None shall ever take medicines which are mixed with meat and/or liquor–wine or with both; or take medicines given by physician whose antecedents are not known.
None shall ever take medicines which are mixed with meat and/or liquor–wine or with both; or take medicines given by physician whose antecedents are not known.
Manusmruti explains a course of action for such sin: ‘Those who partake of medicines which contain liquor even accidentally should perform the ritual of purification - Sanskar.’ Marichi Smruti says, ‘Those who partake of medicines containing flesh (animal extracts) should perform Taptakruchravrata in order to redeem one’s sins.’ Taptakruchravrata is a very strict course of fasting involving numerous days of consecutive fasting amongst other purification rituals.
The Lord instructs that we go only to those doctors who are reputed, who have complete knowledge in the field of medicine and pharmacy. Only such Ayur Vedic doctors who are versed in herbal remedies should be consulted and not those who are likely to prescribe alternatives containing liquor or animal contents.
As mentioned, there is a science of Medicine in Vedic terms. Our great Hindu Sanatan Dharma have many subjects of study all stemming from the Vedas. Shastras speak of sixty-four such sciences and arts which Lord Shree Krishna is famed to have mastered in merely sixty-four days. Many of these sciences have western equivalents and indeed these western equivalents are often based on our Hindu teachings: Ayur Shastra (study of medicine), Jyotisha Shastra (Astronomy), Shilpa Shastra (Architecture), Gandharva Shastra (music and dance), Dhanur Shastra (military strategic science), Niti Shastra (politics) etc.
Ayur Veda is much more than just Medicine, it is the ‘Art and Science’ of healthy living, which utilises foods, spices, herbs, colours, metals, gems and sound to overcome illnesses, promoting health of the body, clarity of the mind and tranquillity of the spirit. It is believed to be the oldest system of medicine in the world. It is also believed that our Ayur Veda influenced the Chinese system of medicine. Indeed its influence can be recognised all over the world.
Ayur Veda Shastra in it’s true sense is brilliant as it does not promote the use of alcohol or flesh as a means of curing illnesses. For this reason the Lord forbids the use of such medicines when vegetarian and non-alcoholic substitutes exist. Those who are knowledgeable in our old Ayur Veda system of medicine can only provide such alternatives though. Therefore only these Doctors should be referred to; who are able to prescribe alternatives.