Amrutsagar Pratapsagar - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Amrutsagar Pratapsagar," based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Context:

"Amrutsagar Pratapsagar" is a Jain text that delves into Ayurvedic medicine. It appears to be a compilation and explanation of various medicinal practices, remedies, and diagnostic techniques, presented in a clear and accessible Gujarati language, making it understandable to a broader audience. The text emphasizes the importance of Ayurveda as a vital science for maintaining health and achieving spiritual goals, highlighting its historical significance and its relevance in contemporary times.

Key Themes and Content:

Praise for Ayurveda: The introductory sections strongly advocate for Ayurveda as the best and most useful of all sciences, calling it an "upaveda" (subsidiary Veda) of the Rigveda. It underscores the human body's rarity and its crucial role in attaining Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The text emphasizes that a healthy body is essential for pursuing these life goals.
Historical Lineage of Ayurveda: The book traces the origin of Ayurvedic knowledge back to Lord Brahma, who passed it to Daksha Prajapati, then to the Ashwini Kumars, Indra, and subsequently to great Rishis like Atreya and Bardwaj. It highlights that numerous great Rishis composed texts in their names to liberate humanity from diseases, showcasing Ayurveda's ancient and profound roots.
Ayurveda's Glory in Ancient India: The text portrays Ayurveda's peak during the times of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, when skilled physicians were integral to royal courts, ensuring the well-being of rulers, enabling them to perform great deeds. An anecdote from Greek historians about Alexander the Great's admiration for Indian physicians' miraculous snakebite cures is cited to illustrate Ayurveda's prowess.
Decline of Ayurveda and its Causes: The book laments the decline of Ayurvedic knowledge due to various factors:
- Influence of Greek Medicine: The dominance of Greek medical systems led to the fragmentation and neglect of Ayurveda.
- Disrespect from Rulers: Modern rulers failing to value Ayurvedic practitioners discouraged the study of the science.
- Secrecy and Loss of Texts: Those who possessed ancient Ayurvedic texts were reluctant to share or publish them, leading to their loss, deterioration (e.g., eaten by termites, used for wrapping purposes), and obscurity.
- Complexity of Sanskrit: The original texts being in Sanskrit made them inaccessible to the common person.
Need for Modern Accessibility: The author highlights that while many Ayurvedic texts exist today, they are often in Sanskrit, making them difficult for ordinary people to understand. Their sheer volume also makes them hard to study or procure. This situation hinders the widespread dissemination of the full knowledge of Ayurveda and the preservation of precious life-sustaining practices.
The "Amrutsagar-Pratapsagar" Solution: The book itself, "Amrutsagar-Pratapsagar," is presented as a solution to this problem. It's described as a vast ocean of "Amrut-Pratap" (Nectar-like Valor), containing 25 waves (chapters) laden with gems of various subjects. Composed by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singhji of Jaipur, it synthesizes knowledge from numerous esteemed Ayurvedic texts (including Charak, Sushruta, Vagbhatta, Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Harita Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam, Madhavanidana, Bhavaprakasha, Shardhar, Chakradatta, and various Rasa and Yoga texts). The author, Vaidya Purnachandra Achaleshwar Sharma, has painstakingly translated and explained these complex concepts in simple, accessible Gujarati.
Critique of Earlier Editions: The preface also addresses issues found in previous publications of "Amrutsagar" in Jaipur, Rajasthani, and Hindi languages. It points out inaccuracies in referencing source texts, where the quoted practice from one book was sometimes found in another or not at all, undermining the author's (Maharaja Pratap Singhji's) diligent intention and effort. This revised edition aims to rectify these errors by cross-referencing with original texts and presenting the information accurately.
Methodology and Structure: The text employs a structured approach, dividing the content into "Tarangs" (waves or chapters). Each chapter covers specific topics, ranging from diagnostic methods (pulse examination, urine examination, dream interpretation, various physical examinations like tongue, eyes, etc.) to specific disease treatments. The table of contents reveals a vast array of topics covered, including fevers (Jvar), digestive disorders (Atisar, Grahaṇī), diseases related to the digestive fire (Agnimandya), various types of pains (Shul), effects of poison, tumors, diseases of the head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat, teeth, tongue, and more. It also covers broader concepts like seasonal regimen (Ritucharya), dietetics, and the classification of Ayurvedic principles.
Emphasis on Accuracy and Clarity: The author, Vaidya Purnachandra Achaleshwar Sharma, states his intention to present the text in pure and simple Gujarati, with clear explanations. He highlights the effort to match the original prescriptions with their source texts and verses, ensuring accuracy.
Practical Guidance: The text also includes practical instructions on how to understand the text, use remedies, and the importance of considering factors like patient's constitution, time, season, and strength when administering treatments. The "Sahaj Suchana" (Simple Instruction) section guides the reader on how to interpret the text, noting the use of symbols for passages whose original sources couldn't be verified.

In essence, "Amrutsagar Pratapsagar" is a significant work in Jain and broader Ayurvedic literature, aiming to revive and democratize ancient Indian medical knowledge by presenting it in a lucid Gujarati translation. It serves as both a historical account of Ayurveda's grandeur and a practical manual for health and healing.