THE
REVIEW OF RESEARCH IN AYURVEDA
The background:
With
the awakening of the human mind to the super-sensual reality behind life, he
felt the need to propitiate by conduct and ceremony regarding the mysterious
aspect of life. From then Ayurveda
has attained his age of maturity emerging from its nonage of Vedic medley of
charms and simple drugs, of the incantation of magic ritual, into the maturity
of rationally expounded science of health and disease and a systematic practice
of remedies.
The
continuity of tradition which Ayurveda
has enjoyed is the continuity of growth not of mere survival. This lasted from
the time of Atreya upto the end of
seventeen century after Christ. It was therefore a process of scientific
development and not as a mere mechanical process operating on the basis of
collective drill and training. The value of knowledge and consequently of
education was fully realized by the early ancestors of our race. Knowledge was
indeed so highly prized by the scholar that they dedicated their whole lives to
the pursuit of learning living away from the distraction of the world.
Gradually
the different facts gathered by the
seeker, developed into a science of life and the scientist, the sages devoted
themselves to their search with
all-dedicated inspired enthusiasm , often extending all through their life. In
due course of time they imparted what were revealed to them in their
contemplation, to their succedor. These
disciples in their own way checked and rechecked the truth, given out to them
in the light of new data to make a more
scientific and reliable conclusion. Thus a body of ‘subjective truth’ in time
developed into precise science and these honest and sincere scholars always try
to communicate their contemplative experience and the consequent conclusion
upon the meaning and purpose of life to the peoples of the world.
When
this transcendental experience was confirmed and attested by many more scholars
it gained the status of a verified and proved, determined and demonstrated
scientific fact.
The flow of research
Ayurveda,
the science of life, is an eternal flow of knowledge which transcends from the
time immemorial for the benefit of humanity. Lord Brahma inculcated and
compiled the entire ayurveda wisdom
in his Brahma-Samhita having
thousand chapter and hundred thousands verses[i].
In due course of time this uninterrupted knowledge has emerged as beneficial
and acceptable wisdom through various phases of metamorphosis. Various scholars
of different eras have tried to enrich this science and make it more practical
with their traditional wisdom, clinical and experimental research. Gradually it
becomes janopayogi, explorative and time-proven (kalajayi). In this regards various experiments have
been carried out on the basis of classical principles and the science has been
enriched with the incorporation of the results of those experiments.
In those research experiments different
alterations were made according to the need. Sometimes minute modifications in
the approach, procedure, in the preparation of medicine, in the combination of
medicine were adopted for making the treatment more convenient, more effective
and also more adaptive for the era. The commentators, in their respective
commentaries, have tried to explore the hidden unexplored and difficult portion
of classics with their own clinical and research experiences.
Hence
it reveals that textual literary research, experimental and clinical researches
are mandatory to maintain the stream-line flow any research.
Example :
In
the phases of metamorphosis, the principles, formulation, etc. have been
repeatedly examined through a series of experimentation and conclusion has been
drawn on the basis of outcome of the research[ii].
The evaluated and approved principles and formulations etc. have been
implemented later on. In the course of time, the implemented matters have been again subjected for re-evaluation.
Following
example can be taken for an example.
The ointment of the leaves of muder (calotopis
procera), the stalks of throny milk hedge (euphorbia ) and the sprout of bottle
gourd(katuka), and Indian beech, prepared in goat’s urine, is depicted as an
excellent application for piles[iii]
in caraka samhita. In some editions of
caraka samhita the reading of milk of muder is also available[iv]
which suggests that this practice was also being used by some school of
physicians and researchers. The author of astanga hridaya has justified this
research and implemented this portion of verse as ‘milk of muder’[v].
This alteration also favours to prepare the desirable paste. The research in
this regards has been continued for next five hundred years and aharya
cakrapanidutta has further changed this preparation and the milk of
both muder and throny milk hedge have
been advocated instead of the leaves of muder, the stalks of throny milk hedge
respectively[vi].
Various practical angles regarding the use of parts of the plants, the
preparation and affectivity etc. have been re-evaluated in this research
process.
Discussion
Some of the highest intellects tried their level best to accelerate the outflow of the knowledge of the original medical text overcoming the time-bound adversities[vii]. Those scholars magnified the views of the text through scientific and valuable up-to-date clinical experiments by which even the comparative middle and low intellects could be able to grasp the entire knowledge transparently[viii]. The basic theme was truly versed by the stalwart professionals and accordingly commented on textual hidden perfections with the clinical outlook which was in practice[ix]. Therefore, this amplification of the subject was properly and scientifically inculcated by the disciples and practiced thoroughly because of the time proven validity[x].
