15. Ayurveda and Panini

Astadhyayi of Panini is an excellent Sanskrit work belonging to 7th century B.C. Sanskrit was the spoken language of the people in those days. Later on, in the 3rd century B.C. Katyayana improved the work of Panini. Again in the 2nd century B.C. Patanjali wrote a commentary named Mahabhasya on the Sutras of Panini. According to the available references from Mahabhasya, Panini was also called 'Daksiputra' and `Salaturiya'. Out of these two, the former relates to his mother 'Daksi' and the later relates to the place of his birth 'Salatur'. Along with the grammar, the condition of the society and the habits of the people and other important information about the status of Ayurveda also can be understood from Panini's work. The references of Acaryas of Ayurveda named Bharadvaja, Atreya etc. were mentioned in 'Asvadigana' while the disciples of Atreya, Agnivesa, Parasara, Jatukarna are mentioned in 'Gargadi Gana'. Susruta and his disciples were also mentioned in 46

Astadhyayi. The references of Tridosas Vata, Pitta and Slesma were mentioned in 'Sidhmadi Gana'. Similarly the five basic elements and Panca Tanmatras are also seen in 'Rasadi Gana'. As for seasons, two systems are mentioned in Ayurveda such as Sisiradikrama and the other replaces Sisira by Pravrt. The later system is followed particularly during the process of eliminating the vitiated dosas. Panini seems to be acquainted with both of these systems. Classification of plants is also seen in Astadhyayi as Osadhi and Ausadhi. Ausadhi and Ausadha are also differentiated such as Ausadhi means medicinal plant or herb and Ausadha means the finished product. A large number of names of medicinal plants are found in Astadhyayi described under various ganas. E.g.: Haritakyadi Gana, Plaksadi Gana, Bilvadi Gana etc. Similarly the names of the plants. like Soma, Munja, Vrihi, Kasa, Darbha, Khadira, Amra, Iksu, Yava, Sali, Mudga, Masa, Tila, etc. are also seen. Metals like Gold, Silver, Iron, Tin etc. are also seen in `Apupadi Gana'. Almost all units of weights and measures are mentioned in different 'Sutras' as were in Ayurvedic texts. Panini also mentions Panca vidha kasaya kalpanas. Alcoholic 47

preparations like Madya, Sura, etc. are also found. References pertaining to anatomical structures of the structures of the body like Sakha (extremities), Yakrit (liver), Vasti (urinary bladder), Hrdaya (heart) etc. are found in different contexts. The word `Nadi' was used in the sense of tube. Patients were classified on the basis of the disease and they are known as Kusti (affected with leprosy), Unmadi (affected with madness), Atisaraki (affected with diarrhoea) etc. In this way knowledge pertaining to Ayurveda is found in the Sutras of Panini.