Acharyas of Ayurveda (prathama)
Bharadwaja
Bharadwaja is a prominent name in ancient Indian history and mythology. Bharadwaja is the name of a sage or rishi who is mentioned in various Hindu scriptures and epics such as the Rigveda, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. He is considered one of the revered sages of ancient India. Bharadwaja is recognized as the offspring of Brihaspati and Mamatha.
Bharadwaja was known for his deep knowledge and wisdom. He was a seer and is credited with composing several hymns in the Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures. He was highly regarded as a teacher and spiritual guide, and many great sages and warriors sought his wisdom and guidance.
As per the Charaka Samhita, Bharadwaja is recognized as the sage who acquired knowledge of Ayurveda directly from Indra Deva. Consequently, Bharadwaja was the one who imparted the knowledge of Ayurveda to numerous other rishis.
Atreya
The Charaka Samhita contains references to three individual acharyas who bear the name Atreya.
Rishi Punarvasu Atreya is considered one of the pioneers of Ayurveda and is regarded as one of the founding fathers of this holistic healing system. Sage Atreya's teachings and contributions have been passed down through generations, forming the Atreya School or Atreya Sampradaya. According to the Charaka Samhita, Rishi Punarvasu Atreya, who was both the son and disciple of Rishi Atri, studied Ayurveda under Rishi Bharadwaja. However, according to the Astanga Hridaya, it is mentioned that he was taught by Deva Indra himself.
In the Charaka Samhita, we come across another sage named Krishnatreya, who is described as a physician from the era of Mahabharata.
The third Atreya Rishi mentioned is Bhikshu Atreya, who was among the group of rishis gathered in the Himalayas for a profound discussion on the past, present, and future of mankind. Bhikshu Atreya was a proponent of a theory known as 'kaalavaada,' which posits that all aspects of existence, including creation (srusti), equilibrium (stithi), and destruction (laya), are influenced by the concept of time, referred to as "kaala."
Dhanvantari
Indian history references three individuals named Dhanvantari, two of whom are associated with Ayurveda.
One of the individuals named Dhanva is described as the son of Dhanva and the grandson of Rishi Kasha Tapa.
The second Dhanvantari, also known as Kashi Raja, is attributed to be the founder of Varanasi, also called Kashi. He is the son of Bhimaratha, the grandson of Ketuman, and the great-grandson of Divodasa Raja. As previously mentioned, this Dhanvantari is believed to have had seven disciples.
Agnivesha
Agnivesha is a significant figure in the history of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. He is renowned as one of the earliest contributors to Ayurvedic literature and is believed to have composed a treatise known as the Agnivesha Samhita.
The Agnivesha Samhita, which was modified to form the Charaka Samhita, is one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda. On a different note, it is mentioned in certain references that Agnivesha was among the many gurus who imparted knowledge to Dronacharya, the renowned teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas, regarding the mastery of celestial weapons such as the Agneyastra.
Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna, the teacher of the Satavahana kings, was born in 78 AD. In his youth, he embarked on a journey to Pataliputra to pay homage to Goddess Saraswati. At the tender age of 18, he possessed a deep knowledge of the Vedas and Ayurveda before embracing Buddhism.
According to certain sources, Nagarjuna is reputed to have been a skilled alchemist or "rasashastrajna." It is said that he had his laboratory situated on Shree Parvat, which is presently recognized as Sree Sailam. The place where Nagarjuna's laboratory was situated is also known as "Daradistana," with "darada" being a synonym for "parada" (mercury).
Nagarjuna is acknowledged for his extensive investigations into various chemicals and his discovery of a method to solidify mercury. He and his disciples held the belief that mercury, known as "parada," represented the Hindu deity Shiva, while mica, referred to as "abraka," symbolized Goddess Parvathi. Additionally, they considered sulphur, known as "gandhaka," to be the reproductive essence or "raja" of the goddess.
Despite facing staunch opposition, Nagarjuna made significant advancements in the field of Rasashastra, which involves the study of chemicals and their impact on the human body. His arguments emphasized that mineral-based medicines, known as rasaushadhis, possessed advantages over herbal medicines. They were more palatable, had a longer shelf life, and could be administered in smaller doses to achieve potent effects. It is believed that Acharya Nagarjuna authored a text called Upangahridaya.
Ayurvedacharyas who study and specialize in rasashastra, the field of Ayurvedic alchemy, engage in the worship of a shivalinga made from solidified mercury. This practice was first introduced by Acharya Nagarjuna. Acharya Vagbhata includes Acharya Nagarjuna as one of the 27 rasiddhas or accomplished scholars in the field of alchemy. Similarly, poet Bharvi lists him as one of the Acharya Varya Chatushka, the four great scholars, alongside Ashwaghosha, Aryadeva, and Kumara Labdha.
Conclusion
Bharadwaja: A prominent sage in Indian mythology and history, known for his wisdom and teachings. He learned Ayurveda from Indra Deva and passed on his knowledge to other rishis.
Atreya: Refers to different individuals, including Rishi Punarvasu Atreya and Bhikshu Atreya, who made significant contributions to Ayurveda and the study of medicine.
Dhanvantari: Three individuals with this name, including the founder of Varanasi, are associated with Ayurveda. They played important roles in the development of Ayurvedic knowledge and practices.
Agnivesha: A renowned figure in Ayurvedic literature, believed to have composed the Agnivesha Samhita, which later formed the basis for the Charaka Samhita.
Nagarjuna: Nagarjuna, a teacher of the Satavahana kings, was born in 78 AD. At 18, he had extensive knowledge of the Vedas and Ayurveda before embracing Buddhism. He is recognized as a skilled alchemist, having a laboratory on Shree Parvat (Sree Sailam), also known as "Daradistana," associated with the term "darada" meaning "mercury."
Nagarjuna's Alchemy: Nagarjuna's research in alchemy, including solidifying mercury, and his beliefs about the symbolism of certain substances, such as mercury, mica, and sulphur.
Nagarjuna and Rasashastra: Nagarjuna's advancements in the field of Rasashastra, which involved the study of chemicals, and his arguments for the efficacy of mineral-based medicines.
Worship of Shivalinga: Ayurvedacharyas in Rasashastra worship a shivalinga made of solidified mercury, a practice first introduced by Nagarjuna.
Nagarjuna's Recognition: Acharya Vagbhata includes Nagarjuna among the accomplished scholars in alchemy, while poet Bharvi lists him among the four great scholars alongside Ashwaghosha, Aryadeva, and Kumara Labdha.
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