Mathomathis would like to present an article on: Ayurvedic References in Yajurveda by Sri K . Viswanatha Sharma , Lecturer, Sanskrit University , Kanchi.
VEDAS are reposters of ultimate knowledge. These repositories of ultimate knowledge comprise innumerable branches. Knowledge of Medical cures is one of such innumerable branches. Curatory medical knowledge could be found sparsely spread over in Vedas too that in indurate and inboard your instances only Atharva Veda is exception and totally devoted medicine. Those intersperced indicative bits were subsequently elaborated by our great sages and developed as a specific branches of knowledge. This elaborated and with develobed branch of knowledge is “Ayurveda” as per the origin of Historians. Presently, we shall undertake to make an illustrative study of the curative methods, indicated in the Yajurveda.
For the purpose of this study, the Samhita parts of Taittiriya Sakha parts of Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Ekagni Kanda from out of Yajurveda are taken into consideration. Authentive texts which are not related to Medical sciences are relied upon this study. The referral texts are listed herewith:
- Vidyaranya Veda Bhashya of Sayanacharya,
- Veda Bhashya of Bhatta Bhaskara,
- Amara Simha’s namalinganusasanam commentaries there on vyakhya sudha;
- amara kosa sodhanika; and
- Sabda kalpa Drumam;
- Taranadha bhattacharya’s Vachaspatyam,
- Vyakarana Sutra’s of Panini,
- Dhatu Patham of Panini,
- Dhatu Ratna Karam etc.,
All these texts are not related to Medical Sciences. If the creative methods embedded in the Vedas could be detected by relying upon the literature unrelated to medicine. It would be more possible to unearth many more issues embedded in Vedas by applying medical scientific principles as such. In order to prove this, the texts not related to medical sciences are referred to relayed upon in the course of this study. Firstly we shall examine meaning of the word Vaidya (Doctor) as desirable in Vedas. Bhishak is the other work used for Vaidya. This synonym is categorized in “Amkarakosa”, “Bishak Vaidye Chikitsake” (1) The definition of the word Bhishak is available in IVth Kanda of Krishna Yajurveda.
yadosha dayah sangachchante – rajanassamita viva
viprassa uchyate bhishak rakshoha miva chaatanah !!
The substance of this mantra is: In the battle field, King seek the cooperation of the other kings to fight with the enemy. Such of Kings indulged in Warfare exhibit mutual friendship and brotherhood. Likewise the wise-man who commands the obedience of Medicines , just as a king commands collective obedience of his warrior in the battle field is called Bhishak. Rakshoha, Ameeva chaatanah drawing special attents to the four words used in the mantra viz.,
- Vipra
- Bishak
- Rakshoha
- Ameeva chaatanah
[1] Vibra – “vipati iti vipra” this explanation is found in the Ksheera Swameeyam and Vyakhya Sudha , and the commentarism on Amarakosa . By this explanation, the word attains the meaning “ruler”. But, in his Vidyaranya Bhashyam, Sayana has given another meaning for the word; “Vipraathi ithi Viprah” “ Praathi “ means to fill , to replenish . If anybody communicates somethings or anything inconclusively and incoherently, a wise man can understand and replenish the rest of the subject, in full form, by himself. Hence, the word Vipra is nearer to the meaning of the word wise-man Medhavi. Nearer to this sense, the usage of the word Vipra is found in some Chatu Slokas, to it. “Vidya yaa yaathi viprathvam” Here, “Vipra” is used in the sense learned man. Thus deducting the meaning of the word Vipra as wise – man, seems correct.
[2] Bhishak – The meaning of this word is “Conqurer of diseases”, by the explanation “Bhikshapathi iti Bhishak” Bhishak vie chikitsa ke” is seen in vyakhya sudha”. As per Paninicharya Dhatupatham Bheshaja Ruk Jaye; The meaning of this root word is Bheshaji is conquering diseases.
[3] Rakshohaa – By virtue of its interpretation Rakhsansi Ham thi iti Rakshoha”, of the word means, “the destroyer of Rakshasas”. Nit wjp are the Ralsjasas? To obtain answer to this question, the interpretation of the word Rakshah can be looked up. The interpretation of this word is available in Ksheera swameeyam and Vyakhya Sudha “ Rakshanthi asmat iti Rakshah”. Hence, the meaning
