SELECTION, INDUCTION AND EDUCATION OF SCHOLARS IN AYURVEDIC STREAM DURING ANCIENT ERA

Abstract

Ayurveda is considered one of the ancient systems of knowledge in India. Various compendiums of Ayurveda i.e., Charaka, Sushruta, or Vagbhatta have enumerated an education system based on Gurukuls i.e., An Educator and their pupils. It is evident from them that a very systematized and organized form of medical education starting from selection to induction and then to well effective teaching and training were given during that ancient era. The triad of education viz. Adhyayan (studying), Adhyapan (teaching) and Sambhasha (an argument based on logic) is key to knowledge and learning process as per Charaka. The selection of students and the teachers were based on some set of fixed criteria’s which were necessary to be fulfilled. Induction was done prior to admission and proper disci- plinary, ethical rules were practised. For the development of knowledge and skills in branches of Ayurveda, prob- lems-based case discussion, identification, causes, treatment of diseases, their principles were taught. Yogya (a set of dummy objects) was used to practice prior to final surgery. Keywords: Education, Ayurveda, Induction, guru shishya etc.