INTERNATIONAL AYURVEDIC MEDICAL JOURNAL

International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, (ISSN: 2320 5091) (July, 2017) 5(7)

ORIGIN & DEVELOPMENT OF

Sudheendra Honwad1, Reena2

1Associate Professor & Head, Dept. of Agadatantra, Shri. Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Udupi, Karnataka, India 2Assistant Professor Dept. of Kriya Shareera, RKM Ayurvedic Medical College Vijayapur, Karnata- ka, India

Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT Lord created Ayurveda, which was then transferred to Devatas (God), then onwards to sages through two main schools of thoughts as Punarvasu School of physicians and Divodas Dhanwantari School of surgeons. The references related to Ayurveda are available in all the especially in Atharva Veda where the Ayurvedic concepts are explained in systematic and detailed manner. The matter of Ayurveda is also available in , , Epics like & , Chanakya . The systematic development was noted during period, during which & were written, so the trend was continued by Acharya Vagbhata who wrote Astanga Sangraha. The Laghutrayees highlights the importance of subject spe- cialization and added updated information to the field of Ayurveda. The science of Rasashastra which deals with treatment by using metals & minerals increased the value of Ayurveda. In later part of 20th century Ayurveda developed with research & development by utilizing scientific tools.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Veda, Samhitas

INTRODUCTION Ayurveda the ancient science of life is a com- Indian literatures were believed to be com- prehensive system of health care. According to posed between 5000-1000 B.C. have enough Indian philosophy, good health is very essen- information on treatment by using plants and tial to gain social & spiritual upliftment of natural procedures. References of treatment, human beings. Lord Brahma who is creator of medicines and were also available in this universe is the first demonstrator and the most of the ancient Indian literatures. The teacher of Ayurveda. Four Vedas the oldest Ayurveda was considered as fully developed Sudheendra Honwad& Reena: Origin & Development Of Ayurveda and categorized science from the period of opments are seen in the fundamental prin- Samhitas, i.e., around 1000 years B.C., and ciples of Ayurveda. then onwards till 17th century A.D. Ayurveda Acharya P. V. Sharma described the devel- was developed remarkably, even though opment of Ayurveda render 3 major compo- troubles and hurdles created by Mogal em- nents, pires. During the British rule the modern sys- 1. Prachin Kala- Ancient period (up to 7th tem of medicine entered into our country and A.D.) because of government support & quick action 2. Madhyama Kala- Medieval period (8th -15th the modern system was popularized. In such century A.D.) conditions also many traditional Vaidyas and 3. Adhunika Kala- Modern period (16th cen- families saved the treasure of Ayurvedic lite- tury onwards) rature and practiced it as main health care sys- Atrideva Vidyalankar described history of tem. In latter part of 20th century the Ayurveda Ayurveda as under, has become integral part of national health de- 1. Vaidika Kala- Pre historic period (2500 livery system of India. In 21st century Ayur- B.C.) vedic Medical Science has developed very 2. Ramayan & Mahabharat kala (500 B.C.) scientifically with the aid of research and de- 3. Bouddha Kala (363 B.C.) velopment. 4. Kushan kala (210 B.C. to 176 A.D.) 5. Gupta Kala (380 A.D.) Review of Literature 6. Madhya Kala (647-1200 A.D.) Origin of Ayurveda 7. Moghul Kala (12th – 18th century A.D.) Brahma the creator of the universe revealed 8. Adhunika Kala (After 18th century) Ayurveda to Dakshaprajapati & Daksha Dr. Achanta Lakshmipati quoted it as, taught it to the Ashwini Kumara’s, the Vedic 1. Puratana Yuga- From time immemorial to gods of medicine, who in turn taught it to In- 50,000 B.C. dra1. All the schools of Ayurveda agree with 2. Arya Yuga- From 50,000 B.C. to 1000 B.C. the divine genealogy up to , but they 3. Bouddha Yuga- From 1000 B.C. to 300 have different version regarding the transmis- A.D. sion of the Ayurveda in next stages. There are 4. Pouranika Yuga- From 300 A.D. to 1000 two main schools of thoughts in Ayurveda; B.C. Punarvasu Atreya the school of physician & 5. Yuga- From 1000 A.D. to 1850 A.D. Divodas Dhanwantari the school of surgeons. 6. Adhunika Yuga- From 1850 A.D. to the Early developments of Ayurveda1 present time. A time bracket for the origin & development Vedic Period1 of medicine includes the 5th millennium B.C. Various scholars opine that Vedas are the old- to 3rd century A.D., the period from 3rd century est records of scriptures, Hindu scrip- A.D. can be named as post Ayurvedic period, tures are generally classified into two types; after which no further modification or devel- such as Sruti and Smruti. Sruti means heard

IAMJ: JULY, 2017 2621 Sudheendra Honwad& Reena: Origin & Development Of Ayurveda and Smruti means recollection. It is believed to Vispala, daughter of king khala and made to have been heard as revelations from Brah- her fit for the battle are available. Causative ma & , thus inspirited have left a record factors and the treatment pertaining to animals of those truths for the benefits of mankind. also have been described in Rig-Veda. These records are known as Vedas, the term References related to Ayurveda in Yajur- Veda, literally means knowledge. Veda Status of Ayurveda during Vedic period The (Veda of sacrificial formulas) Ayurveda is regarded as upaveda of Rig-Veda consists of archaic prose and also in also, whether Ayurveda is upaveda to Rig- part of verses borrowed from the Rig-Veda. It Veda or Atharv-Veda both are preponderating has two branches; Shukla Yajur-Veda and sources of the principles of Ayurveda lying Yajur-Veda. This Veda is made up of scattered in the Vedic literature. Sage Kashya- 6 Kanda (Segment) with each of these having pa has bestowed Vedas status to Ayurveda & 5 to 11 prapathaka (similar to chapters) for a mentioned it as Panchama Veda. total 44 adhyayas (Chapters). References related to Ayurveda in Rig- Reference related to anatomical structures of Veda animals as well as human beings are vastly The Rig-Veda is the oldest significant exis- available in this Veda. In the 12th Shukla Ya- tence Indian text; it is a collection of 1028 jur-Veda the medicinal properties of different Vedic hymns and 10,600 verses in all, herbs, their uses, and collection of drugs and original into mandalas. also treatment of Balasa, Arshas, Galagandha, In Rig- Veda the use of natural remedies were Slipada, Yakshma, Mukhapaka and Kushta are discussed, such as, exposure to sun rays gives explained. relief in many numbers of disorders such as, References related to Ayurveda in Sama- worms, cardiac problems, anemia, jaundice Veda etc, importance of water is explained as essen- The Sama-Veda is the Veda of chants or tial sustenance of life, fire is mentioned as de- knowledge of melodies. It consists of 1875 stroyer of bacteria and virus and is applied in mantras total, Purvarchika 6 chapters with 650 various ways in different disorders, air is also mantras & Uttararchika 21 chapters 1225 considered as bhishak, single drug therapy was mantras. Only few references related to Ayur- more familiar in those days, along with inter- veda are available in Sama Veda, mainly it nal medicine use of gems and other divine the- deals with the use of natural remedies like rapeutic measures were also in practice. De- Sun, Air, Water, and Fire etc. scription regarding the various parts of the References related to Ayurveda in Atharva- body and various diseases like Rajayakshma, Veda Hridroga etc are also available. The references The Atharva-Veda is the Knowledge of the related to Ashwini twins who treated and made Atharva & Angirasa rushis, this Veda contains old Chyavana Maharshi quite young and at least 20 Kandas (chapters) and the total blessed him with long life and fitted iron legs number of hymns in this Veda may be as

IAMJ: JULY, 2017 2622 Sudheendra Honwad& Reena: Origin & Development Of Ayurveda much as 12,300. It has 9 sakhas (divisions), Hindu or Hindu way of life has been out of nine Saunaka & Pippalada are the only incorporated in smritis, and smritis were writ- two which are available now, most of the ten by considering Vedas as base. The basic Ayurvedic literature can be found in the Sau- smritis were eighteen in number, among them naka branch. Manu , Naradiya smriti, smriti & Only a brief introduction is available pertain- Yagnavalkya smriti have become more popu- ing to medical science in Rug, Yajur and Sama lar. The smritis mainly includes civil and Vedas, where as in Atharva Veda contains de- criminal laws along with individual life style. tailed description of various aspects of Ayur- The Ayurvedic concepts which mainly high- vedic concepts, Anatomical structures of hu- lights and educates life style, such as bathing man body, digestion and metabolism, blood is avoided after eating, one should get up early circulation, diseases and their causative fac- in the morning, one should not immediately tors, preventive measures, treatment with study after the meals etc were included in herbs, minerals and surgical techniques, dif- smritis. ferent types of worms and the diseases caused Ayurveda in the Epics1 by them along with treatment have been ex- Ramayana & Mahabharata are considered two plained. Hence by considering the amount of great epics of Indian literature both Ramayana matter related Ayurveda, which is available in & Mahabharata have religious value to Indians Atharva- Veda, the Ayurveda is considered as and valuable ideal epics of Indian ethics & Upa veda of Atharva-Veda. culture. In both the epics the principles of Ayurveda in Upanishad literatures1 Ayurveda & other Ayurvedic aspects are men- The Sanskrit term Upanishad means sitting tioned such as; down beside, i.e., sitting down near a spiritual In Ramayana teacher () in order to receive instructions Preservation of dead body; the dead body of in the guru-shishya tradition. The date of king Dasharatha was preserved in tila droni composition of the Upanishad may be from till the arrival of Bharat. around 800- 400 B.C. The number of Upani- Transplantation of organs; the sage Gouthama shad is given as 108. Among 108 Katha, Isa, castrated one of the testicles of Indra, in place Kena, Mundaka, Svetasvatara, Prasna, Man- of that Ashwinis transplanted the testicles of dukya, Aitareeya, Brihadaranyaka, Taittiriya goat, so Indra was called as “Meshanda”. & Chhandogya Upanishad are the major. The Toxicology; when Dasharatha rejected to ful- references related to kundalini awakening, fill the desires of queen kaikakeya, she said, if pranayama are available in Upanishad, the was installed as the king of Ayodhya, explanation related to prana vata is available. then she will die by taking poison, which Explanation related 31 herbs, like Agaru, Ak- shows that the use of poisonous substances sha, Amala. Amalaka, Amra, Anu, Arka etc are already existed in those days. available in Upanishad. Description of herbs; many plants and trees Ayurveda in Smritis1 have been described in Ramayana at different

IAMJ: JULY, 2017 2623 Sudheendra Honwad& Reena: Origin & Development Of Ayurveda places, such as Kutaja, Arjuna, Kadamba, Chandragupta and architect of his rise of pow- Nimba, Saptacchada, Ashok, Asana, Sapta er. Two books are attributed to Chanakya i.e., parna, Kovidara etc. & Niti shastra, regulations of Examination of dead & alive; During the war, public health, the govt. rules for the practice of when Lakshmana became unconscious struck physicians, classification of physicians, their by an arrow, Rama thought him dead, at that duties, responsibilities, maintenance of the time vaidya Sushen examined the body of hospital & dispensaries, plantation of medi- Lakshmana and decided that he was alive. cinal plants, line of treatment for various dis- Treatment with the herbs; Vaidya Sushen eases, facility to be provided to the patient treated Lakshamana with drugs which has etc., were elaborately described in Artha sha- been brought from Himalayas by Hanumana. stra. In Mahabharata Ayurveda in Buddha literature1 Toxicological references; once Duryodhana Buddhism has played a significant role in unit- gave poisonous food to Bhima who became ing spirituality and medicine, enough refer- unconscious and was thrown in to the river, ences of Ayurveda are available in Buddha due to serpent bite he was revived, it suggest literature such as, diseases were classified in that Jangama Visha might have acted as anti- to four types as vatika, paittika, sleshmika and dote for Sthavara Visha. sannipatika, four types plants are explained as Diseases, causes and treatment; in santi parva trina, gulma, oshadhi & . Various of Mahabharata the psychosomatic disorders types of forms of administration were men- & their clinical pictures were described along tioned, anatomical references such as the part with influence of Trigunas on the body & of the body, internal organs, number of bones, mind. joints, arteries, veins, tendons, vital organs are Ashwinis treated the blindness of Upamanya, available. The process of digestion and meta- which was caused due to the consumption of bolism were explained by using the concepts Arka leaves. of Ayurveda. The various references related to Atriputra suffered from Rajayakshma caused diseases and treatments were also available. due to excessive copulation and was revived Samhita Period (The era of Systematic de- by getting treatment. velopment of Ayurveda)2 Practice of Surgery; when Bhishma was Samhita period is associated with the syste- wounded and was lying on the bed of arrows matic development and division of Ayurveda, during kurukshetra war, Duryodhana called the development is associated with formula- experienced and skilled surgeons to treat tion of unique literatures. Around 1000 B.C. Bhishma, but Bhishma refused to take treat- the compendia like & Su- ment. shruta samhita were written in a systematic Ayurveda in Chanakya’s Artha shastra1 manner with eight branches. Chanakya (350-283 BC) was an adviser & Charaka samhita basically known as Agnive- Prime minister to the first Mourya emperor sha consists of 12000 verses originally,

IAMJ: JULY, 2017 2624 Sudheendra Honwad& Reena: Origin & Development Of Ayurveda unfortunately the complete original text is not Madhava Nidana, authorized by madhavakara available at present, and it was redacted by is a work on diagnosis of the diseases, Bhava- Charaka & there after it became popular as prakasa written by Bhava Misra gives addi- Charaka samhita. 41 chapters (17 chapters tional emphasis on and diet from chikitsa, 12 chapter from sthana and Sarangadhara Samhita focused on phar- and 12 chapters from siddhi sthana) were lost maceutics and Ayurveda was enriched with which were originally composed by Acharya addition of more formulations and dosage Agnivesha & revised by Charaka, later on forms. those were redacted by Dridhabala. Charaka Origin & development of Rasashastra3 samhita occupies a very important place in the Rasashastra means the science dealing with history of world’s medical science, even mercury and other metallic substances & their though all the eight branches of Ayurveda utilizations in the medicine. The period be- have dealt by the author, this work has become tween 7th century AD. to 13th century AD. was more popular as the authentic text of Kayachi- considered as the golden period of develop- kitsa. ment of Rasashastra, the use of mercury & was also one of the ancient other metals in bhasma form shown miracles treatises of Ayurveda, which specially deals results in diseased condition and in contribut- with procedures of surgery, originally Acharya ing positive health. Acharya and Sushruta composed the text Sushruta samhita many siddhas of Rasashastra contributed lot later on Nagarjuna redacted it. in the development of Rasashastra, many Ra- The essential details of Charaka samhita & sashastra literature which is available now Sushruta samhita were compiled and further were written during this period only. Many updated in the treatises Astang Sangrha and important formulations which were demon- Astang Hridaya authored by Vrudha Vagbhata strated during this period (7-13 Cen, A.D.) are and Vagbhata during 6th – 7th century A.D. till today practiced to treat many chronic dis- Astang Sangraha is one of the authentic texts orders. on the Ayurvedic medical sciences and hence Development of Ayurveda in 19th Century it has been grouped under “Brhattraya” along and Onwards4 with Charaka samhita & Sushruta samhita. In 1827, the first Ayurveda course was started Brhattraya’s formed and created basis for sub- in India in Government Sanskrit college, Cal- sequent scholars to write texts and among cutta. them three concise classics i.e., Madhava Ni- 1920- Indian National congress convention at dana, Sarangadhara Samhita and Bhavapra- Nagpur resolved to accept the Ayurvedic sys- kash having distinct features are called as tem of medicine as India’s national health care Laghutrayi. Some other eminent practitioners system. and visionaries like Kasyapa, Bhela, and - 1921- Mahatma Gandhi Inaugurated Ayurved- ta also wrote their respective compendia. ic & Unani Tibbia college, karola bagh in Delhi

