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 2 - The concept and practice of Surgery in ancient India
References from Sanskrit sources
41 (of 50)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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145
villages and all the land to acquire practical knowledge about the life of the
people by direct observations.
39 After the completion of such long journeys the traveler was often
completely changed in character because through these journey he faced
a variety of powerful experiences and adventures. From these experiences
he learned lessons of life and these lessons influenced his attitudes and
view of the world.
Unlike the moderns period, there were no facilities for people to
travel safely and with speed. They went to one place to another place by
walking or using vehicles drawn by bullocks or horses. Long journeys
lasted for months and years. The informal experiences from these journeys
were the greatest education for the traveler. When the traveler came back
to his native place, villagers thronged at his residence to hear from him
about the world outside.
Religious pilgrimage were very important for a devotee during the
ancient and medieval times. Such tours were conducted for the
acquisition of virtue, propagation of religion and visit to the holy places.
For example, Jagad Guru Sankaracharya visited all important places in
India to preach Advaita Vedanta. For similar purposes sany膩sins and
mendicants traveled to many religious and educational centers all over
India. The scholars learned about the geographical peculiarities,
