In ancient times, the wisdom of healing was gathered and preserved by great sages, each contributing to the vast ocean of Ayurveda. Sahadeva, renowned among seers, composed a treatise called "The Crusher of the Ocean of Diseases," a work dedicated to alleviating suffering. The venerable sage Cyavana, full of compassion, gave the world "The Bestower of Life," offering guidance for vitality and longevity. The son of Chandra compiled "The Essence of All," distilling the core of healing knowledge, while Jabala authored "The Essence of Treatises," drawing together the most profound insights. Paila, another illustrious sage, wrote "Diagnosis," a guide to understanding the roots of illness, and Karatha composed the supreme text known as "The Support of All," a foundation for the science of therapy. In total, sixteen such treatises were created, and these became the seeds from which the science of healing and therapy would grow. The sages, with minds sharp as the mantra of knowledge, churned the vast ocean of Ayurveda, extracting its deepest truths. From this churning arose the divine "Bhaskara Samhita," composed in perfect order, shining as a beacon of medical understanding. This sacred text revealed the true nature of disease and the means to control pain. It taught that the true knower is one who understands Ayurveda and applies therapies with skill and accuracy. At the heart of all diseases, the sages declared, lies fever—a force difficult to restrain and truly dreadful. Fever was described in vivid form: terrible to behold, it stands on three feet, bears three heads, wields six arms, and possesses nine eyes. Its origin is a weakened digestive fire, which itself arises from three sources: wind, bile, and phlegm. From these imbalances spring a host of ailments: Pandu, Kamala, Kushtha, Shotha, Plīha, Shulaka, as well as urinary disorders, abdominal tumors, and diseases born from impure blood. Disorders such as Bhramari, the tridoshic afflictions, and the severe Vishuchi are also born of these roots. These diseases are called the daughters of Death, and old age is their maiden companion. Yet, the texts assure, these afflictions do not approach one who knows the proper means and lives with self-control. Such a person maintains health through simple but powerful practices: regularly washing the eyes, exercising, and massaging oil into the feet. In spring, one should walk and limit exposure to fire; in summer, they should bathe in cool water from a pit, apply sandalwood paste, and avoid the wind. During the rainy season, bathing in warm water and avoiding dense water is advised. In autumn, one should avoid harshness and not wander about. In winter, bathing in a pit and making use of fire is beneficial, and throughout the cold season, one should use the warmth of sun and fire, eating freshly warmed food. The wise consume fresh meat, new rice, and the milk of a young woman. They eat good food when hungry and drink water when thirsty. Curd, clarified butter, fresh butter, and jaggery are wholesome, but dried meat, the company of an old woman, the young sun, and stale curd are to be avoided. Eating curd at night, consorting with prostitutes or menstruating women, as well as with a barren woman or an old procuress, is strictly forbidden. To eat food in such company is considered as sinful as killing a Brahmin. Where there is sin, disease is always present; their association is unbreakable. From sin, disease arises, and from sin, old age follows. Thus, sin is declared the greatest enemy, the root of all faults, and the source of misfortune. But the one who is devoted to their own duty, who is initiated and serves Hari with faith, who observes vows and fasts, and who visits holy places, such a person is not afflicted by old age or by the difficult-to-conquer host of diseases. Fever, the sages say, is the origin of all diseases, and just as these diseases move about, so too do they enter into the bodies of living beings.