A verse from Atharvaveda is interpreted to show its relevance to the concept of public health in the Vedic scriptures - conference presentation, Bangalore 2013

1. The Concept of Public
Health in Atharvaveda
Dr. J.S.R. Anjaneya Prasad
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
jsraprasad@gmail.com

2. Health and Human Life
Goal of human life is to achieve the ultimate liberation. In order to achieve the
goal, a healthy body is the prerequisite. It is said thus -
धर्मार्ाकमर्र्ोक्षमणमर् ् आरोग्यं र्ूलर्ुत्तर्र््।
रोगमस्तस्तमपहतमारः श्रेयसो जीवितस्य च ।।
“Good health stands at the very root of virtuous acts, acquirement of wealth,
gratification of desire and final emancipation. Diseases are destroyers of health,
well being, and life. This has manifested itself as a great obstacle in the way of
human life.” (C.S.1.1.15, Tr. By R.K. Sharma& Bhagwan Dash )

3. Āhāra and Vihāra
Āhāra and Vihāra are the prominent factors in keeping one in good health.
Gita says – “Yoga becomes a destroyer of sorrow of one whose eating and
movements are regulated, whose effort in works is moderate, and whose sleep
and wakefulness are temperate.” Hence, utmost attention is needed here.
Further, it is better to avoid 17 types of viruddhāhāra enunciated in Ayurveda.
Svasthavṛtta (life style management) is a beautiful medical/ethical concept
bestowed on us by maharṣis of Ayurveda. As Ayurveda is basically a preventive
medicine in nature, managing life style through Svasthavṛtta concepts, has a
greater relevance in current times.
The set of medical concepts embedded in Svasthavṛtta, are related to a modern
medical concept called ‘public health.’ Indigenous medical science, Ayurevda, is
the treasure house all such concepts, is an upa Veda of Atharva Veda.

4. Vedo'khilo dharmamūlam
It has been said in Yājñavalkyasmṛti –
ननःसृतं सिाशमस्रं तु िेदशमस्रमत्सनमतनमत् ।
न िेदशमस्रमदन्यत्तु ककञ्चचच्छमस्रं हह विद्यते ।।
“Veda is the fountainhead of all śāstras, there is no śāstra other than Veda,
which is eternal”
Amongst the four Vedas, Atharva Veda has copious references to health and
disease. Physicians owe their loyalty to Atharva Veda, as per the verse in Caraka
Samhita (1.1.20).

5. The Atharva Veda (A.V.)
योर्िमाणस्तद्भेषजं तदर्ृतर्् यदर्ृतं तद्रह्र् ।
“The Atharvana hymns are curative,
what is curative makes for immortality;
what is immortal is Brahman” (Gopatha Brahmana 3.4)

6. Concepts of Public Health
Kanda 1:
Immunity from all diseases (9.8)
Jaundice and related diseases (1.22)
Kshetriya (hereditary disease) (2.8)
Mania (6.111)
Prayer to lightning, conceived as the cause of fever, headache, and cough
(1.12)
Securing perfect health (2.32)
Takman (fever) (5.20)
Worms in children (2.31; 5.23)

7. Some Topics in A.V.
 Charms to Cure Diseases and Possession by Demons of Disease (भैषज्यकमनन)
 Prayers for Long Life and Health (आयुष्यमणण)
 Imprecations Against Demons, Sorcerers, and Enemies (आभभचमररकमनन and कृ त्यप्रतीहरणमनन)
 Charms Pertaining to Women (स्र्तीकर्माणण)
 Charms Pertaining to Royalty (रमजकर्माणण)
 Charms to Secure Harmony, Influence in the Assembly, and the Like (समम्र्नस्यमनन, etc.)
 Charms to Secure Prosperity in House, Field, Cattle, Business, Gambling, and Kindred Matters
 Charms In Expiation of Sin and Defilement
 Prayers and Imprecations in the Interest of the Brahmans
 Cosmogonic and Theosophic Hymns
Source: Translation by M. Bloomfield (1897)

8. An Important Concept
यदश्नमभस यञ्त्पबभस धमन्यं कृ ष्यमः पयः ।
यदमद्यं यदनमद्यं सिं ते अन्नर्विषं करोभर् ।।
“foods like raw/cooked rice, fruits, water, milk and clothes, vessels, living space
are liable to be contaminated due to their contact with three types of poisons. I
pray to thee to remedy such problems”. (A.V.8.2.19)

9. Three Types of Poisons
स्र्मिरं जङ्गर्ं चैि कृ त्ररर्ं चमवप यद्विषर्् । (S.S.7.2)
1. Sthāvara (herbo-mineral origin): related to plants and minerals
2. Jaṅgama (Animal Origin): related to insects, flies, mosquitoes, rats etc.
3. Kṛtrima (Artificial): is created
Ayurveda discusses community health problems due to poisons (viṣajanya-
janapadoddhvaṃsajanya-roga). Health problems can be due to environmental,
water, soil or air poisoning.

