Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c8.77

c8.77

In the medical Saṃhitās themselves the Atharvaveda is often mentioned. Thus Su. 1.1.6 denotes the medical science as a supplement (*Upāṅga*) of the Atharvaveda while it is also called an *Upaveda*⁷. The reference to 101 kinds of death of the Atharvans in Su. 1. 34.6 appears to be a direct quotation from AV. VIII. 2.27⁸. According to Car. 4.8.32 a Brahman well versed in Atharvaveda must ward off by Śānti the demonic influences in *Sūtikāgṛha*. It is significant that Car. 4. 8. 30 recommends for the still-birth either medical treatment or magic spell and similar methods directed in AV. AHr 4.5.83 prescribes at the end of a long list of remedies also *Atharvoktam* i. e. sacrifice etc. (Aruṇadatta) for consumption. The magic spells of AV. appear also as frightful exciter of diseases, thus Su. 1. 24. 7, AHr 6.39.53. One must also presume that long before the compilation of medical Saṃhitās, a controversy had developed between the Brahmans knowing Veda and magic and the caste of physicians (*Vaidya, Bhiṣaj, Cikitsaka, Ambaṣṭha*) appearing in Manu.