A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c42.s8.17

v3.c42.s8.17

Clues to the period in which the work acquired its present shape were collected by P.V. Sharma.300 Changes in matters pertaining to religion are perceptible when the Caraka- and Bhelasaṃhitā are compared. Both Śaivism and Vaiṣṇavism are represented in the latter,301 whereas the former shows an emphasis on Vaiṣṇavism. Practices that became current in the Gupta age are alluded to; examples are Śiva worship on a cremation ground (Ci.2.40) and the practice of caṇḍakarman (Ci.1.50). Several types of ascetics are mentioned: kaṣāyavastra, muṇḍa, jaṭila, and nagnaka (I.8.14) and mlecchas are referred to (Sū.5.25). Tantric influences are also detectable: the heart is compared with a wheel (cakra) on which the prāṇas are fixed (Sū.20.4), a solar and lunar disc are thought to be located in the umbilical region (Śā.4.11–12), etc.