Current Science Association

Bhrigu-Samhita: An ancient manuscript with medical matters of interest

Author(s): Ashok D. B. Vaidya
Source: Current Science, Vol. 81, No. 7 (10 October 2001), p. 735
Published by: Current Science Association
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/24106378
Accessed: 07-11-2022 02:43 UTC

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 CORRESPONDENCE

Bhrigu-Samhita: An ancient manuscript with medical matte

• 'At times
The debate on the inclusion of astrology, parative study in the history even the heart
of medicine, will be

as a science subject, has been quite I invited the wrath of my examiners

replaced. and exist in
Such devices
acrimonious and at times sanctimonious the thesis was rejected because India . . it
. Indian
was on scientists of a high
too. This is evident in several issues of 'Ayurveda'! But what interested calibre willmeone more
day replace even liver
Current Science, other technical and lay in Bhrigu-Samhita wereor the remarkable
spleen, in future.' (Bhrigu R 11/10:
publications and in the media. A good medical descriptions in Sanskrit, 1-4) on the
spin-off is the distinct polarization in the circulation of blood, • 'Occasionally, diabetics would benefit
cancer, embolism,
academia and the vocal expression of the etc. I have cited some of especially from treatment that is
these excerpts
partisan views. Indeed, such a debate from the manuscript below: carried out after proper urine examina
should have been first invited by the tion. There can be help in other
UGC, before the decision. Controversy • 'The windpipe must be healthy diseases too forbythea careful urine
and an evidence-based debate amongst movement of pure and impure air to examination.' (Bhrigu R IV/31: 6-8)
the 'experts' is the soul of science and and fro from the lungs. The lungs, in
There is an urgent need to salvage
technology. And the eventual consensus turn, supply the heart with the purified
many of our ancient manuscripts of
and the majority decision are then based blood. Then the heart circulates
medicine, astrology, philosophy, etc. We
on information, data and the level of the blood to the entire body rather
must conduct l4C-dating to determine the
contended knowledge. rapidly.' It is quite a statement in
period of the palm-leaf and other
Unfortunately, we still continue to be an old Sanskrit manuscript (Bhrigu R
manuscripts. But the time has come to
Lord Macaulay's educational products. 11/6: 8-9) (circa 3000 B.C. - Bhrigu
look seriously at our heritage in sciences
We have not yet revolutionized our Rishi).
and humanities, without any ancestral
memory-loaded learning into concept- • 'If at times, due to whatever reasons,
vain-glory or an outright rejection because,
based education. Hence, barring a few impure blood, a blood clot, or a piece
something does not fit into the western
exceptions, most of us have no roots in the of fat were to move into the heart, reductionist world-view.
Indian scientific traditions, languages and during circulation, this can jeopardize
age-old knowledge base. We have been the heart.' (Bhrigu R 11/7: 5-6)
raised on a myth that science is universal • 'The germ can also move into the Ashok D. B. Vaidya

and not culturally conditioned. Some of us bones or the seat of the heart. The
who have attempted to study transcultural disease is called by the name - KshayaBhavan 's S.P.A.R.C,
aspects of science know better. Roga - The germs are so virulent that 13th North South Road,
During my study for M.D. (Medicine), via breath a rapid spread can occur JVPD, Juhu,
I wrote a thesis on 'The medical aspects from one person to another.' (Bhrigu Mumbai 400 049, India
of Bhrigu-Samhita' in 1963. It was a com- R 111/20: 5-7) e-mail: avaidya @bom5. vsnl. net. in

Politeness or fear of dissenting?

P. Balaram's editorials are always scientists to voice criticisms of the work instead I submit that there is firstly a
original, interesting, provocative and of their senior colleagues and their si- choice between silence and efficiency
elegantly written. Unfortunately, they lence, even when they differ. Being a and then a choice between politeness and
do not appear "to attract sufficient fearless person himself, Haldane did not rudeness. Balaram, therefore, should not
discussion, despite the fact that such think of ascribing the silence to fear of have emphasized 'The importance of
discussions would greatly enhance having to pay the price of dissent (im- being impolite'; he should have stressed
their value. Though I am an avid pediments to career advancement, loss of 'The importance of polite dissent', where
reader of these editorials, I have been funding, privileges and perks, etc.). Most dissent is warranted and required,
remiss in not reacting to them even Indian scientists 'are polite about one Hence, it is not politeness that is a
when I have felt the urge. 1 would now another's work' because they are afraid major impediment to the advance of sci
like to make amends by commenting of being critical. This fear is an inevitable ence, but the absence of debate, criticism
on the editorial The importance of consequence of an environment in which and dissent. For Indian science to flour
being impolite (Curr. Sei., 80, 1245- dissent is strongly discouraged and 'con- ish, what is required is a community of
1246). structive criticism and debate on science' interacting scientists with the well
The editorial starts with J. B. S. is virtually absent. established traditions of a peer system.
Haldane's conclusion that 'science in It is only when there is no fear of dis- Without the environment of an
India is developing with disappointing senting that the question arises of how to interacting scientific comm
slowness . . . because Indians ... are too express the dissent. And can one recom- cannot be the natural selection
polite'. Without going into an expatri- mend anything other than the most cour- tific ideas and data, which
ate's conclusion almost half a century teous and civilized forms of expression? ensure that the fittest t
ago, the point is that Haldane has attrib- Haldane argued that there was a 'choice experiments survive. Natural s
uted to politeness the failure of Indian between politeness and efficiency'; ideas implies competition and
CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 81, NO. 7, 10 OCTOBER 2001 735

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