Dhanvantari School of Thought
Acharya Dhanvantari
Divodasa Dhanvantari is a legendary figure in Hindu mythology and Ayurvedic medicine. He is believed to be the father of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. He is said to have lived during the 2nd Century BCE.
According to the ancient texts, Divodasa Dhanvantari was a king of Kashi (modern-day Varanasi) who ruled during the Vedic period in India. According to ancient mythology, Lord Dhanvantari is believed to be the previous incarnation of Kashiraja Divodasa, who is said to have emerged from the ocean of milk during the churning of the ocean. During this event, Divodasa is said to have appeared holding a text of Ayurveda, along with a pot of Amrita, a conch shell, a leech, and various herbs in his hands.
Divodasa Dhanvantari is credited with writing the Ayurvedic treatise, the Dhanvantari Nighantu, which is one of the earliest known works on Ayurveda. The text includes descriptions of various medicinal plants and their uses, as well as guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.
Today, Divodasa Dhanvantari is revered as a deity in Hinduism, and he is often depicted holding a conch shell and a pot of Amrita, the elixir of immortality. He is also considered the patron saint of Ayurveda and is celebrated during the Dhanteras festival, which is a part of the Diwali celebrations.
Acharya Sushrutha
Acharya Sushrutha was an ancient Indian physician who is widely considered the father of plastic surgery and the pioneer of surgical techniques in India. He is believed to have lived in the 1st century BCE, during the Vedic period in India.
Sushrutha is known for his work in the field of medicine, particularly surgery. He is credited with performing complex surgical procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery), otoplasty (ear surgery), and cataract surgery. He is also believed to have developed techniques for the removal of tumors and the extraction of foreign objects from the body.
Sushrutha's teachings and surgical techniques were documented in the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Indian text that is considered to be one of the earliest works on medicine and surgery. The Sushruta Samhita includes detailed descriptions of surgical procedures, anesthesia, and surgical instruments, and it remains a valuable resource for modern surgeons and medical historians.
Relationship between the two Acharyas
During his life, Divodasa Dhanvantari passed on his knowledge of Ayurveda to seven disciples, including Sushrutha, Aurabhra, Aupadhenava, Pushkalavata, Karvira, Gopurarakshitha, and Vaitarana, as he progressed through different stages or ashramas, such as vanaprastha and grihastha.
Based on the information provided earlier, it can be concluded that Acharya Sushrutha was a prominent disciple of Dhanvantari.
Sushrutha Samhitha
Acharya Sushrutha is credited with compiling the teachings of Divodasa Dhanvantari into the Sushrutha Samhitha, a text on Ayurvedic medicine. Later, in the 2nd and 5th centuries CE, Acharya Sushrutha and Acharya Nagarjuna respectively are said to have provided corrections, added citations, and offered commentaries to further elaborate on the text.
Acharya Sushrutha, who is credited with compiling the Sushrutha Samhitha, is also known as Vruddha Sushrutha, who as mentioned above lived during the 1st century BCE.
The Acharya Sushrutha from the 2nd century CE who is a commentator or Pratisanskarta of Sushrutha Samhitha is a different person.
Memoirs of Acharyas
You can find idols of Lord Dhanvantari, the previous avatar or incarnation of Kashiraja Divodasa, at various places of worship. It is worth mentioning that statues of Acharya Sushruta can be found at esteemed institutions such as the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in Melbourne, the Amrita Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, and the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute.
Conclusion
The article discusses two ancient Indian physicians, Acharya Dhanvantari and Acharya Sushrutha. Dhanvantari is considered the father of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, and is credited with writing the Ayurvedic treatise, the Dhanvantari Nighantu. Sushrutha is widely considered the father of plastic surgery and the pioneer of surgical techniques in India, and his teachings and surgical techniques were documented in the Sushruta Samhita. Sushrutha was a prominent disciple of Dhanvantari and compiled his teachings into the Sushrutha Samhitha. It is important to note that there were two Acharya Sushruthas, one who compiled the Sushrutha Samhitha in the 1st century BCE and another who was a commentator of the text in the 2nd century CE.
Trisutra Ayushyalaya
At Trisutra Ayushyalaya, an Ayurvedic clinic located in Mysore, Karnataka, our inspiration is to foster a healing environment and integrate the amazing techniques of Ayurveda into modern living. You can discover more about this ancient science by following our blog, and we invite you to join us on a journey toward a healthier and better life.
Next Blog: Kashyapa Samhita and Paediatrics in Ayurveda
Note: Additional details about the specialties of Sushruta Samhita will be provided in a separate post in the future. Keep an eye out for additional articles featuring various books on Ayurveda and the science of Ayurveda.
