Acharya Nagarjuna- B S Mehta

A great scholar, teacher, an exponent, and organizer, Nagarjuna was above all a sage who realized the illusion of mundane existence in his theory of Shunyavad. Several myths and legends surround him. A second Nagarjuna, an alchemist and Tantrik saint, was in later days identified with the great Madhyamika exponent. Works of this alchemist as well as some books came to be attributed to Nagarjuna. Dr. B S Mehta writes on the medical contributions of Nagarjuna who in later years made in home in Andhra Pradesh, the land of two rivers, Krishna and Godavari.

Modern medicine recognizes Paul Ehrlich who received the Nobel Prize in 1908 for his work on immunity as the father of modern chemotherapy. In 1910 he discovered Salvarsan or 606, the magic bullet which contained compounds that would have specific attraction to disease causing micro-organisms. He believed these would seek out micro-organisms and destroy them, having no harmful effects on the bodies of patients.

There is also another famous name from the Renaissance period, Paracelsus, who was a mystic who believed in the ancient theory of Macrocosm (Universe) and Microcosm. He talked about the effect of planets and also about the relation between metals and planets. In alchemy , he said each element (fire, earth, water, and air) is divisible into three parts: Salts, sulphur and mercury. His greatest contribution was his emphasis on the role of chemistry in medicine. Also known as the Luther of medicine, Paracelsus, who lived in the early 16th century, believed that modern medicine firmly stood on the strong pillars of philosophy, astrology, alchemy, and virtue. Alchemy was however his forte.

© "Housecalls" (November-December 2002) published by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited, 6-3-865,3rd Floor, My Home Jupally Complex, Ameerpet, Hyderabad 500 016. (Website: www.housecallsindia.com). Reprinted with permission.

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