CONCEPT OF HEALTH AND

DISEASES ACCORDING TO VEDAS

• The Vedas are considered the earliest
literary record of Indo-Aryan civilization
and the most sacred books of India.

• They are the original scriptures of Hindu

teachings, containing spiritual knowledge
encompassing all aspects of life.
 INTRODUCTION

The word veda means knowledge. When it is

applied to scripture, it signifies a book of
knowledge.

The vedas are the eternal truths revealed by

god to the great ancient rishis.
• The word ‘Veda’ originates from the Sanskrit
root Vid.

• The Sanskrit verb ‘Vid’ means ‘to know’.

• ‘Veda’ literally means knowledge.

• ‘Veda’ also refers to accomplishment.

 Definitions

 Maharshi Dayanand
The Vedas are the storehouse of knowledge.

 Baldev Upadhyaya
The Vedas are the main source of our culture.
The scriptures that take our culture to its
summit are real gems.
 Dr. Krishna Lal
• Supreme knowledge exists in the Vedas. The
source of Indian Mathematics, Astrology,
Phonology, Music, Politics, Sociology, science
and knowledge of medicines is in the Vedas.

 Oldenberg
• The Vedas are the oldest document of Indian
literature and religion.
 Manusmriti
• Vedoakhilo Dharmamoolam, i.e. the Vedas
are the basis of all religions.
Veda Vyasa –Compiler Of Vedas
 Origin of the Vedas

• It is difficult to say when the earliest portions of the

Vedas came into existence

• They are the very earliest written wisdom documents

produced by humans.

• Historians provide us many guesses but none are

guaranteed to be precise.

• It is thought, though, that the earliest Vegas may date

back to roughly 1700 BCE—the late Bronze Age.
• We do not know much about the authors of these
texts:

• In Vedic tradition the focus tends to be on the

ideas rather than on the authors, which may allow
one to look at the message without being
influenced by the messenger.

• Vedic literature is religious in nature and as such

tends to reflect the worldview, spiritual
preoccupations, and social attitudes of the
Brahmans or priestly class of ancient India.
• The Vedas were first composed sometime around
1500-1000 BCE in the north-western region of the
Indian subcontinent - present day Pakistan and
northwest India - and they were transmitted orally
over many generations before eventually being
committed to writing.

• Parts of the Vedas were composed in different

periods. The oldest of these texts is the Rig-Veda,
but it is not possible to establish precise dates for
its composition
 1,500 BCE
Timeline
• The Aryans - nomadic northerners
from central Asia, begin to migrate
into the Indus Valley.

 c. 1,500 BCE - 1,100 BCE

• The Rig Veda written, mentioning

the god Rudra (Shiva) for the first
time.

 c. 1,500 BCE - 500 BCE

• The Vedic Period in India.

 c. 700 BCE

• Indian scholars codify and

reinterpret Aryan beliefs to create the
Upanishads texts forming the basis of
Hinduism.
 History Of Vedas
• There is not one single historical evidence of Vedas
being composed.

• There is not one evidence of Vedas being evolved

or grown in size.

• There is not one evidence of Atharva Veda being

written later or Rig Veda being written first.

• As per historical records, all we know is that Vedas

are old as available history. And exist till today in
same form as earlier.
• Tradition has it that humans did not compose the
revered compositions of the Vedas, but that God
taught the Vedic hymns to the sages, who then
handed them down through generations by word
of mouth.

• Another tradition suggests that the hymns were

"revealed," to the sages, who were known as the
seers or “mantradrasta” of the hymns. The formal
documentation of Vedas was done mainly by Vyasa
Krishna Dwaipayana around the time of Lord
Krishna (c. 1500 BC)
 Structure Of Vedas

Each Veda consists of four parts—

The Samhitas (hymns)
The Brahmanas (rituals)
The Aranyakas (theologies)
The Upanishads (philosophies).
• The collection of mantras or hymns is called the Samhita.

• The Brahmanas are ritualistic texts that include precepts

and religious duties. Each Veda has several Brahmanas
attached to it.

• The Aryanyakas (forest texts) intend to serve as objects of

meditation for ascetics who live in forests and deal with
mysticism and symbolism.

