, and the one that was written by Agnivesha was considered the best. Acharya Charak later revised that samhita and composed Charak Samhita and after some time Charak Samhita was amended by Dridhbala. Dridhbala revision and completion of texts is in 6th century CE. It is one of the three books of Brihat Trayi. Charak samhita is primarily based on the foundation of medicine.

Story Of Sushrut

Sushruta was the one who invented and developed surgical procedures and is known as the ‘Father of Plastic Surgery’. During the 6th century BCE, an Indian physician wrote the world’s earliest work on medicine and surgery. He was a citizen of Northern India, from Varanasi also known as Kashi or Banaras. Sushrut Samhita is highly regarded as one of the great Brihat trayi and describes surgical procedures, diagnostic techniques, fractures and their management and treatment for various illnesses.

Some scholars say Sushruta was the son of Ancient sage Vishvamitra. Sushruta wrote Sushruta Samhita as a direct guidance for the doctors to treat their patients comprehensively, he also followed the perceps of Acharya Charak that it is the duty of physicians to stabilise the imbalance of Dosha or Dhatus in the body.

He was regarded as a great healer and these skills have been given by God to maintain the health of people on earth. In the passage of Ayurveda for the earth Lord Brahma gave the knowledge to Indra and he passed his medical insight down to the sage Dhanvantri who taught it to Divodasa who then acquaint Sushruta. He significantly developed various surgical procedures mentioned as sutures by ant heads and also invented the practice of cosmetic surgery like rhinoplasty, reconstruction of nose or many other parts.

Sushrutas disciples are also called as Saushrutas that were required to gain knowledge about multiple procedures for about six years before they began their hands in surgery. Sushruta was the first person who suggested that a student of surgery should learn about the human body, its anatomy and its organs by dissecting, examining and observing various tissues in a dead body; moreover, this whole dissection procedure was performed without a knife. Sushruta gives surgical procedures on admirable heights and in later stages that era was considered as ‘Golden age of Surgery’ in mediaeval India. By considering everything Sushruta must be acknowledged as the greatest surgeon of pre-medieval period.

Story of Lord Dhanvantri

I extend my cordial wishes to Lord Dhanvantri who is honoured by noble and devils, he demolishes ageing, fear, diseases as well as death and cherishes this world by seizing the knowledge about various medicinal herbs.

Lord Dhanvantri plays a major role in the history of Ayurveda. He was the physician of Gods mentioned in puranas or vedas as a magnificent surgeon. In Hindu religion, followers worship Lord Dhanvantri to seek blessings for healthy life.

On the day of Dhanteras, Dhanvantri jayanti is celebrated with utmost devotion. All the people throughout India worshipped Lord Dhanvantri and in South India, mainly in Tamilnadu and Kerala some temples are dedicated to Lord Dhanvantri

In the epitome as a king of Kashi, Divodasa, he was greeted by a group of sages like Sushruta and many other Acharya with requests to give them the knowledge of Ayurveda. Dhanvantri stated that Brahma composed the Ayurveda even before he created this universe and then Lord Dhanvantri compiled with the sages request and modify the Brahma’s written Ayurveda in 8 severance that are Shalya Tantra, Shalakya Tantra, Kaya chikitsa, Bhoot vidya, Kumar bhritya, Agad tantra, Rasayana and Vajikarana Tantra.

In the other versions of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvantri was taught by Lord Indra. Lord Dhanvantri is also assumed as the avatar of Lord Vishnu in hindu text books. When the ocean was agitated by the noble and devils in need of the elixir of life, Dhanvantri appears with a bowl of Amrit in his hands; this is the most famous story of Lord Dhanvantri avatar.

In Charak Samhita, it is also mentioned that Lord Vishnu takes avatar as Lord Dhanvantri to reestablish the tradition of Ayurveda in the world to help and give relief to the needful humanity. Indian scriptures also show the reference that ‘one who just thinks about the name of Lord Dhanvantri can get relief from all disorders.

Conclusion

Ayurveda established its own identification as a distinct science after the vedic period. The word Ayurveda is composed of two terms Ayur and Veda. Ayur means life and veda means science and knowledge. Ayurveda gives us the methods for improving the wellness of body and mind. The main principle of Ayurveda states that the mana and shareer are connected and these two have the power to heal the patient’s body. Brihat trayi and Laghu trayi are the ayurvedic textuals that are practised by present practitioners. Charak Samhita is primarily based on the Medicines and Sushrut Samhita is primarily based on surgeries. These both compendiums are considered as the oldest texts in the world and helps the practitioners to give 100% relief from the various health conditions.