Introduction to the Vedas

Veda has been recognized as the oldest literature in the world. According to the beliefs of the Aryan nation, the Veda is eternal and infinite. Western scholars have differed on the date of the composition of the Vedas. According to Maxmuller, it was composed between 1200-2500 BC; Macdonald 1200BC; Winter Nitz 2500 BC; Jacobi 3000-4000 BC. According to Bāla Gangādhara Tilaka, it was composed around 6000 BC^[1]. Among the various philosophies, the Veda is eternal, venerable and massive. The famous Indologist Keith Commented–“In the great period of Sanskrit Literature, at any rate, experimental science was at a low ebb and little of importance was accomplished in those fields in which experiment is essential”^[2]. Amid the Vedas, there is an infinite store of knowledge and science^[3]. Lord Manu says that “all kinds of knowledge and science are contained in the Vedas”^[4]. There are four types of Vedas like the Ṛgveda, Sāmaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. Among the four Vedas, the different segments of the Āyurveda are described in detail. We get more details of Āyurveda in Atharvaveda.

The compilation of Vedic Mantras is called Saṃhitā and interpretation of Vedic Mantras is called Brāhmaṇas. The Brāhmaṇas are divided into three sub-specialities like Brāhmaṇas, Āraṇyakas and Upaniṣads.

Brāhmaṇas are the theological treatises in the prose. These deal with the sacrificial ceremonies. The Vedas have their own Brāhmaṇas separately.

Āraṇyakas are the progressive and concluding portions of Brāhmaṇas. These are meant for pious men of Vānaprastha-Āśrama. It occupies a middle place between Brāhmaṇas and Upaniṣads. The four Vedas have their own Āraṇyaka independently^[5].

Upaniṣads are the precise portions of Vedas. These deal with spiritual knowledge or philosophy. They are one hundred and eight in number of which fourteen are very important which are considered by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya. The four Vedas have their own Upaniṣads^[6].

Sūtras are of four types—

1. Śrauta Sūtra–These deals with sacrificial rituals.
2. Gṛhya Sūtra–These deals with the duties of the householder. Example, Śoḍaśa Saṃskāra.
3. Dharma Sūtra–These deals with the low conduct for the regulation of society.
4. Śulva Sūtra–These deals with the rules and measurements for preparation of place of sacrifice.

The six limbs of Vedas are known as Vedāṅgas. They are—

1. Śikṣā (orthography) which deals with the pronunciation of svara, varṇa of Vedas. The works on Śikṣā are known as Prātiśākhya. Ex.—Pāṇinīya Śikṣā, Yājñavalkya Śikṣā.
2. Vyākāraṇa which deals with the Vedic literature for getting correct meaning. Ex—the Aṣṭādhyāyī of Pāṇini.
3. Chanda (prosody) which deals with the knowledge of Chanda which is required to recite the Veda mantra correctly and charmingly.
4. Nirukta (etymological description of Vedic words) which deals with the Nighaṇṭu of Vedic words. Ex—Yāṣka’s Nirukta.
5. Kalpa (rules of Rituals) which is also known as Kalpa-Sūtra. They are four in number—Śrauta Sūtra, Dharma Sūtra, Gṛhya Sūtra, Śulva Sūtra.
6. Jyotiṣa (astrology) which is useful to determine the Tithi, Vāra, Nakṣatra, Māsa and Saṃvatsara for conducting sacrifices.

All the six are important for the correct understanding of the Vedas^[7].

The Ṛgveda contains important information about the Āyurveda, like the purpose of the Āyurveda, the qualities and actions of the Vedas, benefits of various medicine etc. Different parts of the body are also discussed. Also, different types of treatment, like Fire-treatment, Water-treatment, Air-treatment, Sun-treatment, surgical-treatment, hand touch-treatment, poison treatment, sacrificial, vigour, mums, subdue, bad dream destroyers etc., are described^[8].

In Yajurveda, we find little information about Āyurveda. We find some information on the following topics, like quality and work of Vaidya, different medicines, different parts of the body, treatment, longevity, silence, vigour, varcas, power, fire, water etc.^[9] In Sāmaveda we find some information on the following topics, like–the doctor, treatment, vigour, vitality, strength etc.^[10] The Atharvaveda is the basis of the Āyurveda because here we find a lot of information about it. In Atharvaveda, we come across details on the quality and work of Bhiṣak or Vaidya, different parts of the body, longevity, silence, vigour, varcas, black magic, bājīkaraṇa, roganāśaka, different amulet, medicinal plants, their virtue and power, quality and work of medicines, treatment, the name of diseases and their solutions etc. We find in Atharvaveda information on the Sun treatment, Water treatment, Poison treatment, Animal treatment, Human being treatment etc.^[11]

In Atharvaveda Āyurveda is called Bhaiṣaja or Bhiṣak Veda^[12]. In Gopatha Brāhmaṇa the ‘Mantras’ of Atharvaveda are linked with that of Āyurveda and said to be ‘Atharvā’ is referred to as Bhaiṣaja^[13]. In Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa in the explanation of a mantra of Yajurveda ‘Prāṇa’ is referred to as ‘Atharvā’. This means that ‘Prāṇa-Vidyā’ or life science is Ātharvaṇa-Vidyā^[14]. The other name of Atharvaveda is Brahmaveda^[15].

