Bull.lnd.lnst.Hist.Med. Vol. XXVIII - 1998 pp 151 to 158

AYURVEDIC LITERATURE IN URDU

S.A.HUSAIN* VINOD KUMAR BHATNAGAR** MOMIN ALI.***

ABSTRACT

Urdu is a distinct literary language began to develop in India during Mughalempire. Lakhs of people read, write and speak, this language in Indiansubcontinent. This brief article will shed light on the seven rare books inurdu compiled and published in the period from 19th century to the first halfof the current century. Some books may not have high value but the struggleof the scholars, is appreciable.

IntroductionUrdu is a distinct language began to

develop in India during Mughal period.Many works on arts and sciences wrecompiled and translated in this language.

It is a historical truth that authenticLiterature of Ayurveda is in Sanskrit.Translation of Sanskrit works in Urdu isdifficult even for for urdu knowing scholarsas both languages are not easy.However, Ayurvedic scholars did not lefttheir struggle in transferring theinformations of their science in Urdu.Some scholars translated the originalworks and some others compiled newworks. Both were transferring theknowledge hidden in their literature andminds. Of course some of these worksmay not have high value but the struggleis praise worthy though the information

of these books may be a good accountof the history of Ayurvedic literature. Inthis brief article seven books compiled /translated in between 19th century to thefirst half of current century are beingsubmitted.1 Amrit Sagar

Translator: Pyarelal PanditPublication: Naval Kishore Press12th edition printed in 1913 ADTotal pages: 497Size: 61/2 x 10"Availability: Salarjung Library with-Ace. NO.9 Tibb.This book starts with a preface by

the translator, Pyare lal pandit presentinga brief history of Ayurveda. About thereason of compilation of this book hesays that there was a king namelyParatab singh Vaikunth Vasi (1778-1803AD) in Jaipur, who was very famous in

• Assistant Research Officer (U) Indian Institute of History of Medicine (CCRAS)

•• Assistant Research Officer (Ay). Indian Institute of History of Medicine, (CCRAS),

••• Assistant Director (Ay) & Incharge, Indian Institute of History of Medicine, OMC Buildings,

Putlibowli, Hyderabad - 500095 (India)

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patronizing literary works. He orderedeminent scholars of his time to compilea book having studied Charaka Samhita,Sushruta Samhita, Vagbhata,Bhavaprakasha, Sharanqadhara Samhitaand other classics. Accordingly AmritSagar was compiled it contains thefollowing topics: Onset of diseases, signsand symptoms and treatment withdetailed references. The authordescribes that first time this book waswritten in Marwadi Language. Later on,Munshi Naval Kishore requested Kalicharan to translate this book into an easydiction as it should be studied by everyone. Accordingly Kalicharan with thehelp of Raja man Singh who was amultifarious scholar edited this bookwhich was published from Delhi and Agraand became popular. Inspired by thepopularity of that edition Munshi NavalKishore once again tried to make it morepopular. hcncr-:: this time he requestedPyareiai to translate trus book into UrduThe book under study was the same whichcontains 25 chapters covering almost alltopics of Ayurveda.

Chapter I: Starts from page 8, dealswith symptoms of diseases, Urine, pulseand prognosis containing 24 sub-headings.

Chapter II: Starts from page 21 anddeals with Bukhar (Fever) and its varietieswith treatment containing 5 subheadings.

Chapter III: Starts from page 50 anddeals with Is-hal ( diarrhoea).

Chapter IV: Starts from page 61,deals with Bawaseer (piles), Badhazmi

Bull.lnd./nst.Hist,Med. Vol. XXV/II - 1998

(indigestion), Haiza (Cholera), Kiram(intestinal worms), Yerqan (jaundice) andtheir treatment.

Chapter V: Starts from page 85,deals with Zeequn nafs (dyspnea), Diq(Tuberclosis) Kusah (rickets), Suwal(Cough), Kalikhansi (Whooping Cough)Damma (Asthama) and their signs andsymptoms along with treatments. Itcontains 53 subheading.

Chapter VI : Starts from page 107and deals with Swarabheda (hoarseness)and Arochaka (Anorexia), their signs andsymptoms along with treatmentcontaining 59 sub-headings.

Chapter VII : Starts from page 120and deals with Madatya, Ummad andSara (Alcoholism, insanity and epilepsy)containing 71 sub-headings. Talismanictreatment (Jantra chikitsa) is alsoavailable in this chapter.

