| MISCELLANY |
|
|
|
|
|
| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 58
| Issue : 2 | Page : 229-232 |
Manimekalai: The ancient Buddhist Tamil epic, its relevance to psychiatry
Ottilingam Somasundaram, AG Tejus Murthy
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Ottilingam Somasundaram
Institute of Mental Health, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.183788
This article refers to materials of psychiatric interest found in the Manimekalai written by the 2nd Century CE Buddhist poet Sathanar. From the early description of a wandering psychotic in the streets of Pukar, the ancient maritime capital of the Cholas it is opined that this description fits that of present-day schizophrenia. A drunkard making fun of a Jain monk and a cross-dressed individual are also found in the same streets. Manimekalai's request to the Chola king to convert the prison to a place of piety with Buddhist monks is mentioned. Lord Buddha's teachings on the compassionate way of life are presented.
[FULL TEXT] [PDF]*
|
