Treatment of Wounds (Vraṇa)

Atharva Veda is a charm against Vraṇa. If recent pains and sores remain in the body then it is called Sadyovraṇa or Āśughāta. The Atharvaveda prescribes water as the best treatment for Sadyovraṇa^[1]. The sore is to be moistened in cold water and a thick cloth is to be placed on the sour and bandaged. This proves profitable. Also, Atharvaveda mentions the use of the following medicines–Lākṣā, Plakṣa, Nyagrodha, Bhadra, Aśvattha, Khadira, Śāṇḍadūrvā, and Śilācī etc. If anyone has even a thousand arrow wounds then application of water can heal the person if it is applied immediately. It is said in the Hymn that God Rudra recommends the use of water as treatment. The wound caused by a single arrow and recently formed thousands of wounds can be treated in this way. Also, medicine Rohiṇī can be used to heal wounds and Kṣata, vraṇa. This medicine can also be used to treat fractures and wounds inflicted by swords^[2]. In the hymns, Rohiṇī is synonyms with Arundhatī and Lākṣā. To stop the bleeding due to injuries made by swords Lākṣā is to be boiled in hot water and poured on the affected area, clean and tied with cloth. Atharvaveda mentions the use of Pāṭhā and Guggulu Medicines. Wounds are of different types. For the treatment of injuries as given in the Kauśika Sūtra, it is proposed that the patient consume peppercorns as the recitation of VI.109 proceeds simultaneously^[3].For unopened wounds or Akṣata Varṇa Kauśika Sutra has a special treatment in 31.11-15 in hymn VI.57^[4]. The rite is based upon the cure known as Jālāṣa which is the special gift from Rudra. It means cow’s urine. The tumour is first moistened with it then sprinkled upon with it and finally washed. Then the wound is smeared with the scouring from teeth along with pollen from bunches of grass.