Chapter VIII: Starts from page 140ceais with 84 tynes of vatic diseasescontaining! 04 sub-headings. Somecompound formulations like Brihat vatachintamani, Vishgarbha tail, Vatarirasa,Samir pannaga rasa etc. have also beengiven.

Chapter IX : Starts from page 167deals with Urdastambha (Paraplegia) etc.containing 14 sub headings.

Chapter X: Starts from page 175deals with vatarakta (gout) Shulapari nama (Gastralgo kenosis) etc.containing 27 sub-headings.

Chapter XI : Starts from page 186,deals with Urdavarta (entrospasm),

Ayurvedic Literature in Urdu Husain etai

Hirdrog (heart disease) and contains 56sub-headings.

Chapter XII: Starts from page 204 anddeals with urinary disorders like mutrakrichhera (dysuria) etc. along with signs,symptoms and treatment. Though thischapter starts as per the page numbermentioned in the contents but the subheading given there is not found here.

Chapter XIII: Starts from page 229and deals with abdominal diseases andtheir treatment under 34 sub-headings.

Chapter XIV: Starts from page 239,deals with various types of waram(inflammation) like gotar (gaitre) waramunsayain (testicular swelling) etc. andcontains 54 sub-headings.

Chapter XV: Starts from page 251deals with Shlipad rog (filariasis) andcontains 97 sub-headings.

Chapter XVI: Starts from paqe 275,deals with Bhagandar (fistula in Ano) and18 types of jildi Amraz (Skin diseases),containing 67 sub-headings.

Chapter XVII: Starts from page 297and deals with Sheetpit (Urticaria) andDood Kodh (Leucoderma) etc. under 83sub-headings. This chapter contains 10shlokas also with regard to Shitala(small-pox).

Chapter XVIII: Starts from page 317dealing with phonsi (pimples) andcontains 83 - sub- headings.

Chapter XIX: Starts from page 389and deals with different types of poisonsand insect bite etc. It contains 48 sub-headings.

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Chapter XX : Starts from page 399and deals with the diseases of womenand children. It contains 64 sub-headings. Jantra chikitsa (Talismanictreatment )is also mentioned in thischapter.

Chapter XXI: Starts from page 416and deals with a separate portion ofpaediatric diseases under 67 sub-headings.

Chapter XXII: Starts from page 432and deals with Quwatbah (virility), lIajmukhannas (treatment of impotentperson) Aur vaji kran (therapy of virality).It contains 13 sub-headings.

Chapter XXIII: Starts from page 436and deals with Quwat Ki dawaen (tonics),containing 20 sub-headings.

Chapter XXIV: Starts from page 444and deals with Asavas, Aristas,Yavakshara and purification of salajeet(mineral pitch) containing 48 sub-headings.

Chapter XXV: Starts from page 460and deals with personal hygiene. Itcontains 51 sub-headings.

Conclusion has been written by thepublisher. At the end, the translator SriPyarelal submitted a few lines under theheading "ll,TIMAS" (request). Hedescribed the difficulties in translation ofdifferent technical words.

The glossary of the book is found frompage 478-488 pages. Then on pages 489to 497 Jantras and Mantras in Sanskrithave been given.

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2. Arogya DerpamAuthor: Hakim Tulsi Prasad Agarwal

Publication: Aryawarthi DewakhanaAligarh (U.P.)

Total pages: 32Size; 5" x 7"Availability: Salarjung Library

Hyderabad with Acc. No.22 Tibb.The book contains the important and

tested formulae for common diseases inthe following three chapters:

a. Quwat Mardumi Ka raz (Secretsof virility)

b. Quwat Mardumi ka Inhisar(dependance ofvarility)

c. Quwat Mardumi ki Kamzori keasbab aur unka ilaj (causes of weaknessof virility and treatment.)

