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

The Arkardi Group :--The drugs known as the Arka, Alarka, the two kinds of Karanja,

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Nagadanti, Mayuraka, Bhargi, Rasna, Indrapiishpi, Kshudrashveta Mahashveta, Vrishchikali, Alavana and Tapasha-Vriksha, enter into the composition of the group known as the Arkadi Gana.

Metrical Texts:— The group known as the Arkadi destroys Kaphani, fat, and the effects of poison. It acts as a vermifuge and a specific aseptic agent in the case of an ulcer and proves curative in diseases of the skin.

The Surasa'di Group :— The drugs known as Surasa, white Surasa, Fainjjhaka, Arjaka, Bhustrina, Sugandhaka, Sumukha, Kalamala, Kashamarda, Kshavaka, Kharpushpa, Vidanga, Katphala_, Surasi, Nirgundi, Kulahala, Indurakarnika, Phanji, Prachivala, Kakamachi and Vishamushtika form the group known as the Surasadi Gana.

IVIetrical Texts :— The group acts as a vermifuge and is an aseptic agent. It subdues the deranged Kapham and proves beneficial in catarrh, non-relish for food, asthma and cough.

The lYIushkaka'di Group:— The group of medicinal drugs known as the Mushkakadi consists of Mushkaka, Palasha, Dhava, Chitraka, Madana, Shinshapa, Vajra-Vriksha and Triphala.

Metrical Text :— The present group is possessed of the therapeutic virtue o-f destroying fat and 44

346 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'. [ Chap. XXXVIII.

removing the defects of semen. Meha, piles, jaundice, chlorosis, gravels and urinary calculi in the bladder are the diseases which yield Lo its curative efficac)'.

The Pippalya'di Group: -The group of

medicinal drugs known as the Pippalyadi consists of Pippali, Pippali mulam, Chavya, Chitraka, Shringavera, Maricha, Hasti-Pippali, Harenuka, Ela, Ajamoda, Indrayava, Patha, Jiraka, Sarshapa, Maha-Nimva-Phala, Hingu, Bhargi, Madhurasa, Ativisha, Vacha, Vidanga and Katurohini.

IVIetrical Text : — The present group acts as a good appetiser and is an absorbant of intestinal mucous and unassimilated lymph chyle. The range of its therapeutical application includes catarrh, deranged Kapham and Vatam, non-relish for food, abdominal glands, colic and gastralgia.

The Elardi Group : — The group of medicinal drugs known as the Eladi-Gana consists of Ela, Tagara, Kushtha, M^nsi, Dhyamaka, Tvaka, Patra, Nagapushpa, Priyangu, Harenuka, Vyaghranakha, Shukti, Clianda, Sthauneyaka, Shriveshtaka, Chocha, Choraka, Valaka, Guggulu, Sarjarasa, Turushka, Kunduruka, Aguru, Sprikka, Ushira, Bhadradaru, Kumkuma, Punnaga and Keshara.

IVIetrical Text :— The therapeutic virtue of the group consists in subduing the action of V^yu and

Chap. XXXVIII.] SUTRASTHANAM.

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Kapham and in neutralising the effects of poison. It is a cosmetic and arrests* the eruption of pimples and other vegetations on the skin such as rash, urticaria etc. and checks the itching sensation incidental thereto.

The Vach2rcli and Haridrardi Groups :-

The groups known as the Vachadi and Haridradi Ganas, respectively consist of Vacha, Musta, Ativisha, Abhaya, Bhadradaru, Nagakeshara (Vachadi), Haridra, Daruharidr^, Kalashi, Kutaja seeds and Madhuka (Haridradi).

IVIetrical Text: — These two groups are the purifiers of breast milk and specifically act as the assimilators of the deranged humours of the body, their curative properties being markedly witnessed in cases of mucous dysentery (Amatisiira).

The Shy^mardi Group : -The drugs known as Shyama, Mahd-Shyam^, Trivrit, Danti, Shankhini, Tilvaka, Kampillaka, Ramyaka, Kramuka, Putrashroni, Gavakshi, Rajavriksha, the two kinds of Karanja, Guduchi, Saptala, Chhagalantri, Sudh^ and Suvarnakhiri, form the group known as the Shyam^di Gana.

Metrical Text : — This group is possessed of the therapeutic virtue of curing abdominal glands and acts as an anti-toxic. It proves beneficial in An^ha

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THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XXXVIII.

'epistasis), abdominal dropsy and diarrhoea and is one of the most reliable purgatives in cases of obstinate constipation of the bowels with suppression of urine and distention of the abdomen (Udavarta).

The Vrihatya'di Group :-^The drugs known as Vrihati, Kantakarika, Kutajaphala, Patha and Madhuka combinedly form the group known as the Vrihatyadi Gana.

IVIctrical Text :— The group is a good digestant or assimilator of the deranged humours. It subdues the deranged Vata, Pitta and Kapham and proves efficacious in cases of nausea, water-brash, d^'suria and non- relish for food.

The Patola'di Group:— The drugs known as Patola, Chandana, Kuchandana, Murva, Guduchi, Patha, and Katurohini form the group known as the Patoladi Gana.

IVIