Caraka Maharshi : Caraka Samhita : The Legacy of Caraka by M.S. Valiathan : Ayurveda – 1 (Good health, Good conduct, Free will)
The Legacy of Caraka by M.S. Valiathan
Priced at around one thousand rupees, the book The Legacy of Caraka by Dr. M.S. Valiathan, is really worth it to me.
Since I am not a medical person, I need to be handheld through Caraka Samhita. Dr. M.S. Valiathan is trained in India, U.S.A and U.K. in western medicine and by top Kerala Ayurvedic doctors in Charaka Samhita.
He has structured and explained this most difficult subject and text in such a way that,
- I can understand what caraka knew accurately and what he did not know. This is useful to my study of Ancient Indians.
- I can find information that I can use to improve my own health. This is directly useful to me as a person.
Thank you Dr. Valiathan! I’m sorry to have missed your talk at IISc and the opportunity to see you in person. Namasthe.
(*As far as the date of Charaka is concerned, I am not in agreement with the respected doctor and will be forming independent views on that matter, later.)
Notes from this reference :
Traditional systems of philosophy regard false knowledge as the ultimate cause of human bondage.
- Charaka held that evil and suffering, result from errors of judgement and imprudent conduct (pragnya aparaadha). These are easier to correct.
- It was obvious to caraka that if a peron chose to remain well by paying attention to hygiene, good food and conduct, it could not be argued that his well-being were pre-ordained. While karma was involved in big deeds, good conduct could take care of problems at an ordinary level.
- Good conduct according to caraka was the avoidance of overuse, underuse and misuse of the senses and the mind.
- According to caraka we have free will in relation to ordinary actions which do not necessarily possess a moral content.
It is easier for me to understand these views.
