public health in atharvaveda
TRANSCRIPT
The Concept of Public Health in
Atharvaveda
Dr. J.S.R. Anjaneya PrasadUniversity of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
Health and Human Life
Goal of human life is to achieve the ultimate liberation. In order to achieve the goal, a healthy body is the prerequisite. It is said thus -
धर्मा��र्थ�क�र्मार्माोक्ष�ण�र्मा् आरोग्यं र्माूलर्माुत्तर्मार्मा् ।रोग�स्तस्त�पहत��रः शे्रयसो जीवि"तस्य च ।।
“Good health stands at the very root of virtuous acts, acquirement of wealth, gratification of desire and final emancipation. Diseases are destroyers of health, well being, and life. This has manifested itself as a great obstacle in the way of human life.” (C.S.1.1.15, Tr. By R.K. Sharma& Bhagwan Dash )
Āhāra and Vihāra
Āhāra and Vihāra are the prominent factors in keeping one in good health.Gita says – “Yoga becomes a destroyer of sorrow of one whose eating and movements are regulated, whose effort in works is moderate, and whose sleep and wakefulness are temperate.” Hence, utmost attention is needed here. Further, it is better to avoid 17 types of viruddhāhāra enunciated in Ayurveda.Svasthavṛtta (life style management) is a beautiful medical/ethical concept bestowed on us by maharṣis of Ayurveda. As Ayurveda is basically a preventive medicine in nature, managing life style through Svasthavṛtta concepts, has a greater relevance in current times. The set of medical concepts embedded in Svasthavṛtta, are related to a modern medical concept called ‘public health.’ Indigenous medical science, Ayurevda, is the treasure house all such concepts, is an upa Veda of Atharva Veda.
Vedo'khilo dharmamūlam
It has been said in Yājñavalkyasmṛti –
वि$ःसृतं स"�श�स्त्रं तु "ेदश�स्त्र�त्स$�त$�त् ।$ "ेदश�स्त्र�दन्यत्तु विकञ्चि,चच्छ�स्त्रं विह वि"द्यते ।।
“Veda is the fountainhead of all śāstras, there is no śāstra other than Veda, which is eternal”Amongst the four Vedas, Atharva Veda has copious references to health and disease. Physicians owe their loyalty to Atharva Veda, as per the verse in Caraka Samhita (1.1.20).
The Atharva Veda (A.V.)
योर्थ"��णस्तदे्भषजं तदर्माृतर्मा् यदर्माृतं तदब््रह्म ।
“The Atharvana hymns are curative, what is curative makes for immortality;
what is immortal is Brahman” (Gopatha Brahmana 3.4)
Concepts of Public Health
Kanda 1:Immunity from all diseases (9.8)Jaundice and related diseases (1.22)Kshetriya (hereditary disease) (2.8)Mania (6.111)Prayer to lightning, conceived as the cause of fever, headache, and cough (1.12)Securing perfect health (2.32)Takman (fever) (5.20)Worms in children (2.31; 5.23)
Some Topics in A.V.
Charms to Cure Diseases and Possession by Demons of Disease (भैषज्यक�वि$) Prayers for Long Life and Health (आयुष्य�णिण) Imprecations Against Demons, Sorcerers, and Enemies (आणिभच�रिरक�वि$ and कृत्यप्रतीहरण�वि$) Charms Pertaining to Women (स्र्तीकर्मा��णिण) Charms Pertaining to Royalty (र�जकर्मा��णिण) Charms to Secure Harmony, Influence in the Assembly, and the Like (स�म्र्मा$स्य�वि$, etc.) Charms to Secure Prosperity in House, Field, Cattle, Business, Gambling, and
Kindred Matters Charms In Expiation of Sin and Defilement Prayers and Imprecations in the Interest of the Brahmans Cosmogonic and Theosophic Hymns
Source: Translation by M. Bloomfield (1897)
An Important Concept
यदश्न�सिस यत्पित्पबसिस ध�न्यं कृष्य�ः पयः ।यद�द्यं यद$�द्यं स"@ ते अन्नर्मावि"षं करोमिर्मा ।।
“foods like raw/cooked rice, fruits, water, milk and clothes, vessels, living space are liable to be contaminated due to their contact with three types of poisons. I pray to thee to remedy such problems”. (A.V.8.2.19)
Three Types of Poisons
स्थ�"रं जङ्गर्मां चै" कृवित्रर्मां च�विप यविFषर्मा् । (S.S.7.2)
1. Sthāvara (herbo-mineral origin): related to plants and minerals2. Jaṅgama (Animal Origin): related to insects, flies, mosquitoes, rats etc.3. Kṛtrima (Artificial): is created
Ayurveda discusses community health problems due to poisons (viṣajanya-janapadoddhvaṃsajanya-roga). Health problems can be due to environmental, water, soil or air poisoning.
