A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c26.s2.89

v1.c26.s2.89

Kṛṣṇarāvaśarman 248 regarded the statement that the Saṃgraha does not contain a single syllable not in agreement with the tradition (āgama) (Sū.1.20) as such a feature; he interpreted āgama as vaidikamārga, although the term is often employed merely to designate the medical tradition. The same scholar was of the opinion that the chapter on the instruction of students of the Saṃgraha (Sū.2) testifies to the orthodoxy of Vāgbhaṭa, 249 because the requirements making a pupil acceptable are in conformity with the rules formulated in dharmaśāstra texts. These requirements are, however, of a very general type, declaring, for example, that the student ought to be a brahmacārin, devoted to his guru, etc. (Sū.2.2–4ab); circumstances unsuitable to study are mentioned too (Sū.2.4cd–5). Kṛṣṇarāvaśarman is oblivious of the facts that the Saṃgraha omits numerous details found in the Carakasaṃhitā, does not describe the typically Hinduist rituals which are peculiar to Caraka, and is unaware of the so-called ’oath’ of the Carakasaṃhitā. He also fails to notice that the pertinent chapter of the Saṃgraha ends with a verse praising compassion (dayā) with all living beings as the highest dharma (Sū.2.37cd–38).