Astrology or Jyothisha Sastra, as developed by the Maharishis of ancient India, makes a precise study of the position and inter-relation of the stars and planets. It perceives by intuition certain facts which western science can barely demonstrate.
That is why B V Raman rightly says that Astrology may be considered as a science of sciences in as much as it tends to give objective form to man’s desire for a better knowledge of the future. As Dr Castigilini observes in his great work: ‘Adventures of the mind’- ‘Modern research in radiations emitted by the spectrum, the hypotheses that have been recently advanced concerning the relations between solar spots and extraordinary historical events, the publications by Swaboda and Fliess on the laws of septennial periods, all these leaders to think that the intuitive and profoundly human conception, deriving directly from man’s immediate sensitivity to the action of the stars may have a vaster and deeper foundation of truth than was realised when this primitive idea of inter cosmic solidarity seemed to be forgotten’.
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Sai Narayanan |
These thoughts rushed through my mind like a cyclone when I read the two volumes of Sai Narayanan’s brilliant English translation of the medico-astrological treatise in Sanskrit called VEERASIMHA-AVALOKAHA written by Rajput King Veerasimha of Gwalior belonging to the Tomara Dynasty in 1383. In completing this arduous and exacting work of English translation, Sai Narayanan has been assisted in a magnificent manner by Sri K Ramachandran IA & AS, formerly Finance Director of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL). Sai Narayanan told me during the course of my interview ‘Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was fortunate in finding a James Boswell (1740-1795) to write his famous biography. I have been fortunate in getting the blessing of Sri K Ramachandran’s enlightened assistance based upon his sympathetic and focussed understanding of my total visual disability arising from my blindness’.
There is no doubt that King Veerasimha’s treatise is an integral part of the origin, history, theory and practice of medicine and astrology dating back to our Vedic heritage and more particularly the Atharvaveda.
The longevity of man’s life upto 100 years has been referred to in the Yajurveda:
And how that span of life can be attained, is given in the Ayurveda, the science of life, with all its therapeutical hints and prescriptions given in the Atharvaveda (in a nucleus form). The extent and object of introducing medical knowledge, therefore, in the Atharvaveda is abundantly clear.
The sage Dhanvantri tells Sushruta that this science of medicine should be studied for the sake
of affording relief from suffering to humanity in its pursuit of happiness, for the sake of prolonging our lives and for the sake of the general good of the people.
What are the three causes responsible for all diseases? According to Atharvaveda Samhita, they are:
1.Excretionary matter that could not be ejected out of the body becomes poison and results in the diseases. It is essential that the Doctor should be able to diagnose what the poison is, where it is located and what the treatment is.
2.Microorganism is a cause for diseases. The organism that enters the human body through food material causes the diseases.
3.The TriDoshas—vata, pitta and kapha— are the third cause for the ill health. Several statements in Ayurveda stand as proof confirming the theory of TriDoshas.
We can find all the above ideas suitably analysed and incorporated methodically into the medico-astrological framework of astrological finding, symptomatic finding and diagnosis, and treatment with medicines and/or with sacred rituals furnished by King Veerasimha in his Veerasimhaavalokaha.
The whole text can be sub-divided in the following pattern, in respect of each disease analysed in this Sanskrit treatise:
A.REASON: Sanchitha (past karma)
Just physical—in which there is disorder of vata/pitta/kapha are their combinations.
B.FINDING: Astrological planetary positions
Symptomatic by Dharshana/Sparshana/Prashna method.
C.TREATING: Japam/Homam/Daanam
Preparation of medicines and method of treatment.
King Veerasimha has clearly defined the attributes/qualities of a good Doctor. He has said categorically that more important than naming a disease is diagnosing the exact problem and treating the system correctly. I am giving below the relevant verses from Veerasimhaavalokaha with the relevant English translation done by Sai Narayanan:
The Duty of the Doctor is to relieve the patient’s discomfort and pain whatever be the methodology he adopts.
The above verses of King Veerasimha relating to the professional attributes of a good Doctor can be compared with the following observations of Doctor McDonald Critchley on Sir William Gowers at National Hospital, London: ‘Once again he would go over the points in the history, elucidating, elaborating. His own examination would follow—full, detailed, but without the tedious slowness of some other neurologists. A clinical point, or any unusual symptom or sign would attract his attention…. There was nothing flashy or meretricious therefore in his bedside technique. Hence it was that his diagnostic accuracy proved uncanny’. Can anyone doubt that King Veersimha, more than 800 years ago, was the real precursor of Sir William Gowers?
King Veerasimha, after explaining the Saptha Dhatus, TriDoshas, and Panchaboothas, goes on to explain different types of Fever, according to different etiology and symptoms. Step by step, he goes to other diseases like dysentery, indigestion, worm infestation including jaundice and anemia, tuberculosis, asthma, skin diseases, loss of consciousness, insanity and epilepsy, paraplegia etc.
In the second volume of Veerasimhaavalokaha translated in English by Sai Narayanan, he has dealt with the tougher aspects of the work relating to the following.
a.Finding the disease from the astrological position of the planet as per the horoscope
b.Finding the disease from the position of the stars at that particular time when the person
approaches the Doctor/Astrologer.
c.How to propitiate or nullify the effect of Sanchita Karma (Poorva Janma Kritam Papam Vyadhi Roopena Jayate).
d.The etiological and other reasons for a particular disease (the present karma)
e.The diagnosis (mentioning the disturbance of humoral principles) of the disease.
f. The treatment methods.
Dr Nedungadi V Haridass has paid this legitimate tribute to Sai Narayanan in these words: ‘Sri Sai Narayanan has applied his mind and soul, to completing the work of translating the tougher section of the book in record time—A TAPASYA INDEED! It is really creditable, that he has been as meticulous as ‘Perunthachan’, the best carpenter the world has ever seen, known for his carved designs in wood’.
Sai Narayanan has made it clear that though Veerasimhaavalokaha is a well-known text for ‘Astro Diagnosis of Diseases’, it is not meant for Astrologers but for Vaidhyas (Doctors). But the translation can definitely be used by Astrologers also, in diagnosing the diseases with the planetary positions and thereby prescribe the Prayaaschitta Karmas and then refer to a Doctor for treatment. The names Sai Narayanan uses in the text, for the diseases and medicine, are Malayalam, but Appendices are given at the end, with Botanical names and widely used English words. Hence the book is very user-friendly.
Despite his great physical handicap arising from total blindness, yet Sai Narayanan seems to give us all this meaningful and inspiring message through his personal example and life of unremitting toil: ‘To manage others successfully, a man must first manage himself. Personal efficiency is creative self-management. It is not getting ahead of others, but getting ahead of yourself. It is having the drive to get started on the task at hand. Life leaps like a geyser for those who drill through the rock of inertia. It is experimenting to find the best, easiest and quickest ways of getting things done. It is putting first things first, doing one thing at a time and developing the art of concentration. It is not being a slave to a system, but making system a slave to you. It is seeking the counsel of wise men in person and through their writings and using their wisdom and experience to help you to live efficiently. It is guiding your life instead of drifting. It is organising your personal life for efficient living in all the important areas—work, play, love and worship. It is making TIME live for you by making the most of every minute’.
(Concluded)
(The writer is a retired IAS officer)
e-mail the writer at
vsundaram@newstodaynet.com
