Introduction
Charaka Samhita is one of the major treatises of Ayurved. Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita, Ashtanga Hrudayam and Ashtanga Sangraha are the pillars of Ayurved. These are called as Bruhattrayee of Ayurved. Among these three major treatises, Charak Samhita holds an important place in the view of Pedagogy and in Teaching Learning Process. The art of teaching is a continuous quality improvement learning process which was followed in ancient days. Acharya Charak and Sushruta have mentioned many sets of teaching and learning methodologies which prove to be acceptable even in today.1 The Era of Charak Samhita is considered to be 1000 BC. Charak Samhita’s original title was ‘Agnivesh Tantra’. Maharshi Atreya was an eminent physician and a great scholar. He had six disciples. It was the time of Gurukul Paddhati. Disciples used to reside with teacher (Guru) and learn there to acquire knowledge. Teaching and learning of Ayurveda in ancient times was based on Guru- Shishya Parampara (Teacher Disciple Tradition). The Disciple used to learn directly from the teacher about the particular subject under his close supervision as a family member. Both theoretical and practical or clinical knowledge was imparted to the scholar and once the Guru got satisfied with his knowledge and experience then only he was given permission to practice his knowledge in the society. In a study Guru Shishya Parampara as a method of teaching has been found to be highly effective in current era also.2 Hence as per the tradition, disciples of Maharshi Atreya were residing with him and he was inculcating the seeds of a good physician in them. While teaching, he used various techniques. Out of Maharshi Atreya’s disciples Agnivesh wrote down the notes of teacher’s teachings. All others also did the same but Agnivesha’s Tantra became very popular and famous. Physicians find it very useful and for almost 800 years Agnivesh tantra was in practice. In 2nd century BC Agnivesh Tantra was redacted by Acharya Charak. He elaborated it and changed its title to Charak Samhita. By just changing the name the popularity and usefulness of Agnivesh tantra did not decrease rather it became an elaborated edition. It was used by physicians for again up to 4th century A.D. in the same format. In 4th century A.D.Maharshi Drudhabala redacted it and reformed the last chapters of Chikitsasthan, Kalpasthan and Siddhisthan. Hence, Charak Samhita is completed in three different stages by three different people and in three different geographical, societal, historical ways. Charak Samhita is redacted again and again but original teachings of Maharshi Atreya remained intact. This is the specialty of Charak Samhita. As Charak Samhita is a teaching and learning process itself, it is the base of pedagogy of Ayurved. To acquire knowledge Charak Samhita advises Adhyayan (Study/learning), Adhyapan (Teaching) and Tadvidsambhasha (Discussion). Maharshi Atreya used various techniques, practices to deliver knowledge among his disciples.
Materials and Methods
A review of Charak Samhita is carried out to understand teaching learning process of Charak Samhita. Teaching learning processes mentioned in Charak Samhita are correlated with the TPL of pedagogy. It is a review of various teaching techniques used in Charak Samhita.
Discussion
Teaching learning methods
To acquire knowledge Charak Samhita advises Adhyayan (Study/learning), Adhyapan (Teaching) and Tadvidsambhasha (Discussion). As this study is related to teaching practices, one of the three knowledge acquiring pillars Study (Adhyayan) is not taken into consideration here because it is a process of an individual. Teaching and discussion are taken into consideration.
As per Bloom’s taxonomy there are three learning domains –Cognitive domain (Knowledge), Affective domain (Attitude) and Psychomotor domain (Skill).3 Cognitive domain deals with knowledge and development of intellectual skills, Affective domain deals with moral values, emotions, attitude and Psychomotor domain deals with physical movement, co-ordination and use of the motor skill areas. All these three domains are very important in a student’s life.
In teaching process Charak Samhita prominently pays attention towards nurturing moral building, generosity, sympathy, empathy in disciples, Because along with a good physician a person should also be a good human. Feelings, attitudes, emotions, dealing with external and internal phenomenon emotionally i.e. control on emotions, enthusiasm and motivation makes a fellow strong, gentle and a good human being.