According to Gopatha Brāhmaṇa -Brahma is therapeutic and signifying of Bhiṣakveda. That means that Atharva is that therapeutic which is nectar. Nectar is Brahma that means therapeutic and Brahma is the same^[16]. According to Gopatha Brāhmaṇa Aṅgirasa has a relation between Āyurveda and Physiology where we find the theory is called organ juice. The juice that comes out of the limb is called Aṅgirasa. There is a detailed description of the Aṅgirasa in Gopatha Brāhmaṇa^[17]. The union of body, lifelong treatment should be done to increase longevity. Lifespan should be treated. This treatment saves lives and gives a proper life, happy life is healing and healing is the Puruṣārtha-catuṣṭaya. i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kāma, Mokṣa are the main causes. This longevity is described in detail in Āyurveda. As long as there is consciousness, the body remains attached to the organs, body, soul, sense entity.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th century, U.P, Pearson India Education Services Pvt. Ltd, 2018, pp. 184 -185.

[2]:

A. B. Keith, History of Sanskrit Literature, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, 1993, p. 408.

[3]:

imāṃ dhiyaṃ saptaśīṣṇīṃ pitā na ṛtaprajātāṃ bṛhatīmavindat..... (ṚV. -X/67/1-12) Acharya Vedanta Tirtha (ed.), Ṛgveda–Vol. 4, Delhi, Manoj Publication, 2012, pp. 354-356.

[4]:

saḥ sarvo'bhihito vede sarvajñānamayo hi saḥ | (MS. -2/7), Manusaṃhitā -II, trans. Gurucharana Das, Kolkata, Sanskrit Pustaka Bhandara, 2006, p.10.

[5]:

Srimati Shanti Bandyopadhyay, Vaidika Sahityera Ruparekha: outline of the Vedic Literature and Society, Kolkata, Sanskrit Pustaka Bhandara, 1993, pp. 10-124.

[6]:

The thirteen principal Upanishads, trans. F. Max-Muller, London, Wordsworth Editions Limited, 2000, pp. III-X.

[7]:

Dhirendra Nath Bandyopadhyay, History of Sanskrit Literature, Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal state Book Board, 1988, pp. 42-49.

[8]:

K. D. Dvivedi, Vedamritam Vol-XII–Rigveda-Subhasitavali, Uttar Pradesh, Vishva Bharati Research Institute, 2018, pp. 330-358.

[9]:

K. D. Dvivedi, Vedamritam Vol-9–Yajurveda-Subhasitavali, Uttar Pradesh, Vishva Bharati Research Institute, 2018, pp. 179-193.

[10]:

K. D. Dvivedi, Vedamritam Vol-10–Samaveda-Subhasitavali, Uttar Pradesh, Vishva Bharati Research Institute, 2018, pp. 137-141.

[11]:

K. D. Dvivedi, Vedamritam Vol-XI–Atharvaveda-Subhasitavali, Uttar Pradesh, Vishva Bharati Research Institute, 1996, pp. 229-303.

[12]:

yajñaṃ brūmo yajamānamṛcaḥ sāmāni bheṣajā |
yajūṃṣi hotra brūmaste no muñcantvaṃhasaḥ || (AV. -XI/6/14) Acharya Vedanta Tirtha (ed.), Atharvaveda-Vol. 2, Delhi, Manoj Publication, 2012, p. 67.

[13]:

ye'tharvāṇaḥ, tad bheṣajam | Atharvaveda Gopatha Brahmana -1/3/4.

[14]:

tamu tvā dadhyaṃṅ ṅṛ putra'īdhe'atharvaṇaḥ | vṛtrahaṇaṃ purandaram || (YV. -XI/33); Acharya Vedanta Tirtha (ed.), Yajurveda, Delhi, Manoj Publication, 2012, p. 146. prāṇo vā atharvā | Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa -6/4/2/2.

[15]:

tamṛcaśca sāmāni ca yajuṣi ca brahma cānuvyacalan || (AV. -XV/6/8) Acharya Vedanta Tirtha (ed.), Atharvaveda-Vol. 2, Delhi, Manoj Publication, 2012, p. 208.

[16]:

yad bheṣajaṃ tadamṛtam, yadamṛtaṃ tad brahma | Atharvaveda Gopatha Brahmana -1/3/4.

[17]:

etam aṅgarasaṃ santam aṅgirā ityacakṣate | Atharvaveda Gopatha Brahmana -1/1/7.