Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 374

Sec. II]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
349
In the case of the mental disease Insanity', a clear idea is given about its causes and symptoms. It is said to be of two kinds, viz. Yaksavesa and Mohaniyakarma (unmāda). The first one appears on account of the cause of possession of the whole body and mind by Yaksa (demi-god) and the second one occurs owing to the rise of Mohaniya Karma (faith and right-conduct obscuring Karma) in his mind.
The Yaksavesa-insanity brings the state of happiness (sukhavedanataraka) and its cure also is accompanied by happiness, while the Mohaniyakarma-insanity is full of suffering (duḥkhavedanataraku) and the cure or release from it is attained with pain (duḥkhavimocanataraka).'
Treatment
The BhS clearly shows that two kinds of treatment, viz. medicinal and surgical were applied to cure diseases according to their natures and classifications on the basis of diagnosis. A reference is found in the text to the taking of medicine (osahi) mixed with food by mouth.
In the case of a sudden swoon due to mental shock, the patient was brought to consciousness by sprinkling cold water on face and fanning air with a palm-leaf-fan, as it is evidenced in the case of the mother of the prince, Jamali, who swooned immediately after listening to the undesired, unpleasing, disagreeable and unheard words of request of her son for permission to undertake the state of houselessness."
Surgery
An evidence of the treatment of the disease 'piles' by the surgical operation is mentioned. A physician, having observed the piles of a meditating monk, hanging outside the rectum, caused him to lie down in a proper position and then operated on it.3
1 Bhs, 14, 2, 503.
2 1b, 9, 33, 384. 3 Ib, 16, 2, 572.