Saturday, January 17, 2009

ACK-051: Ashwins to the rescue

ACK #319 (#669)

Ashwins, the twin brothers, twin deities (Devata-s) are generally identified as the father of the founder of Ayurveda. Ashwins are son of Surya (The sun ) & Sanjna (the daughter of Viswakarma) . The word 'Ayurveda' comes from the word 'ayur' meaning 'life' and the word 'veda' meaning 'to know'. Ayurveda means 'the science of life', and is a medical system practiced in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal till day & well known in the world.

In Vedic literature Ashwins are among the 33 Devata-s. They are ever young and handsome, bright, and of golden brilliancy, agile, swift as falcons, and possessed of many forms; and they ride in a golden car drawn by horses or birds, as harbingers of Ushas, the dawn. "They are the earliest bringers of light in the morning sky, who in their chariot hasten onwards before the dawn and prepare the way for her." Roth.

As personifications of the morning twilight, they are said to be children of the sun by a nymph who concealed herself in the form of a mare; hence she was called Aswini and her sons Aswins. But inasmuch as they precede the rise of the sun, they are called his parents in his form Pushan.

Mythically they are the parents of the Pandu princes Nakula and Sahadeva.

Their attributes are numerous, but relate mostly to youth and beauty, light and speed, duality, the curative power, and active benevolence.They were the physicians of Swarga, and in this character is called Das and Nasatyas, Gadagadau and Swarvaidyau ; or one was Dasra and the other Nasatya.

Other of their appellations are Abdhijau, 'ocean born;' Pushkamsrajau, 'wreathed with lotuses;' Badaveyau, sons of the submarine fire, Badava. Many instances are recorded of their benevolence and their power of healing.

It can never be doubted that ancient sages and Ayurvedic surgeons had a very good knowledge of anatomy of body. Various body organs also find there name in Vedas. There structural anatomy has also been described in the Vedas (1700-500 BC - the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism).

These are four:
the Rigveda (1700–1100 BC),
the Yajurveda (1,400 - 1000 BC),
the Samaveda and
the Atharvaveda.

Rig veda has also contains certain references regarding the conditions of vaidya (physician) in those days. They were paid for there services and had a high reputation in the society. They are just considered equivalent to Gods. During those days there were three categories of vaidya (physicians), these were:
  • Shalya vaidya (surgeons)
  • Bhisohaks (physician)
  • Bhishk athatvans (faith cures)
It will be very surprising for many that surgery is mentioned in Vedas. Ashwani kumar, the twin brothers were the celestial physicians and surgeons who were extolled in many hymns for their cures of disease and feats of surgery. It is believed that they were experts in the orthopedics.

According to Hinduism, Brahma is the creator of the universe. He is said to be the originator of Ayurveda. The knowledge was the passed to Prajapati (lord of creatures). This knowledge was again passed to the Ashwins and then to Lord Indra* (the lord of all deties) who intern taught to seven rishis who approached to him. Thus the science of Ayurveda has been brought into the world through the celestials.

This ACK contains two stories in which Ashwins came to help their devotee.

*Indra - King of the Devas or Devata-s or Deties. The King of Kings. Handsomest of the handsome. More powerful than the most powerful. Hero of the Rig veda. A warrior par excellence. Ruler of the heavens (Svargaloka). The god of War and Weather. One who can grant any boon. The eldest son of Kasyapa and Aditi. Resplendent with his loyal elephant and brilliantly bedecked horse. Wielding the vajra (thunderbolt) for a weapon, Indra, marks the beginning, the tallest figure in the Hindu pantheon in ancient times.
Above him only the principal trinity God of the Hinduism - Brahma , Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva).

Many many thanks to “Ajay Misra” for providing this ACK scan.

8 comments:

  1. Thank you dear Prabhat and Ajay for this comic as well! I don't know whether I've read this one before; I do remember one where the Ashwin Twins are featured - ah, that was the one comic called Vrita or Vritra.

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  2. thank u parbhat and ajay... i havent read this one before... keep up doing the good work...

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  3. Thank you very much

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  4. Lovely stuff. Thanks.

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  5. thank you as always..keep up the good work

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  6. prabhat just read ur earlier comment...thank you for ur kind words...yes we are here from the start of this journey which was ignited by masayo long time back...i wonder where he is...!
    prabhat u said u r not motivated by comments but i feel the least people like me who come and download the comics is say thank you ..its just two words but they go a long way ...every one need some appreciation for their work. :)
    bye for now and take care...brr its freezing in UK

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  7. adibud34: Welcome! I not read that comics.

    Rajeev Sharma: Welcome!

    Ankush: Welcome!

    TCP: Welcome!

    Ruchi: Welcome! Generally in winter, where I live temp -5 C to -7 C without wind (for few day -12 to -15 C, lowest faced in 2005-2006: -36 C). But this year since mid December -12C to -20 C WITH WIND, I had changed flat in last week of December. (:
    What is happening with climate all over world, especially in Europe, it’s really terrible.

    I also wonder about Masayo.

    The culture one learns from the family, what others do it’s there work, not mine.
    Appreciation is really pleasant. If visitors’d thank contributors, I’d be really happy. It’s really not motive factor for me. I’m appreciated or not, evaluate from numbers of downloads. Still I’m not happy with it, always wonder why we like other comics more than ACK. I don’t like to show statistics, but in my 100th post (26th January) in other blog, revel some interesting statistics. When I’ll achieve at least 25% results in respect to my other blog, I’ll feel happy. All recommendations are appreciated to improve this blog. It’ll not possible to follow all, but …..

    My respects to you go for following reasons:
    1. You understood my real motive.
    2. Stand to defend me as RANI OF JHANSI, always stopped every provocation.

    I’m known among my friends as defenders of friends, very few came forward to defend me first before I say any word. Later or together many came, but first very few. It’s a very pleasant feeling for me.

    Please check this blog, 25th Jan 2009. May be one more post will come before 25th Jan.

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  8. wow! the blog is getting updated more frequently these days. Thanks! This is a new comic that I have not read.

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