About the Book:

Because of commercial value, a lot of emphasis is laid, now a days, upon inventing new drugs and therapies for treating patients who have already become victims of diseases. Ayurveda, on the other hand, gives priority to and prescribes measures for preventing the occurrence of such ailments and for maintaining as well as promoting the positive health of an individual in order to keep him healthy and happy, both physically and mentally.

Massage therapy is one such measure. Though described as a preparatory measure before administering Pancakarma "Five specialised therapies" of the classical Ayurveda, its utility as an independent and distinct therapies measure is well recognised because of its rejuvenating effect on the body and the mind. If an individual desires good health, he should resort to massage every day as a routine. In addition, it is invaluable in curing several obstinate and otherwise incurable diseases.

It is different from the massage which is given as a part of the modern physiotherapy.

Because of historical vicissitudes, this therapy has gone into oblivion except in certain pockets of India. An effort has, therefore, been made in this work to elaborate the technique of administering this therapy along with all precautions to be taken. Both the classical prescriptions and traditional applications are taken into account in this work.

The primary purpose of this work is to invoke interest in this age-old health-measure among the physicians and scientists of India and abroad enabling them to conduct scientific research into its acclaimed rejuvenating effects and therapeutic value there by giving relief to the suffering humanity.

About the Author:

Vaidya Bhagwan Dash has had an outstandingly brilliant academic career. He holds a Master's degree and a doctorate from Delhi University in addition to postgraduate qualifications in Ayurveda.

A Sanskrit scholar, he handles the English language with equal felicity. A significant advantage to his propensity for research in Ayurveda is Dr. Dash's proficiency in Tibetan, German, French and Mongolian. In the course of nearly twenty-five years dedicated to research in and the practice of Ayurveda, Dr. Dash has attended several important conferences and seminars both in Indian and Abroad. He has also contributed innumerable articles to reputed national and international journals in indology, medicine and science.

The author of many important publications covering several aspects of Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine, he has to his credit three volumes of an English translation of Caraka Samhita, the ancient Ayurveda classic. He was recently on a short-term assignment as WHO Consultant in Traditional Medicine to the Government of Bhutan.

He was working as Deputy Adviser (Ayurveda) to the Government of India in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare till 31 May 1981, when he took voluntary retirement with a view to enable him to devote more time for academic and research work.

He is the recipient of Gold medal of the presidency of the Italian Republic, Senate, Chamber of Deputies and Cabinets, awarded by the PioMonzu Centre on the recommendation of the Centre's Scientific Committee.