The Origins of Ayurveda: A Journey Through Time
The true history of Ayurveda starts from the time of the Holy books, Vedas. The ancient mythology presents that the knowledge of Ayurveda was delivered directly by the lord Brahma who is considered as the creator of the world. There are four Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. These Vedas were written during the time 3000-5000 years before. All these Vedas, especially the Atharvaveda contain medical knowledge based on the principle of Ayurveda. The hymns, literal formulas, and medical knowledge of Vedas were contributions of Rishis and Munis of different times. It is well known that the Rishis and Munis were learned sages and saints who devoted their lives to understanding the reality of the world. Aryavarta, the native land of Aryans, covers the wide surrounding area of the Himalayas where the Rishis and Munis lived. The surrounding area of the Himalayas, at the present political situation, covers the countries Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Tibet, etc. The civilization of these countries is deeply influenced by the unique intellectual contributions of the Rishis and Munis.
Bharadwaja: A Pillar in Ayurvedic History
Near about 700 B.C. there was a renowned Rishi called Bharadwaja who is considered as one of the top physicians of Aryavarta. There are many stories about him. One of the stories mentioned by Atreya Punarvasu presents that Bharadwaja was the first medical teacher of Rishis and Munis. He learned Ayurveda from the lord Indra, the king of the gods. Indra learned Ayurveda from Aswinis who were the physicians of the gods. Prajapati was the teacher of Aswinis. He studied Ayurveda from the lord Brahma, the creator of the world. The meaning of this story is very interesting, however, historians can not understand who these people actually were. The holy book Veda talks a lot about Indra, Aswinis, Prajapati, etc, and their activities and personalities. But, from the historical point of view, still, their roles are not clear, because there is no authentic proof to present them as historical persons.
Compiling Ayurvedic Knowledge: The Historic Conference
Atreya Punarvasu was one of the devoted students of Bharadwaja. He had mentioned that a big medical conference of veteran Rishis and Munis was held under the chairmanship of Bharadwaja in the valley of the Himalayas. The main aim of this conference was to share their knowledge and to encourage the scholars to compile the medical knowledge gained by different people from time to time from generation to generation of mankind. The participants of the conference knew that there were no authentic complete texts of Ayurveda for study, however, they were obliged to lord Brahma. The task of compiling medical knowledge is not easy because the people who knew something about Ayurveda lived in different places and is very difficult to communicate with them. However the participants of the conference, after having a long time of positive discussion and debate, finally, became successful in compiling the texts of different branches of Ayurveda. For example, Charaka Samhita, the text of internal medicine; Susruta Samhita, the text of surgery; Kashyapa Samhita, the text of pediatrics, etc are the result of the historical conference.
The participants of the historical conference mentioned in the Charaka Samhita are Angira, Jamadagni, Vasistha, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Atreya, Gautama, Pulastya, Narada, Agastya, Vamadeva, Markandeya, Aswalayana, Parikshi, Bhiksu Atreya, Bharadwaja, Kapinjala, Viswamitra, Ashwarathi, Bhargava, Chyavana, Abhijita, Gargya, Shandilya, Kaudinya, Varkshideva, Galava, Sankritya, Vaijavapi, Kulisha, Vadisha, Badarayana, Sharaloma, Kapya, Katyayana, Kaikasheya, Dhaumya, Marichi, Kashyapa, Sharkaraksha, shakuneya, Maitreya, Maimatayana, Vaishanakha, Balakhilya etc. At the time of Bharadwaja, these scholars, Rishis and Munis concerned with different sciences and technologies related to Ayurveda, were renowned for their contribution. In the ancient history of Ayurveda, their contribution can not be ignored, however, their written works are not available.
The Eight Branches of Ayurveda: Establishing Foundations
The practical fields of Ayurveda are divided into eight sections or branches. These sections are 1) internal medicine, 2) surgery, 3) cranial organo medicine, 4) pediatrics, 5) toxicology, 6) rejuvenating remedy, 7) aphrodisiac remedy, and 8) spiritual healing. These eight sections are called “Astanga Ayurveda”. The history of these sections runs following their schools and traditions.
Kayachikitsa Tantra: The School Of Internal Medicine
The School of Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa Tantra) was run by Atreya Punarvasu. He lived in the area of the present Panjab (Panchanada) of India. He is a devoted student of Bharadwaja. His time is calculated near about 700 B.C. He had six devoted students or disciples called Agnivesha, Bhela, Jatukarna, Parasara, Harita, and Ksarapani. Atreya Punarvasu encouraged them to write unique books on the subject of internal medicine. Their books are known by their names as Agnivesha Samhita, Bhela Samhita, Harita Samhita etc. Among these books, Agnivesha Sarnhita is considered as one of the best and most authentic complete texts of internal medicine. It is learned that this book was renovated by Charaka, a famous physician of the first century A. D. Therefore the text of Agnivesha is known now by the name of Charaka Samhita. The other texts written by other disciples of Atreya Punarvasu are not available except the text of Harita.
The school of internal medicine is still running in the tradition by physicians of Nepal, India, etc. In this school, there are many famous Ayurvedic scholars who had contributed many good things adding even some new understanding to preserve the unique knowledge of Ayurveda. Dridhabala, re-editor of Charaka Samhita; Agastya and Viswamitra their texts known by their names; Vaghbhata, writer of Astanga Hridaya, Astanga Samhita; Chakrapani, author of Chakradatta; Madhava, writer of Madhava Nidana; Jejjata, Sarngadhara, Vangasena, Bhavamisra, Viswanatha etc are known with their valuable works in the medieval history of internal medicine.
Shalya Tantra: The School of Surgery
The school of Surgery (Shalya Tantra) was run by Dhanwantari Divodasa who is considered as a king of Kashi, Banaras. He was a contemporary of Atreya Punarvasu. He has many devoted disciples. Some of them are Susruta, Aupadhenava, Vaitarana, Aurabhra, Pauska avati, Karavirya, Gopurakshita etc. It is mentioned that all of them had written unique texts on the surgery. Their works are known by their names such as Susruta Samhita, Aupadhenava Samhita, etc. Among these texts except Susruta Samhita other texts are not available. Susruta was the son of Kaushika who lived in the area of Nepal’s Koshi river. The text of Susruta is considered as one of the best and most authentic complete books on surgery. It is learned that Susruta Samhita was renovated by Nagarjuna, a famous surgeon of the first century A.D.
In this history of surgery, the medieval period is not clear. Some of the famous surgeons are known for their work. They are Bhoja, Bhaluki, Kapila, Gautama etc. The complete texts are not available except for some references to their works.
Shalakya Tantra: The Section of Cranial Organo Medicine
The section of Cranial Organo Medicine (Shalakya Tantra) was run by Videhadhipati Janaka who was the king of Videha. The area of Videha is located within the present district Janakapura of Nepal. He was a contemporary scholar of Atreya Punarvasu. His original text on the section of cranial organo medicine is called Videha Tantra. This text is not available, however, Susruta has quoted in detail the reference of this text in the chapter of Shalakya of Susruta Samhita. In the history of cranial organo medicine, the names of Nimi, Kankayana, Gargya, Shataki, Saunaka, Chakshusya, etc are known as leading specialists and writers. Their texts are not available but references of their works are seen in different Ayurvedic commentaries.
Kaumarabhritya Tantra: The section of pediatrics
The section of Pediatrics (Kaumarabhritya Tantra) was run under the name of Maricha Kashyapa who lived in Gangadwara, the area of India’s Haridwara. He was a contemporary Rishi of Atreya Punarvasu. He had many disciples. Vriddha Jivaka was one of them. The original text of Vriddha Jivaka written under the guidance of Maricha Kashyapa is called “Kashyapa Samhita” or “Vriddha Jivaka Tantra”. It is learned that this text was renovated by Vatsya, a famous pediatrician of the 5th century A. D. In the history of pediatrics, the names of Parvata, Bandhaka, Hiranyaksha, etc are known with their works. Their texts are not available but references to their works are found in different commentaries. The practice of pediatrics is still running in the tradition of Buddhist physicians of Nepal.
Agada Tantra: The Section of Toxicology
The section of Toxicology (Agada Tantra) was run under the name of Briddha Kashyapa who is considered to be a contemporary Rishi of Atreya Punarvasu. He lived in Takshashila, Pakistan. His text is known by his name “Kashyapa Samhita“. Which is different from the Kashyapa Samhita of pediatrics. This text is not available but, the references of this text are seen in the different Ayurvedic commentaries. Some other texts on toxicology written by Alambyayana, Ushana, Saunaka, Latyayana, etc are known however, these texts are not available except for some references mentioned in commentaries. The traditional practices of toxicology are still running in the families of Visa Vaidya.
Rasayana Tantra: The Section of Rejuvenating Remedy
Rasayana Tantra, the section of Rejuvenating Remedy is defined as a science of long life and good health. This section is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, in fact, is connected with internal medicine. In the history of rejuvenating remedies, the unique contributions of Rishis and Munis are mentioned in the text of internal medicine. In the medieval period, the achievements of Siddhas had very potential concerning the section of rejuvenating remedies. The Siddhas who were known as the religious philosophers of the medieval period, are divided into Hindu and Buddhist schools. The leader of the Hindu school is called Adityanatha and the leader of the Buddhist school is known by the name Nagarjuna. In their lineage, there are listed many names of Siddhas who had contributed a lot to developing the science of alchemy for long life and good health.
Vajikarana Tantra: The Section of Aphrodisiac Remedy
Vajikarana Tantra, the section of Aphrodisiac Remedy, is defined as a science of purification of the male and female genital organs. This section being one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, in fact, is included within the section of internal medicine. The knowledge gained in this field is presented in the texts of internal medicine. The historical background of aphrodisiac remedies runs side by side with the achievements of rejuvenating remedies because the subjects of rejuvenating remedies and aphrodisiac remedies go together.
Bhuta Vidya: The Section of Spiritual Healing
Bhuta Vidya, the section of Spiritual Healing is directly related to religious practices. The history of religions divided into Hinduism and Buddhism covers many names of Rishis, Munis, and Siddhas. The priests of different religious sects transform the Mantras into their devoted disciples. The secret religious practices of transforming the Mantras still run in the families of priests in Nepal and India. These Mantras, according to the different formulas of vowels and consonants, become active to show their unique power. And, the power of Mantra is the main remedy of Bhuta Vidya in the field of psychological treatment. In the history of spiritual healing, the activities of priests still are alive in Nepal and India.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ayurveda’s history is a tapestry of rich intellectual contributions, evolving over millennia from the teachings of ancient sages to contemporary practices. Rooted in the Vedas and shaped by numerous scholars, it remains a vital part of the cultural and medical heritage of the Himalayan region. Ayurveda’s eight branches continue to provide holistic healing, reflecting its enduring significance in traditional medical sciences in Nepal, India, and beyond.
Author
Dr. Mana Bajra Bajracharya
PIYUSHABARSHI AUSHADHALAYA
Ayurvedic Clinic
Mahabouddha, Kathmandu, Nepal
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