Foundation of Gerontology - Hardcover

Dr. Gyanendra Pandey -

9788121801034: Foundation of Gerontology

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8121801036 ISBN 13: 9788121801034

Publisher: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, 2003

Language: English
Pages: 285
Prologue:

RASAYANA-BEYOND GERONTOLOGY

Longevity is human desire, and quest for long and happy life has oldest history in India well-supported by Vedic Sources and vast oriental sources of Indian literature. Gradually the theory and therapy had developed in the field of medicine in the form of independent branch of medical science of India. The Ayurveda, as astangayurveda (eight branches of Indian medicine), comprises rasayana tantra separately. Its vital significance, wide scope and pivotal role in health and diseases have made it a most valuable, applied and comprehensive branch of medical system, opening new-horizons.

The medical and health system generally equate and relate rasayana tantra of Ayurveda with gerontology and geriatrics of modern science and medicine. Accordingly the rasayana, one of the divisions or areas of indigenous medical system, is commonly put as geriatrics or gerontology (or alike) in modern terminology, and the geriatrics is rasayana vidya or tantra belonging to Ayurveda. This common conception needs to be rethought and modified after making in-depth study of phenomenon, concept and practice of rasayana, by adding unique ideology, specialties and excellent contribution made by Indian school of thoughts in the field of medicine, with special reference to rasayana which deals with science of geriatrics (study of senility and senile health care system) as well as science of nutrition (posana) which covers vast areas of health and medicine, actually from paediatrics to geriatrics.

Indian medicine, based on rich Indian knowledge preserved in rich heritage of arts and sciences, has creditably contributed rasayana as a boon to human beings (even to animals) as a result of unparallel discovery made by a

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