The last chapter contains two sub-headings one is related with weaknessor absence of virility and second onedescribes strong sexual desire but unableto perform coitus due to lack of tonicityor paralysis of the organ. Manyformulations with the method of theirpreparations have been given. Some ofthem are:

a. Nava Jeevan pakab. Akseer-e-Tilac. Virya Sandha churnad. Akseer-e-Nokhrae. Kameshwar Potalif. Kameshwar tail etc.3. Koka ShastraAuthor: Sabu PyarelalPublication: Aligarh U.P. 12 August

1909 A.D.Total pages 120

BUll. Ind. Inst.Hist, Med. Vol.XXVIII- 1998

Availability : Salarjung library withAcc. No. 126 Tib

Size: 51/2" x 81/2"

Introduction starts from page no.1and end on page 3 with date i.e. 12thAugust 1909 A. D. Aligarh Uttar Pradesh.Preface starts from page 5. This bookcontains the following 16 chapters:

Chapter I : Javani Deevani (the youthknows no bounds)

Chapter II :Aza-e-Tanasul ka Sayan(descriptions of genital organs)

Chapter III : Istimal-e-Aza-Tanasul(use of genital organs)

Chapter IV: Shadi Aur Soh bat(marriage and coupling)

Chapter V : Joda theek milan a(making of equal pair)

Chapter VI : Soh bat ke usool, ilmiwo amali (Theoretical and practicalprinciples of coitus)

Chapter VII: Sohbat karma mana hai(prohibition of coitus)

Chapter VIII: Haiz aur Hamal(Menstruation and pregnancy).

In this chapter the following sub-headings are given:a. Duration of menstruation.b. Effect on woman during menstruationc. Symptoms of menstruationd. Coitus during menstruatione. Fertilization of ova with spermatozoaf. Ability of pregnancyg. condition of pregnancyh. suitable days of conceptioni. types of pregnancyj. precautions during pregnancyk. Antinatal care, childbirth & easy -

Ayurvedic Literature in Urdu Husain eta!

I . Abortion and symptoms of abortion.Chapter IX : Aulad Aur unki Khahish(Offspring and longing of it).The opinion of a French doctor, who had

advised the author of the original kokshastra for compiling that treatise, hasbeen given in this chapter. Its sub-headings are: Healthy and beautiful child,courageous child, small and happyfamily and persons who want to livepleasurefullife should have less numberof children.

Chapter X : Mauroosi Asarat(hereditary effects) It contains thefollowing sub headings: The women notto be married, types of women, hereditarydiseases, and the statement of Dr. Ribota learned scholar.

Chapter XI : Husn, Sehat Aur DeraziUmar (Beauty, health and longevity). Thefollowing sub headings are in this chapter:health, body growth, obesity, lean,longevity, to protect from white hair, facebeauty, to protect skin colour and effectsof diets on the body.

Chapter XII : Zanani Aur MardaniBimarian Aur lIaj (diseases of ladies andgents and their treatment). In this chapterthe following sub-headings are found:Three types of impotency, protection fromimpotency.loss of vitality, sterile womenand treatment of excess discharge ofsemen.

Chapter XIII: Hukama-e-Qadim keNuskhey (formulae of old physicians),

Chapter XIV : Jantra, mantra andtantra (Amulets, charms and

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incantations).In this chapter the divine therapy for

treatment of different ailments have beendiscussed.

Chapter XV : Aurat aur mard keAqsam (different types of men andwomen).

The types of men and women foridentification of Padmani, Shankhini,Chatrani and hastani and theirspecialities are prescribed in thischapter.

Chapter XVI : This chapter has noproper topic only advertisements ofbooks related with this subject has beengiven.4. Kamel SanyasiAuthor: Bhai Tara Chand ChabberPublication: Mohiyal Mitra Press, Lahorein 1900 AD.Total pages: 150Size: 51/2 x 9"Availability: Salarjung library, with Acc.NO.127 tibb.

This book contains few chapters ondifferent diseases from head to toe withtheir signs and symptoms, etiology andtreatment under the title "Advia Ke bayanmein" (description of formulae). There aremany formulae for different diseases.Special mentioning about differentmantras, tantras and jantras for diseasesare also found.5. Qarabadeen-e-VedakAuthor: Mirza Akhtar AhmedPublication: Mujtabai Press, Delhi in1899 AD.

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Size: 10" x 81/2Total pages: 76Availability: Salarjung library with Acc.No. 113 tibb.

