Surgery in ancient India (Study)
by P. P. Prathapan | 2011 | 50,270 words
This essay studies Surgery in ancient India based on Sanskrit sources.—The Sushruta Samhita details the practice of surgery known to ancient Indian traditional medicine, which showcases an advanced development in this field as well as theoretical and practical knowledge of hygiene rivaling contemporary routine practices. The present thesis further ...
8. Description of Medicines and Treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurveda is considered a Upa-Veda to Atharvaveda. Various medicines and their usage find a place in Atharvaveda. 48 The Water (Aqua) Therapy is very popular today, use of water as a therapy takes us to a reference in Atharvaveda which seeks healing medicinal 31
quality sourced in water. In his exhortation Somadeva states water as containing in its centre, the disease ridding medicines. He invokes "O waters! Let me see the sun for a long age (longevity). Drive out all disease and render my body strong". Cool water removes nausea caused by Pitta, Visa Bhramam, thirst, dyspepsia, weariness, chardi. Like this we find many descriptions of medicine in the Atharvaveda. A correlation which can be helpful, could be established with regard to medicines in Atharvaveda and Ayurveda. Atharvaveda contains mantras which have to be chanted to empower the medicines. Modern medical research does not make use of Mantras. The commentator Sayanacarya wrote commentary to every Sukta of Atharvaveda. He has given introduction to each 'mantra' and the usage of mantra. That is 'Viniyoga Grantha'. In the absence of medicine being mentioned in the Mantra the Viniyoga Grantha mentions the medicine. Atharvaveda consists of Kandas or Adhyayas and they in turn contain suktas. Suktas have mantras in them. The number of each mantra is given beside the mantra. Through research and experiment, we have yet to find the infinite values of the medicines which find mention in the Atharvaveda. 32
TYPES OF TREATMENT Four types of treatment have been mentioned in Atharvaveda. 49 They are Adharvani, Angirasi, Daivi and Manusi. Atharvani means the treatment with offerings, prayers, oblations, spiritual rites (spiritual therapy). Angirasi is Hypnotherapy. The method of treatment using. natural resources such as water, air, earth, sun etc. are called the Daivi (Naturopathy). And finally the Manusi means the treatment with drugs available in nature such as herbs, minerals and animal resources (Rational therapy).