PLASTIC SURGERY AND INDIA

AIthough the history of Plastic surgery takes us to the hindu mythological era when, lord shiva performed one on Ganesha, attaching an elephant's head on his son's body and the severed head of Yagnawas successfully transplanted by Ashwini Kumars.

- Alice Massey

Thus, the origins of plastic surgery in India dates back to or even before the Vedic period, which was almost 4,000 years ago. The creator of the universe, Brahma developed the science of life Ayurveda through meditation and handed it over to Daksha Prajapati, who then passed it on to the Ashwini Kumars (twin gods). The celestial king, Lord Indra, learned it from the Kumars and then imparted it to other rishis, including Sage Bhardwaja (the Atreya Guru) and King Divadaasa of Benaras (Lord Dhanvantri). The group of people that included Sushruta, who was the son of Vishwamitra, went to Dhanvantri and asked him to accept them as 'Shishyas' and instruct them the art of Ayurveda.

Coming to the concept of Plastic Surgery, Sushruta was an ancient Indian physician and World's first surgeon recognised as the 'Father of surgery and Plastic Surgery' for creating and perfecting the surgical procedures. The Susruta Samhita was compiled by him in roughly 600 BC from what he had learned from his guru Dhanvantri and forebears and is believed to be one of the four Vedas (Atharva - Veda). Susruta is also known to have taught surgery at the Banaras University.