The Mahamritunjaya Yantra (Dispels fear of the evil, death and disease)
Shiva does not normally have Yantras designed round him as he is to be worshipped only in the Lingam form, not in his bodily form. The Mahamritunjaya Yantra is however a Yantra embodying a Mantra as well as Shiva in his Vedic form as Rudra, healer and victor over death.

The Yantra is very unusual in that it has a pentacle inscribed in the center, instead of the standard six-pointed star. The pentacle has always been the mystical symbol for the secret of life even in the European mystical tradition. The apple is a sacred fruit because if sliced transversally there is a pentacle found at its heart. The Yantra has three groups of eight petals with inscribed mantras, which are further separated by concentric triple bands. This is easily one of the most powerful Yantras ever made, and of great utility in healing as well as the spiritual discipline of dissolving accumulated karma. It is also the Yantra par excellence for ensuring longevity in good health.

Utilizing the Yantra along with the Mahamritunjaya mantra is the best combination that works. Sufficient to say that almost every god with any stature in India is represented in most Yantras so worshipping or meditating with a Yantra is to worship all the gods at once. Any worship or meditation or affirmation directed towards it finds the desired outcome being easily manifested in the larger physical reality. The Yantra is a machine too, apart from being the symbolic energy body of the god, a machine to bring about transformation by focusing your intent.

Dhanvantari - the Physician of the Gods
Dhanvantari (also Dhanwantari, Dhanvanthari) is an avatar of Vishnu from the Hindu tradition. He appears in the Vedas and Puranas as the physician of the Gods (devas), and the God of Ayurvedic medicine. It is common practice in Hinduism for worshipers to pray to Lord Dhanvantari seeking his blessings for sound health for themselves and/or others.

Dhanvantari was an early Indian medical practitioner and one of the world’s first surgeons. Based on Hindu traditions, he is regarded as the source of Ayurveda. He perfected many herbal based cures and natural remedies and was credited with the discovery of the antiseptic properties of turmeric and the preservative properties of salt which he incorporated in his cures.

Being a very skilled surgeon according to the standards of his time, he is widely believed to be the pioneer of modern medical practices like plastic surgery. Albeit his methods were a lot cruder and more painful and were used only in emergencies, such as on the injuries of war victims.

All his surgeries were performed without anesthetic, however in spite of his crude methods he was reported to have had a very high success rate. As a result of the brilliance and achievements he displayed in the field of medicine he was chosen as one of the Nine Gems in early Indian ruler Vikramaditya’s court. According to traditions, he taught surgery methods and procedures to Susrutha, the Father of Ayurvedic Surgeon.

Susruta – Surgeon of Old India
Among the many distinguished names in Hindu medicine, that of Susruta stands out in particular. There can be no doubt that Susruta flourished prior to the fourth century A.D. Susruta’s fame rests for the most part on the famous compilation known in Sanskrit as the Susruta- Samhita, or, “The Collection of Susruta.” Though this work is mainly devoted to surgery, it also includes medicine, pathology, anatomy, midwifery, biology, ophthalmology, hygiene, and not a little psychology and understanding of what would today be called the “bedside manner.” Susruta attempted to arrange systematically experiences of older surgeons, and to collect scattered facts about medicine into a workable series of lectures or manuscripts.

The accuracy of Susruta’s descriptions and classification of diseases is really remarkable. Much of his great compendium has a modern feeling about it. Of course, the original autographic manuscript of the Susruta-samhita has not survived. Extant only are copies of copies and revisions of revisions, so that the original work for Susruta has been much obscured by centuries of emendation, supplementation, and various kinds of alteration. However, from beneath the layers of all the incrustations of later men’s ideas the original luster of Susruta still shines forth.

Susruta begins his Samhita with an allegorical description of the beginning of medical teaching, but he quickly gets into some very practical suggestions about how a medial student should be selected, how he should be initiated, and the oath he should take (which is strikingly like the Oath of Hippocrates). He also sets forth quite plainly the qualifications of a physician about to enter practice- rules of personal and of professional conduct singularly parallel to those of today. Susruta also urged upon his students continual practice, and outlined many ways for them to perfect their skills before using instruments on patients.

Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine has more than 2,000 years of history. It is a rational system of medicine based on a humoral interpretation of disease and health. It’s prehistory goes back to Vedic and Buddhist cultures. Although the religious hymns of the Atharvaveda and the Rig-Veda mention some herbal medicines, protective amulets, and healing prayers that recur in later ayurvedic treatises, the earliest historical mention of the main structural and theoretical categories of ayurvedic medicine occurs in the Buddhist Pali Tripitaka, or Canon.

Ayurveda literally, the “knowledge of life”, can be defined as the system of medicine described in the great medical encyclopedias associated with the names Caraka, Sushruta, and Bhela, compiled and re-edited over several centuries from about 200BC to about AD500 and written in Sanskrit. These discursive writings were gathered and systematized in about AD600 by Vagbhata, to produce the Astangahrdayasamhita(’Heart of Medicine Compendium’) that became the most popular and widely used textbook of ayurvedic medicine in history. Vagbhata’s work was translated into many other languages and became influential throughout Asia.

Acupuncture
The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. The method by which this is accomplished, though it may seem strange and mysterious to many, has been time tested over thousands of years and continues to be validated today.

