The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c8.126

c8.126

The grammar of Pāṇini explains the word by means of an equivocal phrase: "*ksetriya* is one to be treated in (or: for, concerning) another field (the field of another, of others)".¹ The commentators are in doubt. The *Mahābhāṣya*² says that *ksetriya* is an abnormal form (*nipāta*) formed by the elision of the word *para*, "other". In short *ksetriya* stands for *para-ksetriya*. But the *Mahābhāṣya* does not give the sense of this term. Later still, the *Kāśikāvṛtti*,³ after reproducing the grammatical notes of the *Mahābhāṣya* gives examples of the use of the word *ksetriya* as attributive adjective and offers several explanations to choose from "...the disease *ksetriya*, *ksetriya* leprosy. The *paraksetra* is the body of another birth (a new body after transmigration); it is for⁴ this (body) that the *ksetriya* is to be treated. It is said that it is an incurable disease, which cannot be opposed, that is to say (that it does not) cease as long as one is not dead. Or *ksetriya* is the venom; it is treated by being transferred to another field, i.e., to another body. Or the *ksetriya* are the herbs. When they have appeared in a field understood as in "a field of other plants because of the cereals they must be treated,¹ that is to say that they must be destroyed. Or the *ksetriya* is the adulterous lover, the wives of others are the *paraksetra*, it is regarding this (*paraksetra*), that it should be treated, (that is to say) that he should be punished. And all this is deemed authoritative".