Medical education in ancient India

A brief post on medical education in ancient India. Ancient Hindu doctors were regarded as among the best in the world. They were experts in performing various advanced medical procedures including cataract surgery.

1)Aspiring candidates were eligible to enroll as medical students. 

2)A Special Upanayana(initiation) ceremony was conducted for students seeking admission to medical courses. 

3)The student was expected to be proficient in Sanskrit. 

4) Rote learning was discouraged. This is said by the great Sushruta himself. 

5) Different medical specialization courses were offered. 

6) Emphasis was laid on practical training in surgery & pharmacy.

7) Beginner students were taught how to hold medical instruments by teachers. They practiced dissection procedures first on pumpkins, cucumbers followed by dead animals. 

8) Students were also taught suturing techniques.

9) Emphasis was put on training the students in dissection. Advanced students practiced it on dead bodies. 

10) Students were required to have a throughout knowledge of the human anatomy. 

11) The quality of medical education imparted in Bharat was the highest for that era.

12) Large medical colleges (Arogyavihara) existed in cities like Pataliputra (present day Patna) where some of the students received training in advanced medical techniques. 

13) Hindu doctors were renowned for their proficiency. Arabs invited Hindu doctors to arab peninsula to teach & supervise.

14) The following is an extract from the Charakasamhitha Vimanasthana. It was an oath initiated to students on completion of their course. Very similar to the hippocratic oath administered to practitioners of modern medicine.

Some of the important points mentioned in the above oath.

a)Everyday you should continuously & wholeheartedly try to promote the health of your patients.

b)Even if your own life is in danger you should not desert your patients. 

c)Your speech should be smooth, polished, truthful & to the point. 

d)You must treat as strictly confidential all information about the patient & their family.

e)You should make a deliberate endeavor to increase the stock of your knowledge & instruments. 

f)Where there is a danger of the patient or any of his relatives receiving a shock, you should not divulge the impending death of the patient, even when you are aware of it.

g)Though well grounded in your line, you much not praise your knowledge much. One can never get a mastery of the entire medical science.
h) A wise physician should listen to & derive benefit from the discoveries & observations of even an enemy.

Ancient Hindu doctors were regarded as among the best in the world. They were experts in performing various advanced medical procedures including cataract surgery. Hindu doctors trained & imparted medical knowledge to lesser evolved societies like the arabs.

REFERENCE

Education in Ancient India by AS Altekar

Padartha dharma sangraha of Prashastapada : The Ancient Hindu knowledge on the fundamental nature of Space, Time & Matter.

The Padartha dharma sangraha of Prashastapada is one of the most important works on Physics to emerge out of ancient Bharat. The text greatly deals with the nature of matter, recognizing its atomic character & the role of atoms.

Prashastapada was an ancient Hindu philosopher who lived during the classical age of the Guptas. He wrote the Padartha dharma sangraha, which is basically a commentary on Vaisheshika Sutras of Rishi Kanada (who was the first person to propound the atomic nature of matter)

The concepts discussed in the text include those which came to be later classified as classical/newtonian mechanics. Prashastapada talks about concepts like Vega (momentum), Sanyoga vibhaga (displacement), Digvishista Karyarambhakatva (Vectors), Gamana (curvilinear motion)

Bhramana (rotary motion), Spandana (vibratory motion) among many other concepts. The concept of Vega(momentum) which forms the basis of Newton's 2nd law of motion (F=m.a) was explained by Prashastapada centuries before Newton was born.

The text talks in great detail about fluid mechanics. Concepts like Saandrataa (Viscosity), Abhisarpana (Capillary motion), fluid motion are explained in great detail here. Among the different types of motion explained by Prashastapada. This was 1000 years before Galileo & Newton.

Prasastapada also explains to us the nature of sound & its mode of propagation. He says sound travels through the medium of air in the form of circular waves.

Prasastapada was aware of the nature of atoms & their perpetual state of motion which he classified into different types including rotatory, circular & simple harmonic motion.

A small extract from the Padarthadharma sangraha, where Prashastapada first pays obeisance to Ishvara & Rishi Kanada before commencing his work.

REFERENCE

The Cultural Heritage of India Volume VI by Ramakrishna Mission

Structural elements of a Pallava monolithic rock cut Ratha type Temple

Valayankuttai Ratha

This partially completed monolithic Pallava rock cut temple from Mahabalipuram presents a very good visual representation of how ancient Sthapatis (Architects) went about carving out material from a monolithic rock. Valayankuttai Ratha was being built during the reign of Pallava emperor Parameshvaravarman I who reigned during the years 670-695 CE.

