Relevance of Ayurveda in Modern Times

The Relevance of Ayurveda in Modern Times.

Science and technology in ancient India
Science and technology in ancient India covered all the major branches of human knowledge and activities, including mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical science and surgery, fine arts, mechanical and production technology, civil engineering and architecture, shipbuilding and navigation, sports and games. Notably the language of all this knowledge is Sanskrit.
The nineteenth-century British historian, Grant Duff, claimed that "Many of the advances in the sciences that we consider today to have been made in Europe were in fact made in India centuries ago.
Present Medical Scenario
The technological advances made especially in the 20th & 21st century has made the scientists dream of making human clones, having children of desired characteristics ( Stem cell research ), in addition to replacing body parts at will ( Autografting, Allografting, Xenotransplantation etc.). The Modern medical knowledge aided by the technological innovations can also boost of a deeper peep into human body and daily adding antibiotics has tried to kill any types of microorganisms that could be there. But has human suffering from the diseases lessened? Are not we confronting newer forms of illnesses unknown in the past? Is the world not facing a challenge from AIDS, cancer and epidemics of communicable diseases? Is the number of patients having Heart diseases, Hypertension, Diabetes along with Depression not on the increase?
Ayurveda- not Science!
Ayurveda in contrast, that has been inherited by us in Sanskrit, being science of life can provide answer to all sufferings of human beings, though it has yet to be accepted a science legally even in its birthplace India.
Having noted that, we know that Indian knowledge was systematically demolished and destroyed by almost all the invaders who came to India to conquer us. Apart from Muslims, the English under a well thought policy of making us slaves for long washed out our brains with their McCauley’s policy by change in our education system. By introducing English, they then systematically made us shameful about whatever knowledge we possessed. Thus we were starved off from our own proud knowledge.
The 1947 division of India saw a Government in the rest of India that simply followed the footsteps of the English invaders for the purpose of governing this country. Our constitution and our education system can explain this truth very well. Our ancient knowledge was scrapped virtually from all spheres of education and wherever it was left, it would just be for namesake and with a feeling of inferiority.
To discuss study of medicine in politically free India, we know that in line with the state policy against our languages and culture, the first law that came into being was Indian Medical Council Act 1956 exclusively for the allopathic (western) medicine. In this act Medicine is defined as "medicine" means modern scientific medicine in all its branches and includes surgery and obstetrics, but does not include veterinary medicine and surgery; It was well after a gap of 14 years that the Government of India thought of our own medical wisdom and so was constituted Central Council of Indian Medicine under Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970., and then to make it equivalent to another foreign medicine came Homoeopathic Central Council Act 1973. While defining Indian Medicine in IMCC Act. 1970 ) "Indian Medicine" means the system of Indian medicine commonly known as Ashtang Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani Tibb whether supplemented or not by such modern advances as the Central Council may declare by notification from time to time. Here two points clear the mentality of the ruling Indian class. 1. Whereas Medicine is described as Scientific, Indian Medicine lacks this term and 2. Unani medicine which is clear for its origin from the name, has been deliberately added in the ambit of Indian Medicine.
One more thing that comes out from these definitions is That Medicine is not Indian Medicine and Indian Medicine is not Medicine and specifically Indian Medicine is not Scientific.
Ayurveda- A Science
As Ayurveda is made up of 2 Sanskrit words Ayu and Veda, it would be foolish not to accept Vedas as a greatest systematic recorded knowledge. Ayurveda specifically described as Ashtang Ayurveda having all possible fields of medical knowledge with Hypothesis, theories and laws must fall into the category of science. Starting from the knowledge of Human body including full view of the organs of human body by dissecting it (Shavacchedan), functions of human body with the concepts of Tridosh- Saptadhatu- Atma- Mana (Physiology), Knowledge of Padarth, Praman and concept of Dravya etc as philosophical basis to understand the universe and human life makes a solid foundation to study Vikriti (Pathology), Kayachikitsa (Medicine), Shalya (Surgery), Shalakya (ENT), Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Paediatrics etc alongwith all other branches that a student of medicine is required to study forms the contents of Ayurveda. You can very well now decide if Ayurveda is not a science.
Principles
In Principle- Ayurveda believes human beings an entiety of Panchamahaabhootas+ Atma. The very definition of Ayurveda describes it ihe knowledge of all aspects of life. The Aim of Ayurveda again clarifies its intention of not only treatment of diseases but also keeping human being healthy. And the definition of health establishes Ayurveda’s concern of mind and soul an addition to the body.