Poisons Explained in Caraka
Phyto PoisonRoots: Ayurveda says that it is nine in numbers, namely, Klitaka, Asmara, Gunja, Sugandha,
Gargaraka,and karaghata, Vidyachikha, Vijaya and Jaya.
Leaf: Ayurveda opines that it is five in numbers, namely, Vishapatrika, lamba, Varadaru,
Karambha and mahakarambha.
Fruits: This contains a total of twelve poisons. They are Kumudvati, Venuka, karambha,
mahakarambha,Karkota, Renuka, Khadyitaka, carmari, Ibhagandha, Sarpaghati, nandana and Sarapaka.
Flower: This contains five poisons, namely, Vetra, Kadamba, Vallija, karambha and Mahakarambha.Bark, Pith & Gum: They are seven in total, namely, Antrapachaka, Kartari, Sauriyaka, karaghata, Karambha, nandana, and natracaka.
Milk poison: This contains three poisons, namely, Kumudaghni, Snuhi and Jalakshiri
Metallic poison: This contains two poisons, namely, Pheneasma and Haratala
Bulbar poison: This contains 13 poisons, namely, Kalakuta, Vatsanabha, Sarsapa, Palaka, Kardamaka,Vartaka, Mustaka, Srungi visha, Prapoundarika, Moolaka, Halahala, Mahavisha, and Karkataka.Animal PoisonsSight, breath, teeth, nail, urine, stool, semen, saliva, menstrual blood, stings, belching air, anus, bones, bile, bristles and dead body of an animal have poisonous properties.
(source: http://www.divinewellness.com/ayurveda/clinical-ayurveda/poisons.html)
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning happens by eating foods that contain germs like bad bacteria or toxins, which are poisonous substances.
Incompatible food combinations are also one of the causes. Ex: milk vs banana, ghee vs honey etc.
Genetic Engineering
Current Scenario:The gene of ancient rice varieties ‘śāli’ and ‘śūka’ has been modified thousand times by the agricultural scientists. Research studies show that genetically modified (GM) foods have a great influence in the consumer market. But unfortunately, the GM foods are not only dangerous to the health but also to the environment.Stella G.Ujogara (2000) argues thatGenetic engineering is described as the science whereby the characteristics of an organism are deliberately modified by the manipulation of the genetic material, especially DNA, and transformation of certain genes to create new variations of life. many food plants have been genetically modified (GM) for various purposes.
The Cons of GM Foods
Some of the specific fears expressed by opponents of GM technology include:
• alteration in nutritional quality of foods• potential toxicity• possible antibiotic resistance from GM crops• potential allergenicity and carcinogenicity from consuming GM foods In addition, some more general concerns include:• environmental pollution• unintentional gene transfer to wild plants• possible creation of new viruses and toxins• limited access to seeds due to patenting of GM food plants• threat to crop genetic diversity• religious, cultural and ethical concerns, as well as fear of the unknownSource: Stella G.Ujogara, The impact of genetic modification of human foods in the
21st century: A review, Biotechnology Advances 18 (2000) 179–206
Examples of GM Foods
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides, and 30 percent of insecticides to be carcinogenic. All of these toxins are permitted on conventional farms, and any number of them can end up on your plate when you purchase conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables.
Research has shown that pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are neurotoxins and can cause disruptions to our neurological system and our brain.
Subsequently, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Senile dementia and brain related problems are increasing day by day.
Water contamination The water that is supplied by civil authorities, contains lot of metallic
contents and other hazardous material. Dangerous bacteria (such as e-coli and coliform) are still found in
chlorinated tap water on occasion. When this happens it is primarily due to problems related to the treatment system itself or to the transport of the water to our homes.
Who said mineral water is safe?TNN Apr 12, 2013, 03.19AM ISTKOCHI: Forget water supplied by tanker lorries, even mineral water produced
by major companies, including multinationals, is unsafe for drinking with some containing E coli bacteria, reveal tests done by the food safety commissioner's office.
"Both chemical and biological results of water samples collected from Kochi are not satisfactory. The presence of E coli is a major cause of concern. As per the Food Safety and Standard Act it should not be present in bottled drinking water. In the samples there was a minimum of two organisms in 100 ml," said an official with the food safety department in Thiruvananthapuram.
