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Ayurved: The Oldest surviving Medical System
Ayurved is the oldest surviving complete medical system in the world. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots – ‘ayus’ (life) and ‘ved’ (knowledge) – and offering a rich, comprehensive outlook on a healthy life, its origins go back nearly 5000 years. When it was expounded and practiced by the same spiritual rishis, who laid the foundations of the Vedic civilization in India, by organizing the fundamentals of life into proper systems.
Maharishi Charak, while explaining the word Ayurved, has said: The scripture which describes the age, the age of harm, and the age of sorrow, and for the benefits-harm of the age, there should be a description of diet and medicines and the proof of age was directed. Age is also described, it is called Ayurved.
Purpose of Ayurved: The means (a measure of attainment) of these three Purusharthas namely Dharma, Artha, and Sukh is age, so a person who wishes for age (sukhayu) should have a special respect for the teachings shown in Ayurved scriptures.
Teachings of Ayurved: Since ancient times, there are many codes related to the science of Ayurved, different types of teachings are found in them, and practical respect should be given to all of them.
The incarnation of Ayurved:
Ayurved is an eternal science that existed in the universal consciousness. Brahma (The Creator) first recollected the science of Ayurved. Brahma taught his wonderful science to Dakshaprajaapati, Dakshaprajaapati it to Aswini Kumara, who in turn taught it to Lord Indra.
Brahma
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Dakshaprajapati
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Ashwini Kumaras
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Indra
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Bharadwaja Atreya & Dhanvatari
When diseases began to trouble human beings in this world causing hindrance to the acquisition of dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desires), and Moksha (salvation), the sages met in the assembly of the Himalayan Slopes. After a deep discussion, they decided to learn Ayurved from Lord Indra. Then Rishi Bharadvaja was elected as their representative and he was sent to Lord Indra.
Bharadvaja lineage
Bharadvaja after learning the Science of Ayurved thoroughly came down and propagated it to the other sages. Punarvasu Atreya was one among the propagated this science of Ayurved to his disciples Agnivesa, Bhela, Jatukarna, Parasara, Harita, & Ksharapani. Each one of them wrote treatises embodying the teaching of their preceptor. Agnivesa’s treatise was adjudged as the best and became popular in this world.
The sages who came in the lineage of Bharadvaja are called Bhradvaja Parampara. The sages who came in the Bharadvajeeya parampara excelled as physicians. The famous sage of Bhardvajeeya is Charaka who was the disciple of Agnivesa. He has made an excellent treatise in Ayurved called Charak Samhita. It was written in the early 1000 BC.
Dhanvantri lineage
At another time Divodasa, the King of Kasi, who is said to be the incarnation of Adi Deva Dhanvatari “The God of Ayurved”, learned this science directly from Lord Indra. He taught this to Aupadhenava, Vaitrana, Aurabhra, Paukalaavata, Karavirya, Gopura Rakshita & Sushruta. Each one of them made their own treatises on this science. The sages who came in the lineage of Dhanvatari are called Dhanvantareeya parampara. They excelled in surgical treatments. He has made an excellent treatise Sushruta Samhita. Sushruta is said to be the “Father of Surgery”. In his book, he has explained various surgical procedures. Sushruta Samhita was written in early 1000 BC.
Vagbhatta
After their period around 500AD, there comes another famous sage Vagbhatta. Vagbhatta is said to belong to the region of river Sindhu. His father and grandfather, both were great Ayurvedic scholars. Vagbhatta was the disciple of Avalokita – the chief monk of Mahayana Buddhism. He was the author of 2 great treatises of Ayurved namely “Ashtang Sagraha” and Ashtang Hridaya”. He is famous for having presented Ayurveda and its essence in an easy, simple, comprehensive, and understandable way. He wrote a treatise named Ashtanga Hridaya by collecting the essence from all the previous treatises. It has three pillars of Ayurved Science, viz. Hetu (knowledge of the cause of diseases – etiology), Linga (symptoms), and Aushadha (therapeutics).