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The Role of Ahimsā in Healthcare Ethics : 55
May my hair not turn grey or my teeth turn purple; May I have much strength in my arms. May I have power in my thighs, swiftness in my legs, Steadfastness in my feet.
May all my limbs be uninjured and my soul remain unconquered.
In similar chorus, Agni is invoked for health and intellectual vigour: "Thou, Agni, art the Protector of the body, protect my body.... Thou Agni, art Bestower of intellectual brilliance, bestow on me intellectual brilliance...." Food is lauded: “I glorify Food that upholds great strength.8 Waters are praised: “Gracious be divine waters for our protection, be they for our drink, and stream on us bliss and happiness." Energy is elevated: “Thou art energy, give me energy; thou art manliness, give me manliness; thou art strength; give me strength; thou art vigour, give me vigour; thou art wrath, give me wrath; thou art conquering power, give me conquering power.”?!0 And finally, the gods are supplicated:
May we, Devas! Hear with our ears what is good, And, holy Ones! See with our eyes what is good, And praising you with steady limbs and body Enjoy the divinely bestowed term of life.''
These passages illustrate that while it is true that "the need of the Aryan settlers for more territory and the subsequent ambitions of rulers precluded the general acceptance of the practice of ahimsä,"'2 it would be misleading to suggest that the Vedic mantras are “only formulae for rituals.” Bose is correct that “the people not only performed rituals with the mantras but also lived according to them”; and in those values we see the lineaments of ahirnsā."
In time the optimistic spirit of Vedic religion aimed at living long happy, healthy lives, did indeed succumb to sacrificial ritualism. This trend was reversed with the composition of the Upanişads, beginning around 700 B.C.E. In the Upanişads the
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