Arjuna Ratha

If the Sthapatis had managed to complete the Valayankuttai Ratha, it would have looked similar to the Arjuna Ratha above. The Arjuna Ratha is from the Pancha Ratha Temple complex, an UNESCO world heritage monument. The Upapeetha(base) & Adisthana(plinth) remained incomplete in the Valayankuttai Ratha.

Upapeetha (Base)

This is also a good opportunity to understand the different elements that make up a Ratha type temple. It basically comprises of 6 major parts or Angas as it is called in the Shilpashastra. Lets have a look with the above example. Bottom most part is the Upapeetha, the sub base.

Adisthana (Plinth)

On top of the Upapeetha, we have the Adisthana. Usually these two elements are referred to as a single element. The rest of the Temple structure rests on this element. Sometimes the the Adisthana is intricately carved with a variety of ornate carvings. Usually Simhas (lions) & Ashvas (horses). The Adisthana itself is further divided in a series of sub parts Kandhara, mahapatti, jagati, kumuda, kampa, kapota, pratimuka, vaajana etc. But we'll have a look at only the basic 6 elements for now.

Paada (Wall)

This part is the Paada (walls). The paada also contain a number of Sthambas (pillars). The recess where carvings are made is called the Koshtha. In the case of the Arjuna Ratha there are 5 carvings On either side is a Pratihara (Guard). In centre we have Skanda seated on elephant.

Prasthara (Entablature)

Then comes the Prasthara or what in english we call as entablature. It is basically a horizontal beam which seperates the Paada(wall) from the upper structure. Prasthara too has a number of elements like Kapota, Uttira, Vyalavari etc. All these elements are intricately decorated.

Haara (Parapet)

This element is the Haara, the Parapet. The Ratha/Vimana type Temple can have a number of storeys. The Arjuna ratha is an example of a simple two storeyed Temple (Dvi-Tala). A ratha type Temple can have as high as 16 storeys. Each one of them is called jaati Vimana.

Griva (neck)

Shikhara (Spire)

Finally we have the Shikhara which is the spire. On top of it we usually have a Sthupi or Kalasha(which is not visible here). These are few elements of a Vimana type temple.

Dharmaraja Ratha

Dharmaraja ratha is the tallest among Pancharatha temples. It is a tri-tala (3 storeyed) Vimana type Temple. Each one of the storeys are functional. Despite its grand look, it is actually an unfinished temple. We can only imagine how much more grander finished one would have been.

REFERENCE

Encyclopedia of Hindu Temple Architecture by MA Dhaky

The Significance of Naraka Chaturdashi and its description in the Brahma Purana

Shri Krishna & Garuda

The Brahma Purana describes in vivid detail the slaying of Narakasura by Shri Krishna. The whole event is described by Veda Vyasa. The below Shlokas mentions the arrival of Indra at Dwaraka to meet Shri Krishna & describe to him the atrocities committed by Narakasura.

Indra identifies Naraka, the son of Bhumi as the king of Pragjyotisha who harasses and destroys all living beings. Indra says to Krishna that after killing many devas, siddhas & rajas; Naraka imprisoned their daughters in his palace.

Indra complains to Krishna on how Naraka took away by force the famed umbrella of Pracetas, on how he removed Maniparvata, peak of Mandara & took away by force the earrings of Indra's mother Aditi. Indra then implores Shri Krishna to take action against Naraka.

Indra implores Krishna to take action against Naraksura

Krishna assures Indra that he'll take action. Along with with Sathyabhama on his side, Krishna mounts the Garuda & flys towards Pragjyotisha, the capital of Narakasura. The last verse describes Naraka's capital as a terrible place full of nooses everywhere

Krishna flys into Naraksura's capital, Pragjyotisha

Krishna proceeds to use the Sudarshana Chakra to cut off all those nooses. In the process he also slays asura Mura & his 7000 sons.

Krishna slays asura Mura

The below shlokas describe the slaying of Narakasura. In the battle Krishna kills a 1000 asuras. Wielding the Sudarshana Chakra, Krishna splits Narakasura into two halves & kills him.

Krishna kills Narakasura with the Sudarshana Chakra

After Naraka's killing, Bhumidevi approaches Shri Krishna with Aditi's earrings.After retrieving Aditi's earrings, Shri Krishna proceeds to liberate 16,100 girls taken as prisoners by Narakasura. Along with the girls, Krishna also frees 6000 elephants, a mighty number of Kambhoja horses. Krishna immediately has them all transported back to Dwaraka.

Bhudevi hands over Aditi's earrings to Krishna

Krishna also retrieves the umbrella of Varuna & the mountain of Maniparvata. He along with Sathyabhama mount the Garuda & fly towards Swarga to restore the earrings to Aditi. This concludes the story of slaying of Narakasura. This is the significance of Naraka Chaturdasi.

