The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c8.40

c8.40

This is one of those characteristics of Rudra which has developed most in the classical legends of Rudra-Śiva. The entire classical Sanskrit literature employs *krodha*, derived from the root *krudh*—(which figures in the Vedic passage just cited), to denote the state of frenzy of Śiva in his form of the destroyer. This is the normal state of Rudra; it is not, therefore, necessary to suppose along with Sāyaṇa that the adorations and other acts of cult described here are the incorrect forms of these acts of cult. All incitation, good or bad, can unleash Rudra. The Vedic invocation fortifying the magical power of the god to whom it is addressed, must be used with precaution when the god is as formidable as Rudra. But in his beneficent aspect, Rudra is, at other times, also celebrated as a doctor, notably in the *Yajurveda*, where he is the “first divine doctor” (*prathamo daivyo bhiṣak*, Taitt. S., IV, 5, 1, 2; Vāj. S., XVI, 5).