Sambodhi 2014 Vol 37

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 73

Vol. XXXVII, 2014
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Relevance of Sanskrit to Modern World
65
The texts of Mayamata and Manasāra are much later than the prehistoric sites. Though, the thought and practice was there for a long time before that. The rules of town planning and maintenance can be seen in Smrti literature. (Nāradasmrti, XI.15). The rules like, there should not be obstruction on the crossroads. The obstructions like somebody's extending roof, toilet, balcony, ditch, water well, water channel, etc. Kautiliya Arthaśāstra has certain rules of town planning. It is explicitly instructed that the boundary of house should be marked by creating four columns at four corners and these columns should be tied with iron wires. Waste water channel, solid waste place and water well should be at the back of the house. There are many rules of this kind strewn in all Smrtis. These rules seem to be translated in the prehistoric sites. Advance techniques of town planning can be seen in the remains of Harappa, Mohen-jo-Daro, Lothal, Dhola Vira etc. Well planned dock at Lothal is famous. Also Lothal site has remains of work shop where precious and semi precious stones, polished stones were exported.
Human health is given great importance in ancient India. The science of Ayurveda is well known and well practiced even today. Susśruta Samhita and
Charaka Samhitā are the famous treatises on Ayurveda. The principles of · medicine and surgery are discussed at length in these and many other treatises.
The thought of medicine seems to go back as far as Rgveda. The Auşadhi Sūkta of tenth mandala of Rgveda describes in detail the various uses of plants as medicine. Aświnīkumars have been referred as the Surgeons in Rgveda (Indian Culture : Science and Society, p5). Aświnīkumars replaced Vishpala's broken thigh with a metallic thigh, joined amputated organ of Rebhu, treated the eyes of Rijashva, which was made blind by his angry father and joined three parts of Shyava and made him alive (Rgveda, 1.17.1). Atharva Veda has lot of information about her herbal medicines. Seeds of Tridosa, i.e. Vāta (wind), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (cough) can be seen in Atharvaveda (1.2.3). Equilibrium of these three is supposed to be basic factor of health.
Development of Astronomy can be seen from the Vedic times. Rgveda refers to the five planets as the five gods (1.105.10). It mentions Brhaspati (Jupiter) and Sukra (Venus) by name (IV.50.4; X.123.1). Šatapatha Brāhmaṇa (IV.21) also mentions these planets by name. Jyotisa (Astrology) is one of the auxiliary six sciences of Vedas. Thirty four lights are mentioned in Rgveda (X.55.3). They are probably the Sun, the Moon, five planets and twenty seven Naksatras. Taittirīya Samhitā designates moon as Sūrya Raśmi - one which shines by the Sun's light (IV.4.10.1-3). Taittiriya Samhita (IV.4.10.1-3),