• The Upanishads form the concluding portions of the Veda

and is therefore called the “Vedanta” or the end of the
Veda. The Upanishads contain the essence of Vedic period
 Essence Of Vedas
The Vedas consist of several kinds of texts, all of
which date back to ancient times.

• The core is formed by the Mantras which

represent hymns, prayers, magic and ritual
formulas, charms etc.

• The hymns and prayers are addressed to a

pantheon of gods and a few goddesses important
members of which are Rudra, Varuna, Indra, Agni,
etc.
 Importants Of Vedas
• Aim of life – 4 purusharthas

Moksha
Dharma Artha Kama

• Comfortable sleep
• Attain nearness to happiness, peace and the supreme
element
 Knowledge Of Vedas
• End to all disputes of mankind
• Path of teaching – distresses and restlessness,
heaven on earth
• Removes darkness spread all around
“ Om Vishwani Dev Savitarduritani Para Suva
Yadbhadram Tanna Asuva||”
(Rig ved5/22/5)
O god,creator of entire universe,and the almighty
Who fills the world with light,Bring an end to all the
sinfull acts and enable us to achieve on every way
possible,whatever is good for us
Classification Of Vedas
Rig veda
-collection of mandras
(1500-1200BC)
• Ancient most veda

• The Rig Veda is a collection of inspired songs or

hymns to praise the god (Indra,Vrita,Agni,Soma)

• It a main source of information on the Rig Vedic

civilization.

• It is the oldest book in Indo-European language

and contains the earliest form of all Sanskrit
mantras, dating back to 1500 BCE- 1000 BCE
• The Rig-Vedic ‘samhita’ or collection of mantras consists of
10,521 hymns or ‘suktas’, covering about 10,600 stanzas,
divided into eight ‘astakas,’ each having eight ‘adhayayas’
or chapters, which are sub-divided into various groups.

• The rig Veda accounts in detail the social, religious,

political and economic background of the Rig-Vedic
civilization.

• The Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda were

compiled after the age of the Rig Veda and are ascribed to
the Vedic period.
Sama veda
- Book of song
• The Sama Veda: The Book of Song

• The Sama Veda is purely a liturgical collection of melodies

(‘saman’).

• The hymns in the Sama Veda, used as musical notes, were

almost completely drawn from the Rig Veda and have no
distinctive lessons of their own.

• Hence, its text is a reduced version of the Rig Veda.

• As Vedic Scholar David Frawley puts it, if the Rig Veda is the
word, Sama Veda is the song or the meaning; if Rig Veda is the
knowledge, Sama Veda is its realization; if Rig Veda is the wife,
the Sama Veda is her husband.
Yajur Veda
-Book Of Rituals
• The Yajur Veda: The Book of Ritual

• The Yajur Veda is also a liturgical collection and was made

to meet the demands of a ceremonial religion.

• The Yajur Veda served as a practical guidebook for the

priests who execute sacrificial acts while muttering
simultaneously the prose prayers and the sacrificial
formulae (‘yajus’). It is similar to ancient Egypt’s “Book of
the Dead.”

• There are no less than six complete recessions of Yajur

Veda--Madyandina, Kanva, Taittiriya, Kathaka, Maitrayani
and Kapishthala.
Atharva veda
-Book Of Spell
• The Atharva Veda: The Book of Spell

• The last of the Vedas, this is completely different

from the other three vedas
• Its hymns are of a more diverse character than the
Rig Veda and are also simpler in language.
• Many scholars do not consider it part of the Vedas
at all.
• The Atharva Veda consists of spells and charms
prevalent at its time, and portrays a clearer picture
of the Vedic society.
 Upa vedas
• Every Veda has an Upa-Veda of its own order:
• Rig Veda - Dhanur Veda (Deals with Archery)
• Yajur Veda – Gandharva Veda (Music Science)
• Sama Veda – Stapatya Veda (Architechture)
• Atharvana Veda – Ayurveda (Science of Life)
 RIG YAJU SAM ATH
VEDA R A ARVA
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10 ●
40 ●
6 ●
20
CHAPTERS
CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER
●
10,521
S S S
MANDRAS
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1028
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1975 ●
1873 ●
5977
SUTHRAS MANDRAS MANDRAS MANDRAS
 Contents of Four Vedas
• The rituals of paying homage to the five great
elements are explained in Rig Veda because
these were the Gods that should take care of
the universe.

