Dear Matthew, no, "kuṣṭha" is Hindi for "leprosy". But in Sanskrit Ayurvedic literature it refers to a range of skin conditions that may include what we today call leprosy but also vitiligo and other conditions causing skin pallor. Other terms in this semantic field include "śvitra" and "kilāsa."

Best explored by Ronald Emmerick, attached.

Dominik Wujastyk, Professor Emeritus, Classical Indian History

University of Alberta

"The University of Alberta is committed to the pursuit of truth,

the advancement of learning, and the dissemination of knowledge

through teaching, research and other scholarly and creative activities and service."

-- Collective Agreement 3.01