Surgery in ancient India (Study)
by P. P. Prathapan | 2011 | 50,270 words
This essay studies Surgery in ancient India based on Sanskrit sources.—The Sushruta Samhita details the practice of surgery known to ancient Indian traditional medicine, which showcases an advanced development in this field as well as theoretical and practical knowledge of hygiene rivaling contemporary routine practices. The present thesis further ...
17. References of Surgery in Rajatarangini
The popularity and practices of Ayurvedic system of healthcare was ancient Kasmir. Ayurvedic literature provides established in ancient references to holding of conferences of learned Ayurvedic sages to decide controversial Ayurvedic concepts in Kasmir. Ayurvedic treatments were practiced in ancient Kasmir to promote and restore health and it is well described in some tarangs of Rajatarangini. Written in the middle of twelfth century in the age when the crusaders of Europe were fighting in West Asia, Rajatarangini is a blend of 91
authentic chronicle and imaginative poetry of Kalhana. It was a period of enlightment for India where as the West was in the darkness. There is intrigues in the palace, murder and treason, civil war , tyranny and adultery prevailed. Description of Kayacikitsa, Salya cikitsa, Rasa sastra and Pancakarma etc. practices are found in verses of Rajatarangini. Rajatarangini, the book written regarding socio political scenario of ancient Kasmir puts light on Ayurvedic practices in ancient Kasmir. There is no doubt that Ayurveda was the only healthcare system practiced in ancient Kasmir. The eighth tarang of Rajatarangini describes surgical practices and care while describing the surgical dressings of war-injured soldiers. In Rajatarangini, there are references which show that plastic surgery and repair, surgical practices etc. were practiced by vaidyas of ancient Kasmir.03 In the kingdom of Lalitaditya, Vaidyas used to treat 63 soldiers with mutilated noses, ears and throats. In conclusion here discuss the surgery references of the two famous works in Ayurveda namely the Caraka Samhita and the AstangaHrdaya. These two works are the most popular work till today through out the country. 92