Hindu Medicine

Hindu medicine correctly judged by him is a composite system. It consists of a Dravidian system on which was superimposed an Aryan system on which in its turn was superimposed a Buddhist system. The Dravidian system centres round Dhanvantari who does not figure in the vedic pantheon of the Aryan immigrants. He is one of the 14 jewels churned out of the milky ocean at the beginning of time when the gods and the titans in their constant rivalry for supremacy for world domination reached a temporary truce and agreed to churn together. His wisdom of medicine is thus a revealed knowledge. The Aryan superstructure appears to be partly revealed and partly acquired through observation. A competent physician has 4 duties to perform : (1) to see whether the patient is in the grip of real suffering; (2) to diagnose the disease; (3) to treat the disease; and (4) to retire, if the patient is incurable by the application of the knowledge of medicine. He will then either makejiis peace with his Maker preparatory to dying or seek the aid of a healer outside the pale of the ordinary knowledge of medicine. The Buddhist superstructure dispenses with the first duty of the Aryan physician. The world is full of suffering. Of course a sufferer's suffering is real. It also dispenses with the fourth duty. A physician must stay with the patient until the end.