आयुर्वेद [ āyurveda ] [ āyur-veda ] m. the science of health or medicine (it is classed among sacred sciences , and considered as a supplement of the Atharva-veda ; it contains eight departments: 1. Śalya or (removal of) any substance which has entered the body (as extraction of darts , of splinters , ) ; 2. Śālākya or cure of diseases of the eye or ear by Śalākās or sharp instruments ; 3. Kāya-cikitsā or cure of diseases affecting the whole body ; 4. Bhūtavidyā or treatment of mental diseases supposed to be produced by demoniacal influence ; 5. Kaumāra-bhṛitya or treatment of children ; 6. Agada-tantra or doctrine of antidotes ; 7. Rāsāyana-tantra or doctrine of elixirs ; 8. Vājīkaraṇa-tantra or doctrine of aphrodisiacs Lit. Suśr. Lit. MBh. Lit. Hariv. ) ( 148,3 )