• In Yajur Veda, the procedures were outlined.

If there was change in the five great elements
such as drought the people of that age knew
how to activate change by praying to the Rain
God, the Fire God. They understood and paid
homage to the importance of Fire.
• In Sama Veda all the stanzas and slokas
were written down. These were the prayers
they used to chant.

• All Indian classical music comes from this

Veda. They noticed the singing (Achamana)
had an effect on wellbeing and it is what we
understand today as vibrational medicine.
• In Atharvana Veda, there is more mention of
the medical uses of the plants.
• Many of these plants were offered to the Gods
such as Brahmi which is good for the mind.
• They were using these plants and knew what
each plant was good for. They understood the
disease process.
• They also knew internal anatomy of the
animal kingdom.
• Atharva Veda contains the principles of
healing on which Ayurveda is based.
Concept Of Health According To
Vedas
 Jushasva sapratastumum
vacho devapsrastamum
havya juvhaana aasaani
(Rigveda 1/75/1)

If you wish to achieve bodily and spiritual

happiness, then be simple in your diet, in your
daily routine and deeds and observe celibacy
 Shatum vo amba dhaamaani
sahastramoota vo ruhaha
adhaa shatakratyo yooyamimum
meagadum kruta.
(Yajurved 12/76)

Body is the principal means for ‘dharma, artha, kama and

moksha’. Therefore, good health must be maintained by
proper diet, disciplined daily routine and benevolent conduct.
Only a disease-free body is the source of all happiness.
 Yo vaha shivatamo rasastasya
bhaajayateha naha
ushatiriva maataraha
(Rigved 10/9/2)

Water is beneficial to man. By using it, the

outer and inner dirt is removed.
 Dadhishva jatharay sutam
somamindra veranyam
tava dhukshaas indavaha
(Rigved 3/40/5)

Our diet should be such as to contribute to

the constant growth of our intelligence,
longevity and strength.
 Rujite pari vrudagdhi
Noashma bhavatu nastanuhu
somoadhi bravitu
noaditihi sharma yachhatu
(Yajurved 29/49)

Just as man builds a home for himself on this earth

and lives in it, similarly the human-body is the home
of the soul. Therefore it should be kept healthy and
free from disease through celibacy, simple food and
discipline
 Ayam lokaha priyatamo
devaanaam paraajitaha

yasmai tvamiha mrutyave

dishtaha purusha jagyishay

sa cha tvaanu huyaamasi

maa puraa jaraso mruthaha
(Atharvaved 5/30/17)
• The human body is more important than the
bodies of other animals.
All the powers and means of spiritual
salvation are present within it.
• Therefore man’s diet, routine, thinking and
conduct should be such that he can live the
full life-span.
 Brahmacharyena tapasa
deva mrutyurnapaadhnata
Indro ha brahmacharyena
devebhyaha swa raabharat.
(Atharvaved 11/5/19)

• Just as the Sun dispels darkness with light

and produces excellent materials (by
nurturing plants and trees), similarly man
should dispel disease, laziness, wretchedness
and obtain the bliss of salvation.
 Sooyavasaad bhagavati hee bhooya
adha vayum bhagavantaha syaam
Addhi trunamaghnye vishwadaanim
peeba shuddhamudakamaacharanti
(Atharvaved 9/15/20)

• 0 men! Just as the cow, by eating hay and

drinking clean water, gives to the world the
excellent materials like milk and ghee
(butter-oil), similarly you too oblige the
world by taking ‘saatvik’ (simple) food.
 Yadadhya soora
ooditoanaagaa mitro aryamaa
suvaati savitaa bhagaha
(Samved 1351)

The air in the dawn, i.e. before sunrise, is clear

Therefore one must breathe this pure air by getting
up early in the morning. With that the health
remains stable and one earns wealth.
 Oota Vaata pitaasi na
oota bhratota naha sakha
sa no jeevaatave krudhi
(Samved 1841)

