From Bhishak to Doctor – Evolution of a Physician’s Title
Times change. Businesses and professions get outdated. But one profession that will never be out of service is the practice of medicine. We will always need the advice of a Physician or a Doctor during an illness. Because, a Physician is an expert in medicine who earns the title of a “Doctor” after years of medical study and internship. Then only can he add the title of “Doctor” before his name and treat patients. But since when this title of Doctor came into existence? Let us have a look. The most ancient books that exist today are believed to be the Vedas whose date of origin is 1500 – c. 500 BCE (it might be even much older than that). All the subjects of science and arts have their original source in the Vedas including the science of medicine. Vedic Gods like Rudra, Agni, Varuna, Indra, Maruta and various other Gods were designated as Divine Physicians. Rudra was described as the "first Divine Physician" and also the “best Physician of Physicians”. The most famous