In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Vaitaka (वैतक) [=Vaitika?] refers to “cross-breed snakes” and represents a classification of Terrestrial Snakes, as taught in the Nāganāman (“names of the Sarpas”) section of the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—The Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse IV.7, 21-26ab) like most Ayurvedic texts, posits a four-fold classification of snakes. The Vaitaka (cross-breed snakes) are described as “mixed characters and guṇas”; has 11 varieties; all the doṣa are predominant and its power of poisons is at all times.

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.

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Full-text: Kashyapasamhita.

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