Dr PK Warrier, a living legend pays tribute to
Padmasree Dr.K.Rajagopalan.
PDF Document attached : DrPKWarrierOnDrKRajagopalan
Author: gokulbalex
K.Sivaraja Vijayan IAS on the passions and principles of his brother Dr.K.Rajagopalan
Dr. K. Rajagopalan’s brother Shri.Sivaraja Vijayan IAS reflects on the pathways on the legendary Ayurvedic physician.
Legendary pathways of Dr.K.Rajagoplan – Reflections by Dr. Sarojini Amma
Famous Ayurvedic Physician Dr. Sarojini Amma recollects her memories about the legendary Ayurvedic pioneer. In conversation with Dr. M.N.Ravindran Nair.
AYURVEDA & MODERN MEDICINE : Comparing the principle and practice of both systems
By Acharya Raj (Dr A.Rajkumar MD, Modern medicine,MFAMS etc )
“life is but an arrows flight from darkness into light “. longfellow
My attempt here is to bring out the best of Ayurveda & modern medicine to mankind. ‘Ayurveda’ by the very nomenclature in sancrit means study or science of life.It evolved in the ‘land of light ‘(Bharat )over thousands of years.By circa 500bce we had a very comprehensive and complete compendium on aspects of health ,hygiene ,preventive & interventive medical practice as well as surgical procedures.The very fact that it outlived all the historical onslaughts of changes shows how useful it was & is to mankind.Ayurveda had discovered many of the core laws governing true &good health practices that are beyond time-triggered changes in the world.
I would like to look at modern medicine as a medical practice that evolved along with the contemporary science and technology.Therefore it has to change and incorporate more effective techniques & procedures as and when it is discovered by the basic methods of science and technology. The present science and technology evolved only over last three centuries. As of now we know that many of the laws of present physics ,mathematics ,astronomy & chemistry were either there in Indian writings dating well back to many centuries BCE .,as a coincidence or these laws were incorporated into modern science by manipulation of the so called scientists or scientific communities that upheld superiority of the western civilizatiion.Similarly there are many universal laws & practices of medical field that have been included in modern medicine from Ayurveda. In fact we still need to include many more after an open minded study of the real principles & practices of Ayurveda vis a vis modern medicine.
The preset day modern medicine has in its armory the best of science & technology. Very accurate diagnostic tools like MRI, PET ,USS ,CAT etc on one side & advanced surgical procedures from MIS (minimal invasive surgery ) to robotic surgery that are very precise ,efficient & economic.On the medical side we have vast range of medicine as well as medical procedures that too are very precise, advanced,efficient and life saving.
Inspite of all these advantages ,modern medical system as it is practiced now has some grave errors that are very fundamental.”modern medicine is being built on a wrong foundation “quoted Late Padmashree Dr K Rajagopal . He meant that many basic prerequisites to select a students having right aptitude,commitment to be a physician,the importance of physicians personal character ,physicians need to be fit is not given proper importance in modern medicine while ayurveda gives importance to these aspects. Next is the lack of holistic &comprehensive approach in the practice of modern medicine. Third is the influence of multinational pharmaceutical companies,corporate management of hospitals,corporate private diagnostic centers that are either influencing or forcing doctors to go for unethical practices. The fourth problem comes from the present day socio -economic setup “rampant corruption “that is also biting into public health and medical practice.
Ayurveda evolved over 12000years,handed down from masters to masters by oral recital and later was written & rewritten by more generations of masters who were grounded in honesty,righteousness and commitments to their masters & their occupation as well as to patients . The very basic guidelines revolves around holistic approach of looking at the balance between mind ,body & spirit in disease and optimal health. It lays stress on physicians to be balance minded and patient oriented. It also give guidelines to physicians to keep themselves healthy. There are also guidelines to physicians keep a detached attitude towards worldly possessions and pleasures. Guidelines to select young ones finding out their abilities from their morphology ,heredity ,metepsychotic & above all the opening up of inherrant aptitudes through gurukulas. Contemporary Ayurveda follows three texts of Vagbatacharya,Charaka & susrutha.