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1922- Teaching of Ayurveda started in Bana- 1983- Setting up of Indian medicine pharma- ras Hindu University in the department of ceutical corporation Ltd, (IMPCL), a drug oriental Learning & Theology. manufacturing unit for Ayurvedic and Unani 1927- Madan mohan malviya established medicines at Mohan, Dist. Almora, Uttarak- Ayurveda College in Banaras Hindu Universi- handa. ty, . 1989- Establishment of Rastriya Ayurveda 1940- Enforcement of drug & cosmetic act for peetha (National Academy of Ayurve- Ayurvedic/Siddha/Unani medicines. da) at New Delhi to promote guru-shishya pa- 1956-57- Establishment of Institute for Post rampara. Graduate Training & Research in Ayurveda in 1995- Creation of separate department of In- Jamanagar. dian systems of medicine & in 1963-64- Establishment of Post graduate Insti- the ministry of Health & Family well fare, tute of Indian medicine at Banaras Hindu Uni- Govt. of India. versity, Varanasi. 2001- Initiation of Traditional Knowledge dig- 1964- Indian council of Medical Research ital Library (TKDL). started composite drug research scheme 2002- National Policy on Indian systems of (CDRS). medicine & Homeopathy. 1969- Setting up of an apex research body i.e., 2003- Department of ISM&H was renamed as Central council for research in Indian systems Department of Ayurveda, & Naturopa- of medicine & Homeopathy (CCRIMH). thy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy (Ayush). 1970- Indian Medicine Central council Act, 2005- Under the National Rural health mission 1970 (IMCC Act) came in to force for regula- (NRHM), the main streaming of Ayush was tion of practice & uniformity standards of important decision to introduce Ayush at PHC, education. CHC and at district level. 1970- Establishment of Pharmacopoeia la- 2008- The union cabinet approved the estab- boratory for Indian medicine, Ghaziabad, U.P. lishment of All India Institute of Ayurveda 1971- Constitution of Central council of In- (AIIA). dian Medicine under IMCC Act-1970 for reg- - Establishment of North-eastern institute of ulation of education & Clinical Practice. Ayurveda & Homeopathy at Shilonga, Megha- 1972-73- Establishment of National Institute laya. of Ayurveda Jaipur, Rajasthan. 2015- Creation of separate ministry in central During the period 1950-1980 many Ayurvedic government for Ayush, as ministry of Ayush. colleges were started in different states of In- dia. CONCLUSION 1976- Publication of Part-I of Ayurvedic for- Lord Brahma created Ayurveda, which was mulary of India containing 444 formulations. then transferred to devatas, and then to sages. 1978- Establishment of Central council of re- Enough references of Ayurveda are available search in Ayurveda & Siddha (CCRAS). in all the Vedas especially in Atharva veda.

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The matter of Ayurveda is also available in Source of Support: Nil Upanishads, Smritis, Epics like Ramayana & Conflict Of Interest: None Declared Mahabharata, Chankya artha shastra. The sys- tematic development of Ayurveda was noted How to cite this URL: Sudheendra Honwad& Reena: Origin & Development Of Ayurveda. International Ayurvedic during samhita period. Rasashatra the science Medical Journal {online} 2017 {cited July, 2017} Available of metals and minerals increased the value of from: Ayurveda. http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/2620_2627.pdf In latter part of 20th century many Ayurvedic Institutions were established in India by which it has become integral part of national health delivery system of country. In 21st century Ayurvedic Medical Science has developed very scientifically with the aid of research and development.

REFERENCES 1. K. Nishteshwar & R. Vidyanath. A Hand Book of History of Ayurveda. Chowk- hamba Sanskrit series office, Varanasi. Revised edition 2009. pp.486 2. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita; Ayurveda deepika of Chakrpani; Edited by Acharya Yadavaji Trikamji; Chaukhambha Publica- tions, Varanasi, reprint 2011, pp-738. 3. Mookerjee Bhudeb. Rasajala nidhi – Ocean of Indian Chemistry, Vol. 2. Medi- cine and Alchemy. 4th edition. Delhi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2004.pp.288. 4. Ayurveda the Science e of Life. Depart- ment of Ayush Ministry of Health & Fami- ly welfare, Govt. of India New Delhi. 2012. pp.115

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