Yagya Therapy in Vedic and Ayurvedic Literature: A Preliminary exploration

Abstract

There is ample description of Yagya in Vedic literature that refers to its multiple applications such as social development, spiritual development, ecological balance, and preventing and curing diseases. Among them, one important aspect is health. Therapeutic application of Yagya is known as Yagya Therapy or Yagyopathy. In India, people perform Yagya for various reasons and knowingly and unknowingly utilize Yagya as therapy. However, its root-knowledge is not known to them. Hence, it is necessary to find the original references of Yagya Therapy from Vedic and Ayurvedic texts, which will not only strengthen its conceptual understanding, but will also make the basis for public benefit, as well as for further research. Here, the presented study took narrative literature survey approach. The study attempted to shed light on Yagya Therapy using the descriptions from Vedic and Ayurvedic literature. It has been observed that Vedic literature describes treatment of wide range of diseases (both infectious and non-infectious) and ailments through Yagya, along with the precautions, detailed procedures, causes of diseases, therapeutic supplements, etc. Thus, this study will help in the establishment of Yagya Therapy as an important therapeutic approach, and will pave the way for further investigations in this field.

Keywords

• Yagya Therapy
• Veda
• Ayurveda
• Diseases
• Medicinal herbal smoke