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xvii Appendix- 5 The text of Interview with Vaidyabhusanam K. Raghavan Thirumulpad, the traditional Ayurveda physician conducted by the Researcher on 10.10.2007, at his residence, Chalakudy. Ques: Sir you were born into a family of Astrologers. Why do you select Ayurveda? Answer: Yes, my father was a well known astrologer at Chalakudy. In my childhood I had studied some lessons in Jyotisa. But I was more interested in the study of Sanskrit literature and philosophy. After completing my secondary school education at the age of twentyone I got employment in the Indian Railways in Madras. Unfortunately I felt victim of a serious disease, which could not be cured by modern medicine. I came back to home and underwent rigorous Ayurvedic treatment. As a result my illness was completely cured and this made me a strong believer in Ayurveda. I decided to learn Ayurveda and serve the suffering patients. Moreover 1 happened to meet Vidyaranya Swami, the disciple of Sree Narayanaguru at that time. His blessings also gave me courage to follow this path. Ques: Could you please explain the nature of Sanskrit education you received? who were the teachers?

xviii Ans: At first I studied Sanskrit in the local school. I was very interested in that subject. So I studied Tarka and Nyaya from Konoth Krishnavarier. It was after my school education in about 1937. Then I decided to learn Sanskrit Vyakarana. For this purpose I requested to Subbaramapatter, he was a great grammarian and my Sanskrit teacher in the High school. He agreed to teach me Siddhantakaumudi. Few years later at the age of twenty six, I studied Ayurveda from Pallippurath Vasudevan Nambissan through gurukula system and I appeared for Vaidyabhushanam exam and passed in first class. I also studied Jyotisa a little and learned the first three cantos of Raghuvamsa Mahakavya from Mandam Parambath Naryanan Namputiri from Chalakudy. Ques: Can you explain the gurukula system of Ayurvedic education? Ans: Yes I studied Ayurveda from Pallipurathu Vasudevan Nambisan through gurukula system in 1944-49. I stayed in my guru's house at that time and prepared food for both of us. I collected herbs for the preparation of medicine. I served Guru in this manner and he considered me as a son, when he treated patients I stood him and observed. At first he asked the details about the symptoms of their diseases. Then he explained the diseases and recited the sloka from Astangahrdaya related to that disease. During the leisure time he taught me portion from Astangahrdaya. He used the heuristic method for the explanation of sloka. That means after the recitation.

xix of sloka he explained the anvaya starting from the verb; subject and so on. All slokas were learned by heart. Ques: You had some previous knowledge in Nyaya, Tarka and Vyakarana. Was this helpful to your Ayurvedic education. How much? Ans: Yes, it is very helpful to my Ayurvedic education. Because almost all Ayurvedic texts are written in Sanskrit, Nyaya and Samkhya philosophies were closely related to Philosophy of Ayurveda. So I was able to read original text with their commentaries. I am very much interested in the self study of Ayurveda. So I was able to read. original texts with their commentaries. I was very much interested in the self study of Ayurveda. Knowledge in Sanskrit logic and grammar was helpful in this learning making the dictum " paniniyam ca sarvasastropakarakam " meaningful. My own experience gave me insight to the necessity of learning Sanskrit which is indispensable in Ayurveda. It created interest and attitude for correct treatment and learning of Ayurveda. Ques: The existing mode of Ayurvedic education could not give importance to the Indian Darsanas. What is your opinion? Ans: Each medical system has its own philosophy behind it. India is the land of Upanisads and Buddhism. The Upanisads preach the principle of unity in diversity and Buddhism calls for love and compassion towards all beings. Ayurveda originated in the context

XX of the great Indian Darsanas and hence it is enlivened by the spirit of Indian Philosophy. To understand Ayurveda in the knowledge of Sankhya, Yoga and Nyaya are essential. The famous texts in Ayurveda like Astangahrdaya is written by a Buddhist who was rational in thought and compassionate towards human beings. But most of the present Ayurvedic teachers basically do not know Sanskrit in depth. So they make decision to remove the Darsanas from the present Ayurvedic curriculum. Ques: Will you please explain the role of Sanskrit in the Ayurvedic education specially in the research field? Ans: Ayurveda can explain the solution for the problems related to Ayush, life and health of Indian because it is are old and established system of treatment. Like effort and interest, readiness is also needed for the new innovations and research without loosing their originality. Textual knowledge is very essential in the research field. All these texts were written in Sanskrit. So Sanskrit is inevitable in the field of research and higher education. Ques: What is your opinion about the state of knowledge of Sanskrit among the present Ayurvedic teachers? Ans: One who learns Sanskrit deeply reflects that knowledge in his teaching learning process. Such scholars can easily quote relevant of Sanskrit slokas from original text and explain them in suitable context. His teaching transmits through the use of Sanskrit, some

