The Amrita School of Ayurveda welcomed their new batch of students in a unique induction program titled Shishyopanayanam on July 15, 2013.

The Sanskrit word Shishyopanayanam indicates a ritual that one undergoes when beginning a formal course of study.

This ritual or Samskara is described in classical Ayurvedic treatises such as Charaka Samhita, Sushrutha Samhita and Astanga Hridaya.

In these modern times, the newly enrolled students of the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) program observed this ancient ritual, beginning the day with Dhanvantiri Homa. Chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama followed, with the singing of devotional songs.

This early morning ceremony was led by Br. Dr. Sankara Chaitanya, Medical Director of the Amrita School of Ayurveda. Faculty, staff members and senior students also participated in great numbers.

Later during the day, Br. Dr. Sankara Chaitanya welcomed students and spoke about Ayurveda, its relationship with spirituality and its relevance to our modern lives.

“Learning of Ayurveda is not only for the purpose of practicing medicine, but also for becoming a more valuable human being who can contribute to society,” he stated.

Dr. L. Mahadevan, Managing Director of Sri Saradha Ayurvedic Hospital, Nagercoil, also spoke. Sharing some of his academic and clinical experiences, he said, “Ayurveda is the science of life. Students should always feel fortunate for having the chance to study this science. Understand everything in your life in terms of Tridosa Theory, which is the basic fundamental principle of Ayurveda.”

Dr. Mattakara Ramachandran Nair, Astangaratna Laureate of 2011, and a well-known Ayurvedic physician in Kerala was offered Guru Pooja by the gathered senior students.

“Ayurveda can be learnt only with true dedication,” he opined, speaking to the senior and new students afterwards.

Dr. Vasudevan Namboothiri, Principal, Amrita School of Ayurveda, administered the oath to the new students.

Providing a brief overview of recent developments in Amrita, he stated, “We conducted campus recruitment for graduates for the first time in the history of our school, last year. We are now arranging monthly guest lecturers wherein eminent Ayurvedic Scholars from across the country regularly interact with our students. Naipunyam-13, a workshop for internees on clinical examinations was organized. In the coming days, we are planning to have an international-level conference,” he shared.

Outgoing students from the senior batches were honored for the academic excellence. Vijayalekshmi D., Aswathy Y.S., Geethika and Vidhya bagged the top prizes.

These students and their classmates graduated with BAMS, an undergraduate medical degree that was awarded to them upon the successful completion of the five-and-half years’ program that focused on the study of an integrated system of traditional Ayurveda and modern medicine.

July 25, 2013
Amrita School of Ayurveda, Amritapuri