Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c6.s2.t3.89

v1.c6.s2.t3.89

All versions of his life story refer to his interest in study of medical sciences and then going out possibly to Taxila for a long advanced training in medicine and neurosurgery. He probably had training under Ótreya (Ótreya Punarvasu), the famous sage who learned medicine from Bhårdvåja and whose disciple was Agniveßa. There are many narratives in various canonical texts about his successful treatment of kings, merchants and commoners and their family members. He thus earned fame and wealth and was honoured with the title of “king of physicians” by his King, Bimbisara. According to a legend, he was assigned to Buddha as his personal physician by the King and treated Buddha for ailments contracted in the course of travel. In various stories, it is claimed that Buddha told him: “I heal the soul, you heal the body”.