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The origin of various diseases is narrated in the eleventh verse of the chapter. ''Apasmara'' originates from physical and mental contact with various unclean and unwholesome exogenous factors leading to imbalance at physical and psychological levels. The words ''ashuchi samsparsha'' literally mean direct contact of body and mind with unwholesome things. This is further supported by ''apasmara''’s etiology which points at improper diet and lifestyle as a major causative factor.  
 
The origin of various diseases is narrated in the eleventh verse of the chapter. ''Apasmara'' originates from physical and mental contact with various unclean and unwholesome exogenous factors leading to imbalance at physical and psychological levels. The words ''ashuchi samsparsha'' literally mean direct contact of body and mind with unwholesome things. This is further supported by ''apasmara''’s etiology which points at improper diet and lifestyle as a major causative factor.  
 
    
 
    
Review of ancient medical literature confirms that epilepsy was initially called sacred, because of the belief for its divine origin. A chapter on epilepsy in Babylonian texts on medicine comprising 40 tablets dating as far back as 1067 BC accurately recorded many of the different seizure types recognized today. It emphasizes upon the supernatural nature of epilepsy, with each seizure type associated with a divinity, spirit or deity (usually evil). It was believed, in antiquity, that if a person comes in contact with things that are supernatural and evil, he/she would suffer from epilepsy. This view is consistent with those in ancient Greek, British, and Indian (Vedic) literature as well. The Ayurvedic theory of origin of epilepsy mentions contact with evil, unwholesome and unclean objects or experiences as key causative factors. References of ''grahas'' (celestial bodies) as a causative factor of ''apasmara'', specifically in children, can be found in vedic texts with terms such as ‘skanda’ and ‘skandapasmara. Though there are references of exogenous variants of epilepsy (''agantu apasmara'') in [[Charaka Samhita]], a detailed description of these is not found. This indicates two things:  
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Review of ancient medical literature confirms that epilepsy was initially called sacred, because of the belief for its divine origin<ref>Emmanouil Magiorkinis, Kalliopi Sidiropoulou Aristidis Diamantis. Hallmarks in the History of Epilepsy: From Antiquity Till the Twentieth Century. Novel Aspects on Epilepsy Office for the Study of History of Hellenic Naval Medicine, Naval Hospital of Athens, Greece.  </ref>. A chapter on epilepsy in Babylonian texts on medicine comprising 40 tablets dating as far back as 1067 BC accurately recorded many of the different seizure types recognized today. It emphasizes upon the supernatural nature of epilepsy, with each seizure type associated with a divinity, spirit or deity (usually evil)<ref> J. M. S. Pierce, a disease once sacred. A history of the medical understanding of epilepsy
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By Mervyn J. Eadie and Peter F. Bladin2001. Eastleigh: John Libbey.  Pp. 248. ISBN 0‐86196‐607‐4. Oxford Journals Medicine Brain Volume 125, Issue 2 Pp. 441-442.
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</ref>. It was believed, in antiquity, that if a person comes in contact with things that are supernatural and evil, he/she would suffer from epilepsy. This view is consistent with those in ancient Greek, British, and Indian (Vedic) literature as well. The Ayurvedic theory of origin of epilepsy mentions contact with evil, unwholesome and unclean objects or experiences as key causative factors. References of ''grahas'' (celestial bodies) as a causative factor of ''apasmara'', specifically in children, can be found in vedic texts with terms such as ‘skanda’ and ‘skandapasmara. Though there are references of exogenous variants of epilepsy (''agantu apasmara'') in [[Charaka Samhita]], a detailed description of these is not found. This indicates two things:  
 
#Epilepsy originates from exposure to unwholesome, unclean and evil things either at a physical or at a psycho-spiritual plane.   
 
#Epilepsy originates from exposure to unwholesome, unclean and evil things either at a physical or at a psycho-spiritual plane.   
#Management of the disease may include ''adhyatmik chikitsa'' (psycho-spiritual therapy) for better treatment.  
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#Management of the disease may include ''adhyatmik chikitsa'' (psycho-spiritual therapy) for better treatment.
    
==== Definition of ''Apasmara'' ====
 
==== Definition of ''Apasmara'' ====

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