Vishatantra, Viṣatantra, Visha-tantra: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Vishatantra 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.
The Sanskrit term Viṣatantra can be transliterated into English as Visatantra or Vishatantra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
1) Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र) refers to “treatise on poisons” according to the Suśrutasaṃhitā regarding the topic of poisons.—The Suśrutasaṃhitā, which has its entire Kalpasthāna section devoted to the topic of poisons, does not know either word [viz., sarpavidyā and viṣavaidya] and rather uses the term viṣacikitsā (poison-medicine), agadatantra (treatise on antidotes), or viṣatantra (treatise on poisons). The latter two are perhaps the most broad and fitting. However, agadatantra is rarely used in other texts. Both agadatantra and viṣatantra nominally exclude topics covered in the Gāruḍa Tantras.
2) Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र) refers to the first book of the Gadanigraha of Soḍhala.—The first chapter of the viṣatantra book is on plant poisons.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र) refers to the “treatment of poisonous snake” (and other poisons of animal or plant origin), and is dealt with in the 10th century Yogaśataka written by Pandita Vararuci.—The Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci is an example of this category. This book attracts reader by its very easy language and formulations which can be easily prepared and have small number of herbs. It describes only those formulations (viz., Viṣatantra) which are the most common and can be used in majority conditions of diseases.
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र) or Agadatantra refers to the “ancient Indian science that alleviates the effects of poison”.—Vedas are the fountain-head of all our knowledge and culture. Hence, it is but inevitable that Toxicology or Opiliatry, variously reckoned as Agadatantra, Daṃṣṭratantra, Sarpavidyā, Viṣavidyā, Gāruḍīvidyā, Jāṅgala etc. is also sourced from the Ṛgveda and Atharvaveda. The seventh Maṇḍala of the ṚV and the AV also have many sūktas or incantations and medicatory mantras describing the poison of snakes, scorpion etc. which clearly goes to establish that Viṣatantra or Agadatantra was a full-fledged branch of science as early as the Vedic era. Snakes in general, are venomous and hence a study of sarpas presupposes a knowledge of viṣavaidya or Toxicology.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र) refers to “toxicology” and represents one of the eight divisions (aṣṭāṅga) of Āyurveda as divided by Dhanvantari.—Accordingly, Dhanvantari became a pupil of sage Bhāradvāja who taught him Āyurveda and Bheṣakriyā. Later, Dhanvantari is stated to have divided the entire range of Āyurveda into eight divisions (the Aṣṭāṅgas), each division representing a speciality. These specialities are [viz., 6. Viṣatantra (toxicology), ...]. In his turn, he is stated to have imparted the knowledge of these specialities to his pupils.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र).—toxicology.
Derivable forms: viṣatantram (विषतन्त्रम्).
Viṣatantra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms viṣa and tantra (तन्त्र).
Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—toxicology, a chapter of most medical Saṃhitāḥ, in Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā 6, 40-48. A Viṣatantra is quoted by Vijñāneśvara in Mitākṣarā 2, 111.
Viṣatantra (विषतन्त्र):—[=viṣa-tantra] [from viṣa > viṣ] n. ‘toxicology’, a [chapter] of most medical Saṃhitās.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Visha, Tantra.
Full-text (+0): Gadanigraha, Agadatantra, Haritasamhita, Ashtanga, Alarka, Alarkavisha, Shvetamarica, Vishacikitsa.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Vishatantra, Viṣatantra, Visha-tantra, Viṣa-tantra, Visatantra, Visa-tantra; (plurals include: Vishatantras, Viṣatantras, tantras, Visatantras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci < [Volume 36 (issue 2), Oct-Dec 2016]
A systematic approach to the classification of diseases < [Volume 12 (issue 3-4), Jan-Jun 1993]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
A compilation of herbal drugs processing Vishanut (Anti-toxicity) properties... < [Vol. 8 No. 1 (2023)]
The Harita Samhita - A Literary Review on an ancient Ayurvedic text < [Vol. 4 No. 03 (2019)]
Chaturvinshati Upkrama and its role in management of poisoning < [Vol. 8 No. 5 (2023)]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Dushivisha and its consequence in the present era < [2019: Volume 8, June issue 7]
A review on visha < [2018: Volume 7, July special issue 14]
Conceptual study of “dooshivisha” with special reference to bruhatrayee < [2017: Volume 6, September issue 10]
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
Concept Of Visha Upadrava In Ayurveda: Perspective Framework < [Vol. 4 No. 7: Sep (2021)]
Rasayana : A Safe Guarder Towards Non-Communicable Disease Review Article < [Vol. 4 No. 12: nov (2021)]
Surgery in ancient India (Study) (by P. P. Prathapan)
6. Contents of the Sushruta Samhita < [Chapter 4 - Sushruta’s concept of SSurgery]