Ayurvedists of Shakadwip

If we try to trace the arrival of sakaldwipi or Shakdwipi Brahmins in to India we find that the Shakdwipi Brahmins arrived from Shakdweep and were good Ayurvedists.

Multan which is now in Pakistan was known by many other names such as Kashyappur, Haspur, Bhagpur, Sambhalpur, and Prahladpur. The Kashyappur was established by Kashyap, father of Aditya ( Suryadev). Father of Prahlad, King Hirankashyap was from the dynasty of "Daitya", or devils. Shree Krishna defeated the grandson of Hiranyakashyap, Banasur and gave the state of Sindh-Multan to his son, Samb. Prince Samb was suffering with leprosy due to a curse by Rishi Durvasa. Thus, he could not stay inside the palace of Multan, but stayed outside in a garden instead. Shree Krishna requested Garud to ask the Ayurvedists of Shakdweep to find a cure for Prince Samb. The Ayurvedists from Shakdweep came to Multan and told Prince Samb to pray to Lord Suryadev in order to find a cure for his predicament. Prince Samb acknowledged the same and got cured. Thereafter, he made a marvelous temple for Suryadev in the city of Multan. This temple was known for offering prayers to Lord Suryadev and patients of leprosy from all corners used to come here and obtain the Lord's blessings. Thus Shakdweepi or sakaldweepi Brahmins arrived in India.

The Magas did not confine themselves to Sambapura, identified with the modern Multan, where Hiuen Tsang saw a grand Sun temple in the seventh century. They soon spread over other parts of India. They evidence of their existence were found in south….They contributed much to astronomy and astrology.Their priestly class the Maga is distinguished as Maga-Brahmins, with an honoured position in Hindu society.

The famous astronomer Varahamihira was himself a Maga Brahmin or shakadwipi Brahmin. It is important to ascertain his ethnic origins. In this regard, it is important to note that he was born in Ujjain, a city located within a region later known as Rajputana. As evidences suggest the people of Rajputana or Rajasthan are predominantly of East Iranic origin. Indeed, in Varahamihira's age, Rajputana was part of a much larger region called "Sakastana", a vast tract of land which included modern Afghanistan, Rajputana, the Punjab and Sindh. From the fact that the word "Sakastan" occurs on the Mathura lion capital inscription, it is evident that Mathura (a name itself derived from Mithra) and Delhi were also included in the vast territories of Sakastan.

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