Essay name: Vasudevahindi (cultural history)
Author:
A. P. Jamkhedkar
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute Pune
This essay is an English study of the Vasudevahindi reflecting cultural history and traditions of the life of people in ancient and medieval India during the 6th century. The Vasudevahimdi is a romantic and religious tale that revolves around the wanderings of Vasudeva (a former Jain monk) and religious teachings in the guise of love stories, a common theme of poetry in Jainism.
Chapter 4 - Economic Conditions
18 (of 79)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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393
diseases like Kuttha were supposed to be incurable
while others like Visuiya, Sula or Suya sometimes proved
fatal.
Treatment :
Treatment of any disease was done only after
judging the humours in body. Imbalance of the elements
(dhatu-visamvada) could result in diseases1.
Vasudeva,
after traversing a long distance, did not drink water for
some time though he was feeling thirsty. He thought that
the wind-humour may get disturbed and result in some
'disease' (dosa) 2. To treat a princess who was suffering
from Sula, Dhammilla prescribed her a medicine which was
favourable to the wind-humour and the bilious humour
(Vatapitta峁噓lomiya) 3. Medicines could be of two types,
oral and external. In the case of a Jaina monk, suffering
from leprosy oral medicine could not be given as he was
practising penance. He was, therefore, treated with
ointments (abbhamga-makkhana) 4. The affected parts of
his body were massaged with oil specially extracted/
(sayasahessa-nipphanna). After the massage, paste of
1. Vh(P), 92.
2. Ibid., 122.
3. Ibid., 69.
4. Ibid., 177.
