Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s3.3

c13.s3.3

The science of Medicine (*tegicchaya* or *āyuvveya*), which is counted among the nine false sciences (*pāvasuya*) in the Jain texts,⁸⁸ is said to have been discovered by Dhannantari.⁸⁹ Dhannantari was well-versed in the medical science which comprises eight branches : Pediatrics (*kumāra-bhicca*), surgery and midwifery (*salāga*), the treatment of eye, ear, nose and throat (*sallahaltha*), the treatment of bodily diseases (*kāyaticchā*), toxicology (*jangola*), demonology (*bhūyavijyā*), the science and art of restoring health in old age (*rasāyana*) and sexual rejuvenation (*vājīkarana* or *khāratanta*).⁴⁰