शिष्योपनयनीयाध्यायः
अथातः शिष्योपनयनीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||
यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||
"Now, we shall expound the chapter on the initiation of disciples."
"As spoken by the revered Dhanvantari."
This introductory passage sets the stage for discussing the process and importance of initiating disciples into the study of Ayurveda, as taught by Dhanvantari.
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियवैश्यानामन्यतममन्वयवयःशीलशौर्यशौचाचारविनयशक्तिबलमेधाधृतिस्मृतिमतिप्रतिपत्तियुक्तं तनुजिह्वौष्ठदन्ताग्रमृजुवक्त्राक्षिनासं प्रसन्नचित्तवाक्चेष्टं क्लेशसहं च भिषक् शिष्यमुपनयेत् |
अतो विपरीतगुणं नोपनयेत् ||३||
A physician should initiate as a disciple one who is of Brahmin, Kshatriya, or Vaishya lineage, of appropriate age, character, bravery, cleanliness, conduct, humility, strength, intellect, determination, memory, wisdom, and discretion, with a straight tongue, lips, teeth, face, eyes, and nose, and who is cheerful, eloquent, and able to endure hardships. One who does not possess these qualities should not be initiated."
This verse outlines the qualities and attributes that a prospective disciple should possess in order to be initiated into the study of Ayurveda.
उपनयनीयं तु ब्राह्मणं प्रशस्तेषु तिथिकरणमुहूर्तनक्षत्रेषु प्रशस्तायां दिशि शुचौ समे देशे चतुर्हस्तं चतुरस्रं स्थण्डिलमुपलिप्य गोमयेन, दर्भैः संस्तीर्य रत्नपुष्पलाजभक्तैर्देवताः पूजयित्वा विप्रान् भिषजश्च, तत्रोल्लिख्याभ्युक्ष्य च दक्षिणतो ब्रह्माणं स्थापयित्वाऽग्निमुपसमाधाय, खदिरपलाशदेवदारुबिल्वानां समिद्भिश्चतुर्णां वा क्षीरिवृक्षाणां (न्यग्रोधोदुम्बराश्वत्थमधूकानां) दधिमधुघृताक्ताभिर्दार्वीहौमिकेन विधिना सप्रणवाभि र्महाव्याहृतिभिः स्रुवेणाज्याहुतीर्जुहुयात्, ततः प्रतिदैवतमृषींश्च स्वाहाकारं कुर्यात्, शिष्यमपि कारयेत् ||४||
"One should initiate a Brahmin disciple on auspicious dates, moments, constellations, and directions. After purifying a 4x4 cubit area with cow dung, spreading darbha grass, and worshiping the deities with gems, flowers, and offerings, the fire is kindled, and Brahma is placed to the right of the altar. Using Khadira, Palasha, Devadaru, Bilva, or any of the four milky trees (Nyagrodha, Udumbara, Ashvattha, Madhuka), the sacrificial offerings are made with clarified butter, followed by invocations for each deity, and the disciple participates in these rituals."
This verse details the ceremonial process and rituals for initiating a Brahmin disciple, emphasizing the importance of performing these rites with proper respect and adherence to tradition.
ब्राह्मणस्त्रयाणां वर्णानामुपनयनं कर्तुमर्हति, (राजन्यो द्वयस्य, वैश्यो वैश्यस्यैवेति;) शूद्रमपि कुलगुणसम्पन्नं मन्त्रवर्जमनुपनीतमध्यापयेदित्येके ||५||
"A Brahmin is eligible to initiate the ceremony for the three varnas (castes), (a Kshatriya for two, and a Vaishya only for Vaishyas). Some also hold that a Shudra, endowed with family virtues, may be taught without initiation through mantras."
This verse outlines the eligibility criteria for conducting initiation ceremonies across different castes, with an additional note on the views regarding the initiation of Shudras.
