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Buddha: Transfiguration Of A Prince – An Essay by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:34:24 +0000

A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer. For more information see also his website at http://www.kaimaparamban.com/.

Gauthama who had been known as Buddha and Siddhartha after getting ‘Light of Knowledge’ was born in Lumbini. It is in Kapilavassthu, which is situating in the north part of Basthi district in Uthar Pradesh. He took birth as the son of the King Suddhodana.

From the very childhood Gauthama showed the mood of a very thinker. King Suddhodana was very anxious about his son. He made Gauthama in his sixteenth old, the husband of a beautiful princes Yasodhara. She tried to do her level best for making the prince happy.

Suddhodana had taken great care for not witnessing Gauthama any inauspicious event Suddhodana thought that such things would make his son more contemplative and nervous.

One day while the prince was travelling in a horse cart, he saw a group coming against him carrying something. He had never seen such a scene before. The servant who had been travelling upon a horse tried to transfer the attention of the prince from it, in futile. Gauthama wanted to know the fact. Looking at the passing crowd, the servant told the prince that it was an old man’s dead body and his relatives and friends were taking it to a burial place. From the words of servant Gauthama was grasping a truth, all the people would die when they become old. The servant revealed about the death of younger people due to illness.

The heart of the prince filled with unlimited sadness. He felt that all the things of the world being mortal and perishable. Many people were suffering from poverty and ailments. Love and compassion had become rare among the rich people. Gauthama had fallen into a dilemma. He did not know what to do. Every night bloomed before him with shivering giving bad dreams. Yasodhara tried to console her darling-mate by telling smooth words. In fact all her words were falling in scorched loose sand. She bewailed in her solitidues.

Suddhodana and his queen were in endless grief seeing their son’s growing gloominess and thoughts. They too tried for his happiness in vain.

Once Gauthama saw a man with long whiskers and hair. He had worn only necessary clothes for covering his body. The prince ordered the horse carter for stopping the cart. Then he approached the man and asked him about him. The stranger introduced himself as a Rishi or an Ascetic who had left all the worldly pleasures for doing the works of the Almighty. While talking with him Gauthama felt as a river of calmness and happiness smooching his soul.

With a contentful heart, he returned to his palace. Seeing change Yasodhara became happy. She thought that it would be a stagnant mood.

The prince had decided to assume the lifestyle of a Rishi throwing away all his worldly comforts and happiness. But he did not divulge the fact before his wife. He had been in his age of twenty nine. And in that time he had a child in Yasodhara.

One midnight when his wife Yasodhara and son Raahulan and the total world were in sound sleep Gauthama left the place with the aim of finding out the ‘Eternal Truth’.

He wished to have a preceptor for guiding him the correct way. But his effort had become fruitless. So he was forced to reach the aim by his own exertion. He went to the city of ‘Uruvela’ and sat under a huge fig tree in meditation for six years. From there he could get the ‘Light of Knowledge’. He decided to pour it into the souls of other people. He believed that by that dealing he would be able to release them from all kinds of sufferings. He advised them ‘Ashtaamgamaargam’. His first disciples were three brothers who had converted into ‘Budhism’, openly. Followers began to increase and Gauthama sent them all over the world for propagating his ideas. Even his son Raahulan had approached Buddha and he too was recognized a disciple.

Not only common people but also great men as King Suddhodana become the followers of Siddardha. Disseminating ‘Dharma’ (Charity) he travelled all over the world for forty five years. At last covering Naalanda he reached at Vaisaali and stayed in the house of a famous ‘Devadaasi’. Then he went to the City of Kusi where he stayed under a Banyan tree. In BC 544 on a Vaisaakhapournami day his soul left the cage of his body.

The Greatest Holy Sage Of India – Essay by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Wilfried F. Voss — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:07:26 +0000

A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer. For more information see also his website at http://www.kaimaparamban.com/.

January of 2012 marks the 150^th Birth Anniversary day of Swami Vivekananda, the Greatest Holy Sage of India.

He is known as a ‘Karmayogi’ who had done his duties without expecting any reward. He had been blowing as a whirlwind all over the word.

He was born in 1863 January 12 in Calcutta in a Kayastha family. His father was a famous Attorney in the High Court of Calcutta. And his mother was a devotee of Lord Siva and such Deities. Narendra Nath was his name, which was given by his prarents. The name Vivekananda was changed by the Khethri King of Rajputana Ajith Singh while the young sage reached his palace.

After passing matriculation Narendra Nath joined the Presidency College first and then the Assemblies Institution which is now known as Scotish Church College for continuing education. He could pass BA Degree from the college. For two years he had studied law but did not appear the examination.

When he was a student, his mind had askewed towards the thoughts about the Almighty. He went to see several famous sages for talking about Spiritual subjects. For some time, he had been a member of the Brahmasamaja. Until meeting with Sriramakrishna Parama Hamsa his mind was turbulent. He was in search of getting the proximity of the Supreme Soul. In 1882 he went to Dakshineswara and met with Sriramakrishna Parama Hamsa. At first sight Vivekananda felt that he had been searching for such a preceptor. The ‘Guru’ too was impressed with the personality of Vivekananda.

In 1884, his father died. His family fell into the hearth of miseries, which troubled him a lot. He was between two main problems. One was connecting with Spirituality. The other was of the miseries of the family. He presented the matters before the Guru and got an advice from him for leaving his mother and the family members under the mercy of ‘Jagadamba’, the World Mother. In 1886 his preceptor left the mortal earth.

Then Vivekananda constituted a Group of Sages.

He wanted to know the original color of living of different kind of people in Indian villages. So he began journey from North to South East to west. In 1892 he visited Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu. He saw a mountain in the sea and swam towards it. Sitting on the rock in meditation he thought how to solve the miseries of India. By purifying the Eternal Religion India would get salvation, was the invention of his mind.

In 1893 he started to America with the decision of participating the Big Religious Assembly, which was congregated in Chicago. When he was in America he could get helps from Professor J H Wright and Mrs. Hail. In September 11 he made a small oration before the foreign crowd with a beginning “My Sisters and Brothers of America….” It had stirred up the people a lot.

Following it he was invited for making several speeches there. The newspapers of America propagated his ideas by giving big coverage.

Then he travelled all over the world for giving the people the knowledge on Indian Ideology and the never fading Culture of the country. So many foreigners became his disciples. He could acquaint with many great men of the World.

In 1897 Swami installed in Calcutta ‘Sriramakrishna Sangham’ in memoriam of his preceptor Sriramakrishna Parama Hamsa. It has started a number of hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions all over India for the progress of poor ones.

Swami Vivekananda had wished not to die even a dog due to starvation. He worked for the Physical and Spiritual progress of Indians. Moreover he was in the effort of making an India without poverty, illiteracy bad customs and superstitions and inhuman dealings connecting with castes and religions. In 1902 in the age of 39, the Holy Sage left his Country and people forever.

Taxila – An Ancient Indian Scholastic Centre

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:31:08 +0000

A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer. For more information see also his website at http://www.kaimaparamban.com/.

Taxila, an ancient Indian scholastic centre, which is known as Takshasila among the people of India is now in Pakistan. After India was partitioned into two, the place was included there. 30 kilometers northeast from Raavalpindi, there is Saraikala which is beside Bheerkunnu where Taxila, the scholastic centre was situated.

In Mahabharata, the name of Taxila is mentioned. In BC 326, Alexander the Great was moving towards India. In that time Taxila was a separate country, which was ruled by the King Ambhi. He heard about the coming of Alexander. Knowing the fact about the strength of the Masidonean King, Ambhi wanted to cooperate with him. So Ambhi invited the King to his country. In the aim of becoming Alexander’s dependant Ambhi gave him a warm reception. At that time Porus was the ruler of Punjab, the neighbour country of Taxila. Ambhi hated him so much that he wanted to see the declination of Porus. The King Porus had been staying on the bank of Jhalum River with a huge military force. He was ready to defend the enemies. Alaxander was not only a warrior, but also a person of military skill. He could get join the soldiers of Ambhi too with the military force of him.

A horrible fight began with the two military forces. Many soldiers were killed and a lot became wounded. At last Porus was defeated. He was caught and taken beside the winner Alexander. But Porus stood with bravery and virility before the enemy. He showed the sense of his liberty. Alexander was shocked seeing the qualities of Porus. He did not wish to have the country of Porus as his own. Alexander gave the country back and left the place. A Greek person with the name of Onesikutos had been following Alexander while he was entering India. He could witness the fighting of two military forces and the declination of Porus in the end. Onesikutos has recorded all the events taken before him. After the departure of Alexander Taxila remained as an independent country under Porus.

When Mourya Empire was installed, Taxila became a part of it. Chandragupta Mourya was the founder of the Empire. In Taxila, there lived a scholar and Philospoher named Chaanakya. When Chandragupta was a boy, Chaanakya took him to his place and gave him learning in Veda Sastras and Martial Arts. The boy could study the Art and science of Governance too from Chaanakya. After it with the help of Chaanakya, Chandragupta was installing Mourya Empire. In the time of Bindusaara, there happened a revolt in Taxila and for suppressing it, he sent his son Asoka. After it Asoka became the ruler of Taxila for some time. In the period of Mouryaas Budhism was spread in Taxila. So many Budhist Centres were started. Taxila became the main place of Budhist studies.

