I am Dr Aparna—an Ayurvedic doctor and member of the Poomully Mana family, located in the district of Palakkad in Kerala, India. The story of how Aparna became Dr Aparna is very special to me…something I hold very close to my heart.

My Guru, Sri VMC Sankaran Namboodiri (popularly known as 'Valloor') is perhaps one of the most proficient Ayurvedic practitioners today. He has an uncanny and most unique way of imparting knowledge. And it is all thanks to him that I am today blessed to be known as Dr Aparna.

Sri Valloor and Late Sri Poomully Aramthampuran(my grandfather-in-law) are an important part of the illustrious Koodalloor gurukula system, considered one of the most ancient educational systems in India. They were the main disciples of the Late Sri Cherukulappurath Krishnan Namboodiri.

My affinity, and strong link to Ayurveda, is a direct result of a decade of study under the guidance of Sri Valloor. Despite being a strong spokesman for the gurukula system, my Guru always had the fore-thinking of a visionary. He was aware of the importance and benefits college education has to offer. He convinced me that attaining a medical degree from a University was absolutely necessary to practice Ayurveda as a profession in today's world. That is how I joined the Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science & Research at Bangalore.

As Guru dakshina—the traditional fee paid to the Guru—all he asked of me was to make a promise that I would always uphold the purity of Ayurveda and transfer that knowledge and essence for the benefit of others, for the community at large. This was also the message given by my grandfather-in-law, Late Sri.Poomully Aramthampuran.

It is towards fulfilling their wishes that I've set on this humble journey—of spreading awareness of Ayurveda…and extending its goodness as far and wide as I possibly can. There is a popular saying in Malayalam—vidya adhava arivu…athu kodukkumthorum aereedum—meaning one's knowledge will only increase as one share it with others. I strongly believe that everything I do to propagate the knowledge I have gained of this ancient science will only bring wellness to mankind, and ultimately benefit Ayurveda itself.

In today's fast-paced, technologically advanced world, it is a fact to be accepted that the Internet is stronger and more widely accepted and accessed than a traditional book. And that's precisely why I choose to share my knowledge through this medium.

I hope God and my Guru will always bless me to uphold Ayurveda in its purest form, guide me in treating my patients only by the Ayurvedic rules, and give me the strength to lead a life that's dedicated to this great science.


Dr Aparna Poomully Mana

29th May 2014