Sattvāvajaya, Psychology, and Ritual Possession in India

Abstract

Caraka Sahitā states that Sattvāvajaya is one of the three primary categories of cikitsā or treatment (cf. Car. Sūtrasthāna 11.54, Car. Vimānasthāna 8.87; also Astāngasagraha-sūtrasthāna 12.3). This term has never been adequately explained, in spite of reasonable definitions in these texts. The other two categories of cikitsā, namely yuktivyapāśraya-cikitsā, rational therapy, and daivavyapāśraya-cikitsā, spiritual therapy involving mantra recitation, fire ritual, and other explicit religious practices, have been explored at great length. Caraka (Sūtrasthāna) 11.54 defines Sattvāvajaya as “the repeated restraining of the mind from harmful objects“ (sattvāvajaya punar ahitebhyo 'rthebhyo manonigraha). What does this mean? Although I mentioned this in my 2006 book (The Self Possessed: Deity and Spirit Possession in South Asian Literature and Civilization), I also avoided this term as best I could. Now, after rethinking it, I believe I can determine its meaning. Because the Sanskrit commentaries are all but silent on this topic, I have been forced to resolve this only with the help of examination of recent and contemporary practice of spirit healing in India. In this paper, I will provide a textual analysis of this elusive term and provide supporting evidence from modern healing sites, particularly the increasingly well-known temple in Rajasthan called Balaji.