Apasmara

Due to the lack of modern diagnostic tools such as brain scanning at the time, the exact conditions described remain uncertain.

Apasmara, depicted as a diminutive man, is often shown in Hindu iconography clutching a cobra, which symbolizes (ahamkara) in Shaivite tradition.

[2] To enable moksha (transcendence) while preserving the cosmic balance between spiritual knowledge and ignorance inherent in samsara, Apasmara must be subdued rather than killed.

Apasmara is believed to remain eternally subdued beneath Nataraja's foot, with Shiva perpetually maintaining this balance through his cosmic dance.

[8]The concept of Apasmara in Āyurveda relates to a group of neurological disorders, one of which may be identified as epilepsy:[9][10] according to Maharṣi Caraka, there are 4 types of apasmāra.

[10] These 4 types of apasmara are Vataja, Pitaja, Kapahaja and Sannipataja.These can be related to conditions associated with loss of memory like amnesia and dementia or temporal lobe epilepsy with fugue states or hysteria.