The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c7.s2.149

c7.s2.149

The *Sirōza* (I, 21) which indicates the divinities to whom the thirty days of the month are consecrated, makes the 21st that of *Rāman*, of *Vayu* (to whom it gives the same qualifications as are given them by *Yasna*, XXII, 23), of *Thwāsa*, the atmosphere and of the infinite time, *zrvan akarana*. The 22nd day is consecrated to *Vāta* which comes from the four cardinal points (I, 22). *Vayu* and *Vāta* are, therefore, not always assimilated; sometimes the difference in names corresponds to a mythical doubling, so that one of them is sometimes the substitute of another and sometimes his doublet. This trait is an additional resemblance with the Veda where, similarly, the two names are employed one for the other, sometimes figuring together in the same passage, as is the case in the *Atharvaveda*, XIX, 1 & 2.