5. Ayurveda and Veda

Ancient India possessed advanced medical knowledge. Her doctors knew about metabolism, the circulatory system, genetics, and the nervous system as well as the transmission of specific characteristics by heredity. Vedic physicians understood medical ways to counteract the effects of poison gas, performed caesarean sections and brain operations, and used anesthetics. The Veda Mantras are eternal. They are without beginning and end. An ignorant man may ask how a book can be without beginning 20

or end. By the Vedas, no books are meant. Vedas came out of the breath of the Lord. They are the words of God. 36 The Vedas are not the utterances of persons. They are not the composition of any human mind. They were never written, never created. They are eternal and impersonal. If the mantra practices as the root prescribed by the sages will get the result. For the same a thorough study of Ayurveda from a good sage and the proper practices will give a good result. Tridhatu theory is mentioned in Rgveda 37. The equilibrium state of the tridhatus maintains the health and its derangement leads to disease. Sayanacarya, the famous commentator of Vedas interpreted the Tridhatus as Vata, Pitta and Slesma. The Atharvaveda in its 10th Khanda has a special hymn on the creation of Purusa 38 in which various parts of the skeleton have been described as : Pashni (heel), Gulpha (ankle bone), Anguli (digit), Uchalaka (long bones), Janu (knee cap), Jangha (leg bones), Sroni (pelvic cavity), Uru (thigh), Uras (chest), Griva (wind pipe), Skandha (neck bone), Prstha (back bone), Amsa (collar bones), Lalata (brow), Kapala (cranium), Hanu (jaws) etc. 21

According to Satapatha Brahmana the number of bones in man is 360. Similarly a reference can be seen in the Vedas that the body is made up of Panca maha Bhutas (five basic elements). 39 Chandogya Brahmana of Samaveda refers to the process of digestion, assimilation, metabolism and also the nourishment of the senses in the form of discourse between Svetaketu and his father. Various references in the Vedas show that great stress has been laid on the harm done by krmis or worms and microbes. They are drsta (visible) and adrsta (in visible) which are said to cause diseases. The sun rays have been recognized as effective destroyers of these germs. Classification of several herbs according to their morphological features as well as their medicinal properties can be found in the 40 Vedas. Not only herbs but certain minerals such as iron. gold, etc, also have been described in the Vedas. Some drugs and their uses are also described in the Vedas. Examples are Rajiv (jaundice), Kusta (leprosy), tuberculosis. malarial fever), Haritala (skin diseases), Prisniparni (abortions and ailments of blood), Haring srnga (leprosy, tuberculosis. Apasmara), Satavari, (rasayana) Rohini (fractures) Sahadevi (relieving thirst), Apamarga, 22

(toothbrush), Asvattha (sankramika rogas). The plant Soma has been praised as the elixir of life or Amrita and was considered as the king. of plants. DISEASES Jvara (Takma), Kasa, Balasa, Apaci, Jayanya (TB) Harima, (Kamala), Mutrarodha, Kilasa, Visuci, Unmada, etc have been described in the Vedas. Causative factors, types manifestation diseases have been types of factors mentioned in the Vedas as: Accumulated toxins in the body Drsta and Adrsta krmi Tridosa 41 Sadvrtta prakarana: It is clearly mentioned regarding the code of conduct as under Satyameva jayate na anrtam (Mandukyopanisad 3-1-6), of Matr devo bhava, pitr devo bhava, acarya devo bhava, atithi devo bhava (Taittiriya Aranyaka 7/6/1). The process of circulation of blood is also described in the Vedas. Types of poisons such as Stavara visha (plant origin), Jangama visha (animal origin), their properties, signs and symptoms, antidotes etc. have been discussed. Subject matter related to Rasayana and Vajikarana is also available in 23

the Vedas. OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGY Obstetrics and gynecology specialists are Susi, Viskala, Saraswati, Savitri, etc. The mechanism of labour and the management was also available in Vedas especially in Atharvaveda. During labour dorsal position was suggested. To relieve the abnormalities of labour or puerperal disorders certain oblations and other practices were prevalent. For asphyxia neonatoram artificial respiration was too. Similarly attention was also paid regarding the infections pertaining to female reproductive system as well as infertility. Vedas prescribe medicines, prayers and the wearing of gems and precious stones for relief from ailments... AYURVEDA IN RGVEDA The Rgveda, the earliest source of Ayurveda, 42 refer to pancamahabhuta (five basic elements of the entire creation), and the three dosas or primary forces of prana or vata (air), agni or pitta (fire) and soma or kapha (water and earth) as comprising the basic principles of Ayurveda. One branch of Indian Philosophy, Sankhya states that there are 24 elements, all of which constitute the foundation of the gross world: earth, water, fire, air and ether. 24

