A Study on Health in Avesta

Mehmet Emin Sular

Makale detayları

A Study on Health in Avesta

Yazarlar:

Mehmet Emin Sular

Yayıncı:

Harran University

Ana Başlıklar:

Din Araştırmaları

Dergi:

Harran İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 49, pp.34-55

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2023

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001290138

pISSN:

2791-6812

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 Health has been one of the issues that have preoccupied the minds of people since the dawn of humanity. A related debate has been whether medical science is a human experience or a divine endowment. During the period when mythology dominated social life, people considered health a religious issue and thought illness as a condition caused by the influence of evil forces. Therefore, issues related to health hold an important place in mythological and religious texts. One of these texts is Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrians. Avesta places immense importance to the physical and spiritual health of human beings. Health is addressed based on the theological dualism between Ahūramazdā Ohrmazd and Ahriman. Accordingly, since Ahūramazdā is the creator of everything good, it is out of question for him to create something evil such as diseases for humans. Human beings and all other good beings created by Ahūramazdā actually lead a healthy and long life. On the other hand, Ahriman, Ahūramazdās rival, is the creator of all possible evils, and for this purpose, he created 99,999 diseases to harm Ahūramazdās creatures. Therefore, Avesta, sees Ahriman as the cause of all diseases, so it does not address the reasons why diseases emerge. What human beings have to do is to protect their bodies and souls, which belong to Ahūramazdā, against diseases and to treat them appropriately when diseases strike them. In Avesta, the names of some diseases that are also common today are highlighted. Among these diseases are bodily pains, high fever, cold fever, headache, fainting, leprosy, snake bites, pandemics, bad odour, bodily decay, infection, scabies, malaria, weakness, osteoporosis, prominent chest, hunchback, tooth decay, and premature greying of hair. Miscarriage and menstruation in women are also recognised as diseases. In addition to these, some less clearly defined diseases are also mentioned in Avesta. These are ajana, ajahwa, dūrwaka, harita, saçī, kaswīsh, ara, gadha, apagadha, naizah, gara and kabast. Avesta offers three methods of treatment against diseases: reading religious texts, herbal treatment and surgical intervention. Of these three methods, treatment by reading religious texts is preferred and recommended. This is because, from a religious point of view, diseases afflict people due to the effects of evil forces. It is believed that the treatment could be given by reading religious texts. In surgical intervention, the treatment must be applied by a person who qualifies as a physician. A person who wants to qualify as a physician must first try to cure three people who worship evil forces known as the worshipers of Daevas. If they are cured, this person can also treat a Zoroastrian as a physician. In conclusion, during the time when Avestas texts on health were composed, people suffered from some diseases which are either known or unknown today. They sought remedies for these diseases and found some treatment methods. This study aims to reveal some information about health in Avesta. While doing this, the literature was qualitatively analysed. The themes and categories were determined by the researcher, and the relevant data were analysed accordingly. The main source of data in this study is Avesta. In addition, the researcher also referred to some ancient works, such as The Book of Arda Wiraf, Bundahishn and Shāhnāmeh, which provide information about Zoroastrian belief and ancient Persian civilisation. The current Zoroastrian written materials and internet sources were also used in the study.

 Health has been one of the issues that have preoccupied the minds of people since the dawn of humanity. A related debate has been whether medical science is a human experience or a divine endowment. During the period when mythology dominated social life, people considered health a religious issue and thought illness as a condition caused by the influence of evil forces. Therefore, issues related to health hold an important place in mythological and religious texts. One of these texts is Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrians. Avesta places immense importance to the physical and spiritual health of human beings. Health is addressed based on the theological dualism between Ahūramazdā Ohrmazd and Ahriman. Accordingly, since Ahūramazdā is the creator of everything good, it is out of question for him to create something evil such as diseases for humans. Human beings and all other good beings created by Ahūramazdā actually lead a healthy and long life. On the other hand, Ahriman, Ahūramazdās rival, is the creator of all possible evils, and for this purpose, he created 99,999 diseases to harm Ahūramazdās creatures. Therefore, Avesta, sees Ahriman as the cause of all diseases, so it does not address the reasons why diseases emerge. What human beings have to do is to protect their bodies and souls, which belong to Ahūramazdā, against diseases and to treat them appropriately when diseases strike them. In Avesta, the names of some diseases that are also common today are highlighted. Among these diseases are bodily pains, high fever, cold fever, headache, fainting, leprosy, snake bites, pandemics, bad odour, bodily decay, infection, scabies, malaria, weakness, osteoporosis, prominent chest, hunchback, tooth decay, and premature greying of hair. Miscarriage and menstruation in women are also recognised as diseases. In addition to these, some less clearly defined diseases are also mentioned in Avesta. These are ajana, ajahwa, dūrwaka, harita, saçī, kaswīsh, ara, gadha, apagadha, naizah, gara and kabast. Avesta offers three methods of treatment against diseases: reading religious texts, herbal treatment and surgical intervention. Of these three methods, treatment by reading religious texts is preferred and recommended. This is because, from a religious point of view, diseases afflict people due to the effects of evil forces. It is believed that the treatment could be given by reading religious texts. In surgical intervention, the treatment must be applied by a person who qualifies as a physician. A person who wants to qualify as a physician must first try to cure three people who worship evil forces known as the worshipers of Daevas. If they are cured, this person can also treat a Zoroastrian as a physician. In conclusion, during the time when Avestas texts on health were composed, people suffered from some diseases which are either known or unknown today. They sought remedies for these diseases and found some treatment methods. This study aims to reveal some information about health in Avesta. While doing this, the literature was qualitatively analysed. The themes and categories were determined by the researcher, and the relevant data were analysed accordingly. The main source of data in this study is Avesta. In addition, the researcher also referred to some ancient works, such as The Book of Arda Wiraf, Bundahishn and Shāhnāmeh, which provide information about Zoroastrian belief and ancient Persian civilisation. The current Zoroastrian written materials and internet sources were also used in the study.

