Kerala's Ayurvedic Tradition & Sanskrit Sources

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Kerala's Ayurvedic Tradition and Sanskrit Sources is an investigation into the continuation of Kerala Ayurvedic Tradition by Keralite authors through their Sanskrit work on Ayurveda in the evolution of Kerala culture.

Firstly, the origin of Ayurveda from Indus Valley and its transition from magico-religious trearment to empirico-rational treatment reflected in the authentic texts of Ayurveda are traced. Basic principles of Ayurveda like Pañcabhuta theory, Tridoja theory, etc., are dealt with in detail. Then an attempt is also made to trace the evolution of Ayurveda in Kerala and to give a number of some special therapies exclusively developed and practiced in Kerala. The influence of Siddha tradition can also be noticed in the Kerala tradition of Ayurveda. It is hoped that the present study will prompt Ayurvedie scholars to pursue the subject matter further and establish the link between Sastra (Theory) and Prayoga (Practise). And it is high time to collect and codify the traditional rural knowledge among common masses and disseminate that knowledge and methods of preparation of some simple and yet effective medicine to the common people through Kupumbasrees (organizations of women) and educational institutions etc., to check the exploitation by multinational companies in the era of globalization.

Dr. Ajithkumar K.V., son of Dr. Raghuvan K.V. and Smt. Radha. K, has a Master's Degree in Sanskrit from the University of Calicut (1991). He also secured M.Phil.and Ph.D. from the research for 25 years. H and books. He has presen doctorates in the field on me nt in the field of teaching and articles in reseanch journals ternational seminars. Several metrology were awarded under his guidance. Ar present, he is the Professor of Sanskrit and Co-ordinator of Manuscriptology Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala. He has served as the co-ordinator of KRATER Course (PG programme) connected with Ayurveda. Tourism and Sanskrit. He holds positions such as being the Academic Council Member of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Nodal Officer for Strengthening of Sanskrit Education in Kerala state and Office Bearer of Cultural Organizations in Kerala.

Sanskrit language has been a vehicle of scientific thought throughout India and Kerala is no exception to this. In fact, the Intellectual history of Kerala is inextricably linked with Sanskrit as is well attested by the advancement made by Kerala in ancient and medieval times in various disciplines like Ayurveda, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, iconography and Västuvidya, apart from the impressive achievements made in Vedic and classical literature. It in only in, recent times that the global academic world has started paying attention to this amazing and rewarding field of Indological research.

The contribution of Kerala to Ayurveda is unique. Its popularity in Kerala is so pronounced that there is even a wrong notion among the people that Kerala is the birth place of Ayurveda. This perception is supported by an array of foreigners to Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment, Even though not the birth place of Ayurveda, Kerala has sustained the Ayurvedic tradition in Sanskrit Sanhitä texts. It has also evolved special therapeutic techniques out of t. Before the advent of Sanskrit language, Kerala has her own systern of healing reflected in ancient Tamil works like Akanan and Purananüru etc. It desarves spacial mention here that Kerala got an opportunity to preserve Ayurveda tradition in Samhitä texts because no other tradition like the Unani was introduced here in a big way. Due to this historical reason and because of rich flaura and fauna Ayurveda flourished in Kerala. Modern physicians like P.S Vammer keep Ayurveda moving forwards by including new findings of Modern science also to this field. Nowadays Kerala is the only place in India where 'holistic Ayurveda is practised as a healing therapy.

I hope that this study would be a humble addition to the knowledge of Ayurveda tradition in Kerala. It is my pleasant duty to thank the several authorities and institutions which helped me to publish this work. Dr. C. Rajendran, Former Head of Department of Sanskrit. Calicut University provided efficient guidance for my work and blessed me with a foreword and persuaded me to publish this work to which I am thankful to him. Dr. Raghavan Thirumulppad, Dr. P.K. Varrier, Dr. C.R. Agnivesh, Dr. N.V.P. Unithiri, Professor of Sanskrit, Calicut University, Dr. K.V. Raghavan, Retired Senior medical officer, Dr. Murali M. Ayurveda, Professor of Ayurveda, Dr. P. Gaurishanker, Ayurveda College, Oliur, Dr. K. Sasidharan former Reader of Ayurveda in Sanskrit University Kalady, Dr. Surendran Nair, Former Principal Government Ayurveda College, Trivandrum, Sri Somasekharan, a traditional scholar in Ayurveda. Sri Thanu.V.G, and Dr. Narayanan Moos, S.N.M Vaidyasala, Dr. Vijayan Nangely have helped me in clearing my doubts during my studies and I am extremely thankful to them for their most valuable suggestions.

**Contents and Sample Pages**