The Jātaka is the tenth book of Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Pitaka, and it consists of stories of the former births of the Buddha. The canonical book of the Jātakas contains only the verses, but it is quite certain that these stories were originally handed down in the oral tradition, giving the tales in prose. Every Jātaka story gives a spiritual, moral, religious, philosophical, social, educational or psychological lesson. The following story illustrates a moral lesson.

The term Ayurveda literally means “the science of life.” Ayurveda is a sacred science and in accordance with Indian mythology, it is supposed to have been perceived by Lord Brahma. From Lord Brahma it was passed on to the Aśvin twins and then to Lord lndra and from him to Bharadvaja and finally to Atreya, who are human beings. Atreya taught medicine at the ancient city of Takkasila (Taxila or Takśasila). His six students spread this holistic system of medicine throughout India.