When we read or hear the term ‘poison’ or even when the term appears in our mind, we feel instant repulsion. We are such afraid of it that immediate distance from poison or anything poisonous is desired. But poison has never been such untouchable. We read the term ‘poison’ printed prominently on the package of certain medicines which are used to provide relief in case of muscle pain. Insecticides or pesticides used in the agricultural fields are poisonous. Chemical grains used to kill the cockroaches or even rats are highly poisonous.

But such experiences that we are having almost every day are simply nothing. In ancient India poison had a royal value. In those days feuds and battles were almost regular affairs. Any kind of kings, great or small, had an army always ready with the bows and arrows or with the swords and spears.

Chandragupta Maurya was a very powerful king in the eastern part of India. Pataliputra (now Patna in Bihar) was his capital. It is said that in his secret army there were some pretty girls. Those girls were groomed from their childhood in a manner so that they could be used during a battle. They were taught how to sing and how to dance and how to present themselves most attractively. Along with these they were given very small quantity of poison to take days after days. Thus they would reach to such a level that snakes did not live after biting them. They were called ‘Bishkanya’ which means poison-girl (‘Bish’ means poison and ‘kanya’ means girl). They were sent to the commander-in-chief of the enemy camp. It is said that the chief of the army would invite his own death just after a lip to lip kiss with any of them.

During 120 to 63 BC there was a king in North Anatolia. North Anatolia was in the kingdom of Pontus. The region is presently in Turk. The king was fortunate and also unfortunate to occupy the throne at the age of only 11 just after his father’s untimely death. When he began to grow up he realized that the throne was full of thorns. He started to apprehend conspiracy in every nook and corner. He could not even sleep fearing that there were people who had intention to annihilate him.

When he was too young his mother was his guardian. He, being terrified, killed his mother. He then killed his brothers. But as he was sick in mind he would be poisoned and killed. Hence, on an advice from a medical person, he began to take poison of the snakes. And he continued in taking venom of the snakes and became a contestant of the snakes in killing a man by simply biting.                                                    (Poisoning of Queen Bona)

Now his tragedy began. His sons rebelled against him and went to favor the Romans who were his sworn enemy. The old king wanted to die. And none of the snake appeared helpful. He finally engaged a person and paid this man so that this man would stab him and stab him to death. He was King Mithridates VI.

A person is said to be ‘mithridatized’ in case poison does not affect on him.