TRADITIONAL AYURVEDIC ‘VAIDYAN’

I would like to pay a tribute to our ‘Vaidyans’, traditional Ayurvedic physicians of this Island, who rendered yeoman services to our Islanders. Thayamkeri Kochumakki ‘Vaidyan’, his son, Kannappan ‘Vaidyan’ and Kadavath Kunjunni ‘Vaidyan’ need special mention. I have noticed that Kannappan ‘Vaidyan’ used to refer to a popular Ayurvedic book, “Ashtangahrridaya” written by Vaghabhata, a Bhudhist scholar. It was the Budhist monks who introduced this ancient method of using barks, leaves, flowers, tubers and roots of varied flora and other elements for the treatment of human beings and other animals suffering from diseases. Sree Narayana Guru, a great social reformer of Kerala was attracted to the various Budhist doctrines and teachings. He advised the Ezhava community, which was one of the lowest classes in the caste ridden society, to study and practice Ayurveda. He was a visionary and he believed that the medical profession would give the ‘Vaidyan’ a better social status and acceptability among the higher castes.  His assessment proved right.

These physicians accepted the Budhist lessons of rendering help to the needy. They never expected any reward for the services rendered. They accepted the minimum cost of the medicines supplied, and that too with great reluctance. I too don’t approve of the western theory of reserving knowledge to make economic gains. I staunchly believe that all the benefits that accrued on every new invention and discovery should go to all the beings in this world without any discrimination whatsoever. I strongly believe in selfless service. 

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com