Mentions of bacteria, viruses, or microbes in Hindu scripture?

Question

Are there any references to microbes, such as bacteria or viruses, in any Hindu scripture?

Answer 1

Microbes in Hindu scriptures.

Yes , there is mentioning of microbes in Hinduism Scripture. Take a look at below verse from Shanti-Parva of Mahabharata -Section XV.

The word krimi (कृमि) is generally used in for such microscopic creatures like bacteria ,virus or other tiny worms almost invisible to human eye. Here in below verse the word Sukshma Yoni(सूक्ष्म-योनि) is used to mention microscopic organisms.

Here in this chapter Arjuna is talking about the concept of "Survival of the fittest" , which modern science stated thousands of year later on.

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सूक्ष्मयॊनीनि भूतानि तर्क गम्यानि कानि चित |
पक्ष्मणॊ ऽपि निपातेन येषां सयात सकन्धपर्ययः||

P.26 There are many creatures that are so minute that their existence can only be inferred. With the failing of the eyelids alone, they are destroyed.

Although there is just mentioning of these microbes in Mahabharata and no other details are given ,but because it's not the main topic and even not in the scope of religious Scripture. But it's sure that the verse is talking about these microscopic organisms which gets destroyed or die within time required to close-open eyelid.i.e. very short lifespan.

Answer 2

The exact word Krimi occurs in Padma Puran, that describes 8.4 million species:

jalaja nava-laksani sthavara laksa-vimsati krmayo rudra-sankhyakah
paksinam dasa-laksanam trimsal-laksani pasavah catur-laksani manusah

  9,00,000 species of aquatics
20,00,000 species of plants
11,00,000 species of insects/worms (Krimi)
10,00,000 species of birds
30,00,000 species of animals
  4,00,000 species of humans

Answer 3

Sri Vaishnava tradition has recorded a Chola king whom they named "krimi-kantha-chola", or "Chola with the infected throat". This is because he had a throat disease. This is mentioned in the 17th century Sri Vaishnava work Prapannamrtam, the Sri Rangam temple Koil Olugu (temple history), and the Sri Vaishnava guru parampara (lineage of acharyas). This is strong evidence that Ayurveda has the concept of Germ Theory long before Europeans discovered it.

In fact, when the Europeans first discovered Germ Theory, they called the microbes "worms", "insects", etc. It was only later on that they came to be called "microbes" because they are microscopic and require a microscope to see:

The word "bacteria" didn't exist yet, so he called these microscopic living organisms "animalcules", meaning "little animals".

Kircher defined the invisible organisms found in decaying bodies, meat, milk, and secretions as "worms".

In 1700, physician Nicolas Andry argued that microorganisms he called "worms" were responsible for smallpox and other diseases.[25]

In 1720, Richard Bradley theorised that the plague and 'all pestilential distempers' were caused by 'poisonous insects', living creatures viewable only with the help of microscopes.[26]

Source: Germ Theory of Disease

Answer 4

According to Vishnu Purana 3:7:3 life is present among very small creatures.

This universe, composed of seven zones, with its seven subterrestrial regions, and seven spheres--this whole egg of Brahmá.--is every where swarming with living creatures, large or small, with smaller and smallest, and larger and largest

Answer 5

Another possible reference to "microbes" (referred by "sūkṣma-jantu") maybe found in the Liṅga Purāṇa

Chapter 78 - Part I - Liṅga Purāṇa

जंतुभिर्मिश्रिता ह्यापः सूक्ष्माभिस्तान्निहत्य तु ।
यत्पापं सकलं चाद्भिरपूताभिश्चिरं लभेत् ॥ ७८.४ ॥

4. Waters are mixed with minute (sūkṣmā) germs. By using unfiltered water one attains the same sin as by killing them.

English Translation by Prof. J.L. Shastri