 Health has been one of the issues that have preoccupied the minds of people since the dawn of humanity. A related debate has been whether medical science is a human experience or a divine endowment. During the period when mythology dominated social life, people considered health a religious issue and thought illness as a condition caused by the influence of evil forces. Therefore, issues related to health hold an important place in mythological and religious texts. One of these texts is Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrians. Avesta places immense importance to the physical and spiritual health of human beings. Health is addressed based on the theological dualism between Ahūramazdā Ohrmazd and Ahriman. Accordingly, since Ahūramazdā is the creator of everything good, it is out of question for him to create something evil such as diseases for humans. Human beings and all other good beings created by Ahūramazdā actually lead a healthy and long life. On the other hand, Ahriman, Ahūramazdās rival, is the creator of all possible evils, and for this purpose, he created 99,999 diseases to harm Ahūramazdās creatures. Therefore, Avesta, sees Ahriman as the cause of all diseases, so it does not address the reasons why diseases emerge. What human beings have to do is to protect their bodies and souls, which belong to Ahūramazdā, against diseases and to treat them appropriately when diseases strike them. In Avesta, the names of some diseases that are also common today are highlighted. Among these diseases are bodily pains, high fever, cold fever, headache, fainting, leprosy, snake bites, pandemics, bad odour, bodily decay, infection, scabies, malaria, weakness, osteoporosis, prominent chest, hunchback, tooth decay, and premature greying of hair. Miscarriage and menstruation in women are also recognised as diseases. In addition to these, some less clearly defined diseases are also mentioned in Avesta. These are ajana, ajahwa, dūrwaka, harita, saçī, kaswīsh, ara, gadha, apagadha, naizah, gara and kabast. Avesta offers three methods of treatment against diseases: reading religious texts, herbal treatment and surgical intervention. Of these three methods, treatment by reading religious texts is preferred and recommended. This is because, from a religious point of view, diseases afflict people due to the effects of evil forces. It is believed that the treatment could be given by reading religious texts. In surgical intervention, the treatment must be applied by a person who qualifies as a physician. A person who wants to qualify as a physician must first try to cure three people who worship evil forces known as the worshipers of Daevas. If they are cured, this person can also treat a Zoroastrian as a physician. In conclusion, during the time when Avestas texts on health were composed, people suffered from some diseases which are either known or unknown today. They sought remedies for these diseases and found some treatment methods. This study aims to reveal some information about health in Avesta. While doing this, the literature was qualitatively analysed. The themes and categories were determined by the researcher, and the relevant data were analysed accordingly. The main source of data in this study is Avesta. In addition, the researcher also referred to some ancient works, such as The Book of Arda Wiraf, Bundahishn and Shāhnāmeh, which provide information about Zoroastrian belief and ancient Persian civilisation. The current Zoroastrian written materials and internet sources were also used in the study.

