Bhishaj, Bhishak, Bhiṣak, Bhiṣaj: 23 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Ayurveda
3. Pancaratra
4. Jyotisha
5. Arts
6. General definition
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
2. General definition
India history
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Nepali
See also

Introduction:

Bhishaj means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit terms Bhiṣak and Bhiṣaj can be transliterated into English as Bhisak or Bhishak or Bhisaj or Bhishaj, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्) refers to “physicians”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.6.—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] At the proper time, he saw his wife Menā about to be delivered of the child, with delight, as one sees the sky enveloped with clouds. The lord of the mountains felt greatly rejoiced on seeing his wife of sound and auspicious in limbs the ‘labour-chamber’ presided over by physicians [i.e., bhiṣaj-adhiṣṭhita]. She felt very brilliant with the mother of the universe in her womb. In the mean time, O sage, Viṣṇu, and other gods as well as the sages came there and eulogised Śivā who was in the womb”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Bhiṣak (भिषक्).—A son of Hṛdika.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 141.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्) refers to a “physican” or “doctor”, as defined in the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). Accordingly, “A physician (bhiṣaj) capable of diagnosing a disease, after consulting this treatise (Rājanighaṇṭu), analysijng the various signs, symptoms, examinations etc., can select an appropraite drug (auṣadha) of choice for his patient. As, now, he is in a position to know all about the drugs and their characteristics. ‘Hence this Nighaṇṭu-Rāj is superior to all’. [...] A physician (bhiṣaj) coming across with the names of the drugs , having multiple meanings such as Śiva, Śyāmā, Samaṅgā etc. should decide about an appropriate drug on the basis of reference, action, rasa, vīrya, its use in a particular recipe et.c Above all,m a physician is also advised to use his common sense for accepting a particular drug by its particular synonym”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Shodhganga: The Caraka Saṃhitā and the Suśruta Saṃhitā

Bhiṣak (भिषक्) or Bhiṣaj.—In the Caraka and the Suśruta Saṃhitās, the physician is addressed as bhiṣak, vaidya or cikitsak and these terms are used interchangeably. However, the term bhiṣak is of relatively more frequent occurrence. The term vaidya, which is derived from “vidya” or knowledge, is generally used for the learned. It also implies one who is a follower of the Vedas or well-versed in them. The physician increasingly came to be known as vaidya from the time of the Epics. A.L. Basham points out that since the word is related to Veda, the term vaidya has religious overtones which the term bhiṣaj lacks.

In a medical system no other element is of greater importance than the physician (bhiṣak) and this has been stated in no uncertain terms by our classical authorities. Caraka (Su.9.3) and Suśruta (Su.34.15/2-16/1) define therapeutics as the combined effort of the quartet of the physician, the medicament, the attendant and the patient provided all possess the requisite qualities.

The essential attributes of medical professional (bhiṣak) are excellence in medical knowledge, extensive practical experience, dexterity and purity. These are the four basic qualifications of a physician of which knowledge is foremost: it is the light that illuminates. “Paryavadāta” is literally perfectly pure, clean, very accomplished, well acquainted, conversant with, well-known or very familiar.

Source: National Mission for Manuscripts: Traditional Medicine System in India

Bhiṣak (भिषक्) refers to a “Vaidya-doctor” and represents one of the four pādas or factors to make a treatment perfect.—The Ayurvedic system says that the body (śarīra) is also pañcabhautika and the medicines i.e. plants and animals are also pañcabhautika. So the pañcabhautika-śarīra can be treated with pañcabhautika drug. [...] The four pādas or factors to make a treatment perfect are: 1. Bhiṣak: Vaidya-doctor 2. Dravya: drugs 3. Paricāraka: bystander/helper and 4. Rogī: Patient.—If these four pādas perfectly merge the treatment will be a success.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: eScholarship: Chapters 1-14 of the Hayasirsa Pancaratra

