12. Ayurveda in Ramayana

AYURVEDA IN EPICS Both Ramayana and Mahabharata have religious value to Indian families and are valuable ideal epics of Indian ethics and 37

culture. In both the epics (the subject related to) the basic principles of Ayurveda and other Ayurvedic aspects are mentioned. AYURVEDA IN RAMAYANA King Dasaratha enquired about the sadness of queen Kaikeyi and advised her to take the suggestion of Rajavaidyas (Royal physicians) for getting relief which indicates that the medical profession already existed in those days, and the court physicians. were appointed to look after the health of royal families. health of Transplantation of organs and toxicology are seen in the Ramayana. When Dasaratha rejected to fulfill the desires of queen Kaikeyi, she said, "if you install Rama as the king of Ayodhya, I am going to die by taking poison' which shows that the use of poisonous substances already existed in those days. DESCRIPTION OF HERBS Detailed descriptions of plants and trees are found in Ramayana at different places such as Kutaja, Arjuna, Kadamba, Nimba, Saptacchada, Asoka, Asana, Saptaparna, Kovidara, etc. They are also used in Ayurveda. 38

USE OF ALCOHOLIC PREPARATIONS In the enumeration of `Pang Bhumi' of Ravana, different types. of Asavas, wine, meat and their preparations according to the principles laid down in Ayurveda, several varieties of Sura, Sarkarasava, Madhvika, Puspasava, Phalasava, etc. and the vessels made of gold, silver, quartz etc. also are described. OUSADHI PARVATA There is a chapter entitled 'Ousadhi parvata' in Yuddha kanda of Ramayana. Ousadhi parvata, Kancana parvata and the peak of Kailasa have been mentioned. Instead of bringing the specific drugs, Hanuman had brought the entire Ousadhi parvata to Lamka, which contained the following herbs. Mrtasanjivani-which revives the dead, Visalyakarani- which frees trouble or anxiety, Savarnyakarani- which imparts original colour, Sandanakarani- the joining of the fractured bones.