Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita
by Laxmi Maji | 2021 | 143,541 words
This page relates ‘Trishna (morbid thirst) according to Caraka’ 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.
Tṛṣṇā (morbid thirst) according to Caraka
Maharṣi Caraka discusses disease of Tṛṣṇā and treatment of Morbid thirst and Tṛṣṇā-cikitsā. Morbid thirst is manifested in the body because of these excessively aggravated Vāyu and pitta. The premonitory symptom of Tṛṣṇā is dryness of the mouth. The characteristic feature of this disease is constant desire to drink water. The general symptom of Tṛṣṇā are as follows: dryness of the voice, giddiness, burning sensation, delirium, stiffness, roughness of the palate, lips, throat and tongue etc.
There are five types of Tṛṣṇā, namely,
- Vātika Tṛṣṇā (due to vāta),
- Paittika Tṛṣṇā (due to pitta),
- Āmaja Tṛṣṇā (due to Āma),
- Kṣayaja Tṛṣṇā (due to Rasa),
- Upasargaja Tṛṣṇā (as a complication of other diseases).
The general treatment of Tṛṣṇā includes Aindra Jala, being touched by pleasant ladies, wine should be given mixed with water etc. Tṛṣṇā can also occur as a complication in those emaciated by other diseases[1].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
C. Cikitsāsthāna–XXII. 3-62; Caraka Saṃhitā Vol. II with elaborated Vidyotini Hindi Commentary, trans. Kasinatha Pandey & Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015, pp. 613-623.