Ayurved Sahitya Ke Jain Manishi

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ayurved Sahitya ke Jain Manishi" by Harichandra Jain:

The book "Ayurved Sahitya ke Jain Manishi" (Jain Scholars of Ayurvedic Literature) by Harichandra Jain explores the significant contributions of Jain scholars to the field of Ayurveda from its origins up to the 20th century.

The text begins by stating that Ayurveda is the science of medicine in India. According to Jain tradition, Ayurveda originated with Lord Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara, who imparted knowledge of sustenance, including protection from diseases. While independent texts might not have existed then, the practice and knowledge of Ayurveda were present and later documented in independent works and scattered references within other Jain scriptures.

The book highlights that the Agamas (Jain scriptures), specifically the Purva text known as Pranavada, indicate Ayurveda has eight branches, which corresponds to Ashtanga Ayurveda (the eight limbs of Ayurveda). This is also corroborated by the text Gomatsara, written about a thousand years ago. References to Ayurveda are also found in Svetambara Agamas such as Anga-Upanga and Mula-Chheda.

Lord Mahavira, born 599 years before Christ, had disciples called Gandharas who possessed knowledge of Ayurveda along with other disciplines. The Digambara tradition mentions the Shatkhandagama text composed by Acharyas Pushpadanta and Bhutabali, predating which no Jain literature is available. While Jain scholars of Ayurveda existed before Lord Mahavira, systematic records are scarce. Post-Mahavira, numerous Jain acharyas were proficient in Ayurveda. Surprisingly, the text notes that in some Jain texts, Ayurveda is counted among the papashritas (sources of sin), which is considered an anomaly. However, the Sthananga Sutra still mentions the eight organs of Ayurveda, and the Acharanga Sutra lists 16 diseases, whose descriptions find parallels in Vedic Ayurvedic texts.

Jain scholars emphasized the importance of body preservation for spiritual practice, quoting a verse from the Brihat Kalpabhashya Vritti: "Just as water flows from a mountain, so does Dharma flow from the body. Therefore, the body, which is the vessel of Dharma, should be carefully protected." Even Jain monks, while diligent in their practice, sometimes fell ill and possessed knowledge of various therapeutic methods. The Nishitha Churni refers to physicians as masters of their art. Jain texts describe physicians skilled in internal medicine (Kayachikitsa) and surgery (Shalya Chikitsa), some of whom even performed surgery on the battlefield. Jain Ayurvedic scholars belonged to both monastic and lay communities.

The author points to Harinegameṣi's carrying of Mahavira's embryo as a remarkable medical event. Acharya Padmanandi, in his Panchavishatika, discusses the donation of medicine by lay followers to monks, indicating lay Jains' commitment to providing healthcare in accordance with Jain principles, often guided by Jain Ayurvedic scholars.

The book emphasizes that the Ayurvedic tradition within Jainism has no conflict with Vedic Ayurvedic literature. While concrete written works from the period before Lord Mahavira are not available, detailed accounts of Ayurvedic literature authored by Jain acharyas after the tradition of script-writing began post-Mahavira's Nirvana are extant.

The author then presents a list of Jain scholars who significantly contributed to Ayurvedic literature and were also skilled practitioners. This list includes:

• Shrutkirti (12th century) - Vaidyāmṛta (Medicine of Immortality)
• Kumarsena - Vish Evam Grah (Poisons and Planets)
• Veersena - Shalakyatantra (Ophthalmology and ENT)
• Pujyapada Patraswami - Balroga (Pediatrics)
• Siddhasena Dasharath Guru - Balroga (Pediatrics)
• Meghapad - Balroga (Pediatrics)
• Singapad
• Samantabhadra
• Jatacharya
• Ugraditya (8th century) - Kalyāṇakāraka (Beneficial Treatises) - a well-preserved text with 26 chapters on disease symptoms, treatment, anatomy, and alchemy. He served as the court physician to King Nṛpatunga Amoghavarsha of the Rashtrakuta dynasty and presented scientific arguments against meat consumption.
• Vasaraja
• Gomamtadevamuni
• Siddha Nagarjuna (6th century AD) - a disciple of Pujyapada, known for Rasashastra (Alchemy and Metallurgy).
• Kirtivarma
• Mangraj (1416 VS) - Khagendramani Darpan (Jewel Mirror of Birds), a part of which was based on Pujyapada's Ayurvedic text.
• Abhinavachandra
• Devendramuni - Bala Graha-Chikitsa (Treatment of Child Planets/Diseases)
• Amritnandi - Vaidyaka Nighantu (Medical Lexicon)
• Jagadevamahapanchapada Shridharadeva - Vaidyāmṛta
• Salav, Rasaratnakara, Vaidya Sangatya
• Harshkirti Suri - Yoga Chintamani (Jewel of Yoga) and Vyadhinighraha (Control of Diseases).
• Jain Siddhanta Bhavan, Ara - Vaidyasar Sangraha, Ārogya Chintamani.
• Akalanka Samhita, Indranandi Samhita
• Ashtanga Hridayika
• Kalyāṇakāraka (Kannada)
• Rasaratnakara
• Ārogya Chintamani (Kannada)
• Dhanvantari Nighantukosh
• Kalyāṇakāraka
• Merustambha
• Nagarjunakalpa, Nagarjunakakshputa
• Gau Vaidya
• Khagendra Mani Darpan
• Yogashataka
• Kavipramod
• Vaidya Vinod
• Ramachandra
• Deepchandra
• Lakshmivallabha
• Darvesh Hakim - Pranasukh (VS 1806)
• Muni Yashkirti - Jagasundari Prayogshala (Laboratory of Jagasundari)
• Devchandra - Mushtijnana (Palpitation Knowledge) - Astrology and Medicine
• Nayansukh - Naidyaka Manotsav, Santanvidhi (Joy of Medicine, Progeny Method)
• Krishnadas - Gandhak Kalpa (Sulphur Formulations)
• Janardan Goswami - Balviveka, Vaidya Ratna (Child Wisdom, Jewel of Physicians)
• Jogidas - Sujansinh Raso (VS 1761)
• Lakshmichand - Rasamanjari (Flower of Alchemy)
• Samarth Suri - Vaidya Vinod (VS 1764)

