Nirodbaran

Talks with Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1

10 December 1938 – 14 January 1941

21 December 1938

After Dr. Rao had gone we gathered round Sri Aurobindo and began talking again about medicine – homoeopathy, allopathy, ayurveda, etc. Somebody remarked how barbers came to occupy a place in the history of healing in India.

Sri Aurobindo: In Europe also during the Middle Ages, most of the surgeons were barbers.

I understand there are Kavirajas who can, by examining the pulse, state the condition and disease of the patient.

Then some of us referred to reports about remarkable pulse-specialists who could even say what one had eaten a few days back.

Satyendra: They are not always correct. One can’t accept the reports.

Sri Aurobindo: Why not? How do you know the reports are not correct? Many sciences are built up by experience and intuition and handed down by tradition: for example, the Chinese method of treatment by finding nerve centres and puncturing them with pins.

Purani: It is said of Dhanwantari that whenever he used to stand before a plant, the plant used to reveal its properties to him.

Sri Aurobindo (smiling): He was the physician of the Gods; so that is nothing unnatural for him.

Ayurveda was the first system of medicine. It was from India that this science went to Greece and then to Arabia. Indian physicians used to go to Arabia. What Hippocrates and Galen speak of as the three humours is an Indian idea. India also discovered the use of the zero with mathematical notations. Astrology too went from India to Arabia.

Nirodbaran: At Calcutta, people are trying to found Ayurvedic schools. That will be better, for it will be a combination of Eastern and Western systems, especially in anatomy and surgery.

Sri Aurobindo: Why? Anatomy and surgery were known to Indians. There were many surgical instruments in ancient India. Besides, for ancient things like Ayurveda I don’t believe in this modern system of schools and colleges. They make the whole thing mental and intellectual, while the ancient systems were more intuitive. In India they used to hand down such things from Guru to disciple. It is the same with Yoga. One can’t think of Yogic schools and classes. They are an American idea. The Guru of Vaun Macpheeters used to hold classes and give lectures and readings in Yoga.

Nirodbaran: Perhaps all this can be done with Hatha Yoga?

Sri Aurobindo: Even that would be only the outer part.