The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

Instruct mc on the nature of distempers, which result from its deranged condition." 2.

The holy Dhanvantari, the greatest of all healers, having listened to the foregoing words of Sus'hruta, replied as follows: — This vital Vayu (nerve force), which courses through the body, is self-begotten in its origin, and

* The term Nidanam, usually translated as Pathology, is meant to include factors, which fall within the respective provinces of Pathology, /Etiology, Symptomology and Pathognomy as well. For the meaning and functions of Vayu see Introduction vol. I. pp. xli. — xlii.

2 TH£ SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. I.

is regarded as identical with the divine energy of eternal life (God), Inasmuch as it is unconditional and absolute in its actions and effects, eternal and self-origined, and is subtile and all-pervading (like the sky and the atoms). It is the primary factor, which determines the principle of cause and effect in all forms of created things, whether mobile or immobile. It is so called (Vdyu) from the fact of its coursing (skr. Va — to move) throughout the universe. It determines the growth, origin and disintegration of all animated organisms, and as such, it receives the homage of all created beings. Although invisible in itself, yet its works are patent or manifest. It is cold, light, mobile, dry and piercing, and follows a transverse course. It is characterised by the two attributes (proper-scnsibles or Gunas) of sound and touch. It abounds in the fundamental quality of Rajas (principle of cohesion and action), is of inconceivable prowess, propels all the deranged or obstructing prinicples (Doshas) in the organism, (or in other words, is primarily concerned with the deranged principles of the body which are pathogenic in their actions). It is instantaneous in its action, and radiates or courses through the organism in constant currents. It has its primary field of action in the intestinal tract (Pakvadhana) and the rectum (Guda). In Its deranged state, it is the principal factor, which, (In combination with the deranged PIttam and Kapham), lies at the root of all diseases, and Is accordingly termed the king of diseases (Rogarat). 3.

The action of Vayu in its normal

State : — Now, hear me describe the symptoms, which mark the Vayu, as it courses through the organism. The Vdyu, in its normal or undisturbed condition, maintains a state of equilibrium between the different Doshas and the root principles of the body (Dhatu) ; it further

p. 3

The Vdyu, in its normal or undisturbed condition, maintains a state of equilibrium between the different Doshas and the root principles of the body (Dhatu) ; it furtherp. 3 tends to maintain uniform state in the metabolism of the body, (protoplasmic, Agni*) and helps the organs of sense-perception in discharging their specific functions. The bodily Vayu, like the Pittam in the organism, is grouped under five different subheads according to the difference in its functions and locations, and is classified as the Prana, Udana, Samana, Vyana and Apana.f These five classes of Vayu, located in their specific regions, contribute towards the integration and maintenance of the body. 4 — 6

The Prana Vayu :— The Vayu, that courses in (governs)the cavity of the mouth, | is called the Prdna, its function being to force down the food into the cavity of the stomach, and to assist the different vitalising principles of the body (such as the internal heat or fire etc.) in discharging their functions in life, and to contribute to the I general sustenance of the body. A deranged condition of this particular kind of Vayu (Pnina) is usually followed by hic-cough, dyspnoea and other kindred distempers. 7.

The Udana Vayu : —The most Important of the vital Vayus, which courses (sends its vibrations) upward, is called the Udana. It produces speech, song, etc. In its deranged state it brings on diseases which are specifically confined to regions lying above the clavicles. 8.

The Samana Vayu :— The Samana Vayu
'courses in (governs) the stomach (Amashaya) and in the

* See Introduction Vol. I. p.p. XLVIII— XLIX Mahamahopadhyaya Dvarka Natha Kavlratna interprets this Agni as digestive heat (/athardgni).

t The Prana Vayu is identical with the energy of the nerve centre in the medulla ; the Udana with that of the one which is situated in the speech centre. The Samana is same as the energy of the epigastric plexus, the Udana is same as the energy of the Motor-Sensory Nerves, and the Apana is identical with the force of the Hypogastric plexus,

X The field of its action includes the regions of the heart, throat, bead and the nose.

"4 THE SUSITRUTA SAMHITA. tChap. 1.

region of intestines (Pakvdshaya). Its functions consist in digesting the chyme brought down into the intestines in unison with the digestive ferment (Agni), and especially in disintegrating its essence from its refuse or excreted matter. A deranged or aggravated condition of the Samana Vayu causes dysentery, Gulma, and impaired digestion, etc. 9.

A deranged or aggravated condition of the Samana Vayu causes dysentery, Gulma, and impaired digestion, etc. 9.

The Vyana Vayu :— The Vayu known as the Vyana courses (acts) through the whole organism, and its functions consist in sending the lymph chyle, etc. all through the body and in helping the out-flow of blood (Asrik^ and perspiration. Five kinds of muscular movements* are ascribed to the action of the Vyana V^yu, a deranged condition of which is generally attended with diseases which are not confined to any particular region, member, or organ of the body, but are found to affect the whole organism (such as, fever, etc), ro.

The Apana Vayu :— The Vayu known as the Apana acts in the lower region of the intestines (Pakvadhana). Its functions consist in bearing down the foetus and the faeces and in evacuating the urine, semen and catamenial blood. An enraged condition of this Yiyu tends to bring on serious diseases, which are peculiar to the urinary bladder and the distal portion of the large intestine (Guda). An aggravated condition of both the Vyana and Apana Vayus may produce Prameha and disorders of the seminal fluid, while a simultaneous excitement of the five vital Vayus leads to a sure and speedy termination of life. 11-12.

Now we shall describe the nature of diseases, brought about by the localization of the variously aggravated

Vayus in the different parts of the body. — In the cavity

* Such as expansion, flexion, lowering down ancj lifting up or lateral thrusting of any part of the body.

Chap. I.] NIDANA STIIANAM. 5