When the ruling of the Mouryas were ended Taxila became a part of the Empire of Harsha. When the King Durlabhavardhana was ruling this place. It had become a part of the country of Kashmir too. The strength of Budhism had declined. From the write ups of Huaansaang, you can come to the fact. Almost all the castles and buildings connected with Budhism were collapsed. People began to come out from Budhist Religion. It is believed that the invasion of Hunas in the fifth century must have caused the tragedy.

When the Hindu religion was in strength the Hindu Vedas and such ideologies had flourished. In the time of Mouryas Budhist philosophy got prominence. Scholars who were able to teach such subjects had been living in Taxila. So many colleges and universities were founded. Not only Indians but also people from abroad came for learning several subjects and Martial Arts. It had become a knowledge giving place of the total world.

So many excavations were conducted in the remaining place of the past scholastic centre. Geologists could have got a lot of valuable remnants connecting with the past history of Taxila. Letters of Asoka and coins made in silver and gold were excavated. So many idols and statues proving the example of Gaandhaara sculpturing had been discovered. The ‘Dharamaraajika Stoopam’ which is believed to have made by Asoka was in the remainings. All the stuff which got from inside the Bheerkunnu are kept in a museum of the place.

Ancient India – Naalanda University

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:28:54 +0000

A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer. For more information see also his website at http://www.kaimaparamban.com/.

If you think about ancient India, two names will ascend in your minds, Naalanda and Thakshasila. First the name of Naalanada can be considered for attention. The word Naalanda has a meaning ‘Insatiable in giving.’

Naalanda University situated in the Southern part of Bihar, near Raajgeer. In Bargaon village, several excavations were made. Many remainings were seen of the university a basement, which was of a huge building with a height of ninety one meters, which was built by Narasimha Guptan, eight statutes known as ‘Ashtadhaathuvigrahangal’, which were made using a mixture of eight metals, an idol of a female Deity with the name of ‘Thaara’, which with eighteen hands, a female. Deity named as ‘Vaageeswari’ sitting on a lion and different kinds of stamps and write-ups of Kings. Likewise many such remainings were found out there. From AD 630 to AD 644 Huaansaang, a famous Chinese traveler as well as a Budhist Monk was in India. At that time Naalanda was in the extreme stage of fame. Huaasansaang has recorded about it. He has written that ‘Sakraadityan’ who was belonged in the later branch family of Gupta Kings had installed the Naalanda University. In the beginning it was a small one and slowly began to flourish into big. The son of Sakraadityan named Buddha Guptan, his follower Narasimha Guptan (Baalaadithyan) and his son Vajraguptan had built many buildings for the needs of students and teachers. And they gifted villages for the expenditure of running the University. After Huaasnaang came, a Budhist Monk named Ithsing lived in Naalanda for studies and taking the copies of Buddhist Books. From 675 to 685, he lived there. He too has written a lot about Naalanda University. Harsha and the Kings of Paala of Bengal too had done a lot for the progress of the University.

In the University, there was a big college surrounded with eight universities in the compound. Ten thousand students were learning there. They not only listened the lessons from their teachers, but also read and thought a lot and researched. There was all kinds of facilities for improving knowledge.

Mahayaanam, Heenayaanam and Thanthrayaanam were taught there. (Buddhist philosophies). Mathematics, Astrology and Ayurvedam were included in their curriculum. Hindu philosophy too was taught there. Huaansaang has recorded that not even a student had behaved against the discipline of the University. Due to its fame, students came from Tibet, Greece, Persia, China, Malaya, Java and Sri Lanka for studies. All were admitted after passing a strict entrance examination. Only twenty or thirty percent passed the examination.

Those who studied in the university became very famous all over the world. So many scholars went to foreign countries for propagating about Buddhist Ideology.

In the Eleventh Century, the King who installed the Second Paala Empire Mahipaalan had maintained the University and built a new Vihaaraa. It is believed that due to a great fire, the University was collapsed.

Naalanda was ransacked and destroyed by invaders came from outside India. The great library of Naalanda University was so vast that it is reported to have burned for three months after the invaders set fire to it. All the monasteries were burned and the monks were driven away from their sites.

In 2006 India, Singapore, China, Japan and other nations announced a proposed plan to restore and revive the ancient place as ‘Naalanda International University’.

The Lost Days – A Short Story by Indian Author Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:24:15 +0000

A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer. For more information see also his website at http://www.kaimaparamban.com/.

He tried to keep his eyes open. But the upper lids were falling downwards.

His mother was before him. Off and on the figure was becoming indistinct.

Snakes of pain crepeed in his body.

In the depths of his soul jungles of blackness.

“Oh Amma,” moved his lips.

“Son,” the reply of the mother mixing in love and sadness.

He wished to lift his hand for touching the mother.

The figure had begun to dissolve.

Where is my mother?

“No son. Lie without movement,” the words of the mother.

Somebody sings, he may come from before or from back.

“His color being black.

“He can come through light or darkness. Nobody will see him. But only I shall see.

“If he comes from the front I shall see his huge figure. If he comes from back, I shall hear his pace of steps.”

Who sings that song?

No. Nobody sings. But creeping lines in the memory. They are having a lot of tiny legs.

The lines from the poem of his father.

“Appa,” moved his lips.

“Son, what’re you saying?” the question of his mother.

“Amma, where’s Appa?” slow movements of the lips.

The mother did not hear the sound. She did not understand the question.

But she was trying to interpret the movement of the lips.

“Appan…”

“Eh..?”

“Appan…”

“You mean Appan?”

“Hm….”

“Try to become peaceful. Don’t think about the past.”

A silent valley of blackness and chilliness. His mind was slipping towards it. The effort for acquiring the drops of memory.

“You’ve never loved your father, son,” as if glistening a lightening those words fell into his heart.

A trembling subdued him.

The words were falling from the lips of his mother as boiling tears.

He wished for having his eyes opened complete for seeing the mother.

“Amma…”

“Eh…?”

“Amma can I’ve a new life?”

“What’re you saying son>?”

She was unable to grasp his words.

The eyes were becoming tired. The lids moved downwards. Non-plussed conditions of the mind and body.

Memories stood far away.

“Amma.”

“Son,” trying for understanding his words she looked at his lips.

“I’m thirsty.”

“Eh…?”

“I feel thirst.”

She had begun to understand his words. So she poured a sweet water on his lips. He drank it in greed. Each drop was going downwards reluctantly.

Then he moved his hand in a negative mood which the mother could grasp.

He felt the affection of the mother as very great.

In the darkness of the mind small crevices formed.

He asked, “I’ve never loved my Appa. Have I Amma?”

No reply was made.

The mother must not have heard him. Unless he would have discharged the words of consolation.

“Amma.”

He heard another sound. A familiar one. But whose sound is it?”

“Daughter you’ve come alone.”

The reply of the mother.

“I came alone. Amma. He didn’t come with me.”

“Didn’t you get his consent?”

“Yes Amma. I happened to compel him a lot. At last he gave assent. The man who lies on bed was once an enemy of others. The bike accident made him helpless.

“So you must observe him with merciful eyes.”

“What mercy Amma? God gave him the deserving punishment. Can you forget his cruel dealings to his father. He was the father of me too.”

“All I remember daughter.”

“Poor Appa. Until death he suffered a lot. Didn’t he?”

“Yes daughter. “

“At the time of studies this thing didn’t concentrate in his lessons. Did he?”

“No.”

“Yet he could get a job. It was because of the death of my father. I expect some change in his habit. But he didn’t change. He tried to bring all kinds of comforts under him. Then he got punishment. Don’t you think about my father. A man of love and endearment. Before death he wrote a letter to me. He foresaw his end earlier. Unless he couldn’t have written such a letter. Seeing the immoral life of the son, he wished to assume death. He must’ve been praying the Deity of Death for a blessing. The Deity heard his prayer. But it was helping the son. He had the chance for repentance. Devils can’t change Amma.”

He could hear each word of his sister. They were not words. But discharging of lava from a human being.

“I understand that no relatives have come to see him. Did anyone come?”

“No.”

“All have studied him well. He’s in a hell. Self created hell, you know?”

“Daughter. Have some mercy on him. He can understand your words. But can’t respond.”

The sister looked at him with flaming eyes.

Only the mother shows humanity to me, he thought. He was cruel towards his mother when he was in good condition. Lightning and thunderbolt took place in his sky of mind. When he thought about those days.

The sister observed him from bottom to top.

“Totally bandaged,” she said.

“Yeah.”

“One leg has gone.”

“Removed by doctors. Can’t you see the absence of his right hand? It too was removed.

A man without a leg and a hand. In addition I’m unable to speak. It may be temporary. May I get the ability back?

I should not have troubled my parents and relatives, he thought. I don’t wish to speak. Better to be living in dumbness.

He saw the sister leaving the place without telling him a word.

Only the mother remained beside.

American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation How Indian Spirituality Changed the West

Wilfried F. Voss — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:36:19 +0000

Click on image to buy from Amazon.Com

Spiritual coach and author Goldberg (Roadsigns) is a knowledgeable and sympathetic chronicler of the past 150 years or so of Indian spiritual ideas’ influence on American spirituality. Correctly starting with Emerson and American transcendentalism, Goldberg follows a trail that gets broader, more diverse, and more powerful until yoga is as American as Starbucks, and “spiritual but not religious” becomes a cultural catchphrase describing millions whose notions of the transcendent are more shaped by India’s Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Religion) than by Yankee divines and Southern Baptists.

