By Matthew Sabatino, Prachi Vinata Murarka, Prema Shakti
As a new baby was born, I said this prayer upon his body, incarnated with Spirit. “Heaven and earth here go apart; the paths go in every direction. I free thee from all evil and disease, (and) unite thee with life.” [1; III, 31. Prayer for health and long life]
I then wiped the newborn down and placed him upon his mother’s bosom. My delivery was complete, and I had a new patient to watch grow up and to care for. “Breathe thou with the (life's) breath of those that breathe;... I free thee from all evil and disease, (and) unite thee with life.” [1; III, 31. Prayer for health and long life]
His parents named him Śākalya. Over the years I've watched him grow to be a strong man, both in body and will. As a physician my life is punctuated by the events of my patients’ lives, like Śākalya, his adventures, joys and misfortunes alike are my own memories.
As a young man Śākalya was called to battle. His family asked me to perform an exorcism of disease before his departure to aid in his protection. “By Indra's command, by Mitrá's and by Váruṇa's, by the command of all the gods do we shut out thy disease.” [1; VI, 85. Exorcism of disease by means of an amulet from the varana-tree.] Śākalya was prepared to go off and fight.
After several months, Śākalya returned from battle. When he left, he was valiant and strong, with a luster like Agni and the courage of Indra. Upon his return, I witnessed his broken bones, and prana and ojas beaten out of him. Distraught, but faithful, I asked for blessings from Rudra, “Do thou with strengthening balms incite our heroes: I hear thee famed as best of all physicians. May I with praise−songs win that Rudra's favour who is adored with gifts and invocations.” [1; HYMN XXXIII. Rudra.]. I prayed for this yauvana.
I went into my hut, washed, put on my white garments, and gathered my sack for a day trip. I traveled to the mountains to gather shilajit and archu to aid in the coming work. Upon sundown, I returned. My blessed wife had made a savory porridge for me and gave me some kheer. I rested with a full belly, and waited until the moon rose in Rohini to finish preparing the medicine. Thankfully, it was a Thursday, a fine day to begin the sandhāniya process.
Awake before sunrise, I prayed to Rudra and Soma, and anointed myself with sandalwood. Moving quietly and carefully into the garden, I waited until the sun arose, and Agni gave me permission to pick the precious amalaki fruit. I spent a few minutes moving through the garden, noting any work that needed to be done. I thanked Mother Bhumi for her gifts.
I began to prepare a lepa for his bones. “The lepa made out of Manjista, Yastimadhu and Rakta Chandana mixing with Shatadhouta Ghrita and Śālipiṣṭa (paste of rice flour) should be applied over the part of Bhagna (fracture).” [3] While setting the fracture, I sang the praises: ”Healing to thy lower; Healing to bones, marrow, Healing too to thy body!” [2; The Horse Sacrifice, v. 2. 12.]
The soul of the disease perisheth,
As before one that taketh alive.
When the plants come together
Like princes at the assembly,
Sage is the physician called,
Slayer of Raksases, overpowerer of diseases. Remover is your mother by name,
And ye are helpers;
Ye are winged streams [2];
Remove whatever is unwell.
Let one of you aid another,
Let one be of assistance to another;
All the plants in unison
Do ye further this speech of mine.
The strength of the plants hath arisen Like cows from the pasturage,
Of them that are fain to win gain,
To the self of thee, O man.
I Beyond all obstacles,
Like the thief the pen, they have strode, The plants have shaken away
Every defilement in the body.
Those [3] that have mounted thy self, That have entered every limb,
May they repel thy disease,
Like a dread intercessor.
O disease, do thou fly forth
With the eagle, the blue jay (kikidivi) With the rush of the wind,
With the whirlwind do thou disappear. [2]
I gathered the youth in my hands, and laid him to rest and heal. After many hours his eyes began to flutter awake. The Gods had answered my prayers. “(The god) that has caused (disease) shall perform the cure; he is himself the best physician. Let him indeed, the holy one, prepare remedies for thee, together with the (earthly) physician!” [1; II, 9. Possession by demons of disease, cured by an amulet of ten kinds of wood.]
My work on this youth was done. For now…
Sources:
Hymns of the Atharva Veda – Translation by M Bloomfield
Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Madhav Chikitsa Ch 45 Bhanga Chikitsa
"File:Physicians; Charaka, c. 500 B.C. Wellcome M0001246.jpg" is licensed under CC BY 4.0.