 Sağlık, insanlığın ortaya çıkışından itibaren insanları meşgul eden konuların başında gelmiştir. Tıp biliminin insani bir tecrübe mi yoksa tanrısal bir vergi mi olduğu tartışılmıştır. Toplumsal hayata mitolojinin egemen olduğu dönemde, insan, sağlığı daha çok dini bir konu olarak kabul etmiş, hastalığı kötü güçlerin etkisiyle ortaya çıkan bir durum olarak değerlendirmiştir. Bundan dolayı sağlıkla ilgili konular mitolojik ve dini metinlerde önemli bir yer tutmuştur. Bu metinlerden biri de Zerdüştîlerin kutsal kitabı Avestadır. Avesta, insanın bedensel ve ruhsal sağlığına büyük önem vermiştir. Sağlık konusunu, Ahûramazda ile Ehrimen arasındaki teolojik düalizm çerçevesinde değerlendirilmiştir. Buna göre Ahûramazda iyinin yaratıcısı olduğundan onun insan için hastalık gibi olumsuz bir durumu yaratması söz konusu değildir. Asıl olan insanın ve Ahûramazda tarafından yaratılan diğer tüm iyi varlıkların sağlıklı ve uzun bir hayat yaşamalarıdır. Ahûramazdanın rakibi olan Ehrimen ise tüm kötülüklerin yaratıcısı konumundadır ve bu amaçla Ahûramazdanın canlılarına zarar vermesi için 99999 hastalık yaratmıştır. Bunun için Avestada tüm hastalıkların sebebi Ehrimen kabul edilmiş, hastalıklara yakalanma nedenleri üzerinde durulmamıştır. Bu noktada insana düşen Ahûramazdaya ait olan bedenini ve ruhunu hastalıklara karşı koruması, hastalık ortaya çıktığında bunları uygun şekilde tedavi etmesidir. Avestada günümüzde de yaygın olan bazı hastalıkların isimleri ön plana çıkmıştır. Bu hastalıklar bedensel ağrılar, yüksek ateş, yüksek ateşten kaynaklı titreme, baş ağrısı, bayılma, cüzzam, yılan sokması, pandemi, kötü koku, bedensel çürüme, enfeksiyon, uyuz, sıtma, halsizlik, kemik erimesi, göğüs öne çıkıklığı, kamburluk, diş çürümesi ve erken yaşta saç beyazlamasıdır. Kadınların düşük yapması ve regl hali de hastalık olarak kabul edilmiştir. Bunların yanında kendisinden bahsedilen fakat ne olduğu kesin olarak bilinmeyen bazı hastalıklar da Avestada geçmektedir. Bunlar ejene, ejehve dûrveke, herite, seçî, kesviş, era, geze, apageze, neize, gere ve kebesttir. Avestada hastalıklara karşı biri dini metinleri okuyarak, ikincisi bitkisel tedavi, üçüncüsü de cerrahi müdahale şeklinde üç tedavi yönteminden bahsedilmiştir. Bu üç yöntemden dini metinleri okuyarak tedavi yöntemini tercih ve tavsiye edilendir. Bunun sebebi dini bir bakış açısıyla hastalığın kötü güçlerden gelen etkiler sonucu ortaya çıkan durumlar şeklinde değerlendirilmesidir. Bunun tedavisi de dini metinlerin okunmasıyla olacağına inanılmıştır. Cerrahi müdahalede tedavi, hekim kabul edilen kişi tarafından uygulanacaktır. Hekim olmak isteyen kişi de ilk olarak Dîvperest olarak bilinen kötü güçlere tapan üç kişiyi tedavi etmeyi denemelidir. Bunlar iyileşirse bu kişi hekim olarak bir Zerdüştîyi de tedavi edebilir. Sonuç olarak Avestanın sağlıkla ilgili metinlerin oluşturulduğu dönemde insanların günümüzde bilinen ve bilinmeyen bazı hastalıklardan oldukça muzdarip olduğu anlaşılmaktadır. İnsanlar bu hastalıkları için çareler aramış ve bazı tedavi yöntemleri bulmuşlardır. Çalışmada, Avestada sağlıkla ilgili verilen bilgilerin ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Bu yapılırken nitel araştırma desenlerinden alan yazın incelemesi metoduna başvurulmuştur. Kullanılan temalar ve kategoriler araştırmacı tarafından belirlenmiş, ilgili veriler bu çerçevede analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada temel kaynak Avestadır. Bunun yanında Ardâvîrâfnâme, Bundehîşn ve Şâhnâme gibi Zerdüştî inancı ve kadim İran medeniyeti hakkında bilgi veren eski eserlere de müracaat edilmiştir. Güncel Zerdüştî yazılı materyalden ve internet kaynaklarından da istifade edilmiştir.

Makale detayları

A Study on Health in Avesta

Yazarlar:

Mehmet Emin Sular

Yayıncı:

Harran University

Ana Başlıklar:

Din Araştırmaları

Dergi:

Harran İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 49, pp.34-55

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2023

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001290138

pISSN:

2791-6812

History of Religions

Zoroastrianism

Avesta

Health

Ahriman

Haoma

ParahaomaDinler Tarihi

Zerdüştîlik

Avesta

Sağlık

Ehrimen

Hom

Perâhom

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Mehmet Emin Sular

Yayıncı: Harran University

Ana Başlıklar: Din Araştırmaları

Dergi: Harran İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 49, pp.34-55

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 6/2023

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001290138

pISSN: 2791-6812

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Mehmet Emin Sular

Yayıncı:

Harran University

Ana Başlıklar:

Din Araştırmaları

Dergi:

Harran İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 49, pp.34-55

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2023

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001290138

pISSN:

2791-6812