Goldberg sorts gurus and systems of yoga, correctly understanding the spiritual aspects of what many Americans think of as a physical fitness discipline. He’s on point in tracing the influence of the spiritual philosophy of Vedanta on a legion of influential artists and writers beyond the titular ones–think John Coltrane and the late J.D. Salinger. This book fills a void; scholars have mined the subject of Indian spiritual philosophy, but mostly for the academy, despite the broad impact of Vedantism on popular culture. Goldberg gets it. – Publishers Weekly

Although Veda is not a household word for many Americans, yoga, guru, and karma are commonplace, and each is rooted in Vedic, or Indian, spirituality, which “evolved from the Vedas, the world’s oldest sacred texts.” A spiritual counselor and interfaith minister as well as an author, Goldberg delineates the Vedic tradition—which encompasses Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and involves meditation and yoga—then traces its flowering in the U.S., from its profound impact on Emerson to the “Vedic bonfire of the 1960s,” the Transcendental Meditation movement of the 1970s, and today’s passion for hatha yoga. Because Veda, which translates as “knowledge,” respects all religious practices, “recognizes a transcendent Oneness,” and embraces science, it has particular appeal for Americans who identify themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” In relaxed control of a veritable ocean of material, Goldberg provides lively profiles of influential Vedic gurus, including Krishnamurti, Vivekananda, Paramahansa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and B. K. S. Iyengar, and such key followers as the Beatles, Joseph Campbell, Thomas Merton, John Coltrane, J. D. Salinger, Eckhart Tolle, and Deepak Chopra. From meditating movie stars, scandalous gurus, and psychedelic drugs to genuine spiritual breakthroughs and devotion to helping others, Goldberg’s history of “American Veda” takes measure of a powerful, if underappreciated, force. –Donna Seaman, Booklist

Review

All of Philip Goldberg’s 19 books, from his earliest (The Intuitive Edge, Natural Sleep) through his collaborations with prominent psychotherapists (Making Peace With Your Past, Get Out Of Your Own Way) up to his latest (Roadsigns on the Spiritual Path) have contributed something useful to the community. But American Veda is his crowning achievement. It is the fascinating story of how Indian philosophy and Indian teachers have literally transformed American life, starting with the New England Transcendentalist writers (Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman) who discovered Vedanta in a handful of books, through the arrival on our shores of Swami Vivekenanda, Paramahansa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and other prominent gurus, to the present-day crop of teachers – both Indian and American-born – who have been influenced by these visionary pioneers.

We are living at a time of a profound awakening of consciousness that is changing the world. Much of that awakening is due to the influence of Indian spirituality and its practical applications. If you are one of the estimated 20 million Americans who practice Yoga, if you meditate or enjoy kirtan chanting, if you have been turned on to the spiritual path by Autobiography of a Yogi or Be Here Now, read books by Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, J. D. Salinger or Joseph Campbell, or followed the healthcare advice of Dr. Dean Ornish, Indian teachers and teachings are a part of your life. As Huston Smith, the highly-esteemed scholar of world religions, said in his Foreword to Goldberg’s book, “Vedanta quietly surfaces in the daily lives of Americans. Yoga, karma, meditation, enlightenment are now household words. How that came about needed to be documented, and Philip Goldberg has done just that.” And he has done it with a novelist’s gift for story-telling and a palpable love for many of the men and women who either brought the teachings from India or discovered it here and made it their own. I knew quite a lot of this story, yet Goldberg’s scholarship – he tells us that he read hundreds of books and conducted over 300 interviews – and masterful writing brought it to life. – Jack Forem, Amazon.Com Customer Review

Bookmarks: ‘American Veda’ by Philip Goldberg

The Los Angeles Times Book Review – June 19, 2011 (Excerpt)

Long before the Fab Four embraced the East, there were the Fab Three — Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman. Philip Goldberg’s “American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation — How Indian Spirituality Changed the West” (Harmony: 386 pp., $26) is an authoritative, engaging survey of why, starting with these three venerable American thinkers, the flowers of Eastern practices have thrived in Western soil.

When he set foot in Harvard Divinity School a century and a half ago, Emerson had a shattering realization about Christianity. His discovery of Eastern texts “dispelled once for all the dream about Christianity being the sole revelation — for here in India, there in China, were the same principles, the same grandeurs, the like depths.” Goldberg teases out the karmic principles in Emerson’s writing, among others; chapters move like a succession of ocean swells, easily accessible, and Goldberg applies sharp strokes of the brush to capture particular viewpoints or dilemmas. “Tibetan Buddhists compare gurus to fire,” he writes of the scandalous behavior of some yogis, “stay too far away, and you don’t get warm; venture too close, and you can be burned.” [Read the full article...]

The Snake-Charmer And The King Cobra – A Short Story by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:38:29 +0000

A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer

Behind the stationery shop there was a well with a tall tree slanting towards it. Being an old storage of water its round wall was with several cracks. In some places plastering were missing. Inside the wall there were round steps up to the bottom for getting into it whenever needed.

In the sides two huge square pillars could be seen. They had connected by an iron pipe for the purpose of pulling water from the well. There was a hook in the middle facing the water. It was for kindling water drawing pulleys.

There were many tea shops and hotels in the market. Maathen was the man who had been helping the people of the shops by bringing water from the well. Whenever he went for that purpose he used to take a pulley and a folded rope and two metal pots in his hands. As the teashops and hotels began work earlier in the morning he had to supply them water earlier.

Lights were seen in such places.

Maathen started to one of the teashops for getting his working instruments. After taking those things he walked towards the well. The sky and the earth were under the wide wings of darkness. And he was alone. But he felt no fear as he did the work daily.

He saw two men standing beside the well expecting the water pulling man. They were dwelling in the market. But had no fixed sleeping centres. Slept wherever they felt it convenient. They did casual works in the market. Before the market awoke they had to take their bathing. That was the reason of their waiting.

“Maathen chetta, let me pull some water,” Poker, one of the men said. On the platform of the well he had placed an old and broken plastic bucket with a small mug.

“Ok let me have hooked the pulley,” replied Maathen.

While trying for the dealing he heard the sound of some sneezing. It was rising from the well. Due to deep blackness he felt it difficult to see the inner side.

“What is it Mathen chetta?” the other man Baalu asked. Poker and Baalu could have heard the sneezing sound.

“I don’t know. Let me examine it,” said Maathen taking a matchbox out of his tuck of his loin clothe.

He opened the match box for bringing out a stick. While tried to rub the stick on the side of the box it was fallen down. In the same time a sneezing sound was repeated from the well.

Maathen could lit the second stick. In its light he looked into the well. A long and big snake was sitting on a step.

“Ayyo…” he cried aloud.

On hearing the sound, the other ones Baalu and Poker sped from there leaving their bucket and mug.

Maathen had to take his rope and other things.

“Ayyo,” again he cried while taking his instruments.

He began to run. A jingling sound was rising from the pulley while it was touching a metal pot.

Somehow Maathen reached the quad of the teashop from where he had taken the instruments. He was breathing hardly.

“What happened?” the shop owner asked.

Pointing to the direction of the well Maathen said, “A snake in the…”

The shop owner laughed aloud.

“You must’ve seen some rope piece Maatha.”

“No Mothalaala, it’s a snake. A big one.”

Maathen showed the size of the creature by showing one of his hands.

Sitting in a corner another man was reposing by moving his head to and fro.

The shop owner gave him a blow by one of his legs and said, “I’ll be coming now.”

No reply was made.

The shop owner started with Maathen. He had taken a powerful torch in his hand.

While walking the shop owner was saying, “you must’ve mistaken Maatha. I’m sure it’s rope piece.”

But Maathen said nothing.

Standing close to the well the shop owner sent the ray of the torch into the well. Then he looked into it. A sneezing sound was heard. As if got a blow the shop owner took backwards.

“A King Cobra in the well.” He shouted.

Despite of the darkness people began to come.

“A King Cobra in the well,” without knowing the fact a man shouted.

The fire drop of the news was falling into the ears of people.

“A King Cobra?” asking so, a man who was sleeping on the verandah of a shop got up. He had thought that the King Cobra was beside the verandah.

He saw some people running towards the well. He too took a partnership in the group.

The crowd stood rounding the well.

The man who had come from the shop verandah looked into the well.

“It’s a poisonous snake, you know?” he said. “A Cobra. A King Cobra. It can kill fifteen persons at a time.”

“Fifteen persons?”

“Yeah.”

“What can we do?” Poker asked.

“Can’t we kill it?” the question of Baalu.

“No. No. Nobody can kill such a rare being you know? It should be handed to concerned authorities.”

“Yes, yes.”

“How the creature came into the well?”

“Don’t you see the tree slanting towards the well? Snakes don’t hesitate in climbing any kind of trees. It might’ve slipped down.”

“Ho… Ho surely such a thing must’ve happened.”

Maathen said, “We people drink the water of the well. As the snake has fallen into it what we do?”

