Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s4.941

v2.c4.s4.941

Yakṣma in the Rigveda¹ and the Atharvaveda² frequently denotes ‘illness,’ in general, perhaps as rendering the body emaciated. A hundred kinds of Yakṣma are referred to in the Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā,³ and a-yakṣma in the Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā.⁴ denotes ‘free from disease.’ In the Yajurveda Saṃhitās⁵ an account is given of the origin of Yakṣma, which is distinguished as of three kinds—Rāja-yakṣma, ‘royal Yakṣma,’ Pāpa-yakṣma, ‘evil Yakṣma,’ and Jāyenya, most probably ‘syphilis.’ The second of the series is elsewhere unknown, and can hardly be defined, for it merely means ‘serious or deadly disease.’ Cf. also Ajñātayakṣma.