Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ23674

A Good Physician: Perspectives from Caraka and Susruta

Authors(1) :-Dr. Sanjay Kumar

The earliest Hindu medical texts, the Carakasaṁhitā and Suśrutasaṁhitā, written between 300 BCE and 300 CE, offer valuable insights into the development of empirical medicine in ancient India and the qualities of a "good physician." After introducing the key concepts of āyurveda, the focus is on medical education aimed at creating a good physician, emphasizing initiation, oaths, specialization, ongoing education, and practical experience. The text also explores the role of professionalism, the relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge, standards of practice, innovation, access to medicine, and the distinction between good physicians and quacks. Additionally, the good physician is viewed as a spiritual person. These texts reflect a broader Hindu worldview, with ethical orientations and some exceptions specific to the medical profession. The discussion concludes with reflections on the political, economic, and social contexts that shaped early empirical medicine in India.

Authors and Affiliations

Dr. Sanjay Kumar
PhD, McGill University, Canada

A Good Physician, Perspectives, Caraka, Suśruta, Hindu.

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Publication Details

Published in : Volume 6 | Issue 1 | January-February 2023
Date of Publication : 2023-01-15
License:  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Page(s) : 180-188
Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ23674
Publisher : Shauryam Research Institute

ISSN : 2581-6306

Cite This Article :

Dr. Sanjay Kumar , "A Good Physician: Perspectives from Caraka and Susruta", Shodhshauryam, International Scientific Refereed Research Journal (SHISRRJ), ISSN : 2581-6306, Volume 6, Issue 1, pp.180-188, January-February.2023
URL : https://shisrrj.com/SHISRRJ23674

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