The perspective from which an acupuncturist views health and sickness hinges on concepts of "vital energy," "energetic balance" and "energetic imbalance." Just as the Western medical doctor monitors the blood flowing through blood vessels and the messages traveling via the nervous system, the acupuncturist assesses the flow and distribution of this "vital energy" within its pathways, known as "meridians and channels".

The acupuncturist is able to influence health and sickness by stimulating certain areas along these "meridians". Traditionally these areas or "acupoints" were stimulated by fine, slender needles. Today, many additional forms of stimulation are incorporated, including herbs, electricity, magnets and lasers. Still, the aim remains the same - adjust the "vital energy" so the proper amount reaches the proper place at the proper time. This helps your body heal itself.

Acupuncture is just one form of therapy used within the coherent system of healing known as Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine includes herbology, physical therapy, dietetics and special exercises (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong), and is a complete medical system unto itself and is not another branch of modern Western medicine. Acupuncture evolved from principles and philosophies unique to Oriental thinking and Oriental Medicine, and is most effectively applied when done in accordance with those principles.

Yoga
'Yoga' - the very word radiates peace and tranquility. This feeling probably stems from the etymology of the word.

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj' which essentially means to join or unite. The union referred to is that of the individual self uniting with Cosmic Consciousness or the Universal Spirit. Yoga is a means to achieving this goal.

Born in India, almost 26,000 years ago, Yoga is believed to have evolved during the period of the ‘Sat Yuga’, also called the Golden age. This period became known as a time of everlasting peace and abundant blessings, filled with seekers of the Eternal Truth. That is why, probably, even today we associate yoga with sages and hermits.

It was not until the discovery of the Indus- valley civilization, the largest civilization, that knowledge about the origin of Yoga surfaced. Excavations give evidence of yoga’s existence during this period; yogi -like figures engraved on soapstone seals have been unearthed. In fact, it was the Aryans, migrating from the north- west, who were instrumental in discovering yoga.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine
There are many terms used to describe approaches to health care that are outside the realm of conventional medicine i.e. medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses. as practiced in the United States. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine.

CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. or D.O. degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses.

The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge.

Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy, a therapy in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being. to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.

Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.

Integrative medicine combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there is some high-quality evidence of safety and effectiveness. It is also called integrated medicine. An approach to medicine that combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness..

Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient practice that began roughly 5,000 years ago. Acupressure focuses on stimulating the body’s natural ability to heal. It can be self-taught or administered by a trained Acupressure therapist.

Acupressure Points are intervals along a meridian (channel) that runs through the body. There are several meridians that map the human body, these meridians are similar to a river as they all have a beginning, an end and can converge with other meridians. A meridian acts as a route connecting the organs of the body.

It is believed that the human body is charged by energy, often referenced as Qi, Chi or Ki. It is this energy that has the ability to fuel the body in a self healing manner. The meridians act as an intercessor between the external and internal elements of the body, when one is out of balance disease and illness can occur. By stimulating the pressure points along the meridian the body’s energy flow is pumped through the organs and systems of the body to relieve physical ailments.

Pressure is applied on the specific Acupressure points along the meridians to increase the flow of energy; it is wise to consider these Acupressure points as valves. When the external or internal environments have been disturbed the valve (acupressure point) closes preventing a flow of energy, by applying pressure to the acupressure point the valve opens releasing the flow of energy to the bodies organs. Endorphins are released when the valves are stimulated, endorphin is a natural painkiller that can reduce pain and increase relaxation.

Jyotish - Indian Vedic Astrology
Jyotisha is the Hindu system of astrology, one of the six disciplines of Vedanga. The Sanskrit word derives from jyotis which means "light, brightness", but in the plural also "the heavenly bodies, planets and stars". Jyotisha thus signifies the "science of heavenly bodies".

Jyotish is often discussed as the instructional element of the Rig Veda, and as such is a Vedanga, or "body part" of the Vedas. Jyotish is called the Eye of the Veda, for its believed ability to view both phenomenal reality and wisdom itself. Part of a larger Vedic curriculum including mathematics, architecture, medical and military applications, it superficially has much in common with ancient and modern Western astrology (and the early traces of the descent of various schools of astrology from the Harappan and Egyptian cultures, Chinese and the Chaldean, through the Arabs, Greeks, and early Romans show complex interweavings that are assessed variously by diverse camps of scholars -- who, however, currently find little common ground as to the exact historical development). Jyotish has many facets, and some of its basics are clearly also cornerstones of Western astrology, such as symbolically endowed signs, houses and planets. But Jyotish has its own sophisticated reference to the noumenal: the planets are "grahas", semi-divine consciousnesses or forces that seize or act upon created beings and influence their actions and fates.

Jyotish has historically been part of a continuous "holistic" approach to living and to spiritual practice within the life of Hindus predominant in India.

The Oath of Hippocrates

and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation- to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. will I follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients ,and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.

I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner. I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness. I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves.

   Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!

Acupuncture Cam Therapy Institute India, run under the aegis of the International Himalayan Institute of Acupuncture and Complementary Medicines, is located at Dehradun in Uttaranchal - Uttarakhand, India. Its acupuncturists and doctors conduct medical sciences courses in Ayurveda, acupuncture healing, acupressure, Vedic astrology, yoga therapies, alternative medicine and also do research and development (R & D) in complementary medicine, alternative medicines, herbal medicine and ayurvedic cancer cure treatment.

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