Genealogy of the Teachers of Medicine and History

Genealogy of the Teachers of Medicine

History of Indian Medicine by Girindranath Mukhopadhyaya Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Calcutta, 1994, p. 123

Vidyanath, Dr. R, Nishteswar, Dr. K, A Handbook of History of Ayurveda, Chaukhamba, Varanasi, India, 2006, p50

Brahma

Prajapati Daksha

Ashvini Kumaras

Indra

Bharadvaja Dhanvantari Kashyapa

Atreya (or Divodasha) Atri Bhrigu, et al

Agnivesha Jatukarna Bhela Harita Ksharapani Sushruta Aupadhenava Aurabhra Paushkalavata Karavirya, et al

Caraka & Dridhabala Vagbhata Nagarjuna (Redactor)

This genealogy of the mystical origins of Ayurveda is found with similar details in most of the classical samhitas of Ayurveda. Generally, the author/redactor of a work includes this material near the beginning of the treatise. The essential meaning of it, however, is as an affirmation of its origin in Consciousness—a holy or divine “origin.” This conveys the flavor of an eternal knowledge that can be accessed by anyone who turns inward and has the intention to know. This chart will serve also to help establish a timeline for the more mundane appearances of its traditional literary forms—the samhitas. The Agnivesha Samhita, for example predates Caraka’s redaction by possibly as many as 1000 years. The Kashyapa Samhita must predate the Major Three (Caraka, Sushruta, Vagbha»a) as he is named in the lineage even before Agnivesha . According to the Samhitas the first mortals were Bharadvaja, Kashyapa, (and possibly Dhanvantari). But these sort of musings are of interest to the historian primarily and not to the practicing herbalist. This kind of issue is however, the stuff of the study of the history of any subject.

The Pharmacopeia & Compendia

· Vedic 1500-800- B.C. ¬g and Atharva Veda (mantras, herbs) healing and preserving life

· Classical Ayurveda (aka Arsha Period or period of sages / rishis)—6^th C. BC to 1000 AD. In the earlier Vedic period doctors had to go thru the streets hawking there services, as it were. It has been said that healing spells and mantras preceded medicines. Priests were the medicine men. This may be supported by the writings in Rig with many mantras for healing.

· Atreya Samhita accorded distinction of oldest extant with 46,500 verses and predating Caraka 800 years

· Brihat Trayi: Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Samgraha/Hridayam. 500 BC to 700 AD.

· Use of plants as medicine predominant with some mention of vegetables. Vagbhata mentions mercury in form of kajjali = Rasa Shastra developed

· Jivaka (physician to Buddha) had important herbal treatise—500-250 BC (Ashoka & Buddha)

· Two great Universities in India known—taught astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, medicine—Benares (Sushruta) & Takshashila (Atreya/Caraka)

· The Medieval Period 800-1500 AD –India During the 14^th century AD. Many scholars from Arabia, Persia, Iran were brought into the country. Translations of ancient Sanskrit texts was undertaken in large way. (The Latin translations became the basis of European medicine until the 17^th century--Bhishagratna.) Hence some drugs and ideas of the Unani system mixed with Ayurvedic literature.

· Sharngadhara Samhita in 14^th C. AD appeared, including new facts and perspectives—

· Influence of Arabian medicine Avicenna (980-1037 AD) including quotes of Indian medical writings

· The Unani and Siddha Systems (under the influence of mogul rulers)—16^th C. AD use of metals with Hg most important; lack of royal support of Unani led to its decline in popularity

· In onset of rule effort to revive Ayurveda to facilitate the medical efforts but new medical schools were of Allopathic orientation. Seeming incompatibility of their co-existence led to discontinuance of the Ayurvedic training.