A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c26.s2.84

v1.c26.s2.84

An example that may throw light on Vāgbhaṭa’s technique of handling his sources is found towards the end of the last chapter of the Uttarasthāna of the Saṃgraha (U.50. 185–195), where a series of verses on medical ethics are quoted from Caraka, but some, which are unquestionably Hinduist, are omitted. One of the verses left out says that the āyurveda has been proclaimed by the great sages, devoted to the dharma, for the sake of the dharma, and not to obtain gain (artha) or enjoyments (kāma); 242 the āyurveda has been expounded out of the wish to (provide mankind) with an imperishable (akṣara) state (sthāna) (Ca.Ci.14.57). Another verse missing describes the physician as one who delivers the patient from the snares (pāśa) of the god of death (Vaivasvata) (Ca.Ci.14.60). Meaningful too are the additions, which, due to their stress on maitrī, karuṇā, a nirāmiṣa manas, etc. (A.s.U.50.196–198), may be of Buddhist inspiration.