Chapter 3 - Selection of the System and Branch of Study by the Medical Student

In ancient times, like in our own days, the study of medicine pre-supposed a certain standard of general education, intelligence and character in the student. Besides, the person choosing the medical line was required to be possessed of a sense of discrimination and the proper value of things. For instance, he was expected before launching upon his course of studies, to weigh in his mind the various aspects of his undertaking such as the adequacy or otherwise of his educational, physical and intellectual equipment, the nature of his inclinations and aspirations, the difficulties and strain involved in the pursuit of the science, the reward that awaits him at the end of the studies and privileges attached to the profession, and the circumstances of place and time; all these aspects had to be fully considered before the student decided in favour of starting his medical education. These aspects pertain to the student’s own circumstances, both of his internal and external self. The circumstances of place and time would mean that he should give due consideration to the nature of the country and the social and economic conditions of the people and the diseases prevalent and likely to prevail there and the climatic conditions of the country ‘Time’ would mean the nature of the times L e. the habits, taste and requirements of the times as well as the student’s own age and the period of time that it might take to complete his course of studies

Caraka declared:—

[Carakasaṃhitā Vimānasthāna 8.3]

“The intelligent man who after an appraisal of the task whether it will prove heavy or light, of the rewards, the obligation, time and place, finds himself suited for the medical profession, should, first of all select a treatise of that science”.

The first part that we have described is subjective part and then comes the objective part of the consideration to the choice he is to make of the particular system of medicine. For as we shall see there were many schools of medical thought obtaining in India then. There were obviously many treatises in vogue each pertaining to a particular system or school of thought. The period when medical science achieved its highest development was one of great intellectual awakening in India Her philosophy and science attained their highest pinnacles at that time. Naturally enough the variety in her philosophical thought must have been mirrored in her medical speculations as well These must have been followed by a practical and constructive effort at synthesis resulting in the codification of all the knowledge and material available so as to form a universally acceptable compendium of the science. The Caraka and Sushruta Samhitas for instance are examples of such universally acceptable and accepted compendiums. From this it is evident that before this happened, there were many and various systems and their traditional expositions in the form of scholastic traditions coming down from teacher to the student through many generations. Therefore the student had to ponder deeply before he made his choice and Caraka describes the various aspects of the question that such a student had to fully consider before fixing up any one of the treatises as being fully fit for study.

Thus says Caraka:—

[Carakasaṃhitā Vimānasthāna 8.3]

“Many treatises of medicine are current in the world From among these he should choose that treatise which has obtained great popularity and is approved by wise men, which is comprehensive in scope, held in esteem by those who are worthy of credence, suitable alike for the understanding of the three grades of students (very intelligent, moderate and slow), free from the faults of repetition, revealed by a seer, arranged in well made aphorisms, commentary and summary, well authenticated, free from vulgar usages and difficult words, rich in synonyms, possessing words of traditionally accepted sense, concerned mainly with determining the true nature of things relevant to the theme, orderly in its arrangement of topics, rapidly elucidating and enriched with definitions and illustrations. Such a treatise is to be chosen”

Above all, the student was to be inspired by a realistic and practical spirit. He should make himself useful to the society and find his own fulfilment too in the science. There was to be no blind undertaking or taking a leap in the dark, led by mere high-sounding phrases, or guided by mystical idealism that was never to lead to material results. Such an undertaking cost many a heart-pang in the later days of a student when he was face to face with the ‘hard and prosaic facts’ of life. He feels aggrieved with the world for its indifference to such a fine and spiritual enterprise as his But the world will always judge things by their practical results. Hence a realistic and objective outlook is needed to help the student in choosing his future and Ayurveda lays special emphasis on this realistic spirit that should inspire the students choice and undertaking.