For thousands of years, cannabis has been woven into the fabric of Indian wellness, spirituality, and medicine. Long before modern science validated its therapeutic properties, Ayurveda recognized it as a powerful healing herb. Long before the 2026 Delhi High Court ruling, Vedic texts called it sacred.

This blog explores cannabis's deep roots in Indian tradition—and why the 2026 ruling validates what our ancestors already knew.

Cannabis in Ancient India: The Vedic & Ayurvedic Legacy

Names Across Time & Culture

Cannabis has been called many things in India:

• Vijaya (the victorious one) — Vedic texts
• Jaya (the conqueror) — Sanskrit tradition
• Ganja — Modern Hindi/regional use
• Anandamuli (the bliss root) — Ayurvedic texts
• Bhanga — Milk-based ritual drink (Holi)
• Kencha — Regional variations

Each name carries cultural weight. Each reflects a different understanding of the plant's power.

Vedic Recognition: A Sacred Plant

The Vedas—India's oldest spiritual texts—reference cannabis as a source of happiness and a sacred plant. It appears in the Atharva Veda, one of the four Vedas, as a plant worthy of reverence.

In Shaivism (the worship of Shiva), cannabis holds special significance. Sadhus, Nagas, and Aghoris—ascetic sects devoted to Shiva—have used cannabis as part of their spiritual practice for centuries. The plant is associated with meditation, transcendence, and connection to the divine.

Ayurvedic Medicine: Therapeutic Foundation

Ayurveda, India's 5,000-year-old system of medicine, classifies cannabis as a powerful therapeutic herb. Ayurvedic texts describe its properties:

• Muscle relaxant: Eases tension and stiffness
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and pain
• Immunosuppressant: Helps manage autoimmune disorders
• Nervine tonic: Supports nervous system health
• Digestive aid: Supports healthy digestion

Ayurvedic practitioners have prescribed cannabis for chronic pain and arthritis, muscle spasms and tension, sleep disorders and insomnia, anxiety and stress, digestive imbalances, and neurological conditions. The plant was used in oils, pastes, decoctions, and milk-based preparations—always with intention and dosage carefully considered.

The Science Behind Ayurveda's Wisdom

Modern research is now validating what Ayurveda knew for millennia. As Viki Vaurora of the Great Legalisation Movement explained in a Frontline interview, cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids and 450+ medicinal compounds.

Two key compounds are getting attention:

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

• Activates the same receptors as anandamide (Sanskrit: "bliss")—a compound naturally produced by the brain
• Provides pain relief, relaxation, and mood elevation
• Used therapeutically in controlled doses

CBD (Cannabidiol)

• Non-intoxicating
• Anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxant properties
• Used for anxiety, pain, and neurological conditions
• No psychoactive effects

The Anandamide Connection

Here's where Vedic wisdom meets modern neuroscience: The brain naturally produces a compound called anandamide, derived from the Sanskrit word ananda (bliss). This compound creates feelings of happiness, calm, and well-being.

Scientists discovered that THC—found in cannabis—is one of the only plant compounds that naturally activates the same receptors as anandamide. This wasn't a coincidence. It was a recognition that the plant and human biology are deeply interconnected.

Cannabis in Indian Culture: Beyond Medicine

Holi: The Festival of Colors & Bhang

During Holi, India's festival of colors and renewal, bhang (a milk-based cannabis drink) is traditionally consumed. It's not just recreational—it's a cultural and spiritual practice. The drink is prepared with milk, spices, and cannabis, creating a beverage that's both celebratory and grounding. This tradition spans centuries and remains legal in most regions of India.

Sadhus & Spiritual Practice

Sadhus—wandering ascetics devoted to spiritual practice—have used cannabis as part of their meditation and worship for generations. In Shaivism, the plant is seen as a tool for deepening spiritual connection, not as an escape.

Regional Wellness Traditions

In Rajasthan, cannabis preparations are used to beat the desert heat. In Kashmir, traditional medicine incorporates cannabis for pain and inflammation. Across India, the plant has been woven into local wellness practices.

