Page 38 - NAMAH January 2016

Ethical considerations in the Eyurveda classics

Dr. Asit Kumar Panja, Suman Godara

Editor’s note
Each age of mankind has had its own ethical sense. In ancient India, the sense of ethics was born out
of Dharma, which is not merely religion, but the recognition of a mighty law of Life or a law of Truth,
so to say. While much of the modern sense of ethics is based on a rational view of life, the ethics of
developed ancient cultures such as India were primarily rooted in a spiritual and psychic vision and
understanding of man and the cosmos. This article explores some of these ethical areas as they would
apply in the field of medical practice through the eye of Eyurveda.

Abstract
The ancient Eyurveda scholars were quite aware and passionate about ethics in clinical practice and a
vast range of ethical considerations incorporating them regarding general rules for a healthy life,
conduct, social dealings by and with women, the prevention of diseases, sexual practices, medical
ethics along with various aspects of medical mistakes were depicted in each and every Eyurveda
classic. The current article represents an overview of ethical considerations in the Eyurveda classics.

Introduction of social conditions and having analysed
them with foresight, the rule-makers came
Eyurveda is the wisdom of life extending to some concluding points, which in turn
to every aspect of living. In the Vedic period, became rules for society and the individual.
people used to live in a socialist and secular Amendment of ethical considerations, after
society. They followed particular rules and extensive investigation and analysis, was
regulations strictly in their daily lives, while also found during this period.
some special ethical rules were followed by
a special group of people. If we look through In the Eyurvedic texts, the ethical part has
the kalpa-suutra of the Veda, especially the been described in every aspect, from the
grhr ya-sutu ra and dharma-suutra, we find many time of initiation of a new disciple right up
rules and regulations for different groups to clinical practice. Besides medical ethics,
of people as well as different conditions for some general ethics were also mentioned in
people and society. After a thorough survey the Eyurveda classics in order to make the

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