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्) refers to “one who is a physician”, representing an undesirable characteristic of an Ācārya, according to the 9th-century Hayaśīrṣa-pañcarātra Ādikāṇḍa chapter 3.—The Lord said:—“I will tell you about the Sthāpakas endowed with perverse qualities. He should not construct a temple with those who are avoided in this Tantra. [...] He should not be very sickly, a physician (bhiṣaj), violent, neglecting the right time, nor abusing the twice-born, respectable elder or the god. A sthāpaka who has these qualities should be avoided. [...] A god enshrined by any of these named above (viz., bhiṣaj), is in no manner a giver of fruit. If a building for Viṣṇu is made anywhere by these excluded types (viz., bhiṣaj) then that temple will not give rise to enjoyment and liberation and will yield no reward, of this there is no doubt”.

Note: Presumably physicians (Bhiṣaj) were excluded because they dealt with impure objects.

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्) refers to a “physician”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If there should be both lunar and solar eclipses in one month, princes will suffer both from dissensions among their own army and from wars. [...] If the eclipses should fall in the lunar month of Aśvayuja the people of Kāmboja, of Cīna (China), the Yavanas, surgeons, the Vāhlīkas and the people living on the banks of the Indus, together with the physicians [i.e., bhiṣaj] of Ānarta and of Pauṇḍra and the Kirātas will perish, but there will be prosperity in the land”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्) refers to the “physicians” (of the king), according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the conclision of hawking]: “[...] When hungry, [the king] should take his food in consultation with his physicians (bhiṣaj) and with an undisturbed mind. A fan made of feathers should be waved before him, and he should he accompanied with physicians familiar with poisons and their antidotes. [...]”.

context information

This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्, “physician”) is a word of common occurrence in the Ṛgveda and later. There is no trace whatever in the former text of the profession being held in disrepute: the Aśvins, Varuṇa, and Rudra are all called physicians. On the other hand, in the Dharma literature this profession is utterly despised. This dislike is found as early as the Yajurveda Saṃhitās, where the Aśvins are condemned because of their having to do with the practice of medicine (bheṣaja), on the ground that it brings them too much among men, an allusion to the caste dislike of promiscuous contact.

Source: Shodhganga: The Caraka Saṃhitā and the Suśruta Saṃhitā (h)

Bhiṣak (भिषक्).—The physician (bhiṣak) in the Ṛgveda is a wise Brāhmaṇa (Vipra), possessor of herbs and a fiend-slayer who keeps diseases at bay.—“he who hath store of herbs (auṣadha) at hand like Kings amid a crowd of men,—Physician (bhiṣak) is that sage’s name, fiend-slayer, chaser of disease” (Ṛgveda X.97.6).—Zysk also points out that the word “bhiṣak” is replaced with “kavī” in the Maitrāyaṇī-saṃhitā which suggests that the healer is a chanter, i.e., one who is skilled in the use of words. On the basis of the evidence from the Vedic corpora, we may conclude that the Vedic bhiṣak was considered to be one who possessed skill in the preparation and application of medicinal herbs as well as knowledge and mastery of the recitation of charms and incantations.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्) refers to a physician, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI.—Accordingly, there are four divisions mentioned related to the physician’s understanding of sickness:

the sickness (ābādha),
the cause of the sickness (samutthāna),
the cure for the sickness (prahāna),
the remedy that cures the sickness (bheṣaja).

Then the text compares a Śrāvaka and a Bodhisattva to a physician (bhiṣaj): “the Śrāvaka is like the lesser physician and does not know everything; the Bodhisattva-mahāsattva, however, is like the greater physician; there is no illness that he does not know; there is no remedy that he does not find. This is why the Śrāvaka qualities should be ‘completely fulfilled’, whereas those of the Bodhisattva should be ‘practiced’”

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Sreenivasarao's blog: Jivaka, the physician

Bhishak (physician).—The Pali texts describe the Buddha as the physician (bhishak) and as the surgeon (salla–katta). Ashvagosha the poet (80-150 BCE) called Buddha Maha-Bhishak (the great physician). At a later stage in Buddhism, the Buddha worship in the Bhaishajya Guru (The Guru of all physicians) form came into practice. Interestingly, the life of one of the celebrated physicians and surgeons of the ancient India was closely associated with that of the Buddha. Jivaka came to the Buddha as a young man in the prime of his youth and stayed faithful to the Buddha until the later years of the Master, as his disciple, friend and as his physician.