The 2026 Ruling: Validation of Ancient Wisdom

The January 31, 2026 Delhi High Court ruling in the case of Great Legalisation Movement India vs Union of India marks a turning point. The court acknowledged that cannabis has medicinal, scientific, and cultural value—validating what Ayurveda and Vedic traditions have known for thousands of years.

As Viki Vaurora noted, "Cannabis has been referred to as vijaya, jaya, ganja, anandamuli, bhanga and kencha, in various texts, cultures and languages of India. It has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years. It has been called a sacred plant in the Vedas."

The ruling signals that modern policy may finally align with ancient knowledge.

Hemp vs Ganja: Understanding the Distinction

Not all cannabis is the same. Learn more about the legal and practical differences between hemp and ganja, and how they're used differently in Ayurvedic and wellness contexts.

Chillum Culture & Vedic Ritual

The chillum—a conical smoking device—is deeply rooted in Indian spiritual tradition. Explore how the chillum fits into Vedic ritual and modern wellness culture.

Preparing Herbs the Ayurvedic Way

To honor Ayurvedic tradition, proper preparation is key. Explore our herb grinders collection to grind herbs with intention and care.

For ritual smoking, our chillum collection offers premium, handcrafted options rooted in tradition. You can also explore premium glass bongs for ritual use.

FAQs: Cannabis in Ayurveda & Vedic Tradition

Q1: Is cannabis really mentioned in the Vedas?

Yes. Cannabis appears in the Atharva Veda as a sacred plant. It's also referenced in Ayurvedic texts as a therapeutic herb with specific medicinal properties.

Q2: What does Ayurveda say about cannabis's healing properties?

Ayurveda classifies cannabis as a muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and nervine tonic. It's traditionally used for pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, and anxiety—always in controlled, intentional doses.

Q3: How is cannabis used in Ayurvedic medicine?

Traditionally, cannabis is prepared as oils, pastes, decoctions, or milk-based drinks (like bhang). Dosage and preparation method depend on the condition being treated and the individual's constitution.

Q4: Is bhang legal in India?

Yes. Bhang (cannabis-infused milk drink) is legal in most regions of India and is traditionally consumed during Holi and other celebrations.

Q5: How does the 2026 ruling validate Ayurvedic cannabis use?

The Delhi High Court ruling acknowledged that cannabis has medicinal, scientific, and cultural value. This validates what Ayurveda has known for thousands of years—that cannabis is a legitimate healing herb. As Vedic traditions have long recognized, the plant holds deep cultural and spiritual significance.

Q6: Can I use cannabis for wellness today in India?

Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use under the NDPS Act. However, the 2026 ruling signals potential future changes. For now, legal alternatives like hemp and bhang are available in most regions. Understand the hemp vs ganja distinction before purchasing.

Key Takeaways

• Cannabis has been used in Ayurveda and Vedic tradition for thousands of years
• The plant is called vijaya, jaya, ganja, anandamuli, bhanga—each name reflecting its cultural significance
• Ayurveda recognizes cannabis as a muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and nervine tonic
• Modern science is validating Ayurvedic wisdom about cannabis's therapeutic properties
• The 2026 Delhi High Court ruling acknowledges cannabis's medicinal and cultural value
• Bhang (cannabis-infused milk) is legal and traditionally consumed during Holi
• Sadhus and spiritual practitioners have used cannabis as part of meditation and worship for centuries

Sources

• Frontline Magazine – Interview with Viki Vaurora: Cannabis's therapeutic properties and cultural significance
• Delhi High Court – Official Judgment: Great Legalisation Movement India vs Union of India, January 31, 2026
• Ayurvedic Texts – Traditional references to cannabis in Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and other foundational Ayurvedic texts
• Vedic References – Cannabis mentions in the Atharva Veda and other Vedic scriptures

---

Disclaimer: This post is educational and explores historical and cultural uses of cannabis in Ayurveda and Vedic tradition. It does not constitute medical advice. Cannabis laws in India remain complex and evolving. Please verify current regulations with local authorities.