#The atharva veda skin#
Several diseases like fever, leucoderma, leprosy, jaundice, diabetes, dropsy, skin disorders, troubles of the ear, nose and throat, fracture of bones, diseases of the heart and tuberculosis, are mentioned with their respective cures. The various names of the parts of the body given here bespeak of an intimate knowledge of human anatomy.
These suktas contain many prayers for health and longevity. Sometimes, Ayurveda is listed as an Upaveda or subsidiary of the Atharvaveda. That is why this Veda is considered to be the precursor of Ayurveda or the Science of health and longevity. These suktas deal with diseases, their causes and cures, show a remarkable insight into the subject of health sciences. Brahmanya : nature of Brahman, the Absolute.Ābhicārika: destroy or harm enemies who obstruct progress.Bhaisajya: diseases, their causes and cures.However, there are eight topics that are covered: The last two again, deal with miscellaneous topics. The subject matter of the Samhitā of this Veda has no systematic division in the first twelve kāṇḍas. It is opined that the kāṇdas 19 and 20, sometimes termed as ‘Khilakāṇḍa,’ are later additions to this Veda. The last kāṇḍa, i.e., the 20th, has borrowed it thoughts heavily (to the tune of 90%) from the Rigveda Samhitā. But there is no difference in the number of the mantras. However, due to the different methods adopted in grouping or classifying, the number of suktas given by various scholars varies from 598 to 759. This gives us 6,077 mantras in 736 suktas spread over 20 kāṇḍas in 4 prapāṭhakas. This Veda is divided into four ‘prapāthakas,’ comprising 20 ‘kāṇḍas.’ Each kāṇḍa is again sub-divided into ‘suktas’ and these suktas, into ‘mantras.’ The details are as follows : Of these, only Śaunaka is available in a complete form. But, Vedic chronology is a huge subject in which it is difficult to fix the periods precisely.įrom the ancient times, nine śākhās or branches of the Atharvaveda (Samhitā) are known to have existed. Vaidya assign it the period 3000 to 2500 B. For the same reasons, it is opined that this Veda is chronologically posterior to the other three Vedas. It's sheer popularity might have forced the leaders of the society to admit it as the fourth Veda and give its priests also an honorable place in the sacrifices. It was perhaps considered as a ‘scripture of the masses,’ not fit for the admission into the ‘elite-group’. Hence some scholars believe that this work was not admitted into the comity of Vedic literature for a long time. The literary style is more sophisticated. Major portion of this Veda is concerned with the following :Ītharvaveda has high philosophical ideas similar to the thought pattern of the Upaniṣads. The Atharvaveda has some special features because of which it stands a little apart from the other three Vedas, especially the Rigveda. Ksattraveda - This name originates from the matter revealed in the Veda which contains information about the ‘kṣattra’ (the warrior-class known as the kṣattriyas).Bhaisajyaveda - This name has been derived from the subject matter of the Veda which contains material on bhaiṣ ajya (medicines and treatment).In a general sense it also means the Veda that helps in the attainment of Brahman. The other three are hotā, adhvaryu and udgātā, connected with the first three Vedas in that order. Brahmaveda - The title ‘Brahmaveda’ is related to the priest brahmā, the fourth of the four priests in the group.Bhrgu-vistara - As sage Bhṛgu revealed various hymns it was also named as Bhrguvistara.So this Veda was also named as Bhrgvañgirasa. Bhrgvañgirasa - Sage Bhṛgu also revealed various hymns of this Veda.
Hence this Veda was named accordingly after him.