Applications- Medicine
The modern lifestyles along with the food habits are causing many incurable diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes, Ischemic Heart Diseases etc., which were earlier unknown or little known among Indian population.The Swasth-Vritta wisdom of Ayurveda, armed with Dinacharya- Ratricharya- Ritucharya alongwith the Ahaar- Vihaar according to Desh-Kaala-prakriti of the ahaar and its compatibility with one’s Dosha-Dooshya status can certainly provide a protective cover over lifestyle problems.
In addition Ayurveda with its time tested drugs having toning capability of the body organs can effectively tone-up the Human Heart, Blood Vessels, Liver, Pancreas, Lungs and thus can enhance the lifespan of such patients.
AIDS has been a challenge for the medical fraternity now for more than 20 years. The more researchers try finding out the solution, more is the increase in the number of cases throughout the world. We are advised to have safe sex.Our Sanskrit literature in general and Ayurveda in particular prohibits sex with any woman other than spouse. This alongwith the concept of 4 Ashramas of human life, considering 100 years span of human life, if earnestly followed by our youth in the form of Brahmacharya Ashrama can really change the destiny of our nation in addition to immunity from AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Illegal Abortions etc. We could also overcome the problem of Female Foeticide if we earnestly look into our ancient Sanskrit literature regarding the Abortion of a pregnancy, it has been described a sin twice the sin of Brahmahatya.
We also see the mention of the contraceptive measures in Ayurveda right from the times of Atharva-veda.The longing for the male child can also be successfully fructified by making use of the Punsavana-Samskaar mentioned in our Dharma Shaastraas in general and Ayurvedic literature in particular. Rasaayana and Vaajeekarana form an important part of Ayurveda and Vaajeekarana is unique as it offers a list of aphrodisiac measures and drugs. The modern medical science would still envy the mention of the successful division of one foetus into 100 parts and artificial development into 100 full grown childern by Rishi Vyas to fulfill his words of the birth of 100 sons to Gandhari. The stem cell research scientists could get a clue from this advanced achievement of Bharat.The mention of booting artificial legs to Rani Vishpala overnight after she had got them amputated during war, by Ashwinikumaras in Rigveda conveys to us the use of expertise in orthopedic surgery in very old times, that too par excellence. A very popular episode of the rejuvenation of Chyawan Rishi to make him young from an old man, by Ashwinikumaras again underlines the power of the Rasayana concept of Ayurveda.
The beauty of the Ayurvedic concepts is their consistency. Amalaki, a renowned drug of Ayurveda and one of the constituents of Trifala is now widely accepted as the richest source of Vitamin C. The ever increasing number of people having mental illnesses is a cause of concern in our country. The concept of Mana in Sanskrit texts and Ayurveda is more relevant than the concept of Mind in Modern medicine. The use of Tranquillizers, sedatives and Anti-depressant drugs is proving insufficient in treating patients if Anxiety and Depressive illnesses. Ayurveda certainly has the potential with objective understanding of Mana and the concept of Chaturvidh purushartha in prevention of all mental illnesses. Alongwith the Rasayana and Vajeekarana drugs can be curative for Psychiatric Disorders, certainly. Whereas the ever changing theories, rules, pathological and medicinal concepts infuse a sense of indecisiveness in the mind of Physician, the Tridosha- Saptadhaatu theory of Ayurveda has withstood the times alongwith the uses and abuses of the drugs. We know that 2 main groups of allopathic medicines Analgesics and Antimicrobials have seen a sea change. One substance claimed today for a disease becomes obsolete tomorrow. Whereas the properties of the Aushodhiya dravyas mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts is reestablished everyday in the light of new researches. No wonder U.S. tried to obtain patent of Neem, Haridra etc in the light of intellectual property rights bargain.
The ever growing resistance for Antibiotics is a cause of concern in developed countries too. JAMA reported the death of 19,000 patients in U.S. due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 2005. It is now thought that war against microbes has failed, rather Antibiotics are killing the microorganisms useful for the body. The new catchword is ` We waged war on microbes, now science tells us we should embrace bacteria’.
Here comes Ayurveda which never went for killing microbes even after knowing their existence, rather Ayurveda emphasized on making the body resistant and potent to fight against the microbes.
