Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita
by Laxmi Maji | 2021 | 143,541 words
This page relates ‘Treatment of Krimi (worms)’ found in the study on diseases and remedies found in the Atharvaveda and Charaka-samhita. These texts deal with Ayurveda—the ancient Indian Science of life—which lays down the principles for keeping a sound health involving the use of herbs, roots and leaves. The Atharvaveda refers to one of the four Vedas (ancient Sanskrit texts encompassing all kinds of knowledge and science) containing many details on Ayurveda, which is here taken up for study.
Treatment of Kṛmi (worms)
[Note: For a detailed study, see the comparative study of Worm infestation in the Atharvaveda]
Atharva Veda is a charm against Kṛmināśana. There are three charms in the Atharvaveda (II.31;32; V.23) against worms. Of these the first two are general, to be used against worms; but the last one is specifically against worms in children. The practices connected with the former are given at Kauśika Sūtra[1]. With the recital of II.31 oblation of Khalvaṅga, Algaṇḍū and Hanana are mixed with ghee and presented. Young worms are wound round a black-spotted arrow from the right to the left. That arrow is roasted in the fire. With the face turned to the south, dust is thrown and scattered over the patient with the left hand. The patient mills the dust and feeds ordinary fuel to the fire. For worms in children, the Kauśika Sūtra prescribes practices in connection with II.31 and V.23. They consist of chanting V.23 with the use of Karīra in place of the rite of the arrow mentioned above.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
indrasya yā mahīti khalvaṅgānalāṇḍū n hananān ghṛtamiśrāñjuhoti || bālānkalmāṣe kāṇḍe savyaṃ pariveṣṭya saṃbhinatti || pratayati || ādadhāti || savyena dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ pāṃsūnupamathya parikirati || saṃmṛdgāti || ādadhāti || (Kauśika Sūtra- 27.14-20); Atharvavedīya–Kauśika Gṛhyasūtraṃ (Dārilakeśavayosaṃ-kṣiptaṭīkaya sahitaṃ), trans. Udayanarayana Sinha, Varanasi, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series office,2009, p. 63.