Treatment to neutralize Poison

Atharva Veda is a charm against Sarpaviṣa-nāśana. There are several hymns in the Atharva Veda which are used by the Kauśika Sūtra for neutralising poison. These hymns are in honour of Takṣaka, the mythical serpent deity. While reciting IV.6 in low voice, making obeisance to Takṣaka Vaiśāleya, the practising priest gives to the patient water to drink and sprinkles water over him. The same performance is repeated with water in which pieces of Krumuka are placed. The priest then sprinkles over the patient water warmed by quenching in it a heated old garment or a heated old skin of an antelope or a heated wisp or broom. A mixed drink is stirred using two arrows whose points are daubed with poison and turned upwards, in a water-vessel which has been smeared with the dregs of ghee. Then lumps of earth are broken into it while the hymn is being recited stanza by stanza. The mixture is given to the patient till he begins to vomit. Finally, the patient is given a yellow Curcuma to drink^[1].

In another practice which is in continuation with the one just mentioned: The poison is confined with the second stanza of V.13 i.e.; a rope is fastened about the patient when stanza two is being recited. The priest walks about the patient towards the left and fastens a bunch of grass to the tuft of the patient’s hair. Finally, the patient is given to drink from a gourd which is then tied to the naval of the patient^[2]. Atharvaveda -X.10 prescribes methods for removal of poison. In the practices connected with it the Paidva becomes the main element in the removal of poison^[3].The process commences with the performance of the rites connected with IV.6. After which, having ground up Paidva the person, suffering from snakebite, puts the ground material in his right nostril with his right thumb. The patient is then rubbed from head to foot; the wounded part is heated with a torch; which is then flung at the serpent or in the direction of the serpent or on the spot where it had bitten the patient. If one is scared of serpents, one hides the Paidva in his attire. In connection with VI.12, the practices are repeated. However, in this case, the patient is given Madhiśībha [madhiśībhaṃ] (honey mixture) before the healing ritual is undertaken^[4]. The ants Upajīkā are supposed to be endowed with water having curative properties. At Kauśika Sūtra 31.26 in connection with VI.100, this particular water mixed with warm water is recommended as a solution with for plastering the body of the patient as well as an amulet of earth from the anthill^[5].