The pearl of Sri Lankan ancient literature

The pearl of Sri Lankan ancient literature- an effort in describing the evolution of local medical doctrines

The eastern world encompasses cultures, languages, philosophies, literature, innovations and systems of medicine prevalent to regions and eras during their evolution. Sometimes these fields could be seen as one entity although intermingling with traces from each other. Literature and ancient medicine are two such important fields which relate somewhat to each other, thus presenting their origin and background in a relatively harmonious manner.
Sri Lanka, constitutes a part of the Eastern world, and as such exhibits all the hitherto mentioned fields interconnected to its culture and history. Oriental literature forms part of the Ancient Sri Lankan written literature which is more than 2000 years old. This gives a proud heritage to the nation that exhibits and therefore the value of the country’s culture. Ancient medicinal literature in turn is also a part of this proud heritage.
The written history of Sri Lanka goes back nearly 2000 years and the history of literature is the same if not older. But there was a belief that before the written history came into place, medical books were already in place. Emperor Ravana who was considered as one of pioneers of Sri Lankan rulers was also known to be a reputed physician. According to the folk stories, Emperor Ravana had compiled five medical books. “Arka prakasha , Nadi prakasha, Kumara tantra, Uddisha tantra and Shivatandavastotra ” were the names of these books and they reveal in addition to other medical literature, Alchemy and Fermented preparations, the Study of Pulses , Pediatrics, Rituals and Recitations and worshipping of God Shiva.
All these were written in the Sanskrit language but none of these doctrines are used in Sri Lanka as clinical guides. Anyhow these have now been republished in India. Sanskrit language used here is comparatively similar to the Sanskrit language used in the 18th century. Therefore, it is difficult to assume that the above mentioned books were written by Emperor Ravana as he was supposed to have lived 5000 years ago.
Ola leaf manuscripts are another unique heritage to Sri Lankan history. Some of these were dealing with traditional medicine. Although there were many of these manuscripts written at that time, many have been destroyed by the British rulers at that time or died a natural death over the centuries.
Few of the manuscripts related to medical literature written in Sri Lanka are not found in the country today. Some of these are seen at The British Library in the United Kingdom. This particular collection of Sri Lankan manuscripts has been catalogued under the “Hugh Nevil collection” with a total of 3469 out of which 82 were related to Traditional Medicine practices. Apart from those found in the UK; Sri Lankan manuscripts related to traditional Medicine are also found in France, Canada and the USA.
A medical book “Sarartha Sangrahaya” compiled in Sanskrit language by King Buddhadasa, a great ruler of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura in ancient Sri Lanka between the 365 -337 BC was based on the concepts of Ayurveda. The title of this book gives the meaning “Summarized Compendium to the core of Ayurveda”. It gives an insight to the origin of Ayurveda, Pharmacology of Ayurveda, Etiopathogenesis and Treatment of diseases and of related Toxicology in various diseases. (The same book was translated into Sinhala and republished by Dr.Aryadasa Kumarasinghe in 1986). After King Buddhadasa’s book, there has been no clear evidence of any medical literature written during the Anuradhapura period.
Polonnaruwa was the next kingdom followed by Anuradhapura and made an impression on Sri Lankan ancient literature. During this period, the “Abhidhanappadeepika” was written, which was a Pali Nighantu, written by Ven. Moggallana thero which describes the medicinal properties of plants.
After Polonnaruwa, the kingdoms started to migrate towards the South-West of the country. As a result of this move, Dambadeniya was the next kingdom in Sri Lanka, and it made a foundation for a golden literal era. During this period, hundreds of books were compiled which payed homage to Lord Buddha such as the “Pujavaliya and the Saddarma ratnawaliya”. It was also a notable period for medical doctrines. Most of these books were written in Pali language and a considerable amount in Sinhalese.
King Parakramabahu II, who was also accredited as a poet was instrumental in supporting the literary advancement of the country. Bhesajja manjusawa was a Pali lingual medical book written during this period by Ven. Anomadassi thero that reputed as a complete medical doctrine ever written in Sri Lanka. Ven. Buddaputra thero who was the Head of Mayurapada Dhamma academy at that time had produced an interesting book in ancient Sinhala, named “ Pujavaliya” which was referred to earlier. His contributions to medical literature by comprising the “ Yogarnawaya and Prayoga Ratnavaliya” which were a pair of medical books. Yogarnawaya was considered as the first medical doctrine that written in Sinhalese language. A few books were found also in Dambadeniya era that the editor was unknown. “Warasarata sangrahaya , Sara sangrahaya and Nagavidhiya” could be exemplified for titles that the editor was unknown. From above; Warasararta sangrahaya was a commentary written for Sararta sangrahaya.
