Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita
by Laxmi Maji | 2021 | 143,541 words
This page relates ‘Treatment of Insanity (Unmada-roga)’ found in the study on diseases and remedies found in the Atharvaveda and Charaka-samhita. These texts deal with Ayurveda—the ancient Indian Science of life—which lays down the principles for keeping a sound health involving the use of herbs, roots and leaves. The Atharvaveda refers to one of the four Vedas (ancient Sanskrit texts encompassing all kinds of knowledge and science) containing many details on Ayurveda, which is here taken up for study.
Treatment of Insanity (Unmāda-roga)
The Atharvaveda discusses the treatment of insanity or Unmāda roga. There are two types of insanity -calm and added delirium. In the quiet frenzy, the inner fibres of the brain gather with phlegm. Then the mind becomes stupid and becomes insane, for which Auto Suggestion is the best treatment. In the Atharvaveda, there has been talking of Agni treatment to eradicate insanity[1]. Besides, the bark of the kandamūla, raisins, herbicides giloya and medicine poured in, inhaling its smoke, then consciousness, vigour and serenity return to the patient’s brain. The Atharvaveda also mentioned some medicine which helps in eradicating insanity namely -Ajaśṛṅgī, Meṣaśṛṅgī, Aśvattha, Udumvara, Kṣiptabheṣajī, Vātīkṛtabheṣajī and Babhrū.