“Yes, it’s a fact. But there is a well some yards away from here. Until cleaning this well you must go there,” replied the teashop owner.

“But there’s a lot of water in it. It’s not easy to pull all the water outwards.”

“Then some bleaching power can be put into the water. It will make the water pure.”

The black outer bark of the dawn was getting diluted. The people who came from outside their houses saw the crowd standing round the well.

Through the morning light they could see the Cobra in the well.

A new comer said, “Some yards away there is a snake-charmer. If you call him, he’ll easily catch it.”

“Let’s know the decision of the concerned authorities. Somebody has given the information to an officer through mobile.”

“Ok. Let him come.”

The market was getting hurried. Almost all the shops were opened. Knowing about the Cobra, people thronged the well.

Maathen had gone searching another well.

Again and again the concerned authority was given the news. “Coming,” he answered. But until night nobody came.

The stationery shop owner brought a strong net and covered the mouth of the well. He wanted to keep the creature up to the coming time of the concerned officer. The snake-charmer was rounding the well. Somebody must have given him the news.

That day passed.

The blooming of the next dawn. Snakes of the minutes and hours crawled through the ambience. The coming of the night giant. But no authority came.

“Hey Snake-Charmer,” called the owner of the stationery shop. He approached the owner.

“Can’t you catch it?” the shop owner asked.

“Of course.”

The Snake-Charmer got in to the well. A big crowd surrounded the well for seeing the event.

Within minutes the Snake-Charmer caught the King Cobra and left the place.

INCINERATION OF A DEAD BODY – A Short Story by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:09:06 +0000

A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer

Prabhakaran and his family had been in a dilemma.

An old man was there, Prabhakaran’s father. For three years he was in bed. Prabhakaran was not satisfied in taking his father before only a doctor. So with the period of two years, the old man was laid in four hospitals. Prabhakaran did not trust in the ability of doctors in full. It caused the shifting of his father to various hospitals. Each doctor was suspicious about the cure of the old man’s disease. In fact he had reached the limit of life. He was seventy five. His wife the mother of Prabhakaran had expired in her age of sixty. It was forgotten by Prabhakaran conveniently.

All the doctors had tried to refrain Prabhakaran from his decision. They had advised to take his father back home. At last Prabhakaran was accepting the advice of the fourth doctor.

A room was arranged before bringing back the old man from the hospital. He was brought in an ambulance. Two medical staff had accompanied the patient.

He was laid on the cot of the room. A dry stick like man, He was unconscious too.

When the others who had surrounded from the neighbourhoods departed the children of Prabhakaran looked at each other with fear. They were studying in upper primary classes and had a lot of lessons to study. They suspected whether they could read and write properly as before. Prabhakaran and his wife had tried to decrease all of their irritations. Within some days the children could adjust with the new situation.

Prabhakaran would go for his job in the morning and return by evening. The children too were like that. Prabhakaran’s wife remained beside the old man. She had a lot of other works besides the service of the father-in-law. But she did all with patience. She never forced the children to do any work of the old man.

On holidays Prabhakaran stood near the cot of his father. He thought about the silent service of his wife with gratitude. The patient was given his food. Off and on he excreted. All the other works connecting with such things were done by the lady. From Monday to Saturday she was alone. The women from neighbourhoods cut into short their visit due to the intolerable stink rising from the old man. Prabhakaran and his wife could grasp the meaning of love and cooperation.

Some ladies getting away from the house blessed that the patient would depart soon as he had been in a serious condition. Prabhakaran and his wife heard them but did not respond.

Several Monsoons, Winters and Summers came and passed. The old man did not depart.

At last started another rainy season. Endless showering of raining. Almost all the surroundings began to sink into water. The sky was tarred by the black clouds. Even the rooms were becoming wet.

In such a dark day it happened. The old man, died.

On hearing the bad news people began to come. They stood in the temporary formed lake. The level of the water was below their knees. Only the house was safe from the attack of raining water. The strong showering had changed into a dribbling. As some relatives informed religious authority came. Religious ceremonies had to conduct before the incineration of the dead body. But there was no place in the south for arranging a funeral pyre. According to Hindu Religious rules a dead body had to incinerate in the South side of the land of the owner.

Somebody commented in a low sound. “The old man was waiting for flood days.”

Prabhakaran had heard it, but feigned as not had heard.

A man came beside Prabhakaran.

“Prabha…” he called.

“Yes Surendran.”

“As you know, I’d cultivatied a plantain grove. Due to strong hurricane all plantains were destroyed. But the stems are there. Can’t we make a platform using the plantain stems?”

Some young men felt it to be practical.

“Yes, we’ll make a platform using the plantain stems. Now let’s go to the grove of Surendran.”

They started.

More young men came forward for going to the said place.

Those who were standing in the water without moving an inch expressed their negative opinion, “it’s unpractical.”

The young men who had gone to the grove began to come with plantain stems. Some of them found out a location in the south for making a platform. There were cashew and mango trees in the surroundings. As suggested by Prabhakaran a mango tree was cut down by a wood cutter. Then pillars were made. Some workmen put four of them in the water using some pointed weapons. Other workmen took the plantain stems, which were lodged on the south verandah. The plantain stems were put between the mango pillars. With effortful work a platform was built with the length of seven feet and breadth of three feet. It stood above the water level. From sides supporting pillars were given.

A priest had come. Religious ceremonies were conducted.

On the plantain stem platform a layer of soil was placed. Coconut shells and husks and such fuelling stuff were brought. They were arranged on the platform.

The washed dead body was taken to the pyre.

Frequently all the people were watching the black sky. Dribbling of water was continuing.

The dead body was covered with fire woods, coconut husks, shells and such things.

A pyre in the middle of a temporary water lake.

It was set fire.

Female ones began to cry thinking that the dead body was once a living being. Relatives and friends were among them.

Prabhakaran stood beside the incinerating pyre with burning soul. His wife and children were inside the house. They were lamenting in loud noise gushing down heavy drops of tears.

Before growing the flames into a huge fire-giant the visitors began to leave the place.

Some people observed the poor young man with merciful eyes. Prabhakaran was grateful to them. Their cooperation and affection had helped him.

Wild Elephants In A City – A Short Story by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Wilfried F. Voss — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:36:03 +0000

A contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer

The City lay rather in a high level than the surrounding places. And the black colored tar road was a wide one. As it was dawn vehicles had begun to start journey. People stood before a teashop, which was in the lower side of the road. It was the teashop of Keasavan who arrived in the City before some years. As he could purchase some cents of land beside the teashop, which he started in small rate was expanded with a brick made basement and planks nailed walls around.

In full speed, the hands of Keasavan were working.

Santa, his helper stood beside an oven making several eatables. She had filled the glass covered almirah with such delicious things. She had made idlis and dosais more. People were interested in eating smooth eatables as them. In the evenings she made vada, vazhakkappam, bonda and such things. They had to roast by putting them in boiling coconut oil. When the coming of people begin to decrease Santa would turn to the making of rice and curries for supper. Fish, chicken and mutton were used for making different kind of curries.

Some yards away Paarthan was cutting wood into small pieces for the need in the teashop.

Keasavan was very pleasant. The progress of his business was started with the coming of Santa. She would reach the teashop by morning for work. Until vesper she would be there. She was staying with a relative who too was a destitute, an old woman. Seeing her alertness and mood of lovefulness Keasavan had decided to marry her soon.

An unexpected moment a shouting rose, “Elephants… elephants…”

All the people became perplexed.

Keasavan and Santa got out the shop.

Paarthan who was cutting wood left the place throwing away the axe.

Those who were standing before the teashop began to run. Some were holding their half drunken tea-glasses in hands. Other threw away the glasses in the hurry of running.

In the western side of the road there was a thick forest where lived all kinds of cruel animals.

The proclamation about the coming of elephants was not fake. A tusker and a female one were coming from downwards.

A driver had stopped his bus for taking in and letting down passengers. Seeing the elephants he jumped out of the bus for rescuing his life. Within seconds the elephants reached beside the bus and turned it upside down. Horrible sounds of cries rose from the vehicle.

Some drivers who were driving cars and buses took more speed.

The elephants were running north to south. West to east. Some cows were killed by the cruel attack of the wild things.

Living beings tried to escape from the City. Stationary things as cars and buses existed in the middle and sides of the road.

A jeepful of police and a medical troop reached the City. They were having guns with them. While they pushed the triggers aiming the elephants bullets jumped outwards. Bullets were filled with sedation giving medicine.

A bullet stuck on the body of the tusker. At that time the other elephant took deviation by leaving the tusker. The troop separated into two. One troop ran after the tusker. The other towards the female one. Keasavan began to follow the tusker. He had forgotten the matters connecting with the shop and Santa. As if seeing a film based on jungle life he was enjoying.

Suddenly the tusker stopped. Some sheep were grazing beside a green grass hill. It took a sheep and threw it away. The medical troop was still in their work, some bullets were seen on the body of the tusker. It took another sheep for his play. In between it discharged some dung on the road. The shouting of the people had increased. After throwing the second sheep away, the tusker continued its running.

Taking a stone Keasavan aimed at it. A policeman looked with flaming eyes, which forced him to refuse the plan.

Between its journey, the tusker had done more troubles. Some shops were destroyed. Some motorbikes stayed before a motor workshop were thrown here and there. Lying on ground the vehicles showered oil tears.