Historically the modern medicine has only copied many of the basic principles and practices in the name of western discoverers. The current day advaces in indological studies shows that comprehensive practices of medicine and surgury began in Indian subcontinent moved to Arabia then very later to the European countries.Charaka is accepted as father of medicine and Susrutha as father surgery as well as plastic surgery.Very conservative European historians dates “Susrutha samhitha “to 4th
Even in the works Hippocrates he mentions the of a master called Charaka.And still many universities around the world call Hippocrates as the father of medicine.
Let me come back to what more we can learn from great masters who’s focussed and selfless work lead to a medical system called Ayurveda. Yes , we have taken from them the practice of hygiene ,sanitation ,surgical instruments etc. and developed these to more complex ones. But what we did not take from outweighs all these and are of utmost importance to medical practice. Would like to mention that I have found. First is the holistic approach.Next is the lack of feeling of interdependancy among modern doctors that must come from the basic understanding of prakruthi &purusha. Third would be to implant in the mind of prospective doctors …sathyam vada ,dharmam chara ,…..the basic tenets of being an educated peson and many more to add.
easily said than done . But it is the need of the hour . Remember , Ayurveda is the most ancient medical practice that is still not extinct. Modern medicine is hardly four centuries old and is already facing major defects that may contribute to it being regected by the general public.Let us make all efforts to put the general best of both in the best interest of human life and ecosystem .
REFERENCE
- Dr MS Valiathan : The legacy of humanCharaka , The legacy of Susrutha ,The legacy Vagbhata
- A. L. Bashim : The wonder that was India.,A cultural history of India ,oxford 1974
- D.P.Signal : India and world civilization
- C.G. Kashikar : Indian medicine
- Keswani. NH : Medical heritage of India
- Claus Vogel :1933-2012,Indologie
- Edwin F briant : papers & lectures on Indian cultural heritage & good health practice
- Temple Emmet Williams : Warriior patient .Booklife
Other books, papers and article on this subject that doesn’t come to my memory
” Take the best from the past ,have a clear vision of future act accordingly TODAY “.APJ Abdul Kalam
I dedicate this,article as a tribute to the great master DR APJ ABDUL KALAM
Padmasri Dr.K.Rajagopalan : A Modern Ayurvedic Missionary Par Excellence
By Dr. Edackadu Mohan
‘A peripatetic scholar whose sole life mission was to teach, preach and practise Ayurveda’ is the most befitting epithet for Dr. K.Rajagopalan. He died on 10 January 2015 at an age of 83 leaving a great lacuna in the realm of Ayurvedic research and development. Having earned both DAM and MBBS, he took to being an Ayurvedic physician following his family tradition. Admittedly, he upheld the science of healing called Ayurveda claiming it to be potent enough to become the medicine of the future. He fought vigorously for it as a champion in the form of polemics against any attempt of disparaging its true merit. A nationally acclaimed maestro of healing art, he gave solace to thousands of patients. He was a relentless researcher who had strong adherence to the ancient wisdom that laid the theoretical and therapeutic foundations of Ayurveda. But nonetheless he had no qualms about arguing for modern methodological advantages contributed by medical technology.
Nation honoured him by bestowing the Padmasree Award on him in 2003 for his lifelong incessant service to Ayurveda as a scholar, researcher, practitioner and innovator. Fascinated by his erudition and creativity in the science of Ayurveda, a large circle of medical professionals cutting across systems meticulously listened to his words. Being chronically reluctant in self-promotion and lacking in craze for publicity, he led a peaceful but most productive life till death. He was not for cashing in on any lucrative opportunities for selfish motives. For him, medical profession was by no means an El Dorado.
Rise of a Legend
Born on Nov.17, 1932 in Kollam as the second of the seven children of Dr.M P Krishnan Vaidyan and Dr. P. Kalyanikkuttiyamma , Dr. Rajagopalan bequeathed an outstanding legacy of Ayurvedic scholarliness from his ancestral lineage. His father belonged to Thottakkaran family at Kilikolloor in Kollam city. He was one of the first batch students of the DAM course at the Travancore Ayurveda Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram and passed out in 1955 with a first rank. But even prior to the age of 14, he had proved well-versed in Sanskrit and the Ayurveda literature. He had been at ease with even Ashtangahrudaya and Sahasrayoga. He used to describe himself as one who had been born and brought up in an atmosphere laden with the aroma of medicinal herbs. Naturally, he had a vocation for Ayurveda which made him boldly discard the Assistant Surgeon post offered by the Government of Kerala soon after he passed his MBBS with flying colours from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1961.