In Gurukul Paddhati a child would reside with the teacher for almost twelve years. Hence to nurture a child emotionally, psychologically, and professionally was teacher’s duty. Hence the teacher would instruct him from very basic manners and etiquettes.
The preceptor should instruct the disciple that you should live with celibacy, maintaining beard and moustaches, always speak truth, do not eat meat, always use intellect promoting diet, do not feel envy, do not possess weapons, should never disobey teacher's instructions except for those words that are hostile to or create malice for king, cause loss of life the word if followed that may cause great unrighteousness or inequity and great loss or misfortune, should surrender to teacher, consider teacher your head, be submissive, always do such actions which are pleasant and beneficial, should move with my permission, without haughtiness, dress carefully, with concentrated mind, humbleness, always remaining vigilant and without envy, once you have joined this Ayurvedic stream then for achievement of success in your profession, earning wealth, fame and heaven after death at every moment think first of all about beneficial of all living beings, while treating a patient concentrate the mind on one object that is to bring healthy status to the patient, should never have malice with patient even for a single cause, even psychologically should never think for committing adultery, neither should long for others wealth, should always have appearance and apparel modest, should not have association of addiction, should not commit sin or be in company of sinners, should always speak soft, clear and pure, consistent with law or just blissful, auspicious or virtual, truthful, useful and measured words, should constantly make efforts for acquiring excellent knowledge and practical knowledge, should never accept meat being given by the women without permission of her husband or guardian, in spite of knowing incurability of disease and death being near or life being short it should not be disclosed at the place where it can endanger patients or anyone else's life, in spite of having command over one’s knowledge should not boast about it, because in spite of being an authority eulogizing oneself irritates others.4
Teaching is an art. It is sharing of knowledge and make sure that the respondent received. This process includes various techniques and methods. Charak Samhita itself is a book of Teaching Learning Process. It is the very first teaching practice of Ayurved. It includes various Teaching and Discussion method to share knowledge.
Delivering lectures
Charak Samhita is a series of lectures. Maharshi Atreya delivered lectures and his six disciples listened to it carefully. Every chapter of it starts with the word Vyakhyasyamah means to tell, to deliver a thought. While delivering a lecture every speaker/teacher should plan the lecture understanding the context. In Charak Samhita each chapter is allotted to a subject and each and every chapter is connected to each other i.e. there is a flow in lectures and connection to avoid any confusion. The sequence of lecture hardly makes any doubt in students. Hence out of eigh section of Charak Samhita is titled as Surtasthan. Sutra is a string which ties things together. Here lectures are tied in such a way.
Helping students to learn
In lecture pattern of teaching, students should be helped to learn by giving them some examples. Charak Samhita’s basic principle is Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande means it teaches students human body by giving examples of Universe. Whatever you find in Universe,you find it in human body and vice versa.
Human being is equal to Universe whatsoever formed entities are in universe the same are in human being and whatsoever entities are in human being those are in the universe.5
Names of some diseases are from the view of examples like Grudhrasi (patient walks like vulture), Dandalasak (body becomes hard as a stick), Dhanusthambha (body bends like a bow).
While explaining Pandemic, symptoms examples of bad weather, water, soil and temperament of people is put forward to students.6
Handouts
Handouts are very important to gain knowledge. Aptopadesh is said to be the first source of knowledge. It includes words of teachers and worthy books. Aptopadesh is praised at number of places. Help of other sciences is also advised to understand any disease or a topic.7
Giving time for notes
Maharshi Atreya’s six disciples had their own notes which later became famous Samhitas. Charak Samhita, Bhel Samhita, Harit Samhita are examples of it.
Differentiate between must to know, nice to know
A speaker must know what and when to be delivered during lecture. Must to know and nice to know portion must be planned accordingly. In Charak Samhita’s every chapter the first verse states the topic of lecture and last verse summarizes the lectures. Last verse is a quick summary of topics of lecture. In every lecture initially must to know topics are delivered, then to explain the topic help of other topics, principles are used. Hence as compared to Ashtang Hruday and Ashtang Sangrah Charaka’s chapters include more and vide information. In the flow of lecture to make the topic understand Acharya also explains related topics. For example- in fifth chapter of sutrasthan, the lecture starts with the topic Matrashitiya and summarizes with a verse ‘All this is explained in this chapter.’8
Teaching techniques
Use of any modern teaching media is an out of question for Charak Samhita. During lecture Acharya used to give examples, put forward some principles, some Nyayas to make the topic understand. He visited different places along with his students to demonstrate them various Aushadhis, to experience them different climates, to show them various region related diseases, local fruits, grains, medicines. This was the actual teaching media of that time. At that time they emphasized more on experimental and practical learning.
