Dr Basudev Pradhan, who had his BAMS degree in 1987 from the Gopabandhu Ayurvedic College, Puri, and his Doctorate in Medicine from the Rajasthan University in 1997; is known for his proclivity and propensity for Ayurveda, Naturopathy, yoga and Sidha for which he has been chosen as the Numero Uno Nodal Officer of AYUSH for Government of Odisha. Currently, he heads the Department of Panchakarma in the Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Bhubaneswar, and believes that it is Ayurveda which not only treats the human disease and frailties but also keeps intact the angelic quality of the human soul.
He prescribes that the flora and fauna should be preserved in their pristine purity since Ayurveda is interrelated through an intricate web of relationship with trees, traditions, treatment, tourism and therapy. In an interview to The Pioneer, he spoke to Sugyan Choudhury sitting under the Ashoka (the tree that gladdens the heart) at the precincts of the Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Bhubaneswar
What does Ayurveda owe to trees and forestsIJ
Trees and Ayurveda are inseparable. One cannot think of Ayurveda sans trees or forests. Ayurveda was very much there when trees or plants came into existence on this planet. Our Vedas, Purans and Upanishads have glorified trees and forests. Vedas proclaim Om Vanaspataye Namah (salutation to forests). The medicinal properties of plants were discovered, and with the passage of time it developed into a system, got codified and assembled and achieved its excellence from time to time. FOREST stands for Food, Oxygen, Rain, Environment, Soil Conservation and Temperature control. In our beginning is our end and in our end is our beginning. At the beginning of the lifecycle, there was the forest and the doomsday will dawn at the end of the forest.
In ancient days, we had had great physicians like Charaka and Sushruta. What has gone wrong with the system so that allopathy and modern day surgery have surpassed the glorious Indian past in medicine and surgeryIJ
You will be surprised to know that great surgeries were undertaken at the behest of Sushruta, who has codified the methodology of operation in his monumental book Sushruta Samhita. Enough research is required to translate and enliven those works as codified in the book. Anything foreign is not superior to everything that is Indian. Sushruta’s indigenous methodology of surgical operation can not only be effective for curing critical diseases but can yield results at affordable costs. All that we need is higher research on this treatment.
The Charaka Samhita contains the panacea for all kinds of diseases commencing from paediatrics to geriatrics. It is a matter of shame and anguish that after thousands of years foreign invasion and owing to the influence of alien culture we have neglected our own methods of treatment. It is high time both the Government rethought on a holistic development and research of Ayurveda.
What are the stumbling blocks towards revival of the tradition of Ayurveda and what are your remedial suggestionsIJ
lack of adequate higher research, absence of state-of-the-art laboratories in Odisha in the model of Gujarat and Rajasthan, non-availability of essential herbs, medicinal plants and specimens have contributed to an inertia of acceptance here although it is gaining ground in some other States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, UP and Uttarakhand. The situation can be remedied by rejuvenating the AYUSH healthcare system. The State Medicinal Plant Boards in all the States should be strengthened for cultivation of rare medicinal plants and herbs as envisioned by the National Medicinal Plant Board. This will accelerate the ancient Indian medicinal system and achieve the target like a revolution.
This will not only have a national acceptance but also a global
Which are the diseases fully dependant on their cure on plant-made medicinesIJ
All kinds of medicines owe their origin to the plant kingdom. Great ancient Ayurvedic doctors not only studied the intricate workings of the human mind, frailties of human body but also took note of the angelic aspirations of the human soul which are connected to each other for treatment of all kinds of diseases. It can be achieved through Panchakarma, which treats neuro and ortho problems. Geriatric care is only the viable answer available in Ayurveda through Rasayana Chikitshha Paddhati. Skin and cosmetic are the tested product systems in Ayurveda only. Odisha should be the ideal hub in Panchakarma next to Kerala. The Government Ayurvedic Hospital of Bhubaneswar has already earned a special status for Panchakarma and its therapy and such an approach is needed throughout the State to accommodate patients from across the country and abroad.
Does India abound with nature’s such flora and fauna which can attract foreign and domestic visitorsIJ
India does abound with gifted flora and fauna, which contain many precious plants and herbs, flowers and seeds that are indispensable for providing rare medicinal plants and properties for manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines. Additionally, vast medicinal gardens should be created for production of Ayurvedic medicines. Growth of medicinal plants will also contribute significantly for an ideal tourist ambience as in the model of Kerala Panchakarma. Ayurvedic treatment and tourism will contribute to each other for generating foreign exchange.
How do you ascribe tradition to treesIJ
A newborn child is associated with a newly-planted sapling with which its life is supposed to be tied up. On memorable days, trees are planted as token for fortune. Deodar is the tree of gods. Kalpa Vriksha (banyan tree) is the fulfilling tree. Ashoka dispels sorrows. Neem bestows happiness. Ashwastha is worshipped by Buddhists and Hindus alike. Mandara gladdens the Sun God. This shows the tradition and culture. lotus is used vividly in religious texts. Kadamba is associated with legends of Krishna’s exploits and miracles. Bilwa is highly medicinal tree with trifoliate arrangement of leaves. Krishna was shot dead under a peepal tree by Jara hunter. Nyagrodha or banyan is regarded by Kshatriyas as a symbol of kingship. The Grand Trunk Road leading from the temple of lord lingaraj to Mausima (Rameswar Temple), which was once peopled with Ashoka trees on either side. The trees are now conspicuously absent. They should be restored to justify the Ashokastami festival.
Is there any multipurpose medicinal plantation zone on the agenda of the State GovernmentIJ
Yes, we do have rich natural herbal and medicinal zones at Sirsha in Mayurbhanj district, Harishankar in Balangir, Gandhamardhan in Sambalpur, Barbara in Khordha and Daspalla in Nayagarh. The Government Ayurvedic Pharmacies in Balangir and Bhubaneswar has been set up for production of various Ayurvedic medicines. However, an international standard of Ayurvedic pharmacy should be set up for production of medicine and testing laboratory. The present infrastructural facilities like drug testing laboratory available in Bhubaneswar and Balangir should be upgraded to international standard thereby strengthening the system.
Has Ayurveda any future to survive against cutthroat competitions of other systems of treatmentIJ
Certainly yes. Without the slightest hesitation, I can say Ayurveda certainly has a bright future. Ayurveda shall open up new vistas of treatment and a new world order for the sick and suffering humanity when people will reach their point of saturation by trying with all systems of medicines. If we want to contribute to the making of an Odisha, for a rejuvenated India, we must concentrate on development of Ayurveda matching with the scenic, serene and sublime beauty of our country to lend its grandeur among the comity of nations.