By this time due to the work of several bullets the tusker fell down. The police and the medical troop surrounded the animal. People too stood beside.

Keasavan looked around. It was a strange place. He had covered some kilometers with the people.

A policeman seemed as attending his mobile phone. Then he proclaimed, “The female elephant too has been captured.”

The people shouted on hearing the policeman’s words. The policeman continued, “But a sad news has been given. Some people were injured and a girl was killed due to the attack of the elephant.”

Keasavan saw a bus coming from south. He had to go northwards. So he got into it. All the passengers were talking about the prowess of the tusker and the female elephant.

Until reaching his place Keasavan was in a pleasant mood. When got down in the bus stop he saw a crowd standing circling his teashop. With a highly beating heart he ran towards it.

The people gave him way for entering. He saw Santa lying in blood just beside his teashop. The female elephant had killed her. Keasavan cried as if his heart was broken.

Rabindranath Tagore – Indian Poet, Novelist, Musician, Playwright, and Nobel Prize winner

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Mon, 30 May 2011 13:58:27 +0000

Joy J. Kaimaparamban is the author of The Ayurvedic Healer, a novel set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama.

The copyright of this image has expired in the European Union because it was published more than 70 years ago without a public claim of authorship (anonymous or pseudonymous), and no subsequent claim of authorship was made in the 70 years following its first publication.

This year marks the 150^th Birth Anniversary of the celebrated Indian writer Rabindranath Tagore. He cannot be contrasted with other Indian writers as he had won the Nobel Prize in the year 1913 for Literature.

He belonged to a noble Brahmin family of Kolkatta. His father Maharshi Devendranath Tagore had fourteen children. Rabindranath Tagore took birth as the last child.

The Tagore family was very liberal to other religions. The ruling Muslims were very close with the family members.

When Rabindranath was 14 year old his beloved mother Saradadevi died. After it he was under the guardianship of his elder brother Jyotheendranath and his wife Kadambari Devi. He was taught writing and reading. He got a lot of time of sitting in solitude for observing the nature and birds of the surroundings he spent his time. In him slept the instinct of writing and drawing. The environment made them to awake. He began to write songs first. When sat alone he sang them aloud.

His brother and wife could hear them and grasped about his talent. He wrote poems and essays. The brother and wife identified Rabindranath. They wanted him for showing them his creations. They were not reluctant in telling about the merits of his write ups. They showed great care in nourishing his artistical talents.

In his age of 15, his first essay ‘Njaanakur O Prathibimba’ was published through the Tagore Family Publication ‘Bhaarathi’.

The family was interested in conducting plays with the cooperation of the family members. Rabindranath began to take part in such plays.

One of his elder brothers was Satyendranath who had been the first Indian ICS holder. When he was working in India, he had had a chance for going to England. He took his brother Rabindranath with him. Despite Rabindranath had tried to learn English Literature by joining in the London University College he could not complete it. In 1880 he returned to India. In 1881 his first prose collection ‘The Letters’ was published. In the same year he could write a verse drama under the title ‘The Vaalmeeki Prathibha’. When the play was staged he acted the portion of Valmeeki. Following it he began to write poems continually.

In 1883 he was married with Mrilaanidevi. They led a longstanding and joyful married life.

From 1890 to 1900 he lived in the place Sila-eda accompanied by the villagers. While residing there he could create beautiful stories, which caused him getting a position among the world famous story tellers.

He had begun to think about starting a ‘Thapovana School’, which run in the atmosphere of a forest and it was fulfilled without any delay.

In 1902 his wife died. Following it his daughter Renuka left him forever. In 1905 his father was expired. In 1907 due to Cholera attack his last son Sameendran was died. His life was in the middle of a turbulent sea of disasters. But he conquered them all with his willpower.

But by 1912 his health became very weak. He decided to go to England for a change. While sitting in the journey ship he translated some of his poems into English. This unexpected incident caused his winning of Nobel Prize.

While residing in England, he could befriend with Yates, Esra Pound, John Masefield, H.G. Wells and C. F. Andrews etc. He read his poems before them. They selected 103 of his poems under the title ‘Geetanjali’ The collection was sent for publication. After it he got into a ship which was going to America. From there he got back again to England. The news about the winning of Nobel Prize of the year 1913 was published. It was for ‘Gitanjali. He had not expected such a news.

He wrote a lot of poems, stories, plays and essays. He visited 29 countries. He wrote more than Two thousand songs and drawn a number of paintings. His songs are now known as ‘The music of Rabindra’. In 1941 in his age of 81 he passed on.

DC Books of Kottayam, one of the most prominent publishers of Kerala had started to conduct a novel writing competition. The first prize is known as ‘Tagore Award’. The Award of the year 1977 was given to me for my first novel ‘Urayoorunna Pakalukal’ (The Slough Shedding Days).

The Ayurvedic Healer – A Novel Of Early 20th Century India by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Wilfried F. Voss — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:27:04 +0000

Click on image to buy from Amazon.Com

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medical science, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

The Ayurvedic Healer is Joy J. Kaimaparamban’s second novel written in English. He has written 18 novels in his native Malayalam language, four of them are children’s literature. His first novel in Malayalam received the Tagore award, named after Rabindranath Tagore, a famous poet, novelist, musician, playwright, and Nobel Price winner.

Joy J. Kaimaparamban was born on October 1939 to a middle class family in the Southern state of Kerala in India. After finishing his education he became a schoolmaster and worked in several Kerala government schools teaching English. He retired in 1995. Currently he lives in Vayalar, a beautiful lakeside village in the Alappuzha (Alleppey) district with his wife and two children. His first novel written in English, The Azure of Solicitude, was published in 2009. Joy J. Kaimaparamban is not only a passionate story teller. He envisions people and events, past or present, in his native India as material for unwritten works. These visions and the ability to transform them into fascinating stories about his country is a trademark of his novels.

Review

The product description doesn’t lie. The “Ayurvedic Healer” by Indian author Joy J. Kaimaparamban takes you for a ride into a different dimension and time. This is the fascinating life story of an Indian physician and his never-ending love for Rosalie. The main character Madhavan Namboodiri ignores all boundaries by healing the underprivileged, the outcasts, and, as a result, he clashes with the established political and social system of India during the early 1900′s. Rosalie is his dedicated, Christian wife and mother of his children. Despite his devotion to his family, however, Madhavan satisfies his sexual urges by maintaining an extramarital relationship.

If you are into romance, history fiction, and if you are interested in Ayurvedic medicine, you should read this book. Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent, and it is practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine. Adding to the experience is Joy J. Kaimaparamban’s unique storytelling that draws the reader even deeper into a world of fantasy. – Sandpiper, Amazon.Com Customer Review

Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda

Wilfried F. Voss — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:49:40 +0000

Click on image to buy from Amazon.Com

We all know absolute beauty when we see it–skin that glows with health and an outer bearing that projects inner tranquillity. Yet, despite our every effort and expense, few of us know how to achieve it. In Absolute Beauty, Pratima Raichur, a chemist and internationally recognized expert on Ayurvedic skin care, explains how the external skin tissue is the physical reflection of everything that happens within the body: the way we eat and breathe, as well as the thoughts and emotions that fill our mind and color our spirit. Here, in the first beauty and skin care guide to reveal the secret to lasting radiance through the principles of Ayurveda, Pratima Raichur offers readers:

a detailed self-test to determine their exact skin type
customized skin care plans for each skin type
proven-effective advice for addressing the most troubling skin problems
essential nutritional information
instructions for detoxifying the body

Editorial Reviews

“Beauty is the harmonious interactive of elements and forces that comprise the human body, human mind, and human spirit. Pratima Raichur’s Absolute Beauty is an exquisite, elegant, and practical book that will help you achieve both inner and outer beauty.” – Deepak Chopra, author of The Path to Love and The Seven Laws of Success

“Pratima Raichur is the most incredible healer, combining science and ancient wisdom. Absoluet Beauty offers all readers the key to her healing touch.” – Felicia Milewicx, beauty and health director, Mademoiselle

Review

This book is more than advice on skin care. It is a comprehensive guide to Ayurvedic living The author covers everything from nutrition to exercise and body care, explains why the body gets out of balance, how each of the three doshas reacts differently, and how we can regain health. She includes special elimination therapies, fasts, and breathing techniques, and helps you discover your skin type through a variety of quizzes.

The major part, of course, deals with body care and has simple recipes for homemade shampoos, conditioners, cleansers, baths and much more. In fact, so much more that I recommend you give up your job and hire two servants if you intend to follow her daily beauty regimen. Raichur recommends morning exercise (45 minutes), body self-massage (20 minutes), scalp massage (5 minutes), facial care (up to 15 minutes), saunas (or home alternatives, which she describes), nasal rinses, meditation, yoga, and, well, you name it. Although not all procedures need to be done every day, just following her basic daily routine takes more time than most mothers have.

Like other Ayurvedic specialists, she does not explain how people with two dosha imbalances should handle the diet recommendations. She does, however, bring good lists with dietary suggestions for each skin type, and these lists include herbs, food, and cosmetics. (According to the author’s principle: “If you can’t eat it, don’t rub it on.”)

