Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV p.
p 100 to 110
MEDICAL SCIENCE IN ANCIENT INDIAN CULTURE WITH
SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ATHARVA VEDA
A. NARAYANA *
ABSTRACT
A high quality of Medical Knowledge was prevalent in ancient India.
The present day Archaeological evidences of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa
imparts the high civilization in matters of sanitation and hygiene. An
analysis of the material in the Vedas reveals that, all the four Vedas
replete the references regarding various aspects of medicine. The
Atharva Veda is deemed to be an encyclopaedia for medicine "Interalia".
and Ayurveda (the science of life) is considered as Upa Veda (supplemen-
tary subject) of the Atharva Veda.
A few glimpses of medical Science as prevalent in the ancient India have
been presented here.
The ancient India was the birth 7th Century B.C, but, historical facts
place of many great sciences. It are found to be definite only after
attracted the attention of the entire the 5th Century B.C. The History of
ancient world and streams of in- Science and Technology in India as
quisitive men travelled long dis- per the present day Archaeological
tances to come to India to learn. evidences, begins with the Indus
Ayurveda, the Science of life was Valley Civilization. This period is
one of the sciences, which earned usually called the pre-vedic period.
great fame for India and which influ-
The excavations at Harappa and
enced considerably the knowledge
Mohenjo-daro bear ample evidences
of medicine of other ancient nations
to the proficiency reached by the
of the world also.
people of the Indus Valley Civiliza-
Though the dawn of historical tion in matters of sanitation and hygiene.
period in India is counted from the Both Harappa and Mohenjo-daro
• Research officer (Ay.). Indian Institute of History of Medicine, O.M.C. bldgs., Putlibowli,
Hyderabad - 500195. (India).
Medical science in Ancient Indian Culture - Narayana 101
appear to have been built according evolution.
to a carefu1 plan. There were baths,
The Vedas
lavatories, d ra ins, fresh-water ta nks,
court yards and bed rooms etc. The The earliest sources of our kno-
main drains could be cleared by wledge of Indian Philosophy and
lifting large, specially made brick medicine are the four Vedas, the
manhole covers. The whole concept sacred books of Knowledge belong-
of town planning shows a remark- ing to the period of 1500 to 800
able concern for sanitation and pub- B.C.3 Ayurveda is considered to be
lic health which was perhaps with- the Upa-veda orsupplementarysubjecl
out parallel in those days, soakage of the Atharva Veda. An analysis of
pits took the eventual sewaqe .' the material in the Vedas reveals
Excavations of these sites have that all the four Vedas are replete
brought to light several therapeutic with references to various aspects
substances like Shilajit, remedies of medicine. The Gods like Rudra,
for Diabetes and Rheumatism etc. Agni, Varuna, Indra and Maruthi
Impressions of skulls. on which cra- were designated as the Celestial
nial surgery had been performed physicians at that time.
were also excavated from these The medical lore contained in the
sites. These thinqs inparts the high Atharva Veda is not inconsiderable.
quality of the medical science that Therethey appear among seven hundred
was prevalent in those days". thirty one hymns, charms and in-
Ayurveda, the Indian Medical cantations. The Atharva Veda VIII,
System is one of the great develop- 7, appears as a charm bestowing
ments in the Vedic period followed longevity; the devini-ties to whom it
by centuries of slow 'and cautious is addressed are the herbs men-
1. Pre Historic India, Plggott.S., P.No. 168.
2. Fundamentals of Ayurveda Medicine, Bhagwandas (1984) Bansal & cor, K/16, Naveenshahadra,
Delhi 32, P-8
3. Science and Philosophy of Indian medicine, Udupa K. N., eta I (1978) P.No.11.
102 Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV
tioned in the hymn", explains that lotus with nine gates. The compari-
the hymn is used in a remedial rite son of the heart to a lotus, In I: 17:3
against consumption (Yakshma) and described
all other diseases.
"Thou sira of the lower part, re-
Thus, at the time of Atharva Veda mains,
there were physicians and an elabo-
thou of the upper part remains;
rate pharmacopoeia for treating the
diseases. The praise of the Atharwan so thou of the middle part,
as the physician par excellence, sothou small, sothou big Dhamani,"
superior to all medicines prescribed
With regard to this verse.Dasqupta,
by other physicians, implies the
says" a knowledge of the distinction
existance of two systems of Medi-
between Veins and arteries, in the
cine side by side.
modern sense of the terms, was
1. The system of charms prescribed
known at that time". The division of
by the Atharwan (priest physi-
Dhamanis, Siras and Snayus seems
cian)
to have been based on their relative
2. The system of drugs prescribed
fineness, the thicker canals were
by ordinary medical practitioners.
called Dhamanis, the finer ones were
The Panchagavyas (Five prod- called Siras, and the still finer ones
ucts of the Cow), Honey and fats as Snayus.1
a suitable vehicle (Anupana) forthe
The flow of certain fluids in the
remedies.
body, described in X:2:11,
In X:2:1-33, a hymn entitled "the
"Who stored in him floods mov-
wonderful structures of man", in which
ing in all diverse directions and formed
the several parts of the Skeleton are
to flow in rivers pink, rosy red, and
carefully enumarated. In 11.33 al-
coppery dark running in all ways in
most all the important organs of the
a man, upward and downward .
body are enumarated.
The intimate relation between the
In X:8:43, a reference is made to
heart and the brain seems to have
1. A History of Indian Philosophy, Vol.Il, Dasgupta S. N., (1932) P. No. 289.
Medical science in Ancient Indian Culture - Narayana 103
been dimly apprehended. Atharva Vyadhis (diseases produced by
Veda 1:12:3 mentions five classess bacteria, worms, insects) and treat-
of diseases. ment for different bacteria mani-
1. Atharvanic people recognised a fested diseases were explained.
threefold classification of all dis-
XIII:1 :32 hymn reveals that ":rhe
eases those produced by wind,
rising Sun is prayed to destroy the
by water and fire later develop-
infective organisms".
ments in Ayurveda, considered
the threefold classification of all This connotes the ultra violet
diseases as to the three Doshas rays present in the Sunlight was
Viz: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. known to Atharvanic people. Here,
2. Diseases produced by possess- it is stated that pathogenic bacteria
ion by demons and evil spirits. live mostly during darkness and die
3. Diseases due to Worms. during sunrise.
4. Diseases due to Sorcery (the use Atharva Veda stated herbal rem-
of magic powers derived from edies like Ajashringi (IV: 32:2)
evil spirits). Prishni parni (11:25:2), Apamarga
5. Kshetraja (heriditary) diseases. (IV:18:8) etc. as anti-bacterial and
Krimi (organisms) were explained Shankha (IV:10:3), prathisar(VIII:5:8)
in detail in the Vedas. In Atharva etc. Manidharana as preventive (pro-
Veda 11:31:2, the organisms were tection from bacteria).
classified into Dris-hya (Macro) and
There is abandant literature av-
Adrishya (Micro), which were in water,
ailable for the eatiology, diagnosis,
earth, sky, houses. Mainly Atharva
diferential diagnosis, complications,
Veda 1:28:4 to XIX:66:1, about 98
management ofTakma(Fever).
varities of Krimis and Krimi janya
104 Bull. Ind. Ins!. His!. Med. Vol. XXV
Synonyms And Varieties Of Jwara (Fever )
1. Abhraja (1:12:3) Due to clouds (Kaphaja Jwara)
2. Vataja (1:12:3) Due to Vitiation of Vata (wind)
3. Shushma (1:12:3) Due to emaciation.
4. Parusha (V:8:5) Due to rukshatwa (dryness) in the
skin.
5. Anga. (IX:8:5) In Limbs.
6. Angabhed (IX:8:5) Due to body pains.
7. Sheeta (V:22:10) Due to cold.
8. Roor (V:22:1 0) Due to Paittik (Bile).
9. Trithiyak (V:22: 13) Fever manifested on 3rd day.
10. Vitrithiyak (V:22:13) Fever manifested on 4th day.
11. Sadandi (V:22:13) Continuous.
12. Sharad(V:22: 13) Due to specific effects of autumn
season.
13. Varshik (V:22:13) Due to specific effects of rainy sea-
son.
14. Grishma (V:22: 13) Due to specific effects of summer
season.
15. Vishwa Sharad (lX:8:6) Spreading type diseases (Malaria
due to specific effects of Autumn
season.
16. Aruna (VI:20:3) Feverwith red coloured pustules i.e.
Masurika (small pox).
17. Babhru (VI:20:3) Yellow fever.
18. Vanya (VI:20:3) Due to forestry.
19. Chyavan (VII:116:1) Feverwith over sweating.
20. Nodan (VII:116:1) Intermittant.
21. Avritha (VII:116:2) Vishamajwar (Typhoid)
22. Ghrishnu (VII:116:1) Due to injuries or hurt.
23. Hayan (XIX:39:10) Due to indigesation of Vreehi (a
kind of rice).
Medical science in Ancient Indian Culture - Narayana 105
Complications of Fever Causes
1. Shirovedana (1:12:2) 1. The disease is communicable
from diseased persons to others
2. Shleshma (V:22:2)
through roga Jeevanu (Tuberculus
3. Kasa (V:22:3) bacillus).
4. Hikka (V:22:10) 2. Loss of Semen, due to exces-
5. Kshaya (V:22: 11) sive sexual intercourse.
6. Kamala (V:22:12) Varities
7. Twak Kathinyata (VI:30:3) 1. Akshath - Without any ulcer-
ation in phupphusa (Lungs).
Management
2. Sukshath - Ulceration in
1. Jangidi herb (XIX:34: 10) - Pres-
phupphusa (Lungs).
ently the species is extinct.
Complications
2. Kushtha (V:4:1 )Saussurea lappa.
It effects the Asthi (bones), Amsa
3. Anjana (IV:9:8)
(shoulder blade),Mamsa (muscle),
Atharva Veda speaks clearly Virya (semen) and leads to the body
about the different types of Kasa emaciation.
(pulmonary) diseases, Kasa (1:12:3,
Yakshrna roga chikitsa is cov-
V:22: 10), Kaas (V:22:10), Kasika
ered in 111:11:3-5. This is said to
(V:22: 12) Kasa is the complication
lead to death and found to be com-
of Jawara (V:22: 1O)and also explai-
mon among people of durachara
ned its management (VI:1 05:- (1-3).
(bad habits). A Bovine type of tu-
Atharva Veda vividly explained berculosis is recognised and to
the Rajayakshma in the name of eradicates it, mamsa-ghrita doopa-
Jayanya (VII:76:5), papma (V:22:12) nam of cowsheds is suggested.
and discusses very elaborately about
This diseases can be controlled
two main causative factors, varities
by Yagnam for Agni devata is sug-
(VII:76:4). and complications (VII:76:3).
gestive of improving Jatharagni (Hydro
chloric acids) so that the Dhathu
poshana (tissue nourishment) will
106 Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV
be maintained. This disease is com- close thee". 1:22:3.
municable from husband to wife is
These hymns reveals;
evident from the fact that the males
are more predominantly effected (98%) 1. Surya Chikitsa: (Treatment with
because of Vyavayam (sexual inter the sun rays)
course) where in millions and tril- Transferring the diseases to the
lions of spermatozoa represents nas- Sun. If the patient exposes to the
cent amino acids which otherwise sun rays, the yellowish skin colour
would have been useful to body for may change due to the ultra voilet
protection are lost resulting the dis- rays (vit-D) of the sun.
ease due to debilitating immunity.
2. Treatment with red colour
Atharva Veda,IV:9:3, speaks Kamala cow's milk:
(Jaundice) as
It removes the Yellowness and
1. Harima - due to Yellowish
develops the haemoglobin.
discolouration of skin.
2. Haritha - due to loss of Blood 3. Oushadha chikitsa (IV:9:3)
which leads to Aneamia. 1. Anjana mani
The following hymns reveals the 2. Jangidi Mani
three types of treatment for Kamala.
These manis eliminate the Yel-
1. "Both shall go up towards the
lowness of the body.
sun, thy heart-burn and thy Yellow-
ness". 1:22:1 Kushtha (Leprosy & allied skin
disorders) is explained in Atharva
2. "With the colour of the red
Veda, 1:23,24: as Kilasa and palitha.
bull, with that we enclose thee, with
Kilasa is the name of 'white leprosy'
red colour we enclose thee, for full
in the Atharva Veds 1:23: 1. It re-
length of life,that this man be free
sulted in the appearance of grey
from defeats, and become not yel-
(palitha) and white (shukla, shvetha)
low". 1:22:2.
spots all over the body.
3. "Those whose divinity is the
The aetiology of Kushtha is stated
Redone, the cows that are red, form
in 1:23:4. It effects the asthi (bone
after form (i.e. Limb after Limb),
tissue) mamsa (muscle tissue), meda
vigor after vigor, with them we en-
Medical science in Ancient Indian Culture - Narayana 107
(Adipose tissue) etc. dhathus (ba- 2. Mrig shrihgi (a horn of the deer)
sic tissues of the body). - 111:7:1
1. Asikni, Nakthajata (1:23:1), 3. Apamarga - IV:18:7
2. Shyama 4. Jal (Water) - III: 7:5
3. Brahma (1:24:4) etc. are the 5. Arjuna - 11:8:3
herbs mentioned for its treatment.
6. Yava (Barley) - 11:8:3
Mutra Krichra is metnioned in
7. Tila - 11:8:3
11:3Very elaborately. The most de-
licate operation described is the pro- Atharva Veda mentioned the fol-
bing of the Urethra which was pre- lowing disease in brief
scribed to relieve of patient suffer- 1. Balasa (Kapha) -V:22
ing from the retension of urine.
2. Unmad (mania/psychiatry) -
Atharva Ved, II, III; speaks the VI:11 :1,2,3
Kshetriya (Heriditory) diseases (The
3. Shalya (Surgery) -III, lV, V.
diseases able to passed down from
one generation to another through 4. Garbhadan (Obstetrics) -111:23:2,3;
the parents) and also their treat- V:25:1,8;VI:114.
ment.
5. Vajeekarana (Aphrodisiacs) -
1. Kshetriya nashani veeruth -11:8:2 IV:4:1,8; VI:101:3.
108 Bull. Ind. tnst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV
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