10. Poisons Explained in Caraka
 Phyto Poison
Roots:
Ayurveda says that it is nine in numbers, namely, Klitaka, Asmara, Gunja, Sugandha,
Gargaraka,and karaghata, Vidyachikha, Vijaya and Jaya.
Leaf:
Ayurveda opines that it is five in numbers, namely, Vishapatrika, lamba, Varadaru, Karambha and
mahakarambha.
Fruits:
This contains a total of twelve poisons. They are Kumudvati, Venuka, karambha,
mahakarambha,Karkota, Renuka, Khadyitaka, carmari, Ibhagandha, Sarpaghati, nandana and
Sarapaka.
Flower: This contains five poisons, namely, Vetra, Kadamba, Vallija, karambha and
Mahakarambha.
Bark, Pith & Gum: They are seven in total, namely, Antrapachaka, Kartari, Sauriyaka,
karaghata, Karambha, nandana, and natracaka.

11. Milk poison: This contains three poisons, namely, Kumudaghni, Snuhi and Jalakshiri
Metallic poison: This contains two poisons, namely, Pheneasma and Haratala
Bulbar poison: This contains 13 poisons, namely, Kalakuta, Vatsanabha, Sarsapa,
Palaka, Kardamaka,Vartaka, Mustaka, Srungi visha, Prapoundarika, Moolaka, Halahala,
Mahavisha, and Karkataka.
Animal Poisons
Sight, breath, teeth, nail, urine, stool, semen, saliva, menstrual blood, stings,
belching air, anus, bones, bile, bristles and dead body of an animal have poisonous
properties.
(source: http://www.divinewellness.com/ayurveda/clinical-ayurveda/poisons.html)

12. Food Poisoning
 Food poisoning happens by eating foods that contain germs like bad bacteria
or toxins, which are poisonous substances.
 Incompatible food combinations are also one of the causes. Ex: milk vs
banana, ghee vs honey etc.

13. Genetic Engineering
Current Scenario:
The gene of ancient rice varieties ‘śāli’ and ‘śūka’ has been modified thousand
times by the agricultural scientists. Research studies show that genetically
modified (GM) foods have a great influence in the consumer market. But
unfortunately, the GM foods are not only dangerous to the health but also to the
environment.
Stella G.Ujogara (2000) argues that
Genetic engineering is described as the science whereby the characteristics of
an organism are deliberately modified by the manipulation of the genetic
material, especially DNA, and transformation of certain genes to create new
variations of life. many food plants have been genetically modified (GM) for
various purposes.

14. The Cons of GM Foods
 Some of the specific fears expressed by opponents of GM technology include:
• alteration in nutritional quality of foods
• potential toxicity
• possible antibiotic resistance from GM crops
• potential allergenicity and carcinogenicity from consuming GM foods
 In addition, some more general concerns include:
• environmental pollution
• unintentional gene transfer to wild plants
• possible creation of new viruses and toxins
• limited access to seeds due to patenting of GM food plants
• threat to crop genetic diversity
• religious, cultural and ethical concerns, as well as fear of the unknown
Source: Stella G.Ujogara, The impact of genetic modification of human foods in the 21st
century: A review, Biotechnology Advances 18 (2000) 179–206

15. Examples of GM Foods
The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
considers 60 percent of
herbicides, 90 percent of
fungicides, and 30
percent of insecticides to
be carcinogenic. All of
these toxins are
permitted on
conventional farms, and
any number of them can
end up on your plate
when you purchase
conventionally-grown
fruits and vegetables.

16.  Research has shown that pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are
neurotoxins and can cause disruptions to our neurological system and our
brain.
 Subsequently, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Senile dementia and brain related
problems are increasing day by day.

17. Water contamination
 The water that is supplied by civil authorities, contains lot of metallic contents
and other hazardous material.
 Dangerous bacteria (such as e-coli and coliform) are still found in chlorinated tap
water on occasion. When this happens it is primarily due to problems related to
the treatment system itself or to the transport of the water to our homes.
Who said mineral water is safe?
TNN Apr 12, 2013, 03.19AM IST
KOCHI: Forget water supplied by tanker lorries, even mineral water produced by
major companies, including multinationals, is unsafe for drinking with some
containing E coli bacteria, reveal tests done by the food safety commissioner's
office.
"Both chemical and biological results of water samples collected from Kochi are not
satisfactory. The presence of E coli is a major cause of concern. As per the Food
Safety and Standard Act it should not be present in bottled drinking water. In the
samples there was a minimum of two organisms in 100 ml," said an official with
the food safety department in Thiruvananthapuram.
Link: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-12/kochi/38490331_1_drinking-water-tanker-lorries-water-
samples

18. Ayurveda Says…
उदकं तु खल्ित्यर्ाविकृ तगन्धिणारसस्पशं क्लेदबहुलर््...। (C.S.3.3.7)
Excessive abnormality in smell, colour, taste and touch is considered to be
polluted.
Excessive stikyness
Manifestation of unpleasantness
Such contaminated water leads to epidemic diseases.

