Completion of Medical Studies
The passing of the final test marked the completion of studies. In the end, the student was given a ceremonial bath and then he became a Snataka or the Graduate. Great importance was given to this period of the student's life. It was the period when the graduate was on the threshold of a new life. He was referred to as thrice-born. Upon completing his studies, the student became a physician, as no one can be born a physician. This process of becoming a physician gave him the title of Trija or thrice-born.
The word thrice born is explained thus:
The first birth is from the womb of the mother, the second birth at the time of the sacred-thread ceremony and the third birth is at the conclusion of the medical study and when he has acquired a comprehensive insight into the science. Hence is he called a thrice born one.
Remuneration to the Preceptor[edit]
After becoming a graduate, the student asked the Guru to name the Guru Daksina , which he could pay then or later. After showing his final respects, he sought permission to return home. He would always remember and respect his Guru.
Post-Graduate Training[edit]
Graduation did not mark the total end of education. Nearly every student who completed his study, underwent postgraduate training. The necessity of getting postgraduate training is very clearly emphasized both in Caraka Samhita and Susruta Samhita. Having received the knowledge of science, the student should, for the sake of strengthening his understanding, strive constantly and well to perfect himself in his grasp of nomenclature, the interpretation of their meaning and power of exposition. Having finished the study of the science, one must strive to get the ability for exposition, fuller grasp of the meanings, boldness, dexterity in practice, its constant study and success in treatment.
Naisthika Brahmacari[edit]
Antaga is the word used to signify literally one who has gone to the end of the routine courses. Besides these ordinary post-graduates, there was a class of students who avowed to be life-long students. This class was called Naisthika Brahmacari. They were the real research scholars.
Continuous Upgradation for Physician[edit]
Even the post-graduate studies was not the end. Medical science being endless and ever progressive, the physician was enjoined to keep himself ever-attentive to maintain his knowledge with ever changing medical researches. Therefore the intelligent person who is aspiring to be a good physician should always persevere to his best in the acquisition of the true qualities of a physician, to help people effectively. Thou shalt act always with a view to the acquisition of knowledge and the fullness of equipment. The art of surgery necessitated daily practice if one wanted to achieve success in the profession. A physician who is skilled and practices regularly will be successful. Hence he should constantly handle the instruments to keep up his efficiency.
Travels[edit]
Travelling was considered an essential part of education. There were plenty of occasions in which travelling became an absolute necessity. They were:
- For joining the universities.
- Accompanying the teacher on his travels during the period of training.
- For acquiring post-graduate learning or special knowledge.
- For attending the medical conferences.
- In the course of practice and missionary tours.
- When called for consultations.
Given the limited transportation back then, travel took months and was risky without proper protection. It was admirable that royal and wealthy families sent their children, around 16 years old, to study far from home at places hundreds of miles away.
Taxila and Banaras were the two main centers of learning in those days and students from all parts of the country went there to acquire higher qualifications just as the students of today go to Europe and America. It was difficult for the boys to return only at the end of the examination which did not take less than 5 to 7 years. As narrated in Jatakas, parents considered themselves lucky if they could live to see their sons back home after finishing their studies. There is a vivid description of how the parents became happy when their son returned home from Taxila after graduation.
Account of Caraka Samhita[edit]
Caraka Samhita begins with Bharadwaja going to a distant country to attain the desired knowledge. Though the Aryans may have differentiated themselves from others in other respects and the general routine of life, as regards the domain of knowledge they honored equally the Aryan as well as the non-Aryan, provided he possessed knowledge.
From the Caraka Samhita, it is evident that the great teacher Punarvasu Atreya was in the habit of touring in the company of his disciples, through the neighboring regions of Pancala, the woodlands of Caitraratha, Pancaganga, the environs of the home of Dhanesa, Kailasa, the northern slopes of the Himalayas, Trivistapa etc, for the sake of healing the sick and the dissemination of the science of Ayurveda and also for the sake of enlarging his knowledge of the medicinal herbs and plants.
This shows that during studies, the whole class Guru and pupils, traveled in the land of the basins of the Indus and the Ganges and the area round about the Himalayan mountains. Learned scholars attended these classes, scholars from distant places, Kankayana from Bahlika, the modern Balkh in the north-west, Nimi Videha from the east, and Vamaka from Kasi.
Benefits of Travelling[edit]
These tours greatly enhanced the practical knowledge in botany, climatology, constitutional studies of the peoples of various countries, and clinical discussions. After the completion of the studies, the student was enjoined to travel to give a finishing touch to his training at the university, as theoretical as well as practical knowledge was essential in the medical science. The spirit of education has always been universal. It has never known the barriers of caste, creed, or country. There is no word like 'foreign' in the realm of knowledge.
Exchange of Students[edit]
Historical records show that several students from middle Asia, Persia, Assyria, Greece, China, Tibet, Ceylon, etc. visited India either to study or to take part in the assemblies or conferences of learned people. Similarly, records are found from which we learn that Indian scholars visited Persia, Greece, Alexandria, Tibet, Burma, Siam, Java, the East Indian Archipelago, Ceylon, China, etc., mostly to disseminate the knowledge they had obtained or to act as missionaries of the science of physical and spiritual health.
The spread of Buddhism played a great part in giving the stimulus to the learned scholars to visit various countries as missionaries. From the available Chinese records, we find that more than 100 Indian scholars of medicine and philosophy visited China beginning from the 1st to the 5th century A. D. In the 5th to the 8th century A.D., Vaidyas were called to Jundishapur and Baghdad for consultations as well as for service. This is the spirit of universality that is imbibed by the students in the university education. Aryan civilization has emphasized the importance of this spirit in clear terms.
References[edit]
- Agniveśa, Caraka, Dṛḍhabala, and Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society. The Caraka-Saṃhitā. ed., Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society, 1949. 6 vols.