A Tribute to a Life of Service: Padmabhushan PK Warrier, Managing Trustee of Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal

by Kottakkal Support August 15, 2021

We pay our homage to the great Acharya and may his soul attain sadgati.

Padmabhushan PK Warrier was born on June 5, 1921, and just last month celebrated his Satapoornima, 100th year of life. He was the chief physician and managing trustee of Arya Vaidya Sala and the youngest nephew of Vaidyaratnam P. S. Warrier, the founder of Arya Vaidya Sala.

Dr. P.K. Warrier's story is one of many successes achieved through his dynamic action, stimulated by a missionary zeal to reach out to the ailing and suffering and offer them hope and support. His life story is extraordinary and exemplifies how a single man, in a half-century of untiring effort, was able to transform an ordinary institution in a tiny village into an international service organization.

One Man’s Vision

Dr. Warrier studied Ayurveda in Arya Vaidya Pathasala, in the village of Kottakkal, in the Southern Indian state of Kerala where he also graduated as Aryavaidyan. In 1954, he was catapulted into the position of managing trustee of the then-small Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS) in Kottakkal. He administered the entire institution while concurrently holding the position of AVS's chief physician.

While under his care, AVS grew exponentially and became India's premier Ayurvedic treatment and research center. AVS is a multifaceted institution, where authentic Ayurveda is practiced and research in Ayurveda is undertaken. Its main purpose is for Ayurveda to be recognized as a robust scientific system of healthcare, capable of meeting many health challenges, particularly those caused by today's changing lifestyles.

Arya Vaidya Sala is a premier worldwide destination for Ayurvedic scholars, students, and patients alike. The Kottakkal name has become a synonym for authentic Ayurveda and its primary mission is the treatment of patients. Over 800,000 people benefit every year from free consultations at its hospitals and twenty-two branches located throughout India. In 2012, Dr. Warrier was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, which is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India.

Dr. Warrier has practiced and propagated Ayurveda as a scientific system of healthcare and his writings and speeches have greatly enriched contemporary medical literature. He has written many papers, of which a collection in Malayalam has been published under the title ‘Padamudrakal’–Speeches and Writings of P. K. Warrier.

Dr. Warrier has incorporated scientific advances and technological innovations at AVS. The manufacturing process was upgraded to enhance efficacy and ensure product quality, and taking care never to deviate from the basic tenets laid down by the classical texts. Currently AVS manufacturers 530 classical formulas and has developed an AVS line of proprietary New Generation products.

A quality control laboratory was established to test and certify both raw materials and finished products. Under his initiative, research in many fields of Ayurveda was organized with clinical research as his forte. Dr. Warrier especially focused research programs on rheumatoid arthritis and the treatment of cancer, with both seeing encouraging results.

AVS continuously conducts extensive research on endangered plant species in collaboration with national and international institutions. Arya Vaidya Sala is recognized by the Government of India's Ministry of Science and Technology and its Department of Biotechnology has extended assistance in implementing research programs on medicinal plant conservation.

In 2018, Dr. Warrier started a clinical research center at the Vaidya Sala to specially equip ayurveda to confront the healthcare challenges of the future.

The Compassionate Healer

As the managing trustee of a premier Ayurvedic institution and a person actively engaged in the study of science, he has held high positions in many national and international committees. Dr. Warrier has utilized many forums to further his mission of popularizing Ayurveda and reaching out to those suffering from all kinds of health problems. An ardent advocate of medical ethics, he strongly disapproved of commercializing Ayurveda, and never compromised his principles. As a physician, he never accepted consultation fees — from the rich or poor.

Arya Vaidya Sala was Dr. Warrier’s extended family and whenever colleagues or academics came seeking his help or advice, he treated all equally and extended his help with affection and consideration. A true benevolent, his compassion and charity will always be remembered, loved, and respected by all, especially his patients who came from all over the world for his healing touch.

Dr. Warrier’s legacy is honored and his legacy will be carried forward by the Warrier family lineage. If you are interested, we have two books available by Dr. Warrier.

• P.K. Warrier - The Compassionate Healer, His Patients Reminisce
• Vision, Wisdom, Healing - Clinical Experience of Dr. P.K. Warrier

References:

Gangadharan, G. G. “Padmashri p. K. Warrier, Arya vaidya Sala, Kottakkal.” Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine vol. 1,1 (2010): 66-7. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.59831

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3149397/ 

Kerala Tourism - https://www.keralatourism.org/leadinglights/dr-pk-warrier/13

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kottakkal Ayurveda products and this information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. If you have serious, acute, or chronic health problems, please consult a trained health professional. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor, call (800) 215-9934 or email us at contact@kottakkal.shop and we will provide you with one of our affiliated Ayurvedic professionals. Check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.

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