The Medical Ṛṣi Scholars

From the beginning of the Vedic period, there was a class of Ṛṣis who were the real exponents of Aryan culture and who devoted their lives to psychological and scientific inquiry in thinking, imagination, reasoning and generalization.

Characteristics of the Ṛṣis

These Ṛṣis were the proto-types of our modern scientific research scholars. These Ṛṣi scholars lived away from the world in quiet forest retreats and ideal places for study. They meditated on and discussed the problems of life from different point of view from that of other people. Some one has justly remarked that India was a nation of scholars in old days. The forest āśramas gradually grew to be the centers of the highest learning. Though deeply absorbed in metaphysical studies, the Ṛṣi's experiences of worldly life won them high reputation as teachers for the younger generation.

Division of Society

The ancient Aryan people who inhabited this country were gradually divided into four classes:

1. The Brāhmaṇas or the priestly class
2. The Kśatriyas or the martial class
3. The Vaiśyas or the agricultural and commercial class
4. The Śudras or the serving class

 

References

• The Caraka Samhita published by Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society, Jamnagar, India