Medical science from Acharyas

 

Medical science is one of the best branches of science. It is very similar and important as a mother. In our childhood when we got harmed or faced some injury and we were crying, mother was there who calmed us with her sweet lies that nothing was happened. Medical science is doing the same role indirectly telling nothing was happened I am here to treat you. Ok this is fine, but medical science from acharya, it seems like have some ancient India connection. Let’s know the reality.

                                 Everyone in western countries believes that India is a land of magic. They may say it with some sarcastic reason or about the stories of they heard about India but I believe the real magic is our ancient knowledge or our Vedic knowledge which create the first civilisation and the most advanced civilisation at that time. If we discus about people, some people thought that India is covered with superstitions and fear for science they should know about the advanced scientific society of India. Today we are discussing about one of the most important parts of science that is medical science.

                                Coming in to the discussion of term acharya,they were the sages who spent their life in forest or mountain and teaching their students at Gurukul. I will prove in this article that science is not distinct from nature. Today’s story is based on some Guru and Sishya relation in ancient days where you can relate it with the topic ‘Hurdles of science’. 

                              The frst scientist of our story is well known and prominent star of medical galaxy, his works defines his personality and his curiosity and knowledge of science. He is none other than Acharya Charak. You must have heard the word Baidya in some historic movies; they are the doctors in locality who treat people to get rid of disease. Sage Atreya who was guru of Charak was doctor in his time. He was the official physician of king Nagnajit of Gandhar kingdom. From six disciple of Atreya punarvasu one named Agnivesh wrote first compendium of Ayurveda that is Agnivesh samhita which was then rewritten by Charak and named Charak samhita. Charak samhita with some modification of Dhrdhabala considered as the most important book in ayurveda still now.

 

                             Coming into Acharya Charak’s contribution to medicine and human body, he was considered as the first anatomist of human body. His research works and results have pure analogy with modern day’s science. He said that heart is the main and important centre of our body which regulates the blood and nutrient supply. He believed that if any channels of heart are blocked then the man will suffer with certain disease. He also believed human body is fit and healthy until some foreign particle comes in or the constitution of body gets disturbed. He was aware of bacteria and other microorganisms even without microscopes. Despite knowing about bacteria he ignored because he knows if man is living in natural habitats and work according to nature then he will never encounter with bacteria. This fact seems very true for me because our body is fully developed to detect and kill microorganisms if our body constitution is balanced, let’s take the example of HCl, HCl filled in different part of body, bacteria will be killed if HCl present in optimum amount. Body regulates much these types of mechanisms. Acharya Charak was first who made the statement Prevention is better than cure. He also gave advice to further physicians, He stressed if a doctor is unable to enter the body of patient with the lamp of knowledge then he will never treat the person. The doctor should be aware of environment, nature and behaviour of body. Charak classified Ayurveda into 7 branches, they are

1.       Shailya Chikitsa- Surgery

2.       Shaakalya Chikitsa- Head, eye and throat medicine

3.       Kaaya Chikitsa- Mental Health

4.       Kaumarbhrtya Chikitsa- Pediatrics

5.       Aganda Tantra- Toxicology

6.       Raasayana Tantra-Pharmacology

7.       Vaajikarana Tantra- Reproductive Medicine.

 

                          Here comes the entry of second scientist of   our story from first branch of ayurveda that is surgery. In general everyone thought that ayurveda is the science of parts of trees which are used as medicine, but the surgery development under ayurveda is totally remarkable and have pure analogy with today’s surgery. Acharya Sushrut, author of compendium Sushrut samhita which is the strongest pillar of surgery, it contains name of diseases and their treatment but the most interesting part is surgery chapters what makes Sushrut as the father of surgery. This compendium not only contains information of treatment but the actual process of treatment as well as the mindset of doctor. Sage sushrut was a student of Dhanwantari . The common point between Charak and Sushrut was their compendium gone through same scholar for final modification. Students of Sushrut’s were called Saushrutas. In ancient days the minimum eligibility of a surgeon was they must complete six year course of surgery before actual training. After the training they have to take the oath prepared by Sushrut. In that oath they promised not to harm the body of patient.

                         Let’s discus about the contributions on the field of surgery, in the time of Sushrut nose and ear were cut as punishment for different offences. These punishments directed Sushrut to develop new branch of Ayurved that is surgery. He collects skin from forehead or any suitable part of body then he managed it to join the detached nose and ear. He wrote all his process of surgery in His compendium. He developed certain instruments what are required for surgery have similar analogy with modern day’s Scalpels, scissors, saws, elevators and forceps. Acharya Sushrut’s students go through a process before treatment. The process is as follows; first they collected every information about surgery then they had to perform on animals, if the process and results are satisfied then they are permitted to perform on humans.

                         Charak samhita, Sushrut samhita and Astang Hriday constitute backbone of ancient Indian medical science which is popularly known as Brihat-trayi. The medical club in Newyork is named Charak club in honour for Acharya charak. The brihat trayi later on translated in Latin and Arabic language and gain many fame.   

                         A point to note here that Acharyas were lived in natural environment with healthy diet and proper meditation and yoga, as a result they were healthy, fit and had maximum life span. What pull them into research of medicine and medical treatment? In that time the whole society is directly or indirectly dependent on Rishis. Here rishi don’t mean they are Brahmans they may be anyone for example king Viswamitra who changed him into a monk. So, when people had some problem they were first to help them. Stay tuned with hungry researcher for further information.

                                                                                                       Hungry And Foolish