Essay name: Surgery in ancient India (Study)
Author:
P. P. Prathapan
Affiliation: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit / Department of Sanskrit Sahitya
This essay studies Surgery in ancient India based on Sanskrit sources such as the Sushruta Samhita. These references indicate evidence of theoretical and practical knowledge of hygiene rivaling contemporary routine practices. Further topics include Ayurveda, a historical study of surgery, surgical schools and instruments used in ancient India.
Chapter 3 - Schools of Surgery in ancient India
41 (of 46)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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the verses he uses at another place. Because of these improvisations
each presentation of the story is felt by the hearer as modifiable and
refreshing. Another speciality is the ability to discover allusions and hidden
meanings.
The method of interpretation by the performers gives much scope
for a good education in Sanskrit. They explain each verse by separating
words with great care. When a noun or adjective is explained the legend
behind the derivation of that word is narrated and the hearers are able to
learn a great number of mythical stories unknown to him. For example the
word s膩gara means ocean or samudra. The word also contain the
mythical story that ocean was created by the thousand sons of king
Sagara. The C膩ky膩r narrates the story of sons of king Sagara, their
search for the sacrificial horse and digging of earth to reach the nether
world and the legend of Bhagiratha and bringing of the heavenly Ganga to
the nether world. All these enhances the knowledge of ancient lore and
gives the hearer much insight to the significance of particular words in
Sanskrit poetry and the richnees of interpretations. It is believed that the
stories like that of king Bhagiratha might inspire the hearers to lead a good
and active life.
By comparing and contrasting the ancient values of life and the
contemporary ways of life with jokes and humour, C膩ky膩r, the informal
