The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c6.84

c6.84

"The head of the sacrifice had been cut. The gods said to the Aśvins: "You are doctors, put back the head of the sacrifice." They replied: "Let us select a boon that the libation be drawn by us right here!" They drew for them the libation of the Aśvins. Then they put back the head so that the (libation) of the Aśvins is drawn for re-establishing the sacrifice. The gods said of them: "They are impure, they are the doctors roving among men." Thus a Brahmin must not take to medicine, because the doctor is impure and unworthy of the sacrifice. After having purified them by the *bahiṣpavamānas*, they (the gods) drew for them the (libation) of the Aśvins. Thus it is that after *bahiṣpavamāna* has been recited, that the (libation) for the Aśvins is drawn..."²