Krishna & Satyabhama fly back from Pragjyotisha

Reference

Brahmapurana Volume II Gurumandal series

Images from Google

The Puranic Origins of the 12 Suryanarayana Temples of Kashi mentioned in the Skandapuranam

The 14 Surya Temples of Kashi as mapped out by Prof Rana P.B. Singh

Surya Temples mentioned in the map are no ordinary teerthas. They find mention in the Skandapuranam.The sthalapurana of each one of these temples is explained in detail by Skanda to Agastya muni. Its worth having a look at the puranic description of each of these teerthas. The Shlokas below from the Skandapuranam making a mention of each Temple. 

1) LOLARKADITYA TEERTHA

Lolarka is considered to be the foremost among of Surya teerthas at Kashi. It came to be known by that name since Surya was very eager to see Kashi when he came down to test the then ruler of Kashi, Divodasa. Its exact location is given in the below shloka.

Lolarka was established in the southern direction of Kashi at the confluence of Asi river & Ganga. Skanda also mentions a number of benefits to be had by having a Darshana of Lolarka. A darshana of Lolarka on Rathasaptami removes all paapa.

Lolarka was once a grand & magnificient Temple, that is before the brutal islamic invasions. Today it is a very modest Temple that houses a small murthi of Suryanarayana. The Temple also has a Pushkarni(Tank) attached to it. It is called Lolark kund.

Lolarkaditya

Lolarka Kunda

2) UTTARKADITYA TEERTHA 

Uttararka is the next important teertha. The Sthalapurana of this teertha is that of an orphaned girl named Sulakshana who was left devastated by the untimely death of her parents.

The kindhearted Sulakshana to overcome her sorrow sits on a penance at Uttararka. During her penance she used to observe a goat kid which used to come there everyday & stand still in front of her. In the evening it used to eat grass & leaves & drink the water from the pool.

The same goat kid visited her everyday for many years during her penance. Eventually pleased with Sulakshana's devotion, Shiva & Parvathi grant her a darshan & ask her to choose a boon.

The kind & largehearted Sulakshana before asking for the boon thought to herself that the goat kid, which had been visiting her everyday for many years was equally deserving as her to be blessed, that since it being an animal didn't have a mouth to ask for anything.

Sulakshana requests that the goat kid be blessed instead. Shiva & Parvathi are left even more pleased by Sulakshana's conduct & kind nature. Eventually Sulakshana's becomes one of the companion of Parvathi along with Jaya,Vijaya, Jayantika, Subha & others & goes to Kailasa.

The goat kid meanwhile is blessed by Lord Shiva to be born as the princess of Kashi in its next birth. The teertha has also since then came to be known as "Barkari" Kunda. Below shloka says annual pilgrimage of Uttararka should be performed on a Sunday in the month of Pushya.

Uttarkaditya today is an extremely modest shrine housed within the precincts of a wall. Only can only image what a magnificent Temple this would have been before the invasions. 

Uttarkaditya

3) SAMBHADITYA TEERTHA

The next great Surya teertha is Sambaditya. Sambha, the son of Bhagavan Krishna, after being cursed by his father to suffer from leprosy when the he intrudes unannounced into Krishna's private residence. Krishna then advises Sambha to go to Kashi to rid of the curse.

On the advise of his father, Sambha reaches Kashi & performs severe austerities to please Surya. As a result he is cured of his condition (leprosy) Ever since, Sambaditya has become dispeller of all diseases. Anyone taking a dip at the kunda here is free from all ailments.

Sambhaditya

4) DRUPADADITYA TEERTHA

The 4th great Surya Teertha is Draupadaditya. It is here that the Pandavas receive the Akshayapatra from Bhagavan Suryanarayana. Draupathi performs severe vratas at this very spot to attain it. The original temple has since been destroyed. The present structure is a very modest one.

Drupadaditya

5) MAYUKADITYA TEERTHA

The 5th great Surya teertha is Mayukhaditya. This is where Lord Shiva grants Surya a number of Varas. The Mangalashtakam(recited at marriages) was composed by Lord Surya in praise of Gowri at this very spot. The present day Mayukhaditya shrine is inside the Mangala devi temple.

Mayukaditya

6) KHAKHOLADITYA TEERTHA

The 6th great Surya teertha is Khakholkaditya. This teertha is closely associated with the story of Kadru & Vinata, mother of Nagas & Garuda. Its where Kadru tricks Vinata into thinking the color of Surya's horse, Uchchaihshravas was not pure white in colour.

Kadru instructs her snake children to camouflage Surya's horse (especially its tail) in order to make it look discoloured. Thus Vinata loses the bet & is forced to serve under Kadru as a slave. (This is very popular story told to many of us during childhood)

Why Vinata was destined to serve as a slave under kadru? We'll see later during the description of the next Surya Temple, i.e. Arunaditya. Vinata in order to rid of her paapa performs penance to Surya, who grants her the boon to destroy all paapa.

