During the most difficult two years of the corona phase, we learned the value of Ayurveda medicine.  Ayurveda is Bharat’s gift to the world, but we haven’t given it enough attention to keep society and the nation healthy.  According to a report, Bharat’s Ayurvedic product industry is expected to grow to USD 16.27 billion or Rs 1.2 lakh crore by FY28, up from USD 7 billion or Rs 57,450 crore currently.  The Ayurveda product market has grown significantly as a result of increased demand for natural and herbal medicines in domestic and foreign markets, an increase in ayurveda medical practitioners, government efforts, and the emergence of new businesses. In the continuation of the Vedic Sages series, we will look at real scientists who have made significant contributions to a healthy society through diverse Ayurvedic and Yoga research.  Rishi Sushruta, Rishi Charak, and Maharishi Patanjali.  We must conduct extensive research on their results and apply them on a worldwide scale in order for the world to become healthier and more peaceful.

Sushruta: Father of Surgery

Work Sushruta, who is called the father of surgery, was born in Kashi (present Varanasi) in the 1st century BC. He received education from the sage Dhanvantari of Ayurveda and made a unique contribution to the surgery of Ayurveda. His major book ‘Sushruta Samhita’ still holds a special place in the world medical science and surgery, which presents a detailed study of various Methods of surgery.

Sushruta Samhita is considered an important book of medical science, in which information has been given about anatomy, physical therapy, pediatrics, gynecology and infectious diseases along with surgical treatment. Seeing the complexities of surgery, Sushruta invented about 125 types of surgical instruments, which include various types of knives, needles and forceps.

Acharya Sushrut developed 300 types of operation procedures. His developed procedures mention not only simple surgeries but also complex ones. Sushrut gave a detailed description of the method of cataract surgery, apart from this, he had deep knowledge of caesarean delivery, which was a revolutionary achievement in the medical science of that time. Sushrut had special expertise in identifying and joining broken bones. Along with this, he developed the method of anaesthesia to reduce the pain during surgery. He used to give special medicines to the surgery patient, which worked as anaesthesia. Hence, he is also known as the father of anaesthesia. He was also the originator of modern plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery. He acquired amazing skills in surgery, which included methods like repair and reconstruction of other body parts. The science was highly developed and effective in his time and Sushrut disseminated it widely.

In the eighth century, the Arabic translation of Sushruta Samhita was published as ‘Kitab-i-Sushruta’, which made this book popular in Arab and Western medicine as well. Sushruta’s knowledge crossed borders and reached the global medical community, giving him recognition at the medical level.

Rishi Charak : Father of modern Ayurveda medicine

Maharishi Charak is considered the father of modern Ayurveda medicine. It is clear from his life and work that the medical methods in the ancient Indian system of science were very modern and advanced. Charak was the Rajvaidya of the Kushan state and he gave a new direction to medical science. ‘Charak Samhita’ is considered a unique treatise on Ayurveda today, in which he has given a detailed description of curative and disease-preventive medicines. Charak Samhita is a great treatise on Ayurveda compiled from time to time by various sages. Maharishi Charak also contributed to it. ‘Charak Samhita’ is not only a medical treatise, but it also sheds light on various principles of Indian philosophy and economics. In this treatise, the ash of gold, silver, mercury and other metals and their medical use are mentioned. Maharishi Charak improved and expanded the Agniveshtantra composed by Acharya Agnivesh and gave it a new form, which we know today as ‘Charak Samhita’. Along with the treatment of physical and mental diseases, the principles of healthy living have also been described in the treatise.

Rishi Charak believed that it is necessary for any physician to understand all the components of the body, including the environment. He believed that the environment has a profound effect on both the disease and the patient. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the nature of the patient before treating him. He emphasized that preventing the disease is more important than treating it.

Rishi Charak developed a unique method of disease diagnosis in medical science. Charak said that a physician must enter the body of the patient through his knowledge, so that he can diagnose the disease correctly. Unless there is a complete diagnosis of the body, successful treatment of the disease is not possible. This idea is described in detail in ‘Charak Samhita’, where he explained this esoteric principle of medicine.

Maharishi Patanjali: Father of Yoga and Sanskrit grammar

Maharishi Patanjali was one of the great sages of ancient Bharat, considered to be the father of yoga and Sanskrit grammar. The influence of his scholarship and profound knowledge is felt today in Bharat and around the world. Patanjali not only propounded the method of name purification and mental balance through yoga, but he also composed the Sanskrit “Mahabhashya”, which is still the main basis of Sanskrit grammar.

Maharishi Patanjali’s most famous work is the Yoga Sutra, in which he described yoga as the science of combining the mind and body. The Yoga Sutra is divided into four chapters

1. Samadhi Pada: It gives the state of samadhi and methods of attaining mental peace.

2. Sadhana Pada: It elaborates the eight limbs of Yoga – Ashtanga Yoga – which are known as Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi

3. Vibhuti Pada: It describes the powers derived from yoga practice

4. Kaivalya Pada: This is the step of purity of soul and union with God.

Patanjali described yoga as not only a physical exercise, but also a means of mental and spiritual purification. According to him, through the practice of yoga, a person can experience his fearless power and inner peace, and can lead him to self-realization.

Maharishi Patanjali on Panini’s famous Vaiyakarana of Sanskrit Wrote an elaborate commentary called Mahabhashya. It deeply defines the rules of grammar and makes the structure of Sanskrit language simple and accessible. Mahabhashya is studied even today by students and scholars of Sanskrit grammar, and is an invaluable resource for the study of the Sanskrit language.

Maharishi Patanjali is known for his important contributions to medicine as well as yoga and grammar. He considered yoga to be an important means of maintaining the balance of body and mind, and his teachings have proved useful even in today’s medical practices. Through yoga, not only the mental stress and ailments can be removed, but also the methods to keep the body healthy and long-lived.

It is the appropriate moment for our youth to study, analyze, and explore the deep knowledge imparted by our great sages.  The world has acknowledged the power of yoga and ayurveda.  Let us work to strengthen those fields for a better world.