Opening of lecture
To start a lecture in a way that will create interest in students is the key of any lecture. Charak Samhita has a beautiful start of every lecture. Acharya starts lecture with announcing the topic and lecture’s first verse starts with that word of topic. It creates interest and has a great value in concern with the literature.
Encouraging students
Encouraging students boosts up their confidence and makes them interested in topic. Some words like Saoumya, Vatsa are the encouraging words used by Maharshi Atreya for his students.
Let students ask questions
Students ask questions to teacher when they feel free to ask. Fear of teacher or topic makes them least interested in subject. In Charak we find question and answer series of student and teacher, rather some chapters are the questions of Agnivesh and their responses from Acharya Atreya.
Field trip
Acharya charaka has advised to get practical knowledge of plants from people living in forests which are again example of field trip method of teaching.
Brain storming
This is one of the three methods to acquire knowledge as per Ayurveda. A healthy discussion makes the topic more clear and some principles are put forward. In Charak Samhita we find such healthy, brainstorming sessions of discussions on various topics like Vat Dosh, foetus, evolution of life, Rasanishpatti, food etc. There is a vast difference in dialogue and debate. Charak Samhita has both. This is healthy debate which draws some conclusion. Rules and regulations of debate are explained in Vimansthan of Charak Samhita in detail.
Discussion method
Discussion method has been used as different Sambhasha parishad like discussion about number of Rasa (taste) in chapter 26 of Sutra Sthana of Charak Samhita.
Medical education
In Rogbhishgjitya adhaya of Vimanstana Acharya Charak has explained selection of a treatise, characteristics of ideal teacher, characteristics of ideal student and his duty during academia, four types of conversations in a conference are narrated. Discussion techniques and guidelines for developing conference presentation skill are in detail. The ideal preceptor, ideal medical treatise and ideal students are considered as basic pillars for proper propagation of medical knowledge.
While explaining qualities of a physician Acharya state- Excellence in theoretical knowledge, extensive practical knowledge, dexterity and cleanliness these are four qualities of physician.
The person considering himself a physician cures one whose lifespan is certain but kills thousands whose life span is uncertain. Hence the one devoted to study of scriptures, their exact interpretations and explanations, having inclination of mind to act and having observed practical work is called Pranabhisar Vaidya.
The one who possesses knowledge, rationality or reasoning or critical analysis, deep insight beyond the scripture or in allied Sciences, good memory, swiftness or promptness and action that is execution of decision are the six qualities of a good physician. Knowledge, innate clear and pure wisdom, insight of practical work, continuous practice, accomplishment and dependence on experienced senior preceptor, possession of even one out of all these, this is sufficient to justify use of epithet Vaidya, the one who possesses knowledge extra. All these auspicious qualities deserve to carry honorable epithet of Vaidya who provides happiness to all sentiments.9 This is the actual practical approach mentioned in Charak Samhita.
Conclusion
Adhyayan (learning/study) and Adhyapan (teaching) and Tdvidsambhasha (discussion) are important aspect in teaching learning progress. It helps students to improve knowledge, decision making skill, co-ordination, interest in topic and also to improve the level of confidence that helped them in clinical classes. Newer teaching learning techniques like delivering lecture, helping students to learn, hand-outs, notes, mini quiz, brain storming activities were also conducted in ancient era. Education pattern of Ayurveda is basically differ as its anatomy, physiology and other subjects contains its own Siddhant (Basic Concepts) e.g. Tridosha, Panchmahabhuta, Prakriti. It is essential for Ayurveda fraternity to develop its own teaching learning skill. It is also necessary to take help of other teaching learning methodologies to explain basics of Ayurveda without affecting its fundamental principles.