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 1 - Ayurveda and Sanskrit literature
21 (of 54)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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21
Memorising the text was given prime importance in this method. The
students should recite the relevant passages of Vedas during the
ceremonies. This proficiency is achieved by constant practice or repetition
and Nidhidyasana or marking in the mind. Discussion, debates and
question answer methods were followed in this system without these
methods enigmatic method, in the 艢vet膩艣vatara Upanisad, Aphoristic
method, in the Mundakaupani峁d, Etimological method in the
B峁沨ad膩ra峁噛aka Upanisad Mythical method in the Kathopanisad and
Analogical method (Yajnavalkya), Dialectical method, Synthetic method
Monological method and adhoc or temporises methods are used in some
9 Upanisad commonly. Most of the Upanisads are arranged in the mode of
discourses. The preceptor always gave instructions on various topics as
demanded by the nature and context of the discourses.
The subjects related to spirituality demanded control of senses,
meditation, and use of symbols. The topics related to worldly affairs were
taught by observation, right use of senses, experimentation and
application. The Upani峁ds taught brahmavidy膩, knowledge of Brahman.
They discussed the profound means of self realization.
Normally gurukulas were set in largely unpopulated areas like
mountain valleys, banks of rivers and forests. eg. Naimisha forest. Videha
of Janaka was a prominent seat of Br膩hma峁噄cal wisdom. There learned