• Air is life, it is health-giving and hence taking in

this life-giving air gives as much happiness as a
father, brother or a friend.
Eeyushtay ye poorvataraam
pashyannu antimushasum
asmaabhiru nu pratichyakshchabhoodo
te yanti ye aparishu pashyaan
(Rigved 1/113/11)

• God makes those men intelligent and religious,

who, upon getting up at dawn meditate upon Him.
Those men and women maintain harmonious
relationship with God as witness are always kept
happy by God.
 Vaangma aasannasoho
praanash chakshurakshnoho
shrotrum karnaayoho
apaalitahaa keshaa ashonaa
dantaa bahu bahavorbalam
(Atharvaved 19/60/1)

May the power of air never get destroyed from my

mouth, nor the vitality of air from the nose, nor vision
from the eyes, and hearing from the ears. May my
hair not turn grey, may my teeth remain firm and may
there be strength in my hands.
Concept of disease
Prayer to lightning, conceived as the cause of
fever, headache, and cough.

• Free him from headache and also from

cough, (produced by the lightning) that has
entered his every joint! May the flashing
(lightning), that is born of the cloud, and
born of the wind, strike the trees and the
mountains!
I, 22. Charm against jaundice and related
diseases.

• Up to the sun shall go thy heart-ache and thy

jaundice: in the colour of the red bull do we
envelop thee!
• Into the parrots, into the ropanâ kâ s (thrush)
do we put thy jaundice, and, furthermore,
into the hâ ridravas (yellow wagtail) do we
put thy jaundice.
 VI, 105. Charm against cough
• As the rays of the sun swiftly to a distance
fly, thus do thou, O cough, fly forth along the
flood of the sea!
I, 2. Charm against excessive discharges from
the body.
• As the point (of the arrow) stands in the
way of heaven and earth, thus may the
muñ ga-grass unfailingly stand in the way of
sickness and (excessive) discharge!
I, 3. Charm against constipation and
retention of urine.

• That which has accumulated in thy entralls.

thy canals, in thy bladder-thus let thy urine
be released, out completely, with the sound
bâ l!
 VI, 24. Dropsy, heart-disease, and kindred maladies
cured by flowing water.

• From the Himavant (mountains) they flow forth,

in the Sindhu (Indus), forsooth, is their
assembling-place: may the waters, indeed, grant
me that cure for heart-ache!
• From the Himavant (mountains) they flow forth,
in the Sindhu (Indus), forsooth, is their
assembling-place: may the waters, indeed, grant
me that cure for heart-ache!
 I, 3. Charm against constipation and
retention of urine.

• That which has accumulated in thy entralls.

thy canals, in thy bladder-thus let thy urine
be released, out completely, with the sound
bâ l!
VI, 24. Dropsy, heart-disease, and kindred maladies cured by
flowing water.

• From the Himavant (mountains) they flow

forth, in the Sindhu (Indus), forsooth, is their
assembling-place: may the waters, indeed,
grant me that cure for heart-ache!
• From the Himavant (mountains) they flow
forth, in the Sindhu (Indus), forsooth, is their
assembling-place: may the waters, indeed,
grant me that cure for heart-ache!
 VI, 111. Charm against mania.

• Agni shall quiet down thy mind, if it has

been disturbed! Cunningly do I prepare a
remedy, that thou shalt be freed from
madness.
VI, 25. Charm against scrofulous sores upon neck and shoulders.

• The five and fifty (sores) that gather together

upon the nape of the neck, from here they all
shall pass away, as the pustules of the
(disease called) apakit!

• The seven and seventy (sores) that gather

together upon the neck, from here they all
shall pass away, as the pustules of the
(disease called) apakit!
VI, 57. Urine (gâlâsha) as a cure for scrofulous sores.

• With gâ lâ sha (urine) do ye wash (the

tumour), with gâ lâ sha do ye sprinkle it! The
gâ lâ sha is a potent remedy: do thou (Rudra)
with it show mercy to us, that we may live!
 VI, 20. Charm against takman (fever).

• As if from this Agni (fire), that burns and

flashes, (the takman) comes. Let him then,
too, as a babbling drunkard, pass away! Let
him, the impious one, search out some other
person, not ourselves! Reverence be to the
takman with the burning weapon!
Thank you