The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

The gods after having

S44 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. tChap. XXX.

drunk the celestial ambrosia to their fill cast the residue to the Somas and kindred plants as well as to the moon, the lord of the Oshadhis. lo-A.

Their habitats :-The Brahma-suvarchald species (of the Oshadhis) is found to grow in and about the waters of the great river Indus and the lake Devasunda. The Adityaparnini species may be had in those two regions at the end of winter, and Gonasi and Ajagari at the beginning of the rains The Karenu^\}(\^ Kanyd, the Chhatrd^ the Ati-chchhatrd^ the Golomi, the Aja-lomi, and the Mahd-s'rdvani varieties of the Oshadhis are found (in spring) in the lake of Kshudraka- Manasa in Kashmir. The Krishna-sarpdkhyd and the Gonasi species also are found in that locality during the spring. The S'veta-kdpoti species is white coloured and is found to grow on the ant-hills which cover a space of three Yojanas on the other (viz^ the western) side of the river Kausiki and to the east of the Sanjayanti. The Oshadhi of the Vegavati species grows on the Malaya hills and on the Nala-setu. lO-B.

Any one of these Oshadhis should be taken after a fast under the auspices of the full-moon in the month of Kdrtika. The regimen of diet and conduct is the same as laid down in connection with Soma-Rasa^yana and the results have been already described to be the same, loC.

The common habitats of all the

Oshadhis : — The Soma as well all the other Oshadhi plants may be had on (the summits of) the Arvuda mountains whose cloud-rending summits are the favourite haunts of the gods and which abound in holy pools and fountains frequented by the gods, the Siddhas and the holy Rishis, and whose large hollow caves are reverberated with the thundering roars of

Chap. XXX.] CHiKITSA STHANAM. 545

lion and which are moated on all sides by swift coursing rivers, whose waters are perpetually tossed by sportive elephants of the forests and whose brows are effulgent with the lustres of various brilliant metals imbedded in their hearts. lo.

These ambrosial plants (as well as other drugs) are to be sought in the rivers, the holy forests and hermitages, as well as in lakes and on hills, since this world is a bed of gems and is known to hold priceless treasures in all places, ii.

Thus ends the Thirtieth Chapter of the Chikitsita Sthdnam in the Sus'ruta Samhita which deals with the tonic remedies which have the power of removing the mental and physical distresses.

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CHAPTER XXXI.

Thus ends the Thirtieth Chapter of the Chikitsita Sthdnam in the Sus'ruta Samhita which deals with the tonic remedies which have the power of removing the mental and physical distresses.

p. 69

CHAPTER XXXI.

Now we shall discourse on the medicinal uses (both internal and external) of the Snehas*, i.e,, oleaginous substances (Snehaupayogika-Chikitsita). i.

A Sneha or an oleaginous substance forms the essential factor of the physical organism, and the self-conscious animated element (which contributes directly to its vitality and makes life possible) abounds in oleaginous principles; both are consequently in constant want of a Sneha. Snehas or oleaginous substances are enjoined to be administered in food and drinks as well as in Anuvdsana, Mastikya-s'iro-vasti and Uttara-vasti (urethral or vaginal enemas), errhines (Nasya), ear-drops (Karna-purana) and unguents (Abhyanga). 2.

There are four kinds of Snehas which, however, are divided into two classes according to their origin : viz., vegetable and animal. Clarified butter prepared from cow's milk is the best of the animal Snehas, while Sesamum oil is the best of the vegetable ones, 3.

Now we shall describe the ends for which the different vegetable oils should be used as well as the modes in which they should be prepared and employed. 4.

The expressed oils prepared from (the seeds of) Lodhra, Eranda^ Kos'dnira, Danti, Dravanti, Saptaldy S' amkhini, Palds'a^ Vishdnikd^ Gavdkshi, Kampillaka, Sampdka and of Nilini act as purgatives. The oils prepared from (the seeds of) Jimutaka^ Kutaja, Kritavedhana, Ikshvdku (bitter gourd), Dhdmdrgava and of Madana act as emetics. The expressed oils prepared from (the seeds of) Vidanga, Khara manjari^ Madhup. 547s'igru, Surya-valli, Pilu, Siddhdrthaka and oi Jyotishmati act as errhines (S'iro-virechana). 5.

* The Sneha is of four kinds, viz., clarified butter, oil, lard and marrow, of which clarified butter and oil are generally used.

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s'igru, Surya-valli, Pilu, Siddhdrthaka and oi Jyotishmati act as errhines (S'iro-virechana). 5.

The expressed oils prepared from (the seeds of) Karanja, Putika, Kritamdla, Mdtulunga, Ingudi and of Kirdta-tikta are used in cases of Dushta-vrana (malignant ulcers). The expressed oils of Tuvaraka, Kapittha, Kampillaka, Bhalldtaka and of Patola are used in cases of Maha^-vyaidhi (Kushtha, etc.). The expressed oils of Trapusha^ Ervdruka, Karkdruka^ Tumbi and of Kushmdnda are used in cases ' of Mutra-sanga (for diuretic purposes). The expressed oils of Kapota-vamka^ Aval- ^uja and of Haritaki are used in cases of Sarkara'- s'mari (gravels, stones, etc.). The expressed oils of Ktisumbha^ Sarshapa, Atasi, Pichii-marda^ Atimuktaka Bhdndi, Katu-tumhi and of Katabhi are used in cases of Prameha (urinary complaints). The expressed oils of the fruits of Tdla, Ndrikela, Panasa, Mocha, Piydla, Vilva, Madhuka, S'lesJmidtaka and of Amrdtaka are used in diseases due to the deranged Va'yu acting in concert with the deranged Pitta. The expressed oils of Vibhitaka. Bhalldtaka and of Pinditaka are used in Krishna-karma (blackening the cicatrix of a healed ulcer, etc.). The expressed oils of 5 ravana, Kanguka and of Tuntuka are used in imparting a yellow colour (to a cicatrix). The expressed oils of the pith of S^ims^apd and o^thoAguru are used in cases of Kushtha known as Dadra (ring- worm) and Kitima. 6-y.

The primary action of all kinds of Sneha (oil, clarified butter, etc.^ is to subdue the aggravation of the deranged Vdyu of the body, and the general virtues of all kinds of (vegetable) oil have been described above. 8. Now we shall describe the process of preparing drugdecoctions and of medicating oils (therewith). According to several authorities, the bark^ roots and leaves,

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