Raichur also has her own cosmetics line which is available on the Web. When I discovered that some cosmetics listed the ingredients while others did not, I took out her book again. I was not surprised to see that she includes ingredients in her own cosmetic products that she brands as possible carcinogens or allergens in her book. Again, theory differs from reality.

But in general, her book is a thorough introduction to Ayurveda with lots of advice for healthy living and natural home-made cosmetics. – M. Coppedge, Amazon Review

The Ayurvedic Healer

A Novel by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medicalscience, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

For more information on Joy J. Kaimaparamban and his novel, The Ayurvedic Healer, log on to http://ayurvedichealer.copperhillmedia.com/

Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution by Robert Svoboda

Wilfried F. Voss — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:42:37 +0000

Dr. Svoboda’s original work on the constitutional types in Ayurveda has beenconsidered a classic for many years. His new revision and expansion of thesubject comes after much further research and practical experience. Dr. Vasant Lad points out: “The healing science of Ayurveda is based totally upon theknowledge of “prakriti”, the individual constitution. If every individual knows his own constitution, then one can understand, for instance, what is a good diet and style of life for oneself. One man’s food is another man’s poison.Therefore, to make one’s life healthy, happy and balanced, the knowledge ofconstitution is absolutely necessary.” (Dr. Vasant Lad is the author ofAyurveda: The Science of Self-Healing, and co-author of The Yoga of Herbs.)

Review

One of the most rewarding and useful books I have ever read

I first read “Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution” by Robert Svoboda eight years ago, and it was in fact the first book on the subject that I had ever read. It is an engagingly written, perfectly organized introduction to a discipline that I call “data dense.” That is to say, ayurveda is an extraordinarily complex study of the forces and forms, events and processes, that govern the structure and functioning of the human body in health and disease. Because of Dr. Svoboda’s clear and logical elucidation of that study, it is made understandable to the reader willing to invest the time and thought in surveying its breadth and plumbing its depth.

Dr. Robert Svoboda is an American author and an ayurvedic physician who is one of the luminaries of the field: a teacher, writer and practitioner who alone has done more to raise public awareness of the ancient healing art than any other Westerner and one of the dozen leading ayurvedic educators in the world today. He is the author of a dozen books on the subject and countless professional and popular articles. Svoboda graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1972 and in 1973 moved to India to study at the prestigious Tilak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya (an ayuvedic medical college) in Pune. In 1980, he graduated from the University of Pune with the degree of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and was awarded the distinction of “Ayurvedacharya.” Svoboda is the first Westerner to graduate from a college of ayurvedic medicine and to be licensed to practice ayurveda in India.

For the individual new to ayurveda, this book is the best introduction available. The author communicates his deep knowledge of ayurvedic science extremely effectively, probing beneath the superficialities and illustrating clearly the reasons that it makes sense scientifically and philosophically.

Dr. Svoboda’s work on the role of the “prakriti,” the constitutional psychobiological types postulated by ayurveda’s theory comes after much research and clinical experience. Prakriti, the individual `s constitution, is the basis of ayurvedic medicine; ayurvedic theory asserts that if an individual (or his physician) comprehends the nature of their own constitution, they can extrapolate with precision what comprises a good diet and lifestyle specifically for them. This emphasis on the unique needs of each individual in maintaining or restoring a state of health is the “crown jewel” of ayurveda and is what makes it distinctive from all other healing arts.

In addition to explaining the theory underlying “prakriti,” this valuable work illustrates how best to bring each constitutional type into healthy balance, addressing some of the most commonly encountered health challenges such as obesity and malnutrition, asthma, allergies, rheumatic diseases, tuberculosis and cancer.

Dr. Svoboda does not stop at the fundamentals: he generously gives his readers a small taste of some of the more rarified realms of ayurvedic practice in the concluding chapters of the book on Indian alchemy (rasa shastra) and on the metaphysics that lie behind and beyond the workings of this ancient science. That taste of what ayurveda has to offer leaves the reader hungry for more (and of course, there is very much more).

I unhesitatingly recommend “Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution” for anyone curious as to what ayurveda is all about: the person considering consulting an ayurvedic practitioner, the Western-trained health professional interested in or wishing to augment his or her effectiveness using ayurveda’s principles, the student of yoga curious about yoga’s “sister science,” or anyone inquiring into ancient India’s vast contribution to world science.

Dr. Svoboda has done wonderful work in writing this book, and deserves much gratitude for his effort. This is one of the most rewarding books I have ever read, and one that inspired me to continue my study of ayurveda. – William Courson, Amazon Review

The Ayurvedic Healer

A Novel by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medicalscience, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

For more information on Joy J. Kaimaparamban and his novel, The Ayurvedic Healer, log on to his website at kaimaparamban.com.

Essential Ayurveda: What It Is and What It Can Do for You by Shubhra Krishan

Wilfried F. Voss — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:17:02 +0000

Outlining the basic elements of the ancient system of Ayurveda, Shubhra Krishan teaches readers how to recognize their energy and body type, and to use Ayurvedic principles to create a balanced diet and lifestyle for their optimum health. She offers tips and suggestions for finding the best products or for creating your own with her recipes for food, beauty care, and other healthcare items. Illustrations are included.

Editorial Reviews

“… surpassed my expectations…Krishan explores and explains each principle in comprehensible terms.” – Healing Lifestyles & Spas, March/April 2003

[It's] jargon-free, practical approach makes it a pleasure to read…compelling enough that you just might want to try it.” – Alternative Medicine March 2003

Review

This book is a very basic, very essential introduction to Ayurveda. It is very well organised into the different segment of life (foods, exercise, beauty, mental well-being etc), but the style is narative, it takes you along as if on a journey. At one point you will find yourself in an Indian kitchen, smelling the spices and the vegetables, and imagining the colours, sounds and the surroundings of an Indian family eating breakfast. I’ve implemented almost to the letter and sometimes with scepticism the advice of the author and after 6 weeks, our life (family of 6 with baby and small children) has truly changed and improved in all spheres (physical health, happiness, pleasure in smaller things, less materialistic etc). Now we are ready for more books and research on the subject, the book is a great spring board for it. – Annie Chamberlain, Amazon Review

The Ayurvedic Healer

A Novel by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medicalscience, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

For more information on Joy J. Kaimaparamban and his novel, The Ayurvedic Healer, log on to his website at kaimaparamban.com.

The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad

Wilfried F. Voss — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:55:33 +0000

Lad, director of an Ayurvedic educational institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, refers to Ayurveda as “the art of daily living in harmony with the laws of nature.” This comprehensive and easy-to-use guide can be considered the Ayurvedic counterpart to a conventional home medical handbook. Parts 1 and 2 present the philosophy, principles, and therapies of this 5,000-year-old Indian medical system. The therapies include diet, herbs, exercise and yoga, oil massage, breathing techniques, meditation, and such adjuncts as sound, color, and aromatherapy. Part 3, fully one-half of the guide, is an encyclopedia of remedies organized in an AZ format by symptom or condition; see references provide adequate access to the more than 100 common ailments. Numerous sidebars throughout the text provide additional information or precautions. The guide closes with line drawings of yoga postures, a glossary, resources, and further reading. - Penny Spokes

Review

This book is the first one I’ve read on Ayurveda which makes immediate sence. Written in a practical straight forward way, It is obvious the author genuinely cares about his readers.
I have tried several cures listed in the book, they have provided better and faster relief than any drugs. There is one for sinus headache (pg 250) that worked in less than 10 min. And the best story of all, is one he lists for food allergies which has allowed me to eat dairy and wheat again. This book has changed my life. I have been independantly studying holistic medicine for the past 9 years, and this book is a fast leap forward in my awareness of the field of alternative treatments.
I only hope to be able to meet Dr. Lad some day and offer my gratitude. – Eric S. Lloyd, Amazon Review

About Ayurveda

Ayurveda, is the oldest and most holistic medical system on this planet today. It is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian Subcontinent and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine. It is an age old scientific method of healing with natural products. Knowledge of Ayurveda has been recorded in two of the Vedic texts: the Atharva Veda and the Rig Veda, which are more than 5,000 years old.

The Sanskrit term ‘Ayurveda’ is composed of two words- Ayus + Veda. Ayus means life and Veda means knowledge. So the literal meaning of Ayurveda is the “Science of Life”

Dhanvantari is said to be an avatar of Vishnu from the Hindu tradition and God of Ayurvedic medicine. Dhanvantari was an early Indian medical practitioner and one of the world’s first surgeons. Based on Vedic traditions, he is regarded as the source of Ayurveda. He perfected many herbal based cures and natural remedies and was credited with the discovery of the antiseptic properties of turmeric and the preservative properties of salt which he incorporated in his cures.

Evolving throughout its history, Ayurveda remains an influential system of medicine in South Asia. The earliest literature of Ayurveda appeared during the Vedic period in India.The Sushruta Samhita and the Charaka Samhita were influential works on traditional medicine during this era. Ayurvedic practitioners also identified a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for curing various ailments and diseases.

Essentially, Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of Kerala. Largely due to geographical and climatic conditions, Kerala, better known as the “God’s Own Country” has rich and diverse reserves medicinal and aromatic plants. Along the Western Ghats, sub-tropical and tropical region, as many as 1463 medicinal plants have been identified. Maruthva Mala, Agasthya Vanam are said to be the natural treasures of these holistic medicinal reserves.

