Concepts of Mental Illness and Psychotherapy in Atharva Veda
Kaneez Fatima1
Mentor: Mohit Chandra
1Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Introduction:
The Vedas are one of the major and oldest scriptures in Hinduism that record the preliminary concepts of the faith. There are four primary Vedas i.e., Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. The Vedas mention the concepts of mind and mental illness (Avasthi, Kate & Grover, 2013). Rig Veda mentions various surgical procedures. Atharva Veda came after the Rig Veda which explains mental illness as a cause of divine factors (Sharma, 1973).
The basic approach of Atharva Veda is an integrative one where the mind, body and soul are one entity. Atharva Veda deals with multiple concepts, mental illness and its treatment are a part of a diverse concepts dealt with in the literature. The goal of the Atharva Veda is to provide insights into how to live a healthy life and prescribe rules and regulation to acquire such a life.
Atharva Veda and mental disorders:
According to Atharva Veda human body is comprises of three Gunas (elements) i.e., Vatta (Wind), pitta (Bile), kapha (Phlegm). When these elements exist in equilibrium it represents absence of any abnormality but a disequilibrium among these elements is a sign of disturbance. Like our body our mind is also be structured into three elements or Gunas of mind which are sattva (true/pure), rajas (erotic), tamas (the black). Sattva is pure and unadulterated. Rajas, is similar to Freud’s psychoanalytic concept of “Eros” which denotes pleasure, sexuality, and other pleasant feelings. Tamas is similar to Freud’s concept of Thanatos which refers to destruction (Baishya,2021). These Gunas when in equilibrium represent normality and according to Atharva Veda a disequilibrium can result in mental disorder. Every individual consists of the body and the mind Gunas, the proportion of these Gunas is different for each person this makes each individual unique. (Dandona, 2018). This concept is similar to Allport that the traits in humas are the same but what makes them unique is the combination and degree of those traits (Allport, 1937).
The abnormalities described in Atharva Veda can be classified in a number of ways. The abnormalities can be broadly categorized into two categories according to P. Arsh (1999) which are (i) Severe disturbances and (ii) disturbances in the mental processes. A more feasible classification of mental disorders described in Atharva Veda is given by Dr. H.G. Singh (1977). He categorizes the mental disorders into three categories:
Category 1-Mild disorder- This kind of disorder results when there occurs a disturbance in the normal mental processes. This in present terminology can be referred to as neurosis.
Category 2- Severe disorder- This includes disorders that are more severe in nature and beyond just some disturbances in mental processes. It includes disorders like Grahi (hysteria), Apasmar (epilepsy), Manastap (schizophrenia), Bhaya (phobia) etc
The last category of this classification system deals with remedies to improve mental health. These remedies are diverse in their aims such improving memory and learning, integration of ego, and bring harmony within a person (Pandey, 2023).
Atharva Veda and Psychotherapy:
Atharva Veda also dwells upon psychotherapeutics, this knowledge has been expanded into Ayurveda and Yoga literature. Some of the psychotherapeutic methods mentioned include: Sankalpa (Self-determination), Sadesh (Suggestion), ritualistic therapy, bhrahma kavacha (defensive belief) and prayascitta (confession, penance and sacrifice) etc. Sankalpa refers to improving the will power, volition, ego and ability to make adjustments. Majorly Sankalpa is training your will and enhancing ego. Atharva Veda recommends using Sankalpa for phobia, overcoming fearful dreams etc. Sadesh is where a therapist plays an active part and acts as a guide giving suggestions. The therapist tries to rectify the way the patients think and feels while maintaining confidentiality. This technique can be used as an additional therapeutic technique in supplement with or techniques. Indian socio-religious life is filled with rituals, beliefs and practices. Atharva Veda encourages healing of symptoms through rituals performed with certain mantras this is referred to as ritualistic therapy. Bhrahma kavacha is a defensive belief of control over one’s environment that assists with self-confidence to protect oneself from fear. Prayascitta is recognizing one’s wrong doing and voluntarily repenting in order to cleanse one’s soul. It helps with dealing with the feelings of guilt which boost the superego and hence brings a lasting change in behaviour (Rangaswani, 2021).
Conclusion:
Atharva Veda deals with abnormal behaviour and also recommends certain ways to achieve a normal and healthy life. Some of the concepts in the Atharva Veda can be found in western psychological concepts as well like body and mind elements. Concept of Sadesh (suggestion) in Atharva Veda plays an important role in modern psychotherapy, involving gaining trust of the client and guiding them to reach the solutions of their problems while maintaining confidentiality. Although being ancient Atharva Veda provides rich insights into human health and discusses concepts like integration and harmony in a person such concepts have also been discussed in modern psychology. Atharva Veda can provide inspiration for a healthy mind and body making it relevant even in modern times.
References
Sharma, S. N., A History of Vedic Literature (Varanasi: Chowkhambha Sanskrit series number 82, 1973).
Allport, G. W. (1937). Personality: A psychological interpretation. New York: H. Holt and Co. Deutsch: Persönlichkeit. 2. Aufl, 1959.
Avasthi, A., Kate, N., & Grover, S. (2013). Indianization of psychiatry utilizing Indian mental concepts. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(6), 136. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.105508
Anu Dandona. (2018). Importance of Atharva Veda in Psychology. Issues and Ideas in Education, 6(2), 125–127. https://doi.org/10.15415/iie.2018.62007
Pandey, Sandeep. (2023). The Abnormal Behaviour and Psychotherapy in Atharva Veda. 68. 70-80.
Pahi Baishya (2021) The Anomalous Conduct And Psychiatric Disorders In The Atharva Veda. Elementary Education Online, 20 (3), 4408-4416. doi:10.17051/ilkonline.2021.03.455
Rangaswami, K. (2021). Psychotherapeutic Concepts in Atharva Veda'. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 48(2), 49-53.