19. Milk Contamination
 The results of a snap shot survey on milk by the Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) shows that nearly 70 per cent of the milk samples
tested were adulterated and did not conform to the Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006. Packaged milk performed better than milk that was sold
loose. Samples collected from rural areas fared better with only 30 per cent
non-compliance as compared to urban centres.
 Five states were found to be 100 per cent non conforming to the milk
standards set by the FSSAI and nearly 14 per cent of the samples were found
to have detergent in them. Detergent was found in samples collected from
Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. 70 per cent of the milk samples
collected from the capital failed the FSSAI standards.

20.  Its a known fact that detergent is used to make synthetic milk to increase the
thickness and viscosity of the milk. An earlier study done by the Indian Council of
Medical Research states that that detergents in milk caused food poisoning and
gastrointestinal complications.
 Studies show that adulterants like salt, detergents and glucose add to the
thickness and viscosity of the milk, while starch prevents curdling of milk.
 Neutralisers like Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Ammonia, Carbon
Trioxide (carbonate) and other alkalis are used to correct and optimise the pH
value of unfresh or badly preserved milk so that they appear to be fresh milk.
Hydrogen Peroxide, formaldehyde are used as preservatives but the former is an
unstable chemical and is not recommended.
 These adulterants are hazardous and cause irreversible damage to the organs. The
Indian Council of Medical Research has stated that the other synthetic compounds
cause impairments, heart problems, cancer and even death. The immediate effect
of drinking adulterated milk with urea, caustic soda and formalin is gastroenteritis
but the long term effects are known to be far more serious.

21. Pollution of Clothes
Probable reasons include:
oContact with Chemical Agents
oHospitals
oPlaces effected by epidemic diseases
oPesticide contact
oPollen etc.
oWork environment

22. Vessel Pollution
 Lead contamination of food is more common in third world countries that do
not have strong food standards. It has recently become an issue in countries
that have been importing food products from such countries. Food can
become contaminated where it is grown, or by cooking vessels or the
containers in which it is exported or stored.
 A number of other drinking vessels containing lead or decorated with paint
containing lead have been recalled in the United States in recent years.
Similarly, in the United States in March 2009, a recall was issued of
approximately 2500 cordless kettles because they leached lead into boiling
water (http://www.lead.org.au/lanv10n1/lanv10n1-3.html)
 Environmentalists alert on the health hazards of using PVC related material

23. Space Pollution
 Air pollution, noise pollution etc. are among the different space borne
contaminations
A News report says -
‘Air Pollution and Noise Pollution Increase Cardiovascular Risk’
May 20, 2013 — Both fine-particle air pollution and noise pollution may increase a
person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to German
researchers who have conducted a large population study, in which both factors
were considered simultaneously.
(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130520142745.htm)
 It’s official that 42 per cent of Bangalore’s air pollution is caused by vehicular
emissions and 34 per cent due to dust. A recent source apportionment study
sponsored by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MOEF) and conducted
by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) ascribes only 14 per cent of the
air pollution to industries. (Deccan Herald Thursday 25 July 2013)

24. Ayurveda on Air Contamination
Air having the following characteristics is injurious to health:
Absence of characteristic features in conformity with the season
Excessive calmness or violent blow
Excessive dryness, cold, heat, roughness, or humidity
Excessive clashes among each other (wind blowing from one direction clashing
with the one coming from the other)
Excessively cyclonic in nature
Association with unwholesome smell, gases, sand, ashes and smoke (C.S. 3.3.7)

25. The Sanjivini?
Cow’s urine in Atharva Veda:
रुद्रस्य मूत्रमस्यमृतस्य नाभि: |
विषाणका नामिा अभि वितृणाां मूलादुत्थिता िातीकृ तनाशनी ||
“O go arka, you are the destroyer of all germs and toxins. You wage war
against hereditary diseases. You are the giver of long life.” (6.44.3)

26. Conclusion
As per the hymn from Atharvaveda, the factors discussed so far are visha-
dushitas (contaminated by poisons) which our experience attests too. It is
astonishing to note that our Vedic seers have a great concern for the individual
and public health without any bias to any ethnic group or culture.