Long list of Ayurvedic medicines still work wonders for the suffering humanity. Effectiveness of Kutaki- chiraiyata- Aamalaki alongwith so many combination of drugs in treating liver disorders, karela- jamboofal- Neem etc and the wood of vijayasaar in lowering down Blood sugar levels, Arjun- Shatavari- Vacha etc. in the ailments related to heart, Aswagandha- Mandookaparnee- Shankhpushpee etc in brain disorders, Lavang- Madhuyashtee- Kalee Mircha- pipal etc in Respiratory diseases and hundreds of herbs, minerals, metals being used as medicine by vaidyas successfully in the treatment of day-to-day ailments if undying evidence of the fact that Ayurveda is a complete science of life, diseases and their treatment being a part of it only.
Surgery
Advances in the field of medical surgery were also made in ancient India, including plastic surgery, extraction of catracts and even dental surgery. The medical theoretician and practitioner Sushruta wrote the medical compendium Sushruta-Samhita describing at least seven branches of surgery: Excision, Scarification, Puncturing, Exploration, Extraction, Evacuation, and Suturing. It also deals with matters like rhinoplasty (plastic surgery) and ophthalmology (ejection of cataracts). It also focuses on the study the human anatomy by using a dead body. Sushruta also describes over 120 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures and classifies human surgery in 8 categories. Because of his seminal and numerous contributions to the science and art of surgery he is also known by the title "Father of Surgery." Susrutha is also the father of plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery since his technique of forehead flap rhinoplasty (repairing the disfigured nose with a flap of skin from the forehead) that he used to reconstruct noses that were amputated as a punishment for crimes, is practiced almost unchanged in technique to this day. The Susruta Samhita contains the first known description of several operations, including the uniting of bowel, the removal of the prostate gland, the removal of cataract lenses and the draining of abscesses. Susrutha was also the first surgeon to advocate the practice of operations on inanimate objects such as watermelons, clay plots and reeds; thus predating the modern practice of the surgical workshop by hundreds of years. Inoculation was practiced in China, India, and Turkey, and was a precursor to vaccination for smallpox.
The fool proof Kshar-sootra treatment of Ano-rectal diseases is a glowing example of Ayurvedic surgical techniques.
Dentistry
In 2001, archaeologists studying the remains of two men from Mehrgarh, Pakistan, made the discovery that the people of Indus Valley Civilization, even from the early Harappan periods, had knowledge of medicine and dentistry. The physical anthropologist that carried out the examinations, Professor Andrea Cucina from the University of Missouri-Columbia, made the discovery when he was cleaning the teeth from one of the men. Later research in the same area found evidence of teeth having been drilled, dating back 9,000 years.
Yoga an adjuvant of Ayurveda is a system of exercise for physical and mental nourishment. Its origins are shrouded in antiquity and mystery. Since Vedic times, the principles and practice of yoga have crystallized. But it was only around 200 BC that the fundamentals of yoga were collected by Patanjali in his treatise Yogasutra ("Yoga-Aphorisms"; see Yoga Sutras of Patanjali). In short, Patanjali surmised that through the practice of yoga, the energy latent within the human body may be released, which has a salubrious effect on the body and the mind. Modern clinical practices have established that several ailments, including hypertension, clinical depression, amnesia, acidity, can be controlled and managed by yogic practices. The application of yoga in physiotherapy is also gaining recognition.
Doctor is the word that may confuse anyone wheather one is a Ph.D or a medical man. Ayurveda offers the words Chikitsak- Vaidya, who are more specific to the profession and we should lead the world in adopting these specific terms for medical doctors.
Ayurveda is not a closed study and an provide a cover to all types of medical knowledge of the world in tune with entire Sanskrit terminology and thought. Ch.Vi. 8-14 states “ There is no end to learning of Ayurveda. Hence you should cautiously and contantly devote yourself in it. In addition you should increase your professional skill by learning from others without being jealous. The intelligent would regard the whole world as their teacher whereas unintelligent would think the same as their enemies.”
Hence, with a view of the relevance of Ayurveda, the need of the day would be to integrate the ancient Ayurveda with Modern medical knowledge to use the product as Integrated medicine in the name of Ayurveda to make a Healthy society. Because a healthy body (Swasth Shareer) can only be a mean to practice Chaturvidh Purushartha, so important for Human beings.

Dr. Jai Prakash Gupta.
Amritkalash Chikitsalaya,
Shop N. 20-21, Housing Board Colony, Ambala Cantt. Mob. +91-9315510425
E-Mail- chikitsak@rediffmail.com
This paper was presented at a UGC Sponsored National Seminar on "Relevance of Sanskrit in Modern Technical Times, organized at G.M.N. College, Ambala Cantt. India.