As a medical student, he proved to be equally brilliant at Ayurveda and Allopathy. Later, as a physician too, he demonstrated his expertise and excellence at both the systems. That he preferred Ayurveda to Allopathy was surprising as it happened at a time when the latter was considered as a gold mine for most of the aspirants of medical profession. It may be construed that he was to prove that those who take to Ayurveda practice were not at all inferior to those who aspired for Allopathy. Even while being the staunch defender of Ayurveda, he never denigrated Allopathy. It is reasonable to assume that he found merit in the methodological practices of Allopathy while having strong moorings on theoretical perspectives of Ayurveda regarding human well-being and disease.
Passion for Ayurveda
Dr. Rajagopalan started his professional life as Chief Physician at MP Krishnan Vaidyan Memorial Ayurveda Hospital run by his own family in Kollam city. Ever since, he had been passionate to it to the core. The truth is that he was able to recognise that it was his blood and flesh. His ardent passion for Ayurveda can be traced back to his parents Dr. MP Krishnan Vaidyan and Dr. Kalyanikuttiyamma who nurtured his therapeutic interest and attitude. His paternal grandfather Padmanabhan Vaidyar was a famed Ayurveda physician in the locality. His mother was also adept at Ayurveda and Siddha schools of healing. Apart from being a renowned physician, his father was also a royal physician of the Travancore Royal family. Rajagopalan was also good at English and Sanskrit.
As soon as he started his career as a physician, he joined Kerala Ayurveda Mandalam, an organization dedicated to spreading and promoting the cause of Ayurveda as a scientific and appropriate way of medical treatment. It was history that he later became President of that organization and continued in the post for as many as 25 years. He got married to PK Saralamma, a member of another renowned Vaidya family namely Aneppil in the city of Kollam in 1953. His married life spanned as long as over a period of four decades and she died in 1995.
A Tireless Pursuer
A voracious reader, especially in the arena of medical sciences, he used to carry a number of authentic books along wherever he went in connection with his medical practice. His colleagues would dub his car as a mobile medical library. He kept himself abreast of even the most sophisticated therapeutic techniques and newest pieces of medical information. Surprisingly, he was ready to delve into the prospects of reviving the folk medicine for the benefit of human well-being. He was to the core a humanist medical practitioner. His role model was the sage Charaka who wandered far and wide as an Ayurvedic missionary.
Evergreen contributions
He was a relentless crusader against diseases. He thought the science of Ayurveda was the most powerful weapon in that incessant fight. But, he was not bind-folded one about his tool. He was well-aware of its historical limitations. So, he resorted two things. One was to be broad-minded to accept the practical advantages of allopathy in diagnosis and treatment and to use them in his ayurvedic medical interventions. The second was to empower his own system through research in its theory and practice.
Since the beginning of his career, he had been nurturing an amazing research interest. He came to the national limelight with his bold and practical proposal he made in his paper presentation in the Ayurveda Mahasammelan held at Patyala that Ayurveda could safely and fruitfully be used in family planning campaign. It was a time India was pondering over the possible remedies for its over-population problems. He was endowed with superb level of insight, which made him capable of diagnosing diseases very easily. One of his main original contributions to the Ayurvedic practice is the combination medicine technique, which is a product of his own research.
He conducted research in life style diseases and very serious illnesses for which allopathy and other systems have not found any remedy so far. He was optimistic in his attempts to find solutions to the problems of diseases. He developed an ayurvedic medicine for cancer, which was based on the black cumin seed. AIDS was another area which attracted his strenuous attention. He conceptualised and formulated ‘Medhakshaya’ treatment for AIDS. He formulated effective medicines for spondylitis and disc disorders. Till his death, he was the Hon. Research Director of Amala Ayurveda Medical College. Many a cancer patient got recovered completely from their problems under his treatment. With his interest in folk medicine, he developed certain recipes for abnormal reduction in blood platelets and paralysis.
