Kerala Ayurveda is famous across the globe for its effective
treatments without any side effects. Almost all diseases have effective
treatments in Kerala Ayurveda and people, even from far away nations visit
this tiny southernmost state of India to take treatment for various diseases.
History of Ayurveda in Kerala is many centuries old and
there are many well-reputed Ayurvedic treatment centers in Kerala which are
centuries old. The mantle has been carried from generation to generation and
even now it is glowing brightly.
Edathotty is one such traditional ayurvedic family in Kerala
which is located at Idayar, near piravom in Ernakulam District. There is a
legend behind this ancient Christian family becoming a name to reckon with it
in Ayurveda.
Edathotty family was basically a Brahmin family, who are
believed to be converted to Christianity during the visit of Saint Thomas in
Kerala. Once, a strange Brahmin from a faraway place was passing through Idayar.
As it was too late in the evening he decided to take shelter in some houses. On
those days, most of the people used to travel by walk and it was regular
practice for them to take shelter at different homes during the night. Being a
Brahmin, he enquired about Brahmin houses in the locality with some people and
they directed him to Edathotty.
However, the head of Edathotty did not want to deceive the
Brahmin by hiding the fact that they have converted to Christianity. However,
the Brahmin was not much interested in religion as he was too tired and hungry.
He stayed at Edathotty house that night. When the family head went to wake
him up the next morning, he found the Brahmin to be dead. Frustrated with
happening, he informed the local people about it. They all gathered there but could not
recognize the Brahmin. Hence they decide to do his funeral at the local Church
where the Edathotty family visits regularly and according to the Christian
rituals.
After the funeral, when the family head came back to his
home, he saw the rucksack left over by the Brahmin. He opened and saw many
books. To his astonishment, he saw a note which is supposed to be written by the
Brahmin in the previous night. In that, he mentioned that his time was almost over
and the books in the rucksack should be taken care of by Edathotty family. He
further said in the note that the family members should learn Ayurveda from
those books and should start practicing as Ayurvedic Doctors.
Since then, members of the Edathotty family started learning
Ayurveda and became very famous Ayurvedic Doctors. They passed the knowledge
generation by generation and there were many famous doctors in that family.
Edathotty Kunjithomman Vaidyan
Although there were many famous Ayurvedic Physicians in that
family, Kunjithomman Vaidyan was the most famous one. He shot into fame even
before he officially starts practicing. He was learning Ayurveda during those
days and as he was passing by one of his relative’s house, he saw a crowd there. Upon enquiring about the reason he understood
that the lady in the house was suffering from labor pain and delivery is not
happening even after a long time. Many doctors have come there and did many
treatments but everything went in vain.
At that time, some of the family members saw him and
requested to do something to save the mother and child. He went inside and
examined the lady thoroughly. Then he came out, took two midribs of the blade
of coconut leaf, and tied it together. Then he entered the room and asked
everybody except a nurse to clear off from the room. When all left he closed
the door and went near the lady. He once again examined the stomach of the lady
closely and beat at one specific point of the stomach with the midrib of
coconut leaf. It was so powerful that the child came out of the stomach. All were happy and from that day onwards,
Kunjithomman Vaidyan also being regarded as a doctor.
