5. Surgery in the Ramayana

The two great Itihasas are the Ramayana and the 45 Mahabharata. Ayurveda is a complete science and while keeping 76

man healthy and cheerful, it tried to develop him fully. The system is 46 as old as man, and it remains constantly with man from his birth to his death. Vedas are full of teaching of Ayurveda, Ayurveda progressed during the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata." In those days, two branches of Ayurveda that is medicine and surgery developed especially. Those whose limbs got injured in the war used to have them joined back through surgery and the warriors who become unconscious were restored to life through medicine. During Laksman Meghanad battle, Laksman became unconscious due to the blows of Meghanad. 47 He was revived by Lanka's Vaidya Susesan through Sanjivini Booti (Life restoration herb). No one should doubt suspect to the Vaidya of enemy side came to Rama's camp, as the humanitarian societies like Red Cross Serve nowadays without distinction so were there societies in ancient time as well. They used to attend to the wounded soldiers irrespective of their sides. THE RAMAYANA The two great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are valuable treasures and records of Indian culture contain a lot of information on medicine prevalent in those days. Valmiki's Ramayana was composed in the 4th 77

or 3rd century B.C. and was completed towards the end of 2nd century A.D. As regards medicine, the emergence of Dhanvantari was mentioned in Ramayana. It indicates the well established position of Ayurveda. The word Vaidya was generally used to denote physician. In the story of Ramayana, when Laksman was injured in the battle, Vaidya Susesan examined him and treated him with some herbs having miraculus powers, the main four were Mrta sanjivani, Visalyakarani, Savarnakarani and Sandhani. Medical practice or medical profession already existed during the age of Ramayana. King Dasaratha advised queen Kaikeyi to take suggestion of Rajavaidyas (Royal Physician) for getting relief. The plant like Kutaja, Arjuna, Kadamba, Nimba, Saptacchada, Asoka, Asana, Saptaparna, Koviara have been described in Ramayana at different places. Toxicology knowledge had them. When Rama and Laksmana were injured due to the Sarpa astra of Indrajit, Hanuman sent Garuda for their treatment. In the enumeration of 'Madhusala' of Ravana, different types of Asavas, wines, meat and their preparations according to the 78

principles laid down in Ayurveda, several varieties of Sura, Sarkarasava, Madhvika, Puspasava, Phalasava etc. and the vessels made up of gold, silver, gold, silver, quartz, etc. are also described. Savarnyakarani, which impart original color. Ravana had died because of injury to his nabhimarma due to the arrow of Rama. 49 This is the reference of 107 marma which were known at that time. Ksirasamudramanthan:- In 41st adhyaya of Balk and, Ramayana, there is a reference of churning of ocean for the Amrt. 14 gems come out of the ocean in which 'Dhanvantari holding amrt kalasa was also found to have included. PRACTICE OF SURGERY In the Ramayana, while conveying her miseries during the Lankan life through a message to Rama, Sita says that 'if Rama does not come soon, Ravana will amputate my body with sharp instrument'. This proves that sharp weapons and procedure of amputation had existed in the time of Ramayana. The presence of 79

weapon and amputation gives evidence of the removal or the treatment of body parts by using sharp instruments. When Rama and Laksmana were injured due to the Sarpastra of Indrajit, Hanuman sent Garuda for their treatment. 50 Sage Guatama castrated the testicles of Indra. In place of that Asvins transplanted the testicles of a goat. He was therefore called Mesavrsana. In the description of ausadhiparvata Kancanaparvata the plant Sandhanakarani joins the fractured bones. When Laksmana became unconscious in the war by an arrow, Rama declared him as dead, but the surgeon Sushen explained to him that the signs and symptoms of a live person are that his face has not changed, his face has not blackened, his face has not become charm-less but remains with full of light and his palms are like lotus. The information given by Ramayana about the transplantation of goat's testicle for the restoration of male virility to Indra 51 who lost his testicle due to a curse by Goutama, is almost like reminding the 80 00

present modern medical system, where, animal parts are transplanted. In one place in the Ramayana, it has been said, yajamane swake netre udghritya vimana dadau This means that when need arose, the eye of one man would be taken out and transplanted in another human being.