Ayurveda is considered to be a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within the western world, where several of its methods, such as the use of herbs, massage, and Yoga as exercise or alternative medicine, are applied on their own as a form of CAM treatment.

Hundreds of vegetable drugs are used in Ayurvedic medicine—including cardamom and cinnamon. Ayurveda stresses the use of vegetable drugs. Fats are used both for consumption and for external use. Hundreds of vegetable drugs are employed, including cardamom and cinnamon. Some animal products may also be used, for example milk, bones, and gallstones. Minerals, including sulfur, arsenic, lead, copper sulfate and gold are also consumed as prescribed. This practice of adding minerals to herbal medicine is known as Rasa Shastra. Different oils may be used in a number of ways including regular consumption as a part of food, anointing, smearing, head massage, and prescribed application to infected areas.

The Ayurvedic Healer

A Novel by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medicalscience, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

For more information on Joy J. Kaimaparamban and his novel, The Ayurvedic Healer, log on to his website at kaimaparamban.com.

Textbook of Ayurveda, Volume One: Fundamental Principles by Vasant Lad

Wilfried F. Voss — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:17:56 +0000

In his Ayurvedic Studies Program, Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic Physician, teaches Ayurveda as a science of moment-to-moment living. Each lecture that he gives flows from his own heart in a river of healing wisdom that is inspired by and pertinent to the students who are present at the time of the lecture.

This textbook is a presentation of Dr. Lad’s years of teaching in that classroom setting. It conveys the philosophical and fundamental principles of his first year Ayurvedic Studies Program at the Ayurvedic Institute in a dynamic and inspirational way. This book will give the student a detailed foundation upon which to pursue deeper knowledge, including that of the future volumes in this series.

Editorial Review

“…his latest work, Textbook of Ayurveda, attests to his indisputable role as the foremost expert in this ancient healing science.” – Deepak Chopra, M.D. and David Simon, M.D.; Founders, The Chopra Center for Well Being; La Jolla, California.

“…series is bound to revolutionize the study and practice of Ayurveda worldwide. All students of Ayurveda should seriously examine it.” –Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri); Author Yoga and Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Healing, and others.

Review

Traditionally, ayurveda has been taught orally, with reference to ancient texts like the works of Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata; references that are still used today. These writings, which are believed to date thousands of years, contain the eternal and universal principles of the natural science of ayurveda; however they also contain therapies and lifestyle prescriptions which are hopelessly archaic; and materia medica which are no longer accessible (e.g. opium and camel’s urine!). With the spread of ayurveda to the West, there emerged a great need for a text that not only catered to the western mode of thinking and education, but that also made connections between the ayurvedic view of anatomy and physiology, and that of the West. This book attempts to do just that.

Dr.Vasant Lad is in the forefront of Vaidyas (ayurvedic practitioners) who have made ayurvedic education available to the West. He started teaching ayurveda in the USA in 1980, and has produced many prominent writers and educators on the subject. His previous books include the popular Ayurveda; The Science of Self-Healing; and The Yoga of Herbs, co-written with Dr. David Frawley, a groundbreaking book introducing the concepts of ayurvedic herbology to the western public.

This Textbook of Ayurveda comes as more in-depth ayurvedic education programmes develop in the West. It contains the necessary foundation for the understanding of a medical model far removed from the western allopathic paradigm. To understand and practise ayurveda, one literally needs to adopt, to immerse oneself in, a completely different perspective. Dr.Lad’s book contains chapters on the Six Philosophies which underpin ayurveda, from the unthinkably ancient Sankhya philosophy of creation, which also forms the basis of Buddhism and some aspects of Yoga; to the Nyaya science of logic; to Yoga itself, the profound science of psychology and human potential.

Then we explore the system of 20 qualities of nature; the five elements; the three humours (Doshas) and their 15 subtypes; the concept of Agni or Digestive Fire; the Dhatus or body tissues; the Srotas or body channels; Ojas, Tejas, and Prana or the subtle humours; and Digestion and Nutrition. Each aspect is explained and related back to western anatomy, physiology and pathology. The important connection is also made between each aspect and the mind, which in ayurveda is considered a distinct but interdependent part of the body. There are copious appendices and tables on the various systems, ayurvedic properties of food, and other useful information.

A notable feature is the high quality of production. This is refreshing – and I would say necessary, if ayurvedic education is to be taken seriously by mainstream medicine. To be frank, I am fed up of poorly written, edited, designed and produced books from India. Even so-called textbooks are appallingly arranged, sometimes with no indexes or useful means of finding information. This book is clearly illustrated with line drawings, attractively designed, and printed on good paper. Two of the book’s editors are ayurveda and Sanskrt instructors in New Zealand. If such talents were used more often in the editing and production of ayurvedic books, the credibility and reputation of ayurvedic education and publications would no doubt increase.

But does the book really deliver the goods? In my opinion, a lot of the correlations with western anatomy and physiology are speculative, and Dr.Lad should admit they are so. A lot of the material, while interesting, is simply not standard ayurvedic training, traditional or otherwise – and therefore misleading. If, instead of trying to pass off these wishy-washy correlations, Dr.Lad had worked on better translating and elucidating the traditional texts and principles, I believe the book would have more usefully served the growing interest in ayurveda as a clinical medical system. I feel that, while the book is insufficiently academic and credible for serious students of ayurveda, it still serves as a good introduction for the intelligent western reader. – Gerald Lopez, Amazon Review

The Ayurvedic Healer

A Novel by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medicalscience, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

For more information on Joy J. Kaimaparamban and his novel, The Ayurvedic Healer, log on to his website at kaimaparamban.com.

Ayurveda: A Practical Guide: The Science of Self Healing by Vasant Lad

Wilfried F. Voss — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:14:33 +0000

For the first time a book is available which clearly explains the principles and practical applications of Ayurveda, the oldest healing system in the world. This beautifully illustrated text thoroughly explains history & philosophy, basicprinciples, diagnostic techniques, treatment, diet, medicinal usage of kitchenherbs & spices, first aid, food aid, food antidotes and much more.

Reviews

Keeping it short: this is the only modern intro. to ayurveda that is utterly complete, thorough, concise… well written, top to bottom, thoughtfully organized…. full of very real everyday applications of ayurveda…. it’s theory plus application…. confused about ayurveda? want more ’cause you still don’t quite get it? yes, this is the book you need…. as an individual’s very first book on ayurveda, it is potentially very dense, depending upon consciousness…. if you’ve already got the essentials in your head, this book will give you an acceleration of understanding… – Amazon Review

I had the privilage of being treated by Dr. Lad as well as going to several clases he gives at the Ayurvedic institute in Albuquerque NM. The book is a wonderful aid in trying to understand and identify health and disease. You have to be able to understand that “western” medicine is not the answer for everything and that in many cases it will eventually make you even sicker. What do you prefer, Prozac or a cup of some herbal tea that will eventually help you with depression?. What do you prefer, a cup of chamomile tea along with jatamansi or Pepto Bismol?. Ayurveda is something very real, helpful and extremely cheap. Hmmmm….. just wondering why allopacy wants to destroy alternative methods. Even better, is Ayurveda really an alternative treatment? 3,000 years before Jesus Ayurveda was being practiced…so, just wondering who’s really alternative. Give it a try, Vasant Lad is a great humble and loving person. – Amazon Review

About Ayurveda

The Sanskrit term ‘Ayurveda’ is composed of two words- Ayus + Veda. Ayus means life and Veda means knowledge. So the literal meaning of Ayurveda is the “Science of Life”

The Ayurvedic Healer

A Novel by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medicalscience, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

For more information on Joy J. Kaimaparamban and his novel, The Ayurvedic Healer, log on to his website at kaimaparamban.com.

My Father And Ayurveda

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:35:43 +0000

Joy J. Kaimaparamban is the author of The Ayurvedic Healer, a novel published by Copperhill Media. For further information log on to his blog at http://www.kaimaparamban.com.

My father had been a votary of Ayurveda. He had told me the reason for it.

When he was a boy, he was attacked by some ailment, which caused him lie on bed unconscious. His father and mother became anxious about it. In that time, physicians were rare. In my hometown there was an Ayurvedic Healer who belonged to a traditional Ayurvedic medical practitioner’s family.

As my father was unconscious, my grandfather was not interested to take him to the infirmary. And the physician was an acquaintance of my grandfather. So he went quickly to the infirmary to bring the physician home. By this time half part of my father’s body became frozen. Seeing the condition, my grandmother and other female members of the family began to cry aloud.

Within minutes grandfather and the physician came to the house. The bewailing of the family members was greeting them. They might have thought the boy had expired. With giving that comment my father was laughing. He had never feared death. The physician entered into the room where the patient had been lying.

The physician examined my father well. Then he took out some medicinal leaves and a tablet from his box. The leaves were squeezed and the juice was taken into a small vessel. He put the tablet into the juice and dissolved it. Somehow, he could exert the medical liquid into the mouth of the patient. Very slowly it flowed into his stomach. The physician sat in a chair looking at his chain-watch, which he had brought. In that time wristwatches had not come into use.

The females stopped their bewailing. As the physician was famous for his medicinal treatment, they believed in him.

