The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c10.57

c10.57

Before leaving the data of the *Atharvaveda*, it should be observed that the hymn to the breath (XI, 4), wherein are found very clear passages preventing us from translating *prāṇa* and *apāna* as “expiration” and “inspiration”, occupies a separate place in the rituals prescribed in the Atharvanic Sūtras.¹ This could induce us to suppose that it is a case of aberration or has been introduced specially in the Veda and that it reflected opinions alien to the rest of the collection. But nothing of the kind can be supposed as the interpretations which are valid there, are also valid in the hymns beyond suspicion. The absence of use in the ritual, which, moreover, is not total, does not bear the least significance and, even if it were proved that the doctrine of this hymn was an aberration from the rest at the time of its appearance, it will no less remain a proof of the Vedic sources of classical physiology.