Sambodhi 1998 Vol 21

Author(s): J B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 55

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SUBHASH CHANDRA DASH
SAMBODHI
which is a system of Treatment. In this branch, starting from the ancient period, water plays an important role.
This paper endeavours to study and analyse the water treatment. (water as medicine) as developed by both the systems.
1.1. In the Vedic texts, water is considered as a very powerful and curative substance. It is proved to be as powerful as any other medicine. It is, therefore described in the AV. as amṛta 'nectar' and also named as bheṣaja 'a remedy". It means that there is in water curative power which removes all the dirt from inside the body. Since, water is a natural phenomena it has been praised as a deity many a times in the Vedic literature.
Water is described as in a mantra which tells us "Water you are definitely kind and pleasant enough, you give us strength and energy which is the life force prāṇa-śakti and since you are the chief among the desired objects and by dispelling diseases from all human beings, I ask for remedy, I beg the waters for remedy, "Here, this mantra refers to the curative power of water which is named as rasa which gives energy. It is true that water is rasa par excellence. Sāyaṇa says evambhūtā apaḥ bheṣajam vyādhyādi nivarttakam
auṣadham yācāmi prarthaye.
The importance of water and its medicinal qualities is recorded from other source, too. The poet-priest says 'Soma told me that in waters there are all the remedies and there is well-being for all in Agni". For long life also, water is praised many a-times. As we see 'O waters! bestow me a remedy for my body and protect my body and allow me to live long to see the Sun without disease". The water contains the natural power for bestowing long life without any disease.
In AV. 1.33 (1-5) the priest praises the water and solicits the blessings. He says 'In the heaven, Gods make the drink, who has a beautiful colour, clean and purifying. Let these waters be well-beings, kind enough and pleasant to us". Now let us analyse the cases in which water is used as a medicine.
1.2. Water as remover of diseases :
In the AV. II.3 (1-6), the poet-priest recognises and prescribes spring water as the remedy which has natural healing power. In this hymn, he says: The spring water which runs down upon the mountain, that do I make for you a remedy in order that you may be a good remedy for relief of flux (a continuous pain