Some of the highest intellects tried their level best to accelerate the outflow of the knowledge of the original medical text overcoming the time-bound adversities[vii]. Those scholars magnified the views of the text through scientific and valuable up-to-date clinical experiments by which even the comparative middle and low intellects could be able to grasp the entire knowledge transparently[viii]. The basic theme was truly versed by the stalwart professionals and accordingly commented on textual hidden perfections with the clinical outlook which was in practice[ix]. Therefore, this amplification of the subject was properly and scientifically inculcated by the disciples and practiced thoroughly because of the time proven validity[x].
The knowledge is intensified with
proper justification[xi],
the professionals knowledge is dignified with practical application[xii],
and specifically the medical knowledge is accelerated with several clinical
practices and profound justification[xiii].
The clinical applications always prove its fruitfulness justifying the ambit of
basic sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology along with anatomy,
physiology, and biochemistry etc. The ultimate is to treat the disease either
in preventive or in curative aspects[xiv].
Conclusion
On
the basis of above discussion it may be concluded that the research is the
life-line for any science especially medical science. The ever-flowing ancient medical
texts are metamorphically analyzed with the thoughts of different commentators
of different times and existing due to the relevancy with sound, appropriate
and varied day to day applicability.
Researchers and commentators on the basis of their wisdom[xv]
use to enhance the utility of science for better acceptance time to time. This
nourishes the clinical and technical wisdom and makes the subject acceptable
and fit for the respective era. This is continuing from the very beginning and
today in the era of technology also this flow of research exploration in all
corners of ayurveda is mandatory.
[i] Sushruta,
Sutrasthana , 1st chapter, 6th shloka,
Sushruta Samhita, Nibandhasamgraha commentary by Dalhana, Yadavji Trikamji
Acharya editor,Chaukhamba Orientalia, 6th edition,1997, pp 2
[ii] Agnivesh, Vimansthan, 8th Chapter, 37th Shloka ,
Caraka Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya
Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 268
[iii] Agnivesh, Cikitsasthan, 14th
Chapter, 57th Shloka , Caraka Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji
Acharya editor,Rastriya Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 504
¡rka¯ patra sudh¡k¡³¢a¯ ka¿uk¡l¡bupallav¡¦|
kara²jµ bastamÀtra¯ ca
l£pana¯ ¾r£½¿hamar¾as¡m||57||
[v] Vagbhat , cikitsasthan , 8th chapter, 25th verse,
Ashtanga Hridaya, Sarvangasudara and Ayurveda Rasayan Commentary of Arundutta
and Hemadri,Bhisagacharya Harishastri Paradakara Vaidya editor, Chaukhamba
Orientalia, 8th edition,1998 page 645
[vi] Cakrapanidutta, arshocikitsa, 5th
chapter, 5th shloke, cakradutta with ratnaprabha commentary of Nischal
kara, PV Sharma editor, Svami jayaram Das ramprakash Trust, jaipur 1st
edition, 1993, pp 161
[vii] Madhav,
Ashonidana, 5th Chapter, 9th verse, Madhavnidanam, Madhukosa commentary of
Vijayrakshita and Srikanthadutta, Pt. Brahmashankar Shastri Bhisagratna editor,
Chaukhamba Sanskrit Samsthan, 3rd Edition 1993, page 1-2
[viii] Agnivesh, Sutrasthan, 1st Chapter, 1 Shloka ,
Caraka Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya
Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 1-3
[ix] Agnivesh, Sutrasthan,
1st Chapter, 28th Shloka , Caraka
Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta,
Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006
Page 7
[x] Agnivesh, Sutrasthan,
1st Chapter, 30-35th Shloka , Caraka Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji
Acharya editor,Rastriya Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 7-8
[xi] Agnivesh, viman sthan, 4th Chapter, 8th Shloka ,
Caraka Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya
Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 248
[xii] Agnivesh, Sutrasthan, 9th Chapter, 18th Shloka ,
Caraka Samhita, Cakrapani Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya
Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 64
[xiii] Agnivesh,
Sutrasthan, 9th Chapter, 6th Shloka ,
Caraka Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya
Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 63
[xiv] Agnivesh, Sutrasthan, 30th Chapter, 26th Shloka ,
Caraka Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta, Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya
Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006 Page 187
[xv] Agnivesh, Vimana, 6th Chapter, 4th Shloka , Caraka
Samhita, Ayurveda Depika Commentry by Cakrapanidutta,
Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya editor,Rastriya Sanskrit Samsasthan , Reprint 2006
Page 253
