Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.204

v1.c3.204

Ajñāta-yakṣma, the ‘unknown sickness,’ is mentioned in the Rigveda,¹ Atharvaveda,² and Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā.³ It is referred to in connection with Rājayakṣma. Grohmann⁴ thinks that the two are different forms of disease, hypertrophy and atrophy, the purpose of the spell in the Rigveda being thus the removal of all disease. From the Atharvaveda⁵ he deduces its identity with Balāsa. Zimmer,⁶ however, points out that this conclusion is unjustified, leaving the disease unidentified, which seems to accord with its name.