Ayurveda is a very ancient science, which started at very earlier times when there was no written script. Thereby Ayurvedic medicines and science of Ayurveda was orally transferred via the Gurukul system until a written script was invented.

In the Gurukul system the guru gives a solemn address and the students used to live a life of celibacy and honesty and ate complete vegetarian food. The students had to put best of their endeavor to heal the sick. They could never betray patients for their own advantage. The students were expected to dress modestly and avoid alcohol or drugs. The student must be in full control of the faculties as well as self-controlled and they should speak in the measured way. Students were instructed in Gurukul to constantly improve their knowledge and technical skill. He was taught in the way so that at the patient`s home he behaved in a courteous and modest way and put all his attentions to the patient`s welfare. He was expected not to disclose any information about the patient and the family. If the patient was not curable, he was instructed to keep this word to himself only and not to utter it as it could harm the patient and others.

The students were trained for about seven years. Before graduating from the gurukul the students were expected to pass a test. But even after being a physician their learning process continued through study of texts, `Pratyaksha` or direct observation and `Anumana` or inference. Apart from this, the Vaidyas or the physicians used to attend meetings where the knowledge was exchanged. The physicians also gained knowledge from the experience of the lay people, who were outside the so-called community like people living in hills, forest-dwellers etc.