Link: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-12/kochi/38490331_1_drinking-water-tanker-lorries-water-samples
Ayurveda Says…
उदकं तु खल्"त्यर्थ�वि"कृतगन्ध"ण�रसस्पश@ क्लेदबहुलर्मा्...। (C.S.3.3.7)
Excessive abnormality in smell, colour, taste and touch is considered to be polluted.Excessive stikynessManifestation of unpleasantnessSuch contaminated water leads to epidemic diseases.
Milk Contamination The results of a snap shot survey on milk by the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shows that nearly 70 per cent of the milk samples tested were adulterated and did not conform to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Packaged milk performed better than milk that was sold loose. Samples collected from rural areas fared better with only 30 per cent non-compliance as compared to urban centres.
Five states were found to be 100 per cent non conforming to the milk standards set by the FSSAI and nearly 14 per cent of the samples were found to have detergent in them. Detergent was found in samples collected from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. 70 per cent of the milk samples collected from the capital failed the FSSAI standards.
Its a known fact that detergent is used to make synthetic milk to increase the thickness and viscosity of the milk. An earlier study done by the Indian Council of Medical Research states that that detergents in milk caused food poisoning and gastrointestinal complications.
Studies show that adulterants like salt, detergents and glucose add to the thickness and viscosity of the milk, while starch prevents curdling of milk.
Neutralisers like Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Ammonia, Carbon Trioxide (carbonate) and other alkalis are used to correct and optimise the pH value of unfresh or badly preserved milk so that they appear to be fresh milk. Hydrogen Peroxide, formaldehyde are used as preservatives but the former is an unstable chemical and is not recommended.
These adulterants are hazardous and cause irreversible damage to the organs. The Indian Council of Medical Research has stated that the other synthetic compounds cause impairments, heart problems, cancer and even death. The immediate effect of drinking adulterated milk with urea, caustic soda and formalin is gastroenteritis but the long term effects are known to be far more serious.
Pollution of Clothes
Probable reasons include:
oContact with Chemical AgentsoHospitalsoPlaces effected by epidemic diseasesoPesticide contactoPollen etc.oWork environment
Vessel Pollution
Lead contamination of food is more common in third world countries that do not have strong food standards. It has recently become an issue in countries that have been importing food products from such countries. Food can become contaminated where it is grown, or by cooking vessels or the containers in which it is exported or stored.
A number of other drinking vessels containing lead or decorated with paint containing lead have been recalled in the United States in recent years. Similarly, in the United States in March 2009, a recall was issued of approximately 2500 cordless kettles because they leached lead into boiling water (http://www.lead.org.au/lanv10n1/lanv10n1-3.html)
Environmentalists alert on the health hazards of using PVC related material
Space Pollution
Air pollution, noise pollution etc. are among the different space borne contaminations
A News report says -‘Air Pollution and Noise Pollution Increase Cardiovascular Risk’May 20, 2013 — Both fine-particle air pollution and noise pollution may
increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to German researchers who have conducted a large population study, in which both factors were considered simultaneously. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130520142745.htm)
It’s official that 42 per cent of Bangalore’s air pollution is caused by vehicular emissions and 34 per cent due to dust. A recent source apportionment study sponsored by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MOEF) and conducted by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) ascribes only 14 per cent of the air pollution to industries. (Deccan Herald Thursday 25 July 2013)
Ayurveda on Air Contamination
Air having the following characteristics is injurious to health:Absence of characteristic features in conformity with the seasonExcessive calmness or violent blowExcessive dryness, cold, heat, roughness, or humidityExcessive clashes among each other (wind blowing from one direction clashing with the one coming from the other)Excessively cyclonic in natureAssociation with unwholesome smell, gases, sand, ashes and smoke (C.S. 3.3.7)
The Sanjivini?
Cow’s urine in Atharva Veda:
रुद्रस्य मूत्रमस्यमृतस्य नाभि�: | वि�षाणका नाम�ा असि� वि�तृणां मूलादुत्थि�ता �ातीकृतनाशनी ||
“O go arka, you are the destroyer of all germs and toxins. You wage war against hereditary diseases. You are the giver of long life.” (6.44.3)
Conclusion
As per the hymn from Atharvaveda, the factors discussed so far are visha-dushitas (contaminated by poisons) which our experience attests too. It is astonishing to note that our Vedic seers have a great concern for the individual and public health without any bias to any ethnic group or culture.
