Hindu Medicine c7.144

c7.144

Another classic of Hindu medicine, however, Caraka’s compilation, which belongs to the first century A. D., in its legendary setting offers some material on the lineage of medical tradition which is substantiated by other literature. According to Caraka (I, 1), the “Wisdom of Long Life” came from the hand of the God Creator Brahmā who revealed it in its entirety to the demiurgic god Prajāpati, the “Lord of the Creatures.” From him it went to the Aśvins, the divine “Twin Horsemen,” the helpers and healers among the Vedic gods. They passed it on to Indra, the King of Gods, and from him mankind received the divine wisdom.