In the preface the author describedhis visit to Bhailsa (current name isVidhisha located near Bhopal M.P.),where he learnt Ayurvedic medicine fromPandit Bhasker Rao. Having acquaintedwith this science, he gone through somemore Ayurvedic and Unani books namelylIajul Hukema, Takmil-e-Vedak, Kaleed-e-Hikmat, Ilajul Atfal, Risala SadhuSamachar and Durustagi Tanzeemuladvia. Before compilation of this booki.e. Qgrabadeen vedak he gone throughthe following Ayurvedic books i.e. CharakSamhita, Sushruta Samhita,Astangahridaya, Bhavaprakasha,Lolimbaraja, Rasaratnakar, Rasamanjari& Kalagyana etc. He selected some ofthe important formulae which were testedby his teacher and himself and includedin this book. The whole book is arrangedin Urdu alphabetical order. This bookcontains a concluding chapter also inwhich he described some methods ofpurification of different poisons. Then mementions a tablet on page 74 and saysthat Unani physicians named it HabbMiskeen Nawaz" (Cherisher of poors).Giving its importance the author furthersays that this drug is useful in 360diseases in accordance with differentdoses and different vehicles. He himselfadministered this drug in 57 diseases.He has given a list of diseases in which

Bull. Ind. Inst.Hist, Med. Vol.XXVIII- 1998

he tested this drug with different vehiclesor changing its dose accordingly.6. Darbar - E - ILM AL NisaAuthor: Babu Salek Ram BhellaPublication: Rifah-e-Am Press, Lahorein1913AD.Total pages: 200Size: 81/2 x 51/2Availability: Salarjung Library, Hyderabadwith Acc. No. 243 Tibb.

The book contains 15 chapters,which are as follows:

Chapter: I Starts from page 9 anddeals with the types of women and men.In this chapter the author has describedfour types of men and four types ofwomen according to Ayurveda.

Chapter II: Starts from page 25 anddeals with description of male and femalegenital organs. Three diagrams havealso been given.

Chapter III: Starts from page 29 anddeals with normal blood in menstruation,period of menstruation and menopauseetc.

Chapter IV: Starts from page 32 anddeals with coitus. Different Sub-headingshave been given with regard to differentpostures mentioned in Ayurvedic books.Some of the headings are: the purposeof coupling, suitable dates for coitus,kinds of pregnancy and instructions aftercoitus.

Chapter V: Starts from page 40 anddeals with pregnancy and itsdevelopment. It contains different sub-headings regarding symptoms of true and

Ayurvedic Literature in Urdu Husain etal

false pregnancy and instructions forpregnant women, the signs andsymptoms of Labour, description ofLabour room, different positions of foetusand instructions to be followed at the timeof delivery.

Chapter VI: Starts from page 67 anddeals with the treatment of diseasesduring pregnancy. The important sub-headings of this . chapter are:Constipation, micturition, dysentery,vomiting, cough, and piles etc.

Chapter VII : Starts from page 86 anddeals with post natal symptoms andsome realted pain with treatment.

ChapterVlI1: Starts from page 88 anddeals with the diseases of children.

Chapter IX: Starts from page 97 anddeals with the diagnosis and treatmentof different diseases of women.

Chapter X : Starts from page 113 anddeals with diagnosis and treatment of thediseases of men.

Chapter XI : Starts Irom page 129 anddeals with the diagnosis and treatmentof gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Chapter XII: Starts from page 139 anddeals with the formulae and method ofpreparation of hair removal soap andliquid etc. along with the preparation offormulae which produce and dye the hair.

Chapter XIII: Starts from page 150anddeals with beauty of women, theirdresses and ornaments etc. In thischapter the sketches of the followingwomen have been give :- Parsi, yahudi,maharashtrian, Bengali, Burman, Indian,

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Muslim, pahadan, Kashmiran, chinee,Japanee women in saree, Indianprostitute, village women, purabhiwomen.

Chapter XIV: Starts from page 193and contains a heading "Dilchasp aurmaloomati Batein" (interesting and usefulknowledge), some important sub-headingare: Symptoms just before delivery,unnatural labour, methods to retainpregnancy, methods to produce male orfemale child as desired and identificationof male or female child during pregnancy.7. Vaidya VidyaAuthor: Raj Vaidya Narayan KeshavjiPublication: Mustafa, electric press,Bombay in 1920 AD.Size: 5" x 61/2"

Total pages: 112Availability: Salarjung library, withAcc.No. 175 tibb.

According to numbering of pagesthere are two portions in this beok. Thefirst portion contains history of churningocean, its detailed description andreason of compilation of first edition ofthis book.

The second portion deals withcelibacy giving past and present methodsof education, past and present methodof marriages.

These seven books are not the onlyworks of Ayurveda in Urdu but, other suchworks are hidden in treasure of literature.History of Ayurvedic literature will beincreased if such works could be tracedout.

158 Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol.XXVIII - 1998

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