xxi qualities which could not be achieved by the teaching of English translations. The original gives us the right knowledge with minimum errors. The translations often are untrustworthy. This method influences his students and they also become interested in the study of original text and Sanskrit also. A good physician must invariably posses textual knowledge and in order to understand the text, the correct knowledge of Sanskrit is always necessary. Ques: We can see some changes or modification in the existing system of Ayurvedic education from the ancient system. What is your view about these changes? Ans: In ancient system importance was given to the acquisition of knowledge. Memorization and devotion to the teachers are the merits of the gurukula system. Teachers give equal importance to the theoretical and practical aspects of Ayurveda. But the modern system is constructed in the examination point of view. Students admitted to Ayurveda college through the entrance examination are without any idea about Ayurveda and Sanskrit. They depend upon the translation text in English Malayalam etc. To pass the examination a student may need English translations of relevant portions but one becomes a doctor if he is able to treat a patient with sufficient knowledge in medical science. A student who approaches Ayurveda with taste and interest and sincerely ought to study Sanskrit and its culture and assimilate the qualities of

xxii accuracy, power of memorisation and analysis which are the Hall marks of Indian tradition. In the olden days students learned the full text of Astangahrdaya by heart and then recited daily. The needs and interest of the society had changed, modern education is not given importance to language study, instead subjects like science are taught. In my opinion all Ayurveda students should learn original Ashtangahrdaya and recite the text daily like the Gita and Ramayana. Ques: Who was the person influenced you most in your life and vision? Ans: Ideas and life of Gandhiji influenced my life. The vision of Gandhiji 'Unto this last', 'trusteeship' etc.. very much influenced my life. The teaching of the Bhagavad Gita also influenced me. Gita completely changed my thoughts and visions. Gita thought me the simplicity and sincerity. Without any desire for profit I treat all who approach me. Gita is a good medicine for me. Ques: Today various agencies publish health magazines. Some of the magazines publish articles that teach Ayurveda informally. Similarly these magazines deals with 'Ask the doctor', what is your opinion about columns like these? Ans: In my opinion direct consultation is always better than the treatment through the magazine. Such publications only help the propagation of Ayurveda. I have also written reply to questions in the Arogyamasika. These replies may be helpful for some patients. If a

xxiii patient follows the directions correctly, it may be useful for the cure of disease. Beneficiaries of these indirect type of treatment often write letters to me expressing their thanks and experiences. Ques: Will you please explain the work you have been doing in the field of informal education of Ayurveda and Sanskrit ? Ans: Many students from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur approach me and some of them stay in my house for many days. They are motivated by a feeling that the education they had from the Ayurveda college is incomplete and there is much to learn from the traditional sources, which are not available in the formal stream of education. I started Ayurveda Study Circle for Ayurveda students. During the time of leisure I teach them Carakasamhita, Astangahrdaya and Astangasamgraha. Some of my disciples and my son Dr. Murali started "Vaidyabhushanam K. Raghavan Thirumulpad Foundation for Fundamental Studies in Ayurveda" as a gift on my his 80th birth day. This foundation conducts monthly get together in which selected portions of Astangahrdaya are recited and explained. On the Vijayadasami day children start their Vidyarambha ceremony in my house. The Foundation conducts seminar that day. Foundation also publishes 'samvadam' an Ayurvedic quarterly journal from Chalakkudy. For the memory of my teachers, I have established six scholarships for the BAMS students who pass the examination

chchin with high marks. I have wrote some books and translated some books to Malayalam for the propagation of Ayurveda and help of Ayurveda students. Ques: You said that students approach you for informal education in Ayurveda. What are the teaching learning activities, you offer? Ans: Many students come to my house from various Ayurveda colleges for to learn and understand Ayurveda. They watch the methods of my treatment and want to learn more about the application of medicine and treatment through the modification of life style. Some others want to learn Sanskrit and clear doubts in the passages in Astangahrdaya Carakasamhita etc. Some pupils stay in my house for a short period and learn Sanskrit and Ayurveda. and observe my ways of treatment, doctor- patient relationship etc. Dr. Prasad, Dr. Mahesh and Dr. Sasi are my students. They manage all programmes under the Thirumulpad Foundation of Ayurvedic Studies. Ques: Do you teach Sanskrit language in addition to texts of Ayurveda? Ans: I recite verses from my memory and explain the verses word by word in Malayalam, always elaborating on the meaning which are relevant in the treatment in modern times. As a result of this free and informal teaching and training the students are more and more attached to Ayurvedic principles of treatment. Some Ayurveda

XXV students and others also learn Sanskrit, some portions of Vyakarana, Kavya etc.. Ques: You have written some books in Malayalam and translated Bhagavadgita from Sanskrit to Malayalam. You have also written a number of articles about Ayurveda. Will you explain your experience of writing. Ans: I had written Raghaviyam a Sanskrit kavya dedicated for the eradication of my illness, that I had suffered earlier. I was inspired by the Narayaniya of Melputhur Narayana Bhatta to write this. I also translated Bhagavadgita, Dharmapadam, Thirukkural, Devimahatmyam, Atmabodham, Gurugita and Bhajagovindam into Malayalam. In addition I have written some books. Hrdrogam, Sampurna Arogyasastram, Kriyakramam, Ayurvedam Arogyadarsanam, Astangadarsanam, Bhaisajyadarsanam, Astangahrdayam, Sutrastanam Tantrayuktivivekam, (Mulatattva portions) Rasavaisesika, Sastravyakhyanam, Samsayavum samadhanavum, Astangasamgraha, Prakasika Vyakhyanam etc.. I wrote some articles, essays related to Ayurveda and Homeopathy. Kottackal Arya Vaidyasala used to conduct a seminar once in every year. I participated and presented papers in these seminars and got first prize thirteen years continuously.