Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita
by Nayana Sharma | 2015 | 139,725 words
This page relates ‘Sun (Arka)’ of the study on the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita, both important and authentic Sanskrit texts belonging to Ayurveda: the ancient Indian science of medicine and nature. The text anaylsis its medical and social aspects, and various topics such as diseases and health-care, the physician, their training and specialisation, interaction with society, educational training, etc.
The Sun (Arka)
In the Ṛgveda, there are prayers to the Sun for progeny, protection, health and joy.[1] One hymn entreats the deity to remove heart disease and jaundice.[2] There are few instances of invocation of the Sun as a deity in the Saṃhitās. The Cyāvana mantra recited during difficult labour calls upon the Sun (Arka) along with Agni, Wind, Indra and the Sea for their help in easy release of the foetus.[3] Sunlight is regarded as particularly beneficial in the treatment of skin diseases, such as, maṇḍala and sidhma types of kuṣṭha as well as leucoderma. Caraka advises exposure of the patient to the sun after application of medicated paste to the afflicted parts.[4] The few references to the Sun is perhaps because of the greater role of the Aśvins who as solar gods symbolize the sun’s healing powers.[5]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
S. Bhattacharji, The Indian Theogony, p.211.
[2]:
Ṛgveda 1.115.1.
[3]:
Suśruta Saṃhitā Cikitsāsthāna 15.7.
[4]:
Caraka Saṃhitā Cikitsāsthāna 785-86, 89-90, 117-118, 163.
[5]:
S. Bhattacharji, The Indian Theogony, p.239.