The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c8.56

c8.56

If in the Veda the responsibility of acts or of intentions, not in conformity with the Norm of the world, is automatic, the application of consequences is often effected by Varuṇa, the guardian of this Norm. Varuṇa "ties" the sinner to his "ties". The oldest hymns do not explicitly state the effect produced by them but the Atharvaveda drops a hint and the Brahmanical texts declare formally that the sinner tied down by Varuṇa is attacked by dropsy.² This is in accordance with the fact that Varuṇa who, in the classical literature, will become the god of the waters or of the oceans or will be reduced to this secondary rôle, is already in the Rgveda frequently in relation with the waters.³