History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c22.s2.11

v1.c22.s2.11

The Ancient Indian prognostic skill displays, on one side wonderful perception and power of observation, while on the other hand it literally abounds in evidence of primitive superstition. In this connection may be indicated their belief in dreams and the ominous influence of purely fortuitous occurrences previous to visiting the patient. Great stress was laid on the occurrences of celestial phenomena, Susruta says, “the physician should not be called in the following lunar asterism Kṛttikā, Ārdrā, Āśleṣā etc. and the following days of the moon viz., the fourth, sixth and ninth and the day of new moon”. In addition to celestial phenomena, all events of note, encounters etc. assume the role of portents, affording an insight into the future fate. Particular attention was paid to the dreams of the patient. Both Caraka and Suśruta describe such dreams and their importance in detail. Indian Medical texts give lists of omens that indicate prognosis. In these both good and bad prognostic omens are narrated in all the three major classics.