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There are many sūktās dealing with healing and the
extension of life. Hence Ayurveda, the science of medicine in
ancient and medieval India [which is having a renaissance both in
India and abroad] is called as an upaveda or auxiliary Veda of
Atharva Veda.
The three basic types of human constitution namely vāta,
pitta and kapha are already mentioned in AV. Several
specific diseases including some communicated by worms or germs
are indicated and their methods of cure. The cures by herbs are
mentioned. The protection offered by several prayers which act
like kavacha or armour against the intruding vital forces
are mentioned in many places. This idea has been developed further
in the tāntric literature which describe several kavacha-prayers
due to the goddess Durga, Vişhņu etc. One interesting
sūkta in this family in the āyuĥ
(life-span)
sūkta (8.1).
The poem begins with a prayer to the god of death antaka
and exhorts the human being to have the goal of continuous
improvement, i.e., go up and up continuously and eventually reach
the status of all-round perfection or the chariot of immortality,
amŗta ratha. Prāņa and apāna, the two
complimentary forces which maintain our living condition are
prayed to be equal.
Some details: The number in parenthesis is the number of hymns
- Steps towards long life
(25)
- General treatments
(43)
- Cures for specific diseases
(45)
- Eradication of germs
(4)
- Antidotes to poison
(7)
- Countering evil tendencies and Inimical forces like
pain, suffering, sin etc (65)
- Food and its metaphors
(12)
- Therapies based on wearing gems
(12)
See also the
essays, "Health, bliss and Ayurveda", "Symbolism of arrow and
reed".
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