The Difference between “Ayurveda” & “Deshiya Chikitsa”(Paramparika Sinhala Wedakama)

Ayurveda
The word Ayurveda has derived from AYU and VEDA.The origin can be traced back to more than 5000 years.The origin of ayurveda dates back to the Vedic era. Some historians say that ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda.The systematized form of ayurveda dates back to the Rishi conference which was held in the place called Chityarata in the foot hills of Mount Himalaya and Pulasthi Muni(Ravana’s grand Father) participated for it. The great book on ayurveda Characa Samhita gives a detail description of the Rishi conference Rishis are great learned people like the great scientists of today.When diseases were more prevalent these learned scientist called all the scientists of India and neighboring countries like Sri Lanka. A list of the names of scientists who attended the conference is also given in Charaka Samhita. At this conference all the scattered knowledge was collected and 8 schools of thoughts were originated.

Deshiya Chikitsa or Paramparika Sinhala Wedakama
The Sinhala Race boast of a proud and civilised society for thousands of years,according to recent findings our “paramparika sinhala wedakama” comes well beyond ten-thousands years.Even before the King Ravana Era.Ravana is said to be one of the greatest physicians who ever existed, and even authored the book Arka Prakashaya. The Bisajjya Grantha and Nadi Shasthra mentions that King Ravana and his grandfather Pulasthi Muni had graced the world-famous medical conferences held in those ancient days in Janasthan Pura near Pakistan.He was also the inventor of the distillation process. In Sri Lankan folk tales, it is said that king Ravana treated both Rama and Lakshmana with his own hand when they were badly injured on the battlefield.

Conclusion

Deshiya Chikitsa or paramparika sinhala wedakama was the earliest system of medicine that existed in Sri Lanka before the advent of Ayurveda.It was handed down from generation to generation and in the course of time Deshiya Chikitsa became fused with Ayurveda.Historical records show that there has been an exchange of information on Ayurveda & Deshiya Chikitsa(paramparika sinhala wedakama) between India and Sri Lanka long before its formal introduction.The “Sarartha Sangrahaya” which was composed by King Buddhadasa containd a detailed account of the preparation of drugs, diagnosis, treatment of diseases,surgery.King Buddhadasa was a famed Ayurveda physician and surgeon.