National Ayurveda Day

National Ayurveda Day

Sub : History

Sec: Ancient India

National Ayurveda Day is celebrated annually in India to promote the traditional Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda. This day typically falls on Dhanvantari Jayanti, which is observed two days before Diwali. Dhanvantari, considered the god of medicine in Hindu mythology, is worshiped for health and healing.

Key Points:

• Objective: To increase awareness about the holistic benefits of Ayurveda, which emphasizes prevention and wellness through natural treatments, diet, and lifestyle.
• History: The Ministry of AYUSH initiated National Ayurveda Day in 2016 as part of efforts to preserve and promote traditional medicine systems.
• Activities: Various events are organized across India, including seminars, workshops, and health camps to educate the public on Ayurveda’s principles.
• Theme: Each year focuses on a theme, such as Ayurveda’s role in public health or managing modern lifestyle diseases.

The day serves as a reminder of Ayurveda’s contributions to healthcare, emphasizing balance between mind, body, and spirit.

Who was Dhanvantari 

• Lord Dhanvantari holds a significant role in Ayurveda’s history, revered as the physician of the Gods and a skilled surgeon.
• In Hinduism, worshipers seek his blessings for effective healing.
• Legend has it that, as the king of Kashi i.e. Divodasa,, Dhanvantari taught the science of Ayurveda to sages, including the renowned surgeon Susruta.
• Dhanvantari recasted Brahma’s Ayurveda into 8 divisionsi.eshalya, shalakya, kayachikitsa, bhutavidya, kaumarabhrtya, agadatantra, rasayanatantra, vajikaranatantra and began teaching within the framework of pratyaksa (perception), agama (authoritative scripture), anumana (inference) and upamana (analogy).
• He is also considered an avatar of Vishnu, and a well-known tale depicts him emerging from the churning ocean with a bowl of nectar during the quest for the elixir of life.
• In the context of Ayurveda, physicians of the School of Atreya were known to refer surgical cases to practitioners from the School of Dhanvantari.

What is the meaning of the name:

• The term “dhanus” is a symbolic representation indicating the science of surgery, and Dhanvantari, having mastered it, is associated with this knowledge.
• The word “dhanvan” is linked to the concept of a desert, as seen in RigVeda [V.36.1], where “dhanvachara” signifies someone moving in a desert. 
• This aligns with a Vedic mantra expressing Lord Vishnu as akin to a place in the desert where water is provided to travelers (dhanvanivaprapaasi).
• Therefore, Dhanvantari, as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu holding a pot of nectar, symbolizes a nourishing oasis in the desert of worldly existence.

History of Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the science of life is one of the ancient and comprehensive systems of health care. The quest for good health and long life is probably as old as human existence. Four Vedas considered as oldest Indian literatures composed between 5000 and 1000 BC have information on treatment by plants and natural procedures. Reference of medicine and surgery are also found in Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. However, Ayurveda was established as a fully grown medical system from the period of Samhita (compendium) i.e., around 1000 BC. The compendia like Caraka Samhita and Susruta Samhita were written in a systematic manner with eight specialties during this period. The essential details of Caraka Samhita and Susruta Samhita were compiled and further updated in the treatises Astanga Sahgraha and Astanga Hrdaya authored by Vrddha Vagbhata and Vagbhata during 6 – 7 Century AD. Thus, the main three treatises called Brhattrayi i.e., Caraka Samhita, Susruta Samhita and Astanga Sangraha formed the basis for subsequent scholars to write texts.

 Around 200 BC, medical students from different parts of the world used to come to the ancient University of Takshashila to learn Ayurveda. From 200 to 700 AD, University of Nalanda also attracted foreign medical students mainly from Japan, China etc. The Egyptians learnt about Ayurveda long before the invasion of Alexander in 400 BC through their sea-trade with India. Greeks and Romans came to know about it after their invasion. In the early part of the first millennium Ayurveda spread to the East through Buddhism and greatly influenced the Tibetan and Chinese system of medicine and herbology.

Around 800 A.D., Nagarjuna has conducted extensive studies on the medicinal applications of various metals. Many exotic and indigenous drugs for new uses are found place in Ayurvedic literature. After 16th Century, there have been inclusions of diagnosis and treatment of new diseases based on modern medical science.

In 1827, the first Ayurveda course was started in India at the Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta. By the beginning of 20th Century, many Ayurveda colleges were established in India under the patronage of provincial Rulers. Ayurveda gained more ground beginning in the 1970s, as a gradual recognition of the value of Ayurveda revived. Lots of academic work was done during the 20th century and many books were written and seminars and symposia were held.

Presently Ayurveda has well-regulated undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate education in India. A commendable network of practitioners and manufacturers exists. Infrastructure development in private and public sectors has improved the outreach to the community in a commendable way.