Kingdoms were changed gradually due to unrest of the country and Kurunegala kingdom was established after few decades. Unani medical system was introduced to local tradition during this era as a result of being Arabic merchants. “ Siddhisaraya , Warayoga saraya, Yoga siddhiya” were some medical books written in Kurunegala monarchy period .
Kingdom Kotte were followed by Gampola kingdom and considered as the most golden era of Sinhalese literature. A plenty of valuable literatures were written during this time. King Parakramabahu VI was a pioneer of this golden project. Meanwhile Sri Lankan traditional medical system was also strongly established during this period too. It is clearly seen that many languages were used to write such as Sanskrit, Sinhalese, Pali and Andi. “ Sarasankshepaya , Bhaishajya kalpaya, Bhaishajya sangrahaya , Abhinawa madhawaya, Arishta shatakaya, Vaidyalankaraya” were medical doctrines written in Sanskrit language. Sarasankshepaya was compiled by Rajaguru Sri Chandra who was a famous and professional writer. Some accepted this writer had migrated from Bengal to Sri lanka. Bhaishajya kalpaya was a concise collection of a triplet of authentic medical doctrines called “Bhaishjya kalpaya-old version , Sarvangadharakalpa and Prayoga samuchchaya”. But the author was unidentified yet of Bhaishajya kalpaya. Abhinawa madhawaya was a concise commentary written to Madhawa nidanaya which was an authentic prior Ayurvedic literature and written by Rajaguru Kavichandra. Arishta shatakaya reveals about clinical manifestations and Vaidyalankaraya reveals about the methodology of oils manufacturing. Sri Ramachandra was an Andi writer who migrated from Andra Pradesh of India and compiled “Waidya chintamani”. This book is reputed among practitioners as a perfect medical doctrine. “ Sinhala yogaratnakaraya” was a Sinhala lingual doctrine that based on Etiology and treatment strategies of diseases in a perfect manner. But some viewers got argued this book was a translation of Sanskrit Yogaratnakaraya published in South India.
Kingdom Kotte was shifted into Hill country. Kandy was the capital of the kingdom. But throughout the ruling period it was seen an unsteady environment. This unsteadiness was also involved for medical literature too. In this period, it was clearly seen medical scripts are comparatively shorter and compiled upon a limited or specialized areas. The main reason for this kind of specialization was that the physicians tried to treat on specialized areas such as orthopedics or toxicology. The most prominent type of doctrines was the handbooks. These medical hand books are called “Weda-poth”. The most remarkable point was the lack of professional writers in this period respectively to Kotte period. The destruction of regular system of education would be the main reason for this calamity. Any how it was compiled a number of booklets based on vivid topics including veterinary medicine. “ Ali weda-potha” – the remedies for diseases of elephants and “ Gawa-wedapotha” – the remedies for diseases of bovine. The Buddhist monks also acted as physicians as well as authors of such medical books during this period. Ven. “Weliwita Sri Saranankara” thero has written “ Bhesajja manjusawa Sinhala sannaya” – a Sinhala commentary to Bhesajja manjusa. Ven. Silappukulame Deepankara thero and Ven. Diyahunnata Dhammadinna thero were two of Buddhist monks who have written “Vanawasa nighantuwa” and “Yogapitakaya” respectively. “Bhesajja nidanaya” was another medical book which was written by Thilakaratne Mudali. Not only these books but also “Dravya guna dipaniya , Balagraha shantiya , Yogasaraya , Yogasekaraya, Yogadharanaya, Yogamalawa , Yogamuktawaliya , Kumaraushadha darshanaya , Arishta malawa , Oushadha muktaharaya , Ehelapolage ath wedapotha- the hand remedies by Ehelapola , Rajagei es wedapotha – the medical hand book in Royal palace for Ophthalmology , Kedumbindum wedapotha – the handbook for Orthopedics.
After a couple of centuries, it was shifted the country capital to Colombo as the whole country got captured by British rulers. This period was a dark period to whole aspects of Sri Lankan culture including literature. Gradually it was introducing the allopathy-the western medicine into the country and getting weak the local traditional medicine systems. Any how some progressive approaches were born regarding medical literature time to time to restore the holistic knowledge and heritage for next generations.