10
Ayurveda
: Ancient Heritage in the Age of Globalisation
social crisis on earth triggered by an epidemic of ill-health.
The sages compiled the knowledge in treatises, many of
which are available now. Ayurveda is respected as an
“upaveda”
or a supplementary
veda
. Vedas are the main
knowledge resources for Indians. The transformation of
Ayurveda from an oral to a written tradition was gradual.
There are two schools of thought in the written tradition
of Ayurveda – the School of Medicine and the School of
Surgery.
Caraka Samhita
and
Susrutha Samhita
are
respectively the treatises for these schools.
Vaagbhata
,
compiled
Ashtaangasamgraha
by taking the essence of
these two schools. These three treatises are popularly
known as
“brihatrayee”
or the great three treatises.
Ayurveda received patronage and also faced
persecution from the hands of political and religious
invasions India underwent. Yet its worthiness got
transmitted across the boundaries and reached far off
places, like to Sri Lanka with the spread of Buddhism. The
main treatises got translated in many languages including
Arabic many centuries back. Ayurveda was mainstream
medical system till the advent of modern medicine in the
16th century. It is still a living tradition despite all
dissuasions faced and continues to serve the suffering
humanity.
