THE MEDICAL STUDENTS' OATH OF ANCIENT INDIA

Abstract

THE HiPPocRAInc OATH is universally known in the western medical world. A docu-ment comparable in antiquity yet unknown to most modem physicians is the oath of initiation of medical students that is found in the Charaka Samhita. The Charaka Samhita is a highly-esteemed ancient medical text. The approximate dates of com-position and the general contents of the Charaka Samhita were briefly discussed in a previous article.' A translation of the students' oath from Sanskrit, followed by a brief commentary on the text, is given below.* THE OATH OF INITIATION 1. The teacher then should instruct the disciple in the presence of the sacred fire, Brahmanas [Brahmins] and physicians. 2. [saying] 'Thou shalt lead the life of a celebate, grow thy hair and beard, speak only the truth, eat no meat, eat only pure articles of food, be free from envy and carry no arms. 3. There shall be nothing that thou should not do at my behest except hating the king, causing another's death, or committing an act of great unrighteousness or acts leading to calamity. 4. Thou shalt dedicate thyself to me and regard me as thy chief. Thou shalt be subject to me and conduct thyself for ever for my welfare and pleasure. Thou shalt serve and dwell with me like a son or a slave or a supplicant. Thou shalt behave and act without arrogance, with care and attention and with undistracted mind, humility, constant reflection and ungrudging obedience. Acting either at my behest or otherwise, thou shalt conduct thyself for the achievement of thy teacher's purposes alone, to the best of thy abilities. 5. If thou desirest success, wealth and fame as a physician and heaven after death, thou shalt pray for the welfare of all creatures beginning with the cows and Brahmanas. 6. Day and night, however thou mayest be engaged, thou shalt endeavour for the relief of patients with all thy heart and soul. Thou shalt not desert or injure thy patient for the sake of thy life or thy living. Thou shalt not commit adultery even in thought. Even so, thou shalt not covet others' possessions. Thou shalt be modest in thy attire and appearance. Thou shouldst not be a drunkard or a sinful man nor shouldst thou associate with the abettors of crimes. Thou shouldst speak words that are gentle, pure and righteous, pleasing, worthy, true, wholesome, and moderate. Thy behaviour must be in consideration of time and place and heedful of past experience. Thou *1he text of the oath quoted is taken mostly from Charaka Samhita, Shree GalabkuverbaAyurveic