An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. I: Sutrasthanam — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1907)

A plot of ground, exhibiting traits peculiar to all the five fundamental material principles (such as the earth water, fire, etc.), is said to be possessed of a soil of general character (Sadharani Bhumi), and medicinal plants and herbs partake of the specific virtues of the soil the}' grown on.

Drugs, whether fresh or old, and emitting a contrary smell, or in any way affected as regards their natural sap or juice, should not be used for pharmaceutical purposes.

The virtues of such medicinal drugs and substances such as Vidanga, Pippali, Madhu, and Guda, improve

* ITence the doctrine, as regards the culling of the difterent parts of a medicinal plant such as, the leaves, roots, etc., in the different seasons of the year, naturally falls to the ground.

Chap. XXXVII. ] SUTRASTHA'NAM. 34 1

(after a year. Accordingly all drugs and n^.edicinal herbs, excepting the preceding ones, should be used fresh and unsoiled, or uninjured by insects.

Blood, nails, or hair etc., of animals, '^officinally laid down to be used in our Pharmacopoeia), should be taken from young and healthy animals, and the ordure, urine, or milk of an animal, (enjoined to be used for medicinal purposes), should be collected at a time after it has completed its digestion.

The pharmacy and the medicinal store of a physician should occupy a commendable site and an auspicious quarter of the sky (Xorth or East), and the collected medicines should be kept tied in pieces of clean linen, or stored in earthen vessels and hollow tubes of wood, or suspended on wooden pegs.

Thus ends the thirty-seventh Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Samhit^ wliich treats of the Classification of grounds for the culture of medicinal plants and herhs, etc.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Now we shall discourse on the Chapter which deals with the general classification of drugs according to their therapeutical properties (Dravya-Sangrahaniya-madhyaryam).

These drugs are usually made into thirty-seven different groups (Gana) which are as follows : —

The Vidarigandha'cli Croup:— The drugs

known as Vidarigandha, Vidari, Sahadeva, Vishvadeva, Shvadanstra, Prithakparni, Shatavari, Sariva, black Sariva, Jivaka, Rishavaka, Mahasaha, Kshudra-Saha, Vrihati, Kantakari, Punarnava, Eranda, Hansapadi, Vrishchikah, and Rishavi, form the group known as the Vidari-gandhadi.

IVIetrical Text : — The present gi-oup of drugs subdues the action of the deranged Vayu and Pittam and proves beneficial in phthisis ;Shosha~^, Gulma, aching of the limbs, Urdha Shvasa and cough.

The A'ragvadha'di Group :— The drugs known as Aragvadha, Madana, Gopaghonta, Kutaja, Patha, Kantaki^ Patala, Murva, Indrayava, Saptaparna, Ximva, Kuruntaka, Dasi-kuruntaka, the two kinds of Karanja, Patola, Kiratttikua, Guduchi, Chitraka, Sh^ngshta, and Susha^•i form the group known as the Aragvadhjidi.

Chap. XXXVIII. ] SUTRASTHANAM. 343

Metrical Text : — The group under discussion destroys the deranged Kaphani and the effects of poison and proves beneficial in cases of Meha (^morbid discharges from the urethra), Kushtha, fever, vomiting and itching of the body and acts as a purifying (aseptic) agent in the case of an ulcer.

The Varuna'di Group : —The drugs known as Varuna, Artagala, Shigru, Madhu-Shigi-u, Tarkari, Mesha-Shringi, Putika, Xaktamala, Morata, Agnimantha, the two kinds of Sairiyaka, Vimvi, Vasuka, Vasira, Chitraka, Shatavari, Mlva, Ajashringi, Darbha, and the two kinds of Vrihati form the group known as the Varunadi.

IVIetrical Text : —The group is possessed of the efficacy of reducing the deranged Kapham and fat and proves efficacious in cases of cephalaegia, Gulma and internal abscesses.

The Viratarva'di Group :— The drugs

known as Virataru, the two kinds of Sahachara, Darbha, Vrikshadani, Gundra, I\'ala, Kusha, Kasha, Ashmabhedaka, Agnimantha, Morata Vasuka, Vasira, Bhalluka, Kuruntaka, Indivara, Kapotavanka, and Sh^adanstra enter into the composition of the group known as the Viratarvadi.

IVIetrical Text :— The group subdues all disorders incidental to the deranged state of Vata and

344 1*ilE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. t Chap, xxxvili.

proves curative in Ashmari, Sharkara, Mutrakrichhra, Mutraghata and urinary troubles.

The Sa^Iasara'di Group :— The group of medicinal drugs, known as the Salasaradi, consists of Salasara, Ajakarna, Khadira, Kadara, Kalaskandha, Kramuka, Bhurjja, Meshashringi, Tinisha, Chandana, Kuchandana, Shinshapa, Shirisha, Asana, Dhava, Arjuna, Tala, Shaka, Xaktamala, Putika Ashvakarna, Aguru and Kaliyaka.

IVIctrical Texts ; -The group of the drugs, known as the Salasaradi Gana, destroys the germ of Kushtha, absorbs the deranged fat and Kapham and proves beneficial in morbid discharges from the urethra (Meha\ chlorosis or jaundice (Pandu).

The Rodhrardi Group:— The group of medicinal drugs known as the Rodhradi consists of Rodhra, Savararodhra, Palasha Kutannata, Ashoka, Phanji, Katphala, Elabaluka, Sallaki, Jingini, Kadamva, Sala and Kadali.

IVIetrical Texts :— The group is antidotal to the deranged Kapham and fat, is astringent in its properties, removes vaginal and uterine disorders, neutralises the effects of poison (anti toxic) and acts as a stj'ptic and purifying agent in a case of ulcer and arrests all secretions and excretions of the body.