Frequently he examined the pulse rate and general body condition. His face showed the sign of expectation.

Within some minutes the frozen state of the half body seemed to have ended. The patient became conscious. The physician looked at each member of the family with a fully bloomed face. The boy had come out of his dangerous condition. But he had to take medicine for some days. Then the physician departed from the house.

My father had told me the story several times. And he had become the admirer of Ayurveda.

The Ayurvedic Healer by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Wilfried F. Voss — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:29:52 +0000

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medical science, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society.

His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

The Ayurvedic Healer is Joy J. Kaimaparamban’s second novel written in English. He has written 18 novels in his native Malayalam language, four of them are children’s literature. His first novel in Malayalam received the Tagore award, named after Rabindranath Tagore, a famous poet, novelist, musician, playwright, and Nobel Price winner.

His first novel written in English, The Azure of Solicitude, was published in 2009. Joy J. Kaimaparamban is not only a passionate story teller. He envisions people and events, past or present, in his native India as material for unwritten works. These visions and the ability to transform them into fascinating stories about his country is a trademark of his novels.

The Ayurvedic Healer – Indian Novel Based On Ayurveda

Joy J. Kaimaparamban — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:22:27 +0000

My fist novel The Azure of Solicitude was published by an American publisher, and now the second one is going to be published by Copperhill Media.

In The Azure of Solicitude I am trying to outline the lives of two villages situating on the bank of Lake Vembanadu, one of the big watercourses of Kerala State, India. It is mixed with reality and fantasy. That novel is being praised by readers and critics.

My second novel, The Ayurvedic Healer, is entirely a different one. It is about the life of an Ayurvedic Healer, who lived for the well-being of others. Despite he was a native of a Northern part of Kerala, he was forced to live in the middle of the State.

I have no direct connections with any Ayurvedic Physicians. By reading several fiction and non-fiction works, I could go through the lives of persons who sacrificed for the people suffered from serious ailments. Sometimes they might have failed in some cases. But yet they did not have taken back from their efforts. The protagonist of my novel Julian Thirumeni is the kind.

I have several times wondered about the decision of writing a novel on an Ayurvedic Healer. Fact is that the founder of our family was an Ayurvedic Physician. He was a Brahmin. Due to some external pressures, he was forced to convert in to Christianity. I had several times heard this occurrence from my father John Kaimaparamban. He was like a friend of me. Being is first son, he had had more affection to me. His father might have fold him the old history. I could understand that it was not connected with a female.

My first attempt of writing the story was in Malayalam, my mother tongue. Despite I wrote it completely it did not give me enough satisfaction. After several years I was writing it in English.

After finishing the first script, I several times have rewritten it. Sometimes I corrected some chapters, which I felt unsatisfactory. At last it took an end. I wish to submit this work as a tribute to my late parents John Kaimaparamban and Rosamma John.

Joy J. Kaimaparamban is the author of The Ayurvedic Healer, a novel published by Copperhill Media. For further information log on to his blog at http://www.kaimaparamban.com.

Ayurveda – The Science of Life

Wilfried F. Voss — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:03:36 +0000

As I had written in another post, we are now in the process of publishing Joy J. Kaimaparamban’s newest novel, The Ayurvedic Healer.

In Joy’s own words, “The novel is the story of an Ayurvedic Physician. Hope you have heard of Ayurveda, an ancient medical science generated in India. When I thought of writing about an Ayurvedic Physician, I remembered my ancestor, who had converted into Christianity from Brahminhood (An upper division in Hindu religion). Except this fact, remaining narrations are fictitious. I have created a mythological atmosphere throughout the novel. Freedom struggle of India, Communist revolt in Kerala, a Southern State in India, social developments, emergence of new societies etc., are dominating in this novel. The novel reveals the developments of incident that happening from 1920 to 1960. Although this is not a historical novel, nevertheless I am trying to unveil the personal life of an Ayurvedic Physician who had lived for the downtrodden people.”

The Sanskrit term ‘Ayurveda’ is composed of two words- Ayus + Veda. Ayus means life and Veda means knowledge. So the literal meaning of Ayurveda is the “Science of Life”

Lord Dhanwanthari - the God who introduced Ayurvedia to the human race

Agasthya Muni - A monk who developed a new brach named 'Siddha.'

For diagnosis the patient is to be questioned and all five senses are to be employed. The Charaka Samhita recommends a tenfold examination of the patient. The qualities to be judged are: constitution, abnormality, essence, stability, body measurements, diet suitability, psychic strength, digestive capacity, physical fitness and age. Hearing is used to observe the condition of breathing and speech. The study of the vital pressure points or marma is of special importance. It is the trauma science described in Ayurveda. There are 107 different spots described and located on the body surface, which produce different signs and symptoms. With respect to the underlying anatomical structures, the symptoms vary according to blunt or penetrating trauma. The severity of the symptoms and signs also depend on whether the injury is exactly on the marma point or slightly around it. These signs and symptoms are described by Sushruta and Vagbhata.

Hygiene — also a component of religious virtue to many Indians — is a strong belief. Hygienic living involves regular bathing, cleansing of teeth, skin care, and eye washing. Occasional anointing of the body with oil is also prescribed.

Vagbhata - One of the three classic writers of Ayurveda

Basic Principles of Ayurveda:
The human body is composed of derivatives of five basic elements such as Pancha Bhootha which are Prithvi (earth) Jala (water), Tejas (fire), Vayu (wind) and Akash (space), More specifically these appear in the form of doshas (physiological factors), Dhatus (tissues) and Mala (waste products and excretions).

Charaka - One of the principal contributors to Ayurveda

Tridoshas: The human body is composed of derivatives of five basic elements such as Pancha Bhootha which are Prithvi (earth) Jala (water), Tejas (fire), Vayu (wind) and Akash (space), More specifically these appear in the form of doshas (physiological factors), Dhatus (tissues) and Mala (waste products and excretions). Doshas are the physiological factors of the body. They are to be seen as all pervasive, subtle entities and are categorized into Vatha, Pitta and Kapha. In the usual terminology Kapha is translated as Phlegm, Pitta as Bile, and Vatha as Air or Wind. In actual fact, the true interpretation of these words goes far beyond the usual translation.

Vatha: Vatha regulates movement and is represented by the nervous system. Too little Vatha causes nerve loss, congestion, constipation, thoughtlessness etc and too much Vatha leads nerve irritation, high blood pressure, confusion etc. Vatha problems are predominant in old ages and dry climates or cold autumn winds increases Vatha.

Pitta: Pitta is the principle of biotransformation and is the cause of all metabolic processes in the body. Too little Pitta causes indigestion, inability to understand, sluggish metabolism etc and too much Pitta causes ulcers, hormonal imbalance, irritated skin (acne), consuming emotions (anger). Pitta related problems are predominant in teens and adulthood. Hot summers or hot climates will increase Pitta.

Sushruta - Known as the "Father of Surgery"

Kapha: Kapha is the principle of cohesion and functions through the body fluids. Together, these three doshas determine the physiologic constitution of an individual. Too little Kapha experiences a dry respiratory tract , burning stomach (due to lack of mucous, which protects from excess stomach acids), inability to concentrate and too much Kapha causes Mucous build-up in the sinus and nasal passages, the lungs and colon. In the mind it creates rigidity, a fixation of thought, inflexibility etc. Kapha related problems are predominant in childhood years. Wet winters and a damp climate increases Kapha.

Treatment and Drugs: The principle of treatment in Ayurveda focuses on bringing back the normalcy of functions of systems (tridoshas) by various methods. The drugs can increase or decrease these doshas and the treatment ends by establishing an equilibrium of doshas (humours). Read more about Ayurvedic drugs

Sirovashti - A method to cure diseases affecting the head

According to Ayurveda a normal body will be have an equilibrium between three doshas. (between doshas and the body, mind and soul). If there is any disequilibrium, the Ayurveda system considers it to be a state of disease, even though the disease may not have manifested outwardly. So the aim of Ayurvedic system of medicines is to restore the equilibrium if there is disequilibrium. This is accomplished by three main types of therapies. They are:

Aushada (Medicines)
Anna (Nutrition)
Vihara (Environment)

Each of these three types of therapies of Ayurveda can be administrated in six different ways namely,

Hetu Viparita
Vyadhi Viparita
Hetu-Vyadhi Viparita
Hetu Viparitarthakari
Vyadhi Viparitakari
Hetu Vyadhi Viparitakari

In Hetu Viparitarthakari, a medicine is administrated in small but potent dose, which in healthy persons, would produce the symptoms of the very diseases for the cure of which it is prescribed. Alternatively, that type of drug can be administrated which induces the opposite tendency. You may think that it is quoted from Hahneman or Hippocrates. But it is mentioned in Ayurveda before the days of Hippocrates. Ayurveda does not confine itself to administrating medicines only. It also recommends various other therapies. The main sections of Ayurveda are:

Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine)
Kaumarabhrtya or Balachikitsa (Paediatrics)
Bhutavidya or Grahachikitsa (Psychiatry)
Salakyatantra (Otto-Rhino-Laryngology & Opthalmology)
Salyatantra (Surgery)
Visatantra (Toxicology)
Rasayanatantra (Geriatrics)
Vajikaranatantra (The therapy for male sterility, impotency and the promotion of virility)