Illness: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Illness means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Illness refers to one of the results of “spirit possession”.—In ninth-century Kashmir, spirit possession caused illness, sudden death, and the obstruction of worldly gains. Only through a series of optional rites (kāmya) meant to bring about worldly enjoyments (bhoga) could a practitioner assuage these evils. The Netra Tantra, a text with at least two clear layers of redaction,1 sought to alleviate these ills.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
1) Illness (i.e., crooked expression) is associated with Ābhugna: one of the “seven movements of the chest” (in Sanskrit Dramas), as conveyed through Āṅgikābhinaya: one of the four divisions of Abhinaya or “ways to convey or represent one’s emotion to others”, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra and the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The āṅgikābhinaya includes the histrionic representation of the limbs which is simply known as physical gestures. There are five kinds of chest movements accepted by the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa as well as the Nāṭyaśāstra. The terms ābhugna and nirbhugna projects the word bhugna which means being crooked because of illness. The movement called ābhugna denotes the position in which someone acts to be killed by weapon or suffering from heart diseases. The Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa speaks that in this position the actor should hold the chest by hand. This posture can be observed even in modern theatrical performances.
2) Illness is associated with Dolā-hasta: one of the thirteen Combined-hand Gestures (in Indian Dramas) (known as saṃyuktahastas).—According to the Śabdakalpadruma, dolā means a kind of swing playing stuff, generally stays in gardens and made with wood. When both of the hands are hanging downward in patāka posture it is called dolā. [...] In the Nāṭyaśāstra, the dolāhasta posture is said to indicate rush, grief, faint, fit of intoxication, emotion, illness and hit by weapon.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Illness can be denoted by the Sanskrit term Āmaya, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] [Now], I shall define the nature of that highest, mind-free absorption which arises for those devoted to constant practice. [...] By means of absorption for eight nights, the Yogin would be free from illness (nirāmaya) and, [while] abiding in the natural state [of absorption], he is not afflicted by conditions such as hunger and thirst. [...]”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Illness refers to one the “thirty-two astrological lots” (sahamas), as discussed in the fourth chapter of the Karmaprakāśa—one of the earliest preserved Sanskrit works on Perso-Arabic (Tājika) astrology authored by Samarasiṃha in the 13th century.—The so-called lots (Sanskrit: sahamas; Arabic: sahm, translating κλῆρος) are derived by measuring the longitudinal distance between two predefined points in a horoscope (typically two planets) and projecting it from a third point (typically the ascendant degree). Of these 32 lots [e.g., Illness], all but two are present in what has become the most widespread list of Tājika sahamas, compiled some three centuries later by Nīlakaṇṭha and comprising 50 items.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+1748): Roga, Amaya, Vyadhin, Niramaya, Bing yu, Atanka, Apamrityu, Bing ku, Dharana, Ye bing, Unmada, Arogya, Bing shi, Manoroga, Bimari, Appatanka, Sannipataka, Bemari, Vyadhita, Vyabadha.
Relevant text
Search found 359 books and stories containing Illness; (plurals include: Illnesses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavioural Responses of Healthcare... < [Volume 17, Issue 1 (2020)]
Effectiveness of a Co-Production with Dialogue Program for Reducing Stigma... < [Volume 19, Issue 21 (2022)]
Chronic Illness, Subjective Wellbeing, and Health Services Availability < [Volume 18, Issue 15 (2021)]
Gauteng mental healthcare providers’ understanding of cultural and religious... < [Vol 67, No 1 (Part 1) (2025)]
Reflections on the care of the chronically ill < [Vol 45, No 1 (2003)]
Fever in children: How to minimise risk and provide appropriate therapy < [Vol 56, No 4 (July/August) (2014)]
South African Journal of HIV Medicine
The spectrum and prognosis of AIDS-defining illnesses in Cape Town < [Vol 6, No 2 (2005)]
Profile of presentation of HIV-positive patients to an emergency department... < [Vol 22, No 1 (2021)]
Children’s palliative care in South Africa: An urgent need for an evidence base < [Vol 12, No 1 (2011)]
Preaching Wholeness: Attending to Mental Health in Preaching Ministries < [Volume 15, Issue 4 (2024)]
Cultural Factors Influencing Mental Health Stigma < [Volume 13, Issue 5 (2022)]
From Sadness to Madness < [Volume 5, Issue 2 (2014)]
The Impact of Residential Building Insulation Standards on Indoor Thermal... < [Volume 16, Issue 22 (2024)]
Valuation of a Heatwave Early Warning System for Mitigating Risks Associated... < [Volume 15, Issue 21 (2023)]
Understanding Traditional Healing Practices and the Categories of Practices... < [Volume 13, Issue 16 (2021)]
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Psychometric Testing of Arabic IPQ-R for Chronic Illness Patients < [v.24(4): 1–112 2017 Aug]
Cultural Construction of Psychiatric Illness in Malaysia < [v.24(2): 1–115 2017 Mar]
The Pilot Study of Whoqol-100 (Malay Version) < [v.6(2): 1–31 1999 Jul]
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