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Bhiṣak.—(HD), the king's medical advisor. See Ep. Ind., Vol. IX, p. 305. (EI 24), a physician. Note: bhiṣak is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्).—m. [bibhetyasmāt rogaḥ, bhī-ṣuk hrasvaśca Uṇādi-sūtra 1.134]

1) A physician, doctor; भिषजामसाध्यम् (bhiṣajāmasādhyam) R.8.93; गतस्पृहो धैर्यधरः कृपालुः शुद्धोऽधिकारी भिषगीदृशः स्यात् (gataspṛho dhairyadharaḥ kṛpāluḥ śuddho'dhikārī bhiṣagīdṛśaḥ syāt) |

2) Name of Viṣṇu.

3) Medicine, a remedy. -m. dual. The two Aśvins (physicians of gods).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्).—m. (-ṣak) A Vaidya or physician. E. bhī to fear, aji Unadi aff., and ṣuk augment; or bhiṣaj a Kand'wadi root, to overcome, (disease,) aff. kvip .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्).—i. e. abhi-sañj, m. A physician, [Pañcatantra] 156, 21.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्).—1. bhiṣakti heal.

--- OR ---

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्).—2. [adjective] healing; [masculine] physician or medicine.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Bhiṣaj (भिषज्):—1. bhiṣaj ([probably] = abhi √saj, ‘to attach, plaster’), only 3. sg. pr. bhiṣakti, to heal, cure, [Ṛg-veda viii, 68, 2.]

2) Bhiṣak (भिषक्):—[from bhiṣaj] in [compound] for 2. bhiṣaj.

3) Bhiṣaj (भिषज्):—2. bhiṣaj mfn. curing, healing, sanative, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

4) m. a healer, physician, [ib.]

5) a remedy, medicine, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Caraka]

6) Name of a man with the [patronymic] Ātharvaṇa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) of a son of Śata-dhanvan, [Harivaṃśa]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्):—[(k)] 5. m. A physician.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Bhiṣaj (भिषज्) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Bhisaa.

[Sanskrit to German]

Bhishaj in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Bhishak is another spelling for भिषक [bhiṣaka].—n. a physician; a doctor;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Relevant text

Search found 37 books and stories containing Bhishaj, Bhiṣaj, Bhisaj, Bhiṣak, Bhisak, Bhishak; (plurals include: Bhishajs, Bhiṣajs, Bhisajs, Bhiṣaks, Bhisaks, Bhishaks). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

II. Attributes to be fulfilled (prāptukāma) and attributes to be cognized (jñātukāma) < [Part 1 - General questions]

Appendix 12 - The Dharma is like good medicine (bhaiṣajya) < [Chapter XXXVI - The eight recollections (anusmṛti or anussati)]

The Cūḷamāluṅkya-sutta < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]

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Chapter 9 - The (minor) Four Basic Factors of Therapeusis (Cikitsa) < [Sutrasthana (Sutra Sthana) — General Principles]

Chapter 8 - The Treatment of Disease (roga-bhishaj-jiti-vimana) < [Vimanasthana (Vimana Sthana) — Section on Measure]

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The Physician in the Caraka and Suśruta Saṃhitās < [Chapter 2]

The Medical Profession (Introduction) < [Chapter 2]

The physician in the Vedas < [Chapter 2]

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23. Chronology of a Nagara Brahmin Family of Physicians in Gujarat < [Volume 2 (1954)]