Viṣṇu in the Medical Texts

The thousand-headed Viṣnu, according to the Caraka Saṃhitā, is the chief of all mobile and immobile things in the universe (carācarapati) and its supreme lord (vibhu [vibhum]).^[1] Recitation of the thousand names of Viṣṇu is said to cure all types of fever.^[2] He is also the destroyer of demons and a recipe named after Nārāyaṇa is said to eradicate several diseases.^[3] Viṣṇu is invoked at the time of delivery.^[4]

Caraka points to the similarities between the characteristics of vāta doṣa in the body and those of god Vāyu in the universe. Vāyu is the cause of existence as well as of destruction of all living beings. He is the god of death (Yama), the controller (niyantāḥ), the lord of all creatures (Prajāpati), Aditi and the creator of the universe (Viśvakarman). Possessing innumerable forms, he can move anywhere and is all-pervading (vibhuḥ). Caraka identifies him with lord Viṣṇu.^[5] One of the several actions of vāyu in nature is sustenance of the earth (dharaṇī-dhāraṇa) just as vāta, in its normal state of functioning sustains all the organs of the body.^[6] This reminds us of the cosmic role of Viṣṇu as the preserver of the universe. In fact the Purāṇas often ascribe the role of the creator-god to Viṣṇu.^[7] Bhattacharji draws our attention to the ambiguous relationship of Brahman and Viṣṇu in the epics and the Purāṇas wherein one is shown as just another manifestation of the other. The Mahābhārata identifies Nārāyaṇa in the form of Kṛṣṇa as the supreme being, and again Brahman as Viṣṇu. Thus, as Viṣṇu’s image in the pantheon grew, it gradually overlapped with Brahman’s.^[8]