These five elements in different combinations constitute the three body types or dosas: vata dosa (air and ether), pitta dosa (fire) and kapha dosa (earth and water). The pancamahabhuta and the dosa theories are the guiding factors of Ayurveda as a therapeutic science. The Rgveda also mentions organ transplants and herbal remedies called 'soma' with properties of elixir. This science or knowledge of healing, as mentioned in the Rgveda, 43 was revealed to Rsi Bharadvaja from the great cosmic Intelligence. The knowledge consists of three aspects known as the Tri sutras of Ayurveda, which are etiology or the science of the causes of disease, symptomatology or the study and interpretation of symptoms and medication and herbal remedies. The use of natural remedies like sunrays, fire, air, water etc. have been discussed in the Rgveda. Air, Sun, Fire and Water have been described as the symbolic representatives of the Tridosas respectively. Exposure to sun rays gives relief to disorders such as worms, cardiac problems, jaundice etc. Water is essential for the sustenance of life and also having miraculous therapeutic properties. Fire is the destroyer of bacteria and virus and is also applied in various ways for 25

different disorders. Air is also said as Bhisak. Causative factors and the treatment pertaining to animals also have been described in Rgveda. In Rgveda equal importance has been given to general medicine as well as surgery. Description regarding the various parts of the body and the various diseases like Rajayaksma, Hrdroga, etc. are also available in Rgveda. Asvin twins made old Chavanya quite young and blessed him with long life 44. Candramati's husband was cured of sterility and she was blessed with a son. Princess Ghosa, daughter of Kaksavan was cured of leprosy, made young and beautiful and was blessed with a husband. Syava was also cured of leprosy, rejuvenated and was blessed with a good wife. They pulled the drowned Dhecha out of water and made him quite fit and free from trouble. Asvins successfully treated the moon who suffered from tuberculosis due to excessive copulation. God Indra gave relief to Aphala and also to her father who suffered from skin disorders. AYURVEDA IN YAJURVEDA 45.The Yajurveda specially dealt with Karma 45. The karmakanda portion deals with rituals. References pertaining to anatomical structures of animals as well as human beings are available in plenty 26

in this Veda. Similarly the morphological features and medicinal properties of the plants which will be useful for sacrificial functions. have been vividly described in Yajurveda. In the 12th sukta of Sukla Yajurveda the medicinal properties of different herbs, their uses, collection of drugs and also treatment of Balasa, Arsas, Swayathu, Galaganda, Sleepada, Yaksma, Mukhapaka, Ksata etc. are vividly described. The uses of horses for sacrificial functions were also mentioned. Diseases like Arumshikha, Vishuchika, Hridriga, Arma (eye diseases), karma roga, Kusta etc. dealt with in Ayurveda. AYURVEDA IN SAMAVEDA Only a few references pertaining to medical science are available in SamaVeda. It dealt with the use of natural remedies like water, fire etc. AYURVEDA IN ATHARVAVEDA Only a brief introduction and history of medical science is found in Rgveda, where as Atharvaveda contains a detailed description of various aspects of medical science. In Atharvaveda descriptions of anatomical structures of human digestion and metabolism, blood 27

circulation, diseases and causative factors, preventive measures, treatment with herbs, minerals and surgical techniques, different types of worms, ant, the diseases caused by them along with treatment etc. have been described. It can be infered that there is a definite relationship between, Ayurveda and Atharvaveda. Hence Ayurveda is called upaveda of Atharvaveda. In Atharvaveda spiritual therapy was given equal importance along with rational therapy. To relieve abnormalities of childbirth and puerperal disorders certain oblations and other practices were prevalent. Most of the diseases were treated through offerings and prayers to Gods and other natural agents. Identification and classification of plants are also available in Vedas. The Ousadhi Sukta of Rgveda was the first authentic document of knowledge about the plants. In Atharvaveda classification of plants from various angles such as form, size, color, morphological characters, habitat etc. 46 have been discussed. Many references were available in Atharvaveda pertaining to Krmi (Bacteria). The words Krmi (which are nourished by raw flesh), Rakhasa (Which sucks blood), Yatudhana (which causes pain), Pisaca (eats flesh), Apsara (Swims in water), Gandharva (makes noise) etc. have 28

been used to denote 'micro organisms in Atharvaveda). Nearly 100 types of organisms were described. Some of them are Drsta (macro scopic) and the others are Adrsta (micro scopic). Different types of organisms, the place where they dwell, their shape. types, the harm caused by them, signs and symptoms, line of treatment, use of fumigation, to control such organisms etc. were described in Atharvaveda.