Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita
by Laxmi Maji | 2021 | 143,541 words
This page relates ‘Treatments of Vishucika disease (cholera)’ 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.
Treatments of Viṣūcikā disease (cholera)
Viṣūcikā disease is called cholera. Viṣūcikā disease is mentioned in Yajurveda[1]. The word Viṣūcikā for this disease is found in the Atharvaveda and the god Rudra is said to be the destroyer of this disease[2]. The Maitrāyaṇī Saṃhitā speaks of the application of Upavāka or Upavākā medicine[3]. The Atharvaveda mentions the application of Kuṣṭha medicine for this disease.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
somarudrā vi vṛhataṃ viṣūcīmamīvā yā no gamayāviveśa | (AV. –VII/42/1); Atharva-Veda-Saṃhitā along with Sāyaṇabhāṣya–Vol.–4, Ramswaroop Sharma Gaud (ed.), Varanasi, Chowkhamba Vidyabhawan, 2011, p. 145.
[3]:
badarairūpavākābhirbheṣajam | Maitrā. S.–3/11/ 2, 6.