Ayurved Ke Vishay Me Jain Drushtikon Aur Janacharyo Ka Yogadan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text about the Jain perspective on Ayurveda and the contributions of Jain scholars:

The book, "Ayurved ke Vishay me Jain Drushtikon aur Janacharyo ka Yogadan" (Jain Perspective on Ayurveda and the Contribution of Jain Scholars) by Acharya Rajkumar Jain, explores the deep connection between Jainism and Ayurveda. The text emphasizes that Ayurveda is not merely a medical science but an eternal science of life, intertwined with every aspect of human existence, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Ayurveda as a Comprehensive Life Science:

Ayurveda is presented as an ancient and eternal science of life, not created but manifested, existing since the beginning of creation and human civilization.
It is considered more than just a medical discipline, integrating elements of anatomy, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, and theology, covering all facets of life.
Its principles are described as universally applicable, beneficial to all, and easily implementable for achieving health and well-being.
Ayurveda's scope extends beyond physical health to mental and spiritual health, influencing human conduct, mental tendencies, and intellectual activities.

Jainism's Influence on Ayurveda and Vice Versa:

While Vedic tradition is acknowledged as a source of Ayurveda, the text highlights that Jainism and Jain philosophy have also significantly influenced and enriched Ayurveda with many of its principles.
Jain literature accords a distinct and authentic place to Ayurveda, recognizing its validity as an integral part of the Agamas (Jain scriptures).
According to Jain tradition, only what is stated by omniscient beings (Tirthankaras) is considered authentic. The twelve limbs of the Jain Agamas (Dvadasanga), particularly the "Drishtivad" limb, contain extensive discussions on the eight branches of Ayurveda.
The "Pranavaya" or "Pranavada" sub-section within Drishtivad is identified as the origin of Ayurvedic knowledge according to Jainism. Jain scholars based their medical texts on this foundational element.

The Origin of Ayurveda in Jain Tradition:

Contrary to Vedic belief that Brahma is the first proponent of Ayurveda, Jain tradition attributes its origin to the first Tirthankara, Bhagwan Rishabhdev.
The text explains that in the early stages of the world (Bhoga Bhumi), humans lived in a state of bliss, free from suffering and disease, their needs met by wish-fulfilling Kalpavriksha trees.
With the transition to Karma Bhumi, humans began to experience physical ailments. During this period, at the Samavasarana (sacred assembly) of Bhagwan Rishabhdev, kings and prominent individuals requested guidance on maintaining health and treating diseases.
The divine discourse (Divya Dhvani) emanating from Bhagwan Rishabhdev is considered the source of Ayurvedic knowledge, which was then systematically compiled by his disciples, the Ganadharas.
This tradition continued through all 24 Tirthankaras, ensuring the continuous propagation and refinement of Ayurvedic principles.

Key Jain Scholars and Their Contributions:

Acharya Ugrasidhyacharya: He is credited with composing the medical treatise "Kalyanakaraka" based on the Pranavaya section of the Agamas. He translated and adapted the original Ardhamagadhi text into Sanskrit.
The text mentions a lineage of Jain acharyas who dedicated themselves to studying and elaborating on Ayurveda, including prominent figures like Swami Samantabhadra, Jinacharya, Virasen, Kumudendu, Somadev, and Lamaghar.
Jain acharyas not only authored independent Ayurvedic texts but also integrated Ayurvedic principles into their works on other subjects (e.g., Somadev Suri in "Yashastilak Champu" and "Nitivakyakara"). They also wrote commentaries on important Ayurvedic texts (e.g., Pandit Ashadhar on "Ashtanga Hridaya").
The contributions of Jain scholars are categorized into three types: independent treatise creation, contextual inclusion in other works, and writing commentaries on existing Ayurvedic texts.

Ayurveda's Purpose and Jain Philosophy:

The primary purpose of Ayurveda, as per Jain philosophy, is twofold: to protect the health of the healthy and to alleviate the suffering of the sick.
Jainism recognizes two types of health: Paramarthik Swasthya (ultimate spiritual well-being, achieved through the annihilation of karmas) and Vyavaharik Swasthya (physical and mental health).
The text emphasizes that Vyavaharik Swasthya is a prerequisite for achieving Paramarthik Swasthya. Proper diet, conduct, and adherence to Ayurvedic principles contribute to physical health, which then enables spiritual practices like austerities and meditation.

Key Concepts and Practices:

Fasting (Upvas): This practice, highly valued in Jainism for spiritual purification and control over desires, is also recognized in Ayurveda as "Langhana" (abstinence or fasting) for its therapeutic benefits. It helps in purifying the digestive system and treating various ailments. Fasting contributes to both physical well-being and spiritual progress.
Charitable Donation of Medicine (Oushadh Daan): Considered a significant act of charity in Jainism, it directly benefits the recipient by providing health and contributes to the donor's spiritual merit. The establishment of Jain charitable dispensaries underscores this principle.
The Role of Dharma (Righteousness/Conduct): Jainism views diseases as stemming from the ripening of negative karmas. While external treatments (Ayurveda) are important, internal purification through righteous conduct (Dharma) is considered the primary cause for overcoming karmic diseases. The text highlights that complete healing involves both internal and external causes.
The Ideal of a Physician (Vaidya): The text strongly advocates for a physician's practice to be driven by compassion and a spirit of selfless service (paropkar), rather than by greed, desire for fame, or personal gain. The highest ideal of a physician is to bestow the gift of life, which is considered the greatest donation.

Preservation and Future of Jain Ayurvedic Literature:

The text laments the neglect and loss of many valuable Ayurvedic works composed by Jain scholars. It highlights the need for diligent research, discovery, editing, and publication of these ancient texts.
Despite the wealth of Jain contributions to Ayurveda, much of this literature remains obscure due to a lack of attention from the scholarly community and wealthy patrons.
The text identifies several key published works like "Kalyanakaraka" and "Vaidyasara," and mentions others like "Yoga Chintamani," "Vaidya Vallabha," and "Khageendra Manidarpan."
It emphasizes that rediscovering and publishing these lost texts is crucial for understanding the full extent of Jain contribution to Ayurveda and for reviving potentially lost knowledge.

In essence, the book argues that Ayurveda, deeply integrated with Jain philosophy, is a holistic science of life. Jain acharyas played a vital role in its development, adding unique insights and ensuring its principles aligned with the Jain path of spiritual liberation and societal well-being. The text serves as a call to action for further research and preservation of this rich literary heritage.