The brand-new Bhoot Vidya course of the Banaras Hindu University has been in the news recently because of its uniqueness — but it has nothing to do with the paranormal, says the Ayurveda Department's Dean Dr Yamini Bhushan Tripathi. It is so scientific that the layman is not even allowed to apply. Only doctors and practitioners of Ayurveda can apply for this six-month-long course.
But this is not the only one — it also boasts of courses on vajikaran (impotency), rasayan (anti-aging methods) and integrated medicine. "Ayurveda says that 66 per cent of your diseases are because of your own wrongdoings that are creating the pressure or discomfort in you and this disease is just a manifestation of that," he added. "It is said that Ayurveda cures you from the roots. So where is the root here? The problem is in the mind," he explained.
Bhoot signifies anything that exists and has satya or life and has nothing to do with ghosts and ghouls, explained Dr Tripathi. "Bhoot Vigyan deals with a vast number of topics. Psychosomatic studies and treatment are only a part of it. We need to concentrate on tending to the mind," he added. But how is this different from what psychologists and psychiatrists have been working on? Dr Tripathi explained how Bhoot Vidya is different, "We deal with three stages — mani (gem), mantra (spells) and oushadhi (medicines). This course will help make a new brand of medical professionals who will have an idea of our ancient medics and will take the initiative to research on the concerned topic."
Each of these courses will cost you Rs 50,000 each when launched next year. But you have to be a doctor or an Ayurveda physician to even apply. Dr Tripathi reassures that allopathic knowledge and the visions of Ayurveda will not clash and the students will go through a 'Basics of Ayurveda' training in their first paper. The courses are set to be started in January 2020 and hope to bring modern medicine and research and traditional knowledge together to help both progress.