Khakholkaditya also came to be known as Vinataditya. The below sholkas mention that merely by the sight of Vinataditya, they are freed from all paapa. That one attains whatever they think of. They also instantaneously become free from any illness.

Khakholaditya

7) ARUNADITYA TEERTHA

The 7th great Surya teertha is Arunaditya. The sthalapurana of this teertha again relates to Vinata. Eager to have a son, she breaks open her egg prematurely (800 yrs instead of a 1000). Thus was born a child who was incompletely developed from thighs downwards.

The underdeveloped child with a bright red face(Aruna) curses his mother for her hasty action of prematurely breaking open the egg & leaving him crippled.. He curses that Vinata in the future will be forced to serve as a slave under Kadru & her children.

Worried & wanting to perform Prayaschitta for her actions, Vinata asks Aruna what to do next. Aruna instructs her not to break open the next egg prematurely. That the one born from that egg will free her from enslavement. (Garuda frees his mother from enslavement eventually)

Aruna was also known by the name of Anuru because he had no thighs. He was known as Aruna because his face had become red due to anger. He went to Kashi to perform severe austerities to Surya who blessed Aruna & made him his charioteer. This is the story of Arunaditya.

Arunaditya

A closer view of Arunaditya

8) VRIDDHADITYA TEERTHA

The 8th great Surya teertha is Vrddhaditya. The temple is located to the south of Kashi Vishalakshi temple. There once was a old Rishi by the name Harita who was deeply into performing penance. As a result of old age, it was increasingly becoming difficult for him to do so

In order to perform penance properly, Rishi Harita requests Surya to grant him back his youth. Surya obliges. The rishi is happy & performs a fierce penance again. Since then this teertha came to be known as Vrddhaditya, who is the destroyer of old age, misery & ailments.

Vriddhaditya

Remnants of the original Vriddhaditya Temple

9) KESHAVADITYA TEERTHA

The next great Surya teertha is Keshavaditya. Once Adi Keshava Vishnu was seen by Surya worshiping a Shiva-linga. On inquiry by Surya, Vishnu explains the significance of Shiva worship at Kashi. In a series of shlokas, Keshava praises Shiva to the hilt.

On hearing Vishnu's words, Surya creates a Spatika (crystal) linga. Since then this particular teertha came to be known as Keshavaditya, since Surya chose Keshava as his guru. By having a darshana of Keshavaditya, one acquires highest wisdom.

Keshavaditya Temple entrance

Keshavaditya

10) VIMALADITYA TEERTHA

The 10th great Surya teertha is Vimaladitya. It is here that a Kshatriya by the name Vimala was cured of his all his health ailments after performing a series of Vratas. Since then the teertha came to be known as Vimaladitya. A darshana here will cure one of all ailments.

Vimaladitya

11) GANGADITYA TEERTHA

The 11th great Surya teertha is called Gangaditya. Surya positioned himself at this spot in order to welcome Ganga as she was being brought down to Bhoolokha by the great Bhagiratha. It is said one who has darshana of Gangaditya never falls ill. Surya is very fond of Ganga.

Gangaditya Surya

View of river Ganga from the Temple

12) YAMADITYA TEERTHA

The 12th great Surya teertha is Yamaditya. It is said one becomes free of all indebtedness to the ancestors by offering Tarpanam to Pitrs on a Mangalavara, Chaturdashi having Bharani nakshatra. It is also said a darshana of Yamaditya will keep anyone away from Yamaloka.

Yamaditya

The above are the 12 most significant Surya teerthas in Kashi. Skandha also says there are more Sun temples like Guhyakarka installed by devotees of Surya. Just by listening to the origin of these Sun Temples of Kashi, a person does NOT fall into Naraka.

All the information on the 12 Sun Temples of Kashi are spread over 7 Adhyayas of both the Purvardha & Uttarardha bhaga of the Kashi Khanda in the Skandapuranam. I've tried to squeeze as much relevant info into this post as possible.

Skanda says by listening to these Adhyayas explaining the 12 Adityas & by narrating them to others, a person accumulates maha punya & so does the listener.

As we can see all the original Murthis have been lost to brutal islamic invasions. What remains is a mere shadow of what once were magnificent Temples. It is to the credit of the people of Kashi, especially the Brahmanas who attend & serve to these deities to have kept these timeless Temples in the civilizational memory of our people alive.

Let Suryanarayana bless us all with strength & might to reclaim & restore all his Temples at Kashi & all of Bharat.

Reference

Skandapuranam by Nag Publishers.

http://pawanpath.up.gov.in/