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.