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Medical Sciences in Jaina Canons : 529
different vital airs, strengths and physiological functions". The traditional Jaina canons also support this definition. This will involve anatomy and physiology also. That is why, these topics are found scattered in Jaina canons like Bhagavati and others''. Moreover, there were hospitals based on this system in towns like today's Rajagir built by rich persons and the state with necessary facilities for treating the patients12.
There are some specific points regarding this system which give strong Jainistic impressions on it. Jainism is based on gross and fine non-violence. Any process or practice involving violence is, therefore, practically disregarded by canonical Jaina physicians. That is why, the noted physician Dhanvantari ( not the originator of Ayurveda ) has been shown to attain hellish life afterwards13. Thus, the Jaina system mostly avoids the direct use of meat, honey or alcohol in medical prescriptions. It is because of this principle that the dead body dissection has been termed as demerited act. This resulted in poor knowledge in anatomical and surgical fields without any developments. This principle has led to use medicines of vegetable and mineral origin only. The treatment of some diseases and wounds in canons testify this fact. The development of medication by different forms of flowers and their extracts is another example14. Even in ninth century, Ugraditya wrote his Prāṇāvāya treatise on this basis alone.'5 However, when large number of metals ( i. e., mercury ) and minerals were known, a system of mastered and synthetic medicines was developed. All chemical practices were also developed. Later authoritativeness in the system led to conservative attitude which marred the progress of this indigenous system. It is pleasing to note that 20th century has made it little progressive under competitive compulsions. Origin of Prānāvāya System
It is observed that almost all prominent Indian systems presume their origin through their supreme lords or their incarnations. Ayurveda system originated from Dhanvantari
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