Dr. T.R. Sasi Varier

The legacy of Ashtanga’s Ayurvedic Heritage dates back to the 1820s as far as has been traced. The oldest known member was a Palace physician to the Rulers of Kodungallore Kovilakam (a small kingdom near Trichur in Kerala, India).  His name was Vaidyan Easwara Varier. He was an expert in Sanskrit, Astrology and Ayurveda. An unquestioned authority, he was very powerful and had a big say with the Rulers. His was considered the last word whenever anybody fell ill.  He passed away in the late 1800s when he had crossed the age of 90.  He was the grand uncle of our Founder, Aryavaidyan K S Varier.  

During his last days, to continue the legacy, he educated his nephew, Sri Krishna Varier, who later became the Palace physician. Krishna Varier was again an unquestioned authority with the Palace inmates and the public of Kodungallore. He had learnt Ayurveda, Astrology and Sanskrit from the very eminent Vaidyan Easwara Varier himself. He formulated many different medicines out of the vast experience gained. Sri Krishna Varier died at the age of 97 in 1983.  

Vaidyan Krishna Varier was the eldest brother of our Founder. Another brother Vaidyan Achutha Varier was also a Physician who studied Sanskrit, Astrology and Ayurveda. He also learnt Tharka and Vyakarana or Logic. He was more academic and also joined his brother Vaidyan Krishna Varier in Kodungallore. Towards the end of the tenure of Krishna Varier as Palace physician, the Rulers decided to abolish the post of the Palace physician. So Vaidyan Achutha Varier could not inherit the honour. He later turned to Sanskrit literature. He has written some unique works in Sanskrit, one of which has been selected as the text for Post Graduate students of Fine Arts in Kerala Kalamandalam.  

The third brother was Aryavaidyan K S Varier, our Founder. He was primarily educated in Sanskrit, Tharka, and Vyakarana. He also had the opportunity to learn from both the elder brothers. He later joined the Paatashala at Kottakkal under the Doyen of Ayurveda – Vaidyaratnam P S Varier of Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, Kerala, India. He completed his four and a half year course in Ayurveda in 1933 and came to Trichy in 1936 to establish Ashtanga Ayurveda Sala.  During the intermediate three years, he learnt Astrology too.