Abstract
These words of wisdom were uttered by Punarvasu Atreya and recorded by his senior disciple, Agnivesha, 3,000 years ago. As sound advice on scientific attitude, they can hardly be improved upon, even today. At best, they can only be equalled. They embody the spirit which prevailed among the ancient Ayurvedic scientists for centuries.
“The Science of Life shall never attain finality. Therefore, humility and relentless industry should characterise your every endeavour and your approach to knowledge…
The entire world consists of teachers for the wise and enemies for the fools. Therefore, knowledge conducive to health, longevity, fame and excellence, coming even from an unfamiliar source, should be received, assimilated and utilized with earnestness…” [1].
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthana, Chapter VIII, 14 ( Shri Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society, Jamnagar 1949 ).
Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter I (Shri Venkateshwar Press, Khetwadi, Bombay).
Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter XV (Shri Venkateshwar Press, Khetwadi, Bombay).
Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter I (Shri Venkateshwar Press, Khetwadi, Bombay).
Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter I, 24–26 ( Nirnayasagar Press, Bombay 1938 ).
Charaka Samhita, Nidanasthana, Chapter I, 10 (same as [5]).
Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthana, Chapter IV, 3 (same as [5]).
Sri Sivatattvaratnakara, Vriksayurveda (out of print, available in the personal library of Shri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, Maharaja of Mysore).
Sir P. C. Ray, History of Hindu Chemistry, Vol. I, p. xxxiii, xxxix, xliv ( Probsthain and Co., London 1902 ).
Capt. P. Johnston-Saint, An Outline of the History of Medicine in India (Welcome Historical Medical Museum, London 1929 ).
Max Müller, India, What Can It Teach Us.
Sir P. C. Ray, History of Hindu Chemistry (see [9]).
Sir P. C. Ray, History of Hindu Chemistry (see [9]).
MountstuartElphinstone, History of India, Vol. I.
LouisJacolliat, Bible in India.
WilliamMuir, Original Sanskrit Texts, Vol. II.
GeorgeNathanielCurzon, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. II.
A. F. Rudolf Hoernle, Studies in the Medicine of Ancient India, Part I ( Clarendon Press, Oxford 1907 ).
Neuberger, History of Medicine (Playfair’s translation), Vol. I, p. 45.
G. T. Garratt, The Legacy of India, p. 1–37 ( Clarendon Press, Oxford 1937 ).
G. T. Garratt, The Legacy of India, p. 257 ( Clarendon Press, Oxford 1937 ).
SirWilliamJones, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (Shri Venkateshwar Press, Khetwadi, Bombay 1929 ).
MaxMüller, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
CountBjornstjerna, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
Prof. Macdonell, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
SirWilliamJones, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
A. H. Ludwig Heeren, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
FredrickSchlegel, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
Prof. Macdonell, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
A. Weber, History of Indian Literature.
SirMonierWilliams, quoted in: System of Ayurveda (see [21]).
C. G. Cumston, An Introduction to the History of Medicine (Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., Ltd., London 1926 ).
ShivSharma, Indian Medical Gazette, June 1963, p. 77.
ShivSharma, Indian Medical Gazette, June 1963.
Withington, Medical History from the Earliest Times ( The Scientific Press Ltd., London 1894 ).
Ibid.
Pandit Kota Venkatachela Paakayaaji, Chronology of Ancient Hindu History, Part II (The Author, Gandhinagar, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India 1957 ).
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
A. F. Rudolf Hoernle (see [17] above).
DouglasGutherie, Medical History (1905).
G. N. Mukhopadhaya, The Surgical Instruments of the Hindus, Vol. I, p. i (Calcutta University, 1913 ).
PanditBallala, Bhoja Prabandha (Shri Venkateshwar Press, 7th Khetwadi, Bombay).
A. F. Rudolf Hoernle (see [17] above).
ShivSharma, Ayurdharma1, 181 (1965).
G. Srinivasa Murti, The Report of the Committee on the Indigenous Systems of Medicine, p. 22 (Madras Government).
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1971 Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Sharma, P.S. (1971). Ayurvedic Medicine — Past and Present. In: Jucker, E. (eds) Progress in Drug Research / Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung / Progrès des Recherches Pharmaceutiques. Progress in Drug Research / Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung / Progrès des Recherches Pharmaceutiques, vol 15. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7078-8_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7078-8_1
Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Basel
Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-7080-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-7078-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive