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Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXII, pp. 1 to 10

I GLEANINGS FROM SUKLA YAJURVEDA

,I

Prof. V. J. THAKAR*'

ABSTRACT

Samhitas (Treatises) of are products of the period between the establishment of four and their and the production of the epic . Ayurveda is connect'ed 'with or Rig~eda. Avurveda as a separate bian'ch of learning is mentioned first in Mahabharata which shows that, its development as a separate science of he~lth and longevity might have taken Plac'e between the period of Shatapatha and Mahabha~ata.' Here it is tried to show in brief bow Yajurveda as distinct tra'm Atha;vaveda 'and' and its Shatapatha are also connected with Ayurveda and how they cover subject matter of Ayurveda succinctly.

We have an unbroken tradition of to the contemporary events and con- learning of Ayurveda right from God ditions in other regions; is quite a to this date; through - different thing. There should not Si~ya Pararnapara. through literature- only be the account of factshap'pened Vedas, Sarnhitas and later compila- in the past but should be established tions and allied treatises; and 'also beyond doubt. Though we have rich through usage of medicines and other unbroken tradition, difficulty in tra- skilled practices preserved and inheri- cing' our history is that we find no ted in professional families, But, mention of authors name, place or study of history, as word '' it- time, patronage or contemporaries, self denotes a different thing, "iti preceptors or disciples, ancestors or ha asa" means such was a definite descendants, their speciality and ex- happening, Recorded account of pertise and their works in different successive (developments, rise and branches of learning, their sou-ces. falls through different ages and at etc. That is whv there is much scope different periods and places reliable of conjecture and there are so many and supported by factual evidences views and confusions, absence of of a particular region; and comparable unanimity among various scholars.

*Ex-Vice Chancellor. Gujar at Ayurved University. Jamnagar, Gujarat State (India). 2 Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med, Vol. XY/I

Our Sarnhitas of Ayurveda are have taken place between the period the products of the period between of Satapatha and Mahabharata, the establishment of four Vedas and their Brahrnanas and the production Here, it is tried to show in brief of the epic Mahabharata. It is men- how Yajurveda as distinct from tioned in the Ayurvedic Sarnhitas that Atharvaveda and T.{gveda already Ayurveda is connected with Atharva- mentioned in Sarnhitas and its Sata- veda or Rqveda. Ayurveda is also patha are also connected referred as Upaveda or Upanga of with Ayurveda and how they cover Atharvaveda which means similarity subject matter of Ayurveda Succinctly. to Vedas or a section of the subject matter of Vedas, This similarity is CARAKA (not to be confused evident in dealing with the various with the person of same name, who topics-description of Purusa and lok a, redacted Aqnivesa Sarnhita - now in diseases and their drugs, Deia and K21a, vogue as CARAKA SAlVIHIT\) who Janma and M!tyu and beyond, diffe- belonged to the school of Kr:;;l.1Yajur-a rent classes and vocations, constitu- veda and belonging to ents of the body and its organs, food the school of Sukla Yajurveda both preparations, preparation of fermen- were disciples of VAISAMP'\ YANA, ted beverages, congenial environ- who was disciple of Veda Vvasa and ment and society etc. belonged to Post- Mahabharata era.

However, there is no mention of Yajurveda of both schools men- word 'Avurveda as such in any of tioned ".\yus" in many contexts. the four Vedas, Brahmanas and "Puru-a" constituted by combination Upanisads. Ayurveda as a separate of six elements as accepted by both branch of learning, as the science of CARAKA and SUSRUTA, is described life, is mentioned first in Mahabhar ata. in Sukla Yajurve da.! This refers to So many Rs.is who are connected combination of 5 Mahabhutas and with propagation of science of Ayur- .\tma. It also defines the ideal life veda are also mentioned in Maha- where-in a man enjoys longevity full in different contexts. Names of health and strength, with acuteness of their disciples who compiled Sam- of sense organs and mind intact in hitas are also found in ~ATAPATHA congenial and harmonius social and as well as Mahabharata. So it seems physical environment, ibid 25,21-22, reasonable to conclude that develop- 3,62: 36,24, the same is falling ment of Ayuveda as a separate scie- under Sukhayu (Happy life) and nce of health and longevity might Hitayu (benevolent life) described in ----_._----.----- 1. Shukla Yajurve da. Chapter 23, Mcn(ra 51 ·52. Gleanings from SUkla Yajurveda-Thakar 3

Car aka and their attainment are the As Caraka and Susruta both have aims and objects of "Rasavana" mentioned, three dynamic forces in therapy in Ayurveda. The compo- the outer world viz. , Surva. nents of life are body, mind, sense and are responsible for mainte- organs and the soul. They are des- nance of the world by their respective cribed as follows: activities of humidity, heat and motion; and for cyclic changes of Body is composed of Do-as, weathers. Same three are referred Dhatus and Malas and all of them to in 36-10 for benefit of the people. are the combination of basic ingredi- Similarly Vavu and Ayu have diffe- ents, i. e. Pancabhutas. There is rent roots, but have the same mea- mention of "Tridhatus " in ibid. 27, ning, that is why in one 7-8-9 36-10 and "Tisro " in & .\yu is used to mean Vfivu and Bhasva- ibid 29-33. Three Dhatu s are Vata. kar a has explained as such. Thus Pitta and Kapha. Three Devis are Va yu is just the synonym of .\yu i. e. Bharati, I,l and Sarasvatt who are a life. The same importance of these ascribed the fu nction of sensation words is emphasised in Caraka and vital activity. It is strange that i.e. 'Vavu is life and Vitality; we do not find mention of these three is the supporter of all embodied Devis anywhere in the Ayurved Sam- beings: Vayu is verily the whole uni- hitas. In Hat ha texts we find verse; and Vavu is the Lord of all. three names of another type 'I,la, Thus is Vavu extolled." Vavu is again Pil'lga!a and Susurnna' for the main called as Prana and is thus chief channels of Pral,la. manifestation of life i.e .. \tma, which is also denoted by word ''. Vavu Sapta Dhiu us- The body is composed in the form of Prana and Udana is of gross seven dhatus. These are pervading allover the body in the also referred by the name of Sapta 1\ is. These are described as res- form of respiratory air. It moves to ponsible for vigilence and for cons- and fro in each and every organ tant protection of the living body. and also in the space between the In addition, there are two other watch- earth and sky. 5 divisions of Vayu men, ever awakening and vigilant. in the body are also mentioned, ibid Whenever seven Dhatus along with 727; 13-19; 23-18;,14-8,12,14,17. sense organs fall asleep, these two Savitra Silrya -is described as having viz. Prana and Aparia take care of the body without stopping for shining golden armstravs) spread out rest. 34- 35. in the space, gives vitality and life,

2. Char ak a , Chikitsasthana. Chapter 28-3. /"

4, BUll. Ind. Inst. Hist, Mea, Vol. XX/~

I- destroys diseases and disease produ- very hairy and the hairless, the very cing microbes. dark and the very fair, the very corpu- lent and the very emaciated'<". Soma:- is descri bed as the watery element present as juice in plants, as Physiology- Importance of for milk in cattles and as ra'ins and life is stressed beinq useful to fight clouds in the sky. As moon it cold, ibid, 3-17;20-56; 21-13; 25-7; removes darkness because it ows 27-12; and 44,29~26.j , " ,j' ' , light from sun,i'bid 34-21~22-23: Fertitization, foetus, foetal ,mem~ This gives us impression of 'Vata Kala branes, placenta, and its 'blood ' the 1.2th cha'pter, o~ Charaka, content and labo~r painsa't' full Sutrasthana and Susruta's principles term, are practically described by of aqnisomlva jag at and purusa. Deve- giving sirnili of waves of 'sea and lopment of the body and formatio~ waves 'of wind.Tbid. 8-28:' Best attri- of its various organs and their I~cation bute of a wo~an wasto be 'able' to at differen't situations is described b'y conceive a child. Barrenness of any the way of sirnili of weavers making type was considered a stigma: different designs in different parts of a cloth, ibid 19-80. Here in Dhatus Msrmes (Vital parts of the body) and and Malas, Viscera and organs of their protection by wearing impervious head and neck are enumerated, jackets du,ring fightin,9 is also referred, which subject is described by Susrut a Two A~wins, Sarasvati. Savita. in detail in a full separate chapter, and Candra are depicted here Su-Sa-6, as artists or sculptures., Here w,ord Riipa is used to, denote body, SOIDe Indriyas (Sensory and motor organs) usage .is found in Caraka "Sa,2. and their functions are also mentioned. Embriological development of different Manas (Mind) and its functions are organs like skin and other organs described in a special group of called - Siva Samkalpa contained inside "the thorax and abdomen and description of eye ball Siikta, Here too, its location in in Susruta, obviously follows this heart and speed and relation to sen- description. Poruses with eight types soryorgans, sleep and wakefulness, of developmental defects were con- memory, and self control, motive force demned (30-22). Same is incorpora- behind each sensory and motor acti- vity and capacity of conceiving past ted in Caraka Samhita, Ast auninditlva and future images and role as internal (The eight censured persons) chapter- instrument of enlightenment is "The very tall and the very short, the vividly described,

3. Chereka, Sutrasthana, Chapter 21-3. Gleanings from Sukla Yejurv ede-i-Theker 5

Alma (Spirit) is described in a special Karmaphala and Punarjanma, Moksa chapter called Puru-a Sukta and are implicit. Sarvameda, ibid - 31 - 32. .\tma- omnipresent and confined to indivi- Loka (Environment) in the form of dual body and entering along with society, regions and seasons are also Sukr a in the fertilised ovum instantly, described. Moreover four factors of as described in Caraka, Siirira chapters environment - air, water, country and 1&2 is also supported by the mantras seasonal changes are described in - "Praja Patisvarati garbhe antar java- Carka Sarnhita, responsible for commu- rnano bahudha vvajavata. 31. nity health or ill health". They are also described in Yajurveda, purity Paritya bhutani parrtvalokan atrnana and salubriousness of environment atrnanarnabhi sarnvivesa was earnestly described in two Paridhvava prthivi s adhvah . mantras - 13. 27-29, and 36-17. tadabhavat tadasit". 32-11-12. Vayu (Air) is prayed in Vavusukta. it This resembles to-"which is is described as a force which keeps known as the formative principle of earth and sky clean by its movements all bodies in the universe and omni- from west to east. present soul":' "He who sees himself as extended in all the world and all Jete or .\pa~la (Water) is described the world in himself, the of in Susruta Samhita. It is derived from that surveyor of this (i.e. spirit and two sources (1) Divya i.e. rains falling matter) and the yonder, being rooted from antank-a (sky) and is subdivided in knowledge, does not oerish':". as Samudra and Gallga according to the months in which it is showered; "It is all-pervasive and can take all and (2) Bhauma i.e , found on or bodily forms. It can do all actions under the earth, which is again divi- and appear in all shapes. It is the ded as rivers, lakes, wells, fountains, element of:'consciousness and transc- - etc. In Yajurveda these divisions of ends sense-perceptions. It is always water are mentioned under different in conjunction with the mind, intellect names, ibid. 22-25. etc. and is associated with the emo- tions of like and dislike<" De-;e (Region)- Mention of some geographical regions is also found, Herein the principle of , ibid-36-1 &23-18.

4. Charaka, Chikitsasthana , Chapter 2-49. 5. Char aka, Sharirasthana, Chapter 5-20. 6. Charaka, Sharirasthana. Chapter 2-32. 7. "Te tu khalvime bhavah sarnanva jan a p abeshu bhavanti: Tadvathah -Vayuh, Udakam, Desh , Kala iti"-Charaka, Vfmanasthana, Chapter 3-6. 6 Bult, Ind. l nst, HI st. Med. Vol. XXII

Kata (Time factor) - There is mention skin, colour defects of the eyes, of day and night, dawn and dusk, Mental derangements, the defects of months and seasons and year and the sense and motor organs, develop- yuga which is followed by Caraka and mental defects and deformity, gynaec Susruta in chapters on Rtucarva. conditions, some personality traits Year starts with Vasant (spring) sea- and pecularitv of charaters etc. are son, which is comprised of Chaitra mentioned as is described in Manas and.Vaisakha and ends with Sisira, i.e. Prakriti in Caraka and Susruta Sam- Magha and Phalqun. The year is hitas. called Sariwatsara and a group of Dhanai,:l)a is a necessary pursuit for five years is called a Yuga (13-15, earning livelihood, which helps the 25 to 47, 24-11; 27-45). Same is maintenance and prolongation of life. followed by Susruta For this a number of vocations are described. In Caraka Samhita only Loka (Society) is also described by few like agriculture, commerce, servi- citing four main classes or castes and ces and animal husbandry etc. are sub castes and the people of various cited while in Yajurveda main 4 castes characters and vocations (30-4-21). and few sub-castes are cited viz. Brahmaua, Ksatriva, Vai~ya, Siidra, Ayurveda deals mainly with the Magadha, Slita, Sailfl;;a, Bhi- ak. Hetu, Linga and Ausadha i.e. causes, Gal)ak, Prasnina, Abhiprasnina. Prasn a- diseases and remedies respectively vivaka, and other vocations are also and the conditions of health and un- cited viz Vanija, Hastipa, Asvapa health. Above lines deal with normal Asvasada, Gopala, Ajapala, Surakar a, condtions of structures and functions Manikar a, Karrnara, Avastapa, Hiranya- of the body. kara, Kaulala, Rathakara. Dhanu.kara, Vapa Rajjusarja, ~vanim, Upada, Abnormal conditions of the body and _ Gruhapa, Vittadha (Dhanakartaj , mind are also mentioned in Sukla Vidalakari. Kosakari. Kar.ltakikari, Yajurveda. Yaksrna is a general Vanapa, Da~a, N isa.da, Paunjis~ha, name for any disease and a particular Ca~Hlala, Mrgayu, Pan.aka, Viuavad a name for consumption. and Vadvavadak a etc. This shows Some Prominent diseases are mentio- how many varied arts crafts were ned by name e.q. Balasa, Ksava, Arsa, practiced during that period and how and hundred types of Yak-rna. much cultured that society was.

Anna & Au-edhe (Foods & Drugs)- Common abnormal conditions of In ibid 12, 75 to 109, there is "Ausadhi structure or functions are described Sukta". in 1348 animals of 3 types- and conditions of disfigurement of flying in air. floating in water and Gleanings from Sukla Yajurveda-Thakar 7 dwelling on earth grouped as tamed trurnani Yaqiia" were reputed for and forest dwelling, again two legged their liberal use. and 4 legged. In 24 there is mention of 609 biological drugs out of which Janma Mritv u (Birth and death) 327 are of tamed animals, 260 are of are two mysterious events, inevitable forest animals and aquatic creatures. for life. Union of .\tma (spirit) with Rest 22 grouped into two containing 5 bhutas through Sukra, at the time 11 creatures each. of conception, is referred above. After full development for 10 months In 18 - 13 minerals are cited the foetus is born as a child; and life "Asrnah rnrttika loham, sisam, begins. At the end of this life, the trapu". This division tallies with that .\tm3. leaves the body, i.e. union of of Caraka and Susruta". Vaidyas used 5 bhutas and death, that is 'Pancatva to collect and store all of them and Prapti' takes place. The 5 bhutas used them to remove diseases and of the body get -drsinteqrated after disease causing germs. the dead body is consigned to pyre. This is described in the last mantra of .\hara (food) - Food grains of 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The same various types were used viz. Vrihi. idea is clearly mentioned by Caraka Yav a, Godhurna. 5yamaka, Nivara, in ~a-1, and by Su-ruta in Sa-4. Mudga, Ma~a, Tila, Masur a, and Privauqu etc. and various prepara- Satapatha Brahrnana also mentions tions were made out of them viz. some of the topics mentioned in Yusa .. \ rnik-a, Masara. Saktu and Lajii. Ayurveda -foremost of them etc. Similarly food of animal origins is the total number of bones - 360, (meat) was also used after cooking which is fully corroborated by Caraka; it; milk and curd and clarified butter and Susrut a, has also referred to that were profusely used as sacred food. as 'VEDAV\DINO BH\~\NTE', and put his disagreement with it, by Anuosne (Drinks) - Soma and reducing the number to 300. Car aka sura were prepared by adopting spe- has described Hrdava (heart) to be cial methods of fermentation and the seat or the base on which impor- were given special importance for tant factors i.e. spirit and mind with their tonic and stimulating effects its emotional set-up and intellect (19- ), as it is praised in Caraka rest; and many organs and functions Samhita. Special festivals like "S3U- of body, its six main divisions-four

8. Tat punastriv idh arn pr ok t arn jangannudbhidaparthivam (again they are classlfed in 3 qr oups- animal, vegetable and m: ,e·al)-Charaka. Sutr asthana , Chapter 1/67L and Su shrut a , Suu asth ana. Chapter 1/28-32. 8 Bull. Ind. Inst. Hi st. Med, Vol, XXII

extremities, head and neck, and sub-dued by producing job, This is trunk; five senses and sensations are the principle advocated by Caraka as dependent. Heart supports them "Application of opposite properties in through blood circulation. the form of medicines ,foods, seasons and in dose is the method for eradi- All these factors are mentioned cating diseases"; and raga etc. emo- in Satapatha as related to heart. tional upsets should be set right by Moreover, sleep and wakeful condi- producing opposite conditions of tions are also dependent on influence fear or favour.' 2 Same l\"is, who of heart from and are cited in are mentioned to approach respectively. The body with its six Brahrna for clarifying some spiritual limbs, the understanding, the senses, problems, including genesis of this the five sense-objects, the spirit with world. The genesis of this world its attributes, the mind and the men- forms the basic elements viz. , tal concepts, are all dependent on Triqunas, Mahar. , Pane a the heart". We come across the first Bhutas and their inherent properties mention of Ayurveda as a distant successively increasing in numbers branch of knowledge in Mahabharata viz .. \kiisa having only one property along with other branches 10. of :;abda and , having 5 prop- erties= Sabda. Sparsa, Rupa, , Similarly, we find the same nar- and Gandha, and people having dif- rations of expertise of Asvinikurnaras ferent temperaments and behaviour in Mahabharata as we find in Caraka due to prominence of satvadi qunas and in Susruta Sarnhitas.11 are described in the same order. Of course, in more detail, in Mahabha-

Two types of disorders- Psychic rata, 13 the similarity in philosophical and Somatic and their mutual influ- thoughts and the method of question/ ence, balance of 3 dosas, man's phy- answer Guru Sisva is apparent in sical health and balance of 3 Gunas both treatises. Unity of Avyakta, means psychic health and when they K~hetrajiia, Atma and Brahma as des- are disturbed balance is again re-es- cribed in Caraka is also followed by tablished by promoting opposite pro- Mahabharata and by predominance of perties like heat to be sub-dued by Satva one attains liberation and by application of cold and grial to be predominance of and Tamas

9. Cha aka Sutrasthana 30/4, Shatapatha, 3-8-3-12. 3-3-4-7, 3-4·3-8, 3-8-3-15. 9-1-2-40.12-9-1,14-6-9-25,14-8-4-1. 10. Maha, Shanti, -Chapter 341-8-9. 11. Maha, Anusha, Chapter 160. 12. Maha, Ashwame, Chapter 12-1 6. 13. Maha, Ashwame. Chapter 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. Gleanings from SUkla Yajurveda-Thakar 9 one gets entangled in the cycle of Jain literature is not yet suffi- birth and death is also the course ciently studied with this angle. We preached in Mahabharat a. U come accross some episodes of Ayur- vedic interest in .Jain-Pali book Next to Mahabharata we come to VIP'\KA SRUTI. Buddha and Jain periods. Buddha period starts from Gautama Buddha However this is just an example, and ends with Asoka. Asoka's more research is required to fill up monuments and lithographs are well the gaps in the history of Ayurveda known. JATAKA KATHAS discuss from early Maurya period to the end many Ayurvedic Topics incidentally. of 18th and 19th centuries.

14. Maha, Ashwame, Chapter 48-4-12. 10 Bull. Ind. tnst. Hist. Med. Vol. XX1/

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