365bet娱乐

Before examining the role of informal education in Sanskrit and Ayureda, let us recap the important aspects of Kerala Ayurveda and Kerala Sanskrit Education described earlier. The practitioners of Ayurveda were respected in the society in the past. Same as the case of Sanskrit, this was the language of scholars. The Ayurveda vaidyans were scholars in Sanskrit and they were fully devoted to their profession. The Sanskrit texts upon which the Ayurveda treatment were namely Carakasamhita, Susruta samhita, Astangahrdaya and Astangasamgraha. Commonly the

336 Keralites got general education in Malayalam at a younger age and later who were desirous studying more where given the opportunity to study Sanskrit. The traditional method of studying Sanskrit teaching was to study by heart the Siddharupa, Amarakosa and then gradually learn simple Kavyas and Natakas at the first stage. Thus a student who had acquired enough knowledge in Sanskrit language were given lessons in Vyakarana, Tarka and such other Sastra objects. Pupil who wanted to study Ayurveda were introduced to Astangahrdaya and similar other texts. In the olden times as it was the customs, all professions were traditional and hereditary and Ayurveda Vaidyan always taught his children the science he knew and also admitted students from other families who showed aptitude for the study of Ayurveda. They were taught then at his own house and in a gurukula manner. The acarya always took care to turn them to become good doctors. Texts like Astangahrdaya were explained in local language in Malayalam. On the application side, the teacher identified the herbs and taught them to prepare different kinds of medicine like Asavas, Churnas, Lehyas etc. The whole treatment was based on Tridosa concept Vata, Pitta and Kapha. It is an approved fact that Ayurveda can provide treatment for almost all the diseases known to man kind.

337 The golden age of Ayurveda and Sanskrit, as mentioned earlier, ended with the introduction of Western medicine which was taught through English language. Indian medical system which includes not only Ayurveda but Unani, Siddha, Marma etc were also seriously affected by the English and European system of medicines. Sanskrit and its sciences were treated by Europeans as inferior to European languages and science. Their mentality was reflected in the policies they devised for education and development. They insisted on English education and proclaimed that Sanskrit and Indian vernaculars were either dead or underdeveloped. This mentality is reflected even in the study of Ayurveda which is closely connected with Sanskrit language. When we examine the current Ayurveda education, it is pity that Sanskrit education is not given much importance. According to E.T Narayanan a Veteran Ayurveda doctor, students don't learn Sanskrit deeply. Sanskrit knowledge is essential for the learning of Astngahrdaya, Carakasamhita and Susrutasamhita. Today students learn subjects like 'Aviyal' (mixture). They are not given practice in memorizing texts.' 40 All the basic texts of Ayurveda are written in Sanskrit. So to read and interpret original texts, knowledge in Sanskrit and Malayalam is essential. 41 Most of the students learn Sanskrit as a ritual and they are not inspired to study the Sanskrit Ayurveda texts in original. The main reason

338 is that they are using English translation of these texts and other secondary materials in English and Malayalam. Thus they could avoid Sanskrit language and even without knowing Sanskrit which is related to Ayurveda deeply could become an Ayurveda doctor. Literacy in Sanskrit is the main problem faced by students who enter into the Ayurveda college. Another problem is that a number of self financing colleges are being established without the financial help of Government. They admit the students and appoint teachers according to their own interest. 42 They aim at financial benefits only. E.T Narayanan Moosath, the founder of such a 43 college says: "In Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda college, Ollur we follow the University syllabus. My grandson is studying BAMS third year in the same college. But I appointed one Sanskrit teacher in my house to teach him Sanskrit. Some of the students and teachers have realised the danger of this method of de-valued education and there is rethinking among them. with regards to the place of Sanskrit in the Ayurvedic education. Out of the college system there is still some centers teaching Sanskrit based Ayurveda. Some traditional scholars are ready to impart their knowledge to those who approach them. Examples are Vaidyabhushanam Raghavan Thirumulpad, and Sri. V.M. Sankaran Namputiri. Some scholars are ready to teach Sanskrit for the Ayurveda studies like Bhaskara Menon, a retired headmaster Chirangara, Thrissur and Narayanan Nambiar,

339 Chathakudam, Thrissur. Bhaskara Menon prepared a small text for the teaching of basic Sanskrit lessons for his students. Moreover there are much traditional knowledge in Sanskrit and Ayurveda still remaining untapped in the society. The informal education of Sanskrit becomes relevant in these circumstances. Kerala produced great Ayurvedic scholars and teaches in the 20th century. Among these scholars Punnassery Nambi, Neelakandasarma, Kaikulangara Ramavarier, Vaikam Pachumootat, Kaikara P.M Govindan Vaidyan, Paravur Kesavan Asan, Tayyil Kumararakrishna Vaidyan, Cararkottu Vaidyar, Anandapurathu Rajarajvarma Moothakoyitampuran, Valappattu Manivaidyan, Malakkara Kochuraman vaidyan, Uzhutravarier, Pranacarya Venkadewarasastri etc.. were very famous. As a result of the modern education great changes have come in the field of Ayurvedic education which were once traditional and attached to certain families of different castes. As noted earlier the education of Ayurveda was given a Syllabus and method of practice suitable for teaching in the classrooms. using modern techniques of education. This ended in the mechanical and insufficient learning of this great heritage and students were made satisfied by the award of degrees and certificates at the end of a fixed prior of study.