Dhanvantari
Commonly worshipped as the God of Medicine, DHANVANTARI is regarded as the origin exponent of Indian medicine. Dhanvantari has many myths and legends woven around him. He emerged with the pot of ambrosia (symbolic of medicine) in his hand from the ocean when it was churned by the contesting gods and demons. He is viewed as the very incarnation of God Vishnu. He is said to have recovered ambrosia which had been lost, and thus obtained a share in sacrifice.
Legends make him reappear as “DIVODASA” the prince of Benaras (Kasiraja), in the family of Ayus. Dhanvantari, Divodasa and Kasiraja are names of the same person who is “the first god and who freed the other gods from old age, disease and death”, and who in his Himalayan retreat taught surgery to susrutha and other sages. DHANVANTARI appeared on earth in Banaras in the princely family of Bahuja and became known as Divodasa; he wandered about as a mendicant even during his early years.
DHANVANTARI also appeared to have been an actual historical person, although his precise identity is hard to be ascertained. He taught surgery and other divisions of Ayurveda (Indian system of medicine) at the instance of susruta, to a group of sages among whom Susruta was the foremost.
DHANVANTARI is regarded as the patron-god of all branches of medicine. While DHANVANTARI is not credited with any medical treatise of his own, in the early accounts, there is a voluminous glossary and material medical in nine sections known as Dhanvantari-Nighantu; it is a compilation which is probably contemporaneous with the famous Amara-kosha (A.D. 100). There are a few other works which are also ascribed to Dhanvantari.
There are numerous preparations which are ascribed to him, and many of them quite ancient.
Dhanvantari-Nighantu is considered the most ancient of the medical glossaries that are available. The original work is said to have been in three recessions; the present version which may have been based on one of them, is in six sections and deals with 373 medicinal substances; their names, synonyms, and brief description of properties being given. The work which claims to be ‘like the third eye’ for the practicing physician, is extensively relied upon, despite several more comprehensive glossaries that have been compiled subsequently. Since there are no authentic source of information, this text can be considered more as indicative.
Introduction to Ayurveda
ayurveda-ancient
Ayurveda is one of the ancient systems of Medicine. Its origin is in Indian subcontinent. It is the oldest continuously practiced system of medicine and it still have its imporatance. This systems consider man as a part of nature itself and treatment are based on this assumption. It uses medicines that are got from the nature itself. It is most widely used and practiced in India, Nepal, Srilanka and there are a lot of Western people who believes in this treatment.
Ayurveda is being practiced from prevedic period of 5000BC onwards. Charak samhitha and Sushruta Samhita are two classical Ayurvedic texts which were written around 1000BC. Rigveda and Atharva veda also discuss about this type of medicinal system. In Indian Epics also Ayurveda has its importance. In Both Ramayana and Mahabharatha the Medicinal plants are given their importance.
Ayurveda means ‘knowledge of a long living’ or ‘Wisdom for living’. Ayurvedic treatment is not only based on physical condition but also give importance to astrological and environmental features such as seasons and weathers. In ayurveda the main priority is to the levels of energy (prana). There are 5 elements which is known as ‘panchabootha’ by which all matters are made up of. They are Water, Fire, Earth, Air and Ether (space). Our senses are also five (‘Pancha Indriya’). Each of this senses correspondes to these five elements. They together give rise to 3 doshas Kapha, Vata, and Pitta. Each of this Doshas affect specific parts of body like Kapha affect lungs and chest.
chanakya
In Ayurveda the detection of disease is based on the Doshas actually they are finding the imbalance in Doshas and this is the diagnosing technique. Person’s life style has important affect in the balance of Doshas, hence it is much compelled that the patient have to follow some diet instructions given by the doctor like should not eat oily foods. Some exercises are also referred.
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