ततोऽग्निं त्रिः परिणीयाग्निसाक्षिकं शिष्यं ब्रूयात्- कामक्रोधलोभमोहमानाहङ्कारेर्ष्यापारुष्यपैशुन्यानृतालस्यायशस्यानि हित्वा, नीचनखरोम्णाशुचिना कषायवाससा सत्यव्रतब्रह्मचर्याभिवादनतत्परेणावश्यं भवितव्यं, मदनुमतस्थानगमनशयनासनभोजनाध्ययनपरेण भूत्वा मत्प्रियहितेषु वर्तितव्यम्; अतोऽन्यथा ते वर्तमानस्याधर्मो भवति, अफला च विद्या, न च प्राकाश्यं प्राप्नोति ||६||
"Then, after circling the fire three times and taking a vow before the fire, the disciple should be instructed: 'Renounce desires, anger, greed, delusion, pride, ego, jealousy, harshness, slander, falsehood, laziness, and shamelessness. Wear clean clothes, be dedicated to truth, celibacy, respect, and humility. Follow my commands in places of study, resting, sitting, eating, and studying. Conduct yourself in a way that pleases and benefits me. If you act otherwise, it will be against dharma, and your education will be fruitless, and you will not gain recognition.'"
This verse outlines the instructions given to a disciple during initiation, emphasizing the qualities and behaviors they must adopt to successfully study and practice Ayurveda.
अहं वा त्वयि सम्यग्वर्तमाने यद्यन्यथादर्शी स्यामेनोभाग्भवेयमफलविद्यश्च ||७||
"And if I, seeing you (the disciple) acting correctly, behave otherwise, then I too shall bear the consequences and my knowledge shall become fruitless."
This verse emphasizes the mutual responsibility between the teacher and the disciple. It stresses that both parties must uphold their duties and adhere to the principles of dharma for the knowledge to be truly effective and meaningful.
द्विजगुरुदरिद्रमित्रप्रव्रजितोपनतसाध्वनाथाभ्युपगतानां चात्मबान्धवानामिव स्वभैषजैः प्रतिकर्तव्यम्, एवं साधु भवति; व्याधशाकुनिकपतितपापकारिणां च न प्रतिकर्तव्यम्; एवं विद्या प्रकाशते मित्रयशोधर्मार्थकामांश्च प्राप्नोति ||८||
"One should treat the twice-born (Brahmins), teachers, the poor, friends, ascetics, those who have approached for refuge, and virtuous people with one's own medicines, just as one would treat one's own family. By doing so, one acts righteously. However, one should not treat bandits, hunters, fallen individuals, and sinners. This way, knowledge shines forth, and one attains friends, fame, righteousness, wealth, and desires."
This verse emphasizes the importance of treating certain individuals with compassion and care, while avoiding those who are considered harmful or sinful. It highlights the ethical conduct expected from practitioners of Ayurveda.
भवतश्चात्र-
कृष्णेऽष्टमी तन्निधनेऽहनी द्वे शुक्ले तथाऽप्येवमहर्द्विसन्ध्यम् |
अकालविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुघोषे स्वतन्त्रराष्ट्रक्षितिपव्यथासु ||९||
श्मशानयानाद्यतनाहवेषु महोत्सवौत्पातिकदर्शनेषु |
नाध्येयमन्येषु च येषु विप्रा नाधीयते नाशुचिना च नित्यम् ||१०||
"It is also mentioned here: On the eighth day of the waning moon, on the days of death, on two days during the bright fortnight, at twilight, during unexpected lightning or thunder, during times of national or regional distress, during funeral processions, recent conflicts, festivals, and when witnessing omens. One should not study on these occasions, nor should a Brahmin study while unclean."
These verses provide guidance on the specific times and circumstances during which study and learning should be avoided, emphasizing the importance of proper timing and personal purity in the pursuit of knowledge.
इति सुश्रुतसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने शिष्योपनयनीयो नाम द्वितीयोऽध्यायः ||२||
"Thus, in the Sushruta Samhita, in the Sutra Sthana, ends the second chapter named ‘The Initiation of Disciples.’"
This concluding verse marks the end of the second chapter of the Sutra Sthana in the Sushruta Samhita, dedicated to the initiation process of disciples in Ayurveda.