Productive and Creative Career
His career was not confined to the post of Chief Physician at his family hospital. But, he was eager to find new vistas to pursue his research. He joined Ayurveda Central Institute at Cheruthuruthy as Senior Research Officer. In the meantime, Regional Research Institute at Thiruvananthapuram also got his service. Moreover, he spent a short stint of 3 years at Thiruvananthapuram Ayurveda Maedical College as Honorary Professor. He served Coimbatore Ayurveda Medical College for 10 years in the capacity of a visiting professor. He, then, took up the post of the Director of Shornur Ayurveda Hospital run by Ayurveda Samajam.
From 1997 onwards, he was the clinical and literary consultant at the famous Kottackal Arya Vaidyasala. He was the chairman of the task force (Ayurveda and Homeo) of the State Planning Board. He functioned as examiner at Kerala, Calicut, Madras and Bharathiar Universities. He was the Dean of Sree Sankaracharya University. He served as the member of Central Council of Indian Medicine and Patroon of Kerala Ayurveda pharmacy. He was a regular contributor to periodicals in matters related to Ayurveda and public health. He published many scholarly articles in international and national research journals. The widely acclaimed book he wrote is ‘Panchakarma Chikilsa Saram’.
An Enthusiastic Practitioner
His was a very busy schedule as a physician. Every Sunday he used to patients at his residence at Susrutha Bhavan, on Hospital Road in Kollam City from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. All other days, he was away. On Mondays, he was Aluva Ayurveda Pharmacy wheras on Tuesdays, he was Trissur Amala. On Wednesdays, he consulted patients at Kottackal Cancer Clinic. On Thursdays, he was at Kottackal Hospital. Fridays and Satuurdays were earmarked for Ayurveda Samajam Hospitals at Shornur and Thiruvanathapuram. He would reach home in Kollam late at night on every Saturday. It was routine for him to travel more than 3000 kilo meters every month even at his eighties.
Recognition for his achievements
As recognition of his great lifelong contributions to the science of Ayurveda, he was awarded Padmasree in 2003. Before that,the highest award in Ayurvedic field namely Bruhatrayi Ratna had been awarded to him in 1997. In 2001, he was chosen for Patanjali Puraskara. The Ashtanga Ratna Award instituted by the govt. of Kerala for the efficient Ayurveda practitioner was also bagged by him in 2009. There are many other awards, fellowships and endowments bestowed on him. Dr. Rajagopalan will be remembered for his epoch making contributions to Ayurveda theory and practice. He will remain evergreen in the memories of the people as a humanist and loving physician for long.
Insights into Ayurvedic Biology : Dr.M.S.Valiathan in conversation
Professor Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, ex President of the Indian National Science Academy, is a reputed cardiac surgeon who made original contributions to cardiology and the development of medical technology.
He has pioneered several scientific studies in the field of Ayurveda and authored several books on the subject. In this free and frank interview he discusses three important phases in his life, and his passion for the convergence of modern biology and Ayurveda as a new discipline of science “Ayurvedic Biology”. Read further on the following webpage :
Compilation of research papers on the Ayurvedic approach to Immunology
- G.G. Gandharan and R. Ram Manohar – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336495/pdf/ASL-14-2.pdf
- Prof. S. N. Ojha – https://drojha.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/ayurvedic-approach-to-immunology/
An Epic Life – Padmasri: Dr.Krishnan Rajagopalan
We humbly present our efforts to rekindle the spirits of knowledge and scientific temperament of Padmasri Dr. K.Rajagopalan. His life and approach to life stands taller than any lectures of wisdom. It was a life dedicated to deepen the horizons of Ayurvedic medicine. At the same time, he was converse with the modern trends and techniques of all forms of medical practices. His love for classic texts and masters of Ayurvedic medicine is only paralleled by his unique insights in diagnostics and pathology. This blog will feature the articles about the pioneering contributions of Dr.K.Rajagopalan and the latest research and scholarly pursuits in Ayurveda. Please read, review and share this blog to enliven the spirit of an epic life.
Roots of Wisdom 