The author notes that many Jain acharyas were polymaths, possessing knowledge of literature, philosophy, grammar, astrology, logic, mantras, and alchemy in addition to Ayurveda. Drawing upon Sushruta's principle of the need for broad learning for a physician, the text mentions several scholars whose works contain scattered references to Ayurveda, including Pujyapada, Dhananjaya, Gunabhadra, Somadeva, Harishchandra, Vagbhatta, Shubha Chandra, Hemachandracharya, Pandit Ashadhar, Pandit Jajak, Nagarjuna, Shothal, and Veersimha.

The book identifies Pujyapada (Devanandi) of the 5th century as the first prominent Jain acharya in the field of Ayurveda. He was a renowned scholar of philosophy, yoga, grammar, and Ayurveda, with extraordinary abilities, including mastery of aerial travel. His Ayurvedic texts are largely unavailable, but his medical knowledge is referenced by other Ayurvedic scholars. The text draws a parallel between Pujyapada's medical acumen and that of Patanjali. It also mentions Nagarjuna, Pujyapada's brother-in-law, who learned Ayurvedic and alchemical knowledge from him.

Other significant figures discussed include:

• Mahakavi Dhananjaya (960 VS) - author of 'Dhananjaya Nighantu'.
• Gunabhadra (737 Saka era) - author of 'Atmānushasan', which uses Ayurvedic terminology to explain spiritual concepts.
• Somadeva (9th century) - described healthy practices in 'Yashastilaka Champu' and possessed knowledge of botany and alchemy.
• Harishchandra - author of 'Dharma Sharma Abhyudaya', also attributed by some to 'Kharnad Samhita'.
• Shubha Chandra (11th century) - author of 'Jnanaarnava', knowledgeable in Ayurveda.
• Hemachandracharya - scholar of yoga.
• Shothal (12th century) - author of 'Agadnigraha' and 'Gunasangraha', practical Ayurvedic texts.
• Ugraditya (8th century) - a Jain physician from Karnataka and court physician to Amoghavarsha, author of 'Kalyāṇakāraka'.
• Veersingh (13th century) - emphasized the importance of astrology in medicine.
• Nagarjuna - specifically the one who lived around 600 AD, a disciple of Pujyapada, known for Rasashastra and spreading it in Nepal and Tibet.
• Pandit Ashadhar (1272 VS) - a polymath who wrote a commentary on Vagbhatta's 'Ashtanga Hridayam'. His medical knowledge is evident in his 'Sagaradharmamrita'.
• Bhishak Shiromani Harshkirti Suri - author of 'Yoga Chintamani' and 'Vyadhinighraha', which contain summaries of Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhatta along with new formulations.
• Dr. Pran Jivan Manikchand Mehta (born 1889) - an MD who contributed to the English translation of Charaka Samhita and headed an Ayurvedic institution in Jamnagar.

The book acknowledges that many Jain monks and lay followers in the present day are knowledgeable in medicine, though they may not have authored texts. The author notes having witnessed Jain monks successfully perform surgery.

The text concludes by emphasizing that Jain acharyas wrote Ayurvedic literature for societal welfare, aligning with the Jain philosophy of righteous living and pursuing the path to liberation. Their approach emphasizes ahimsa (non-violence), influencing dietary habits and lifestyle choices for a healthier society. Jain Ayurvedic literature uniquely integrates these principles, particularly the avoidance of alcohol, meat, and honey in medical treatments, which is seen as beneficial for the body, mind, and soul. The author calls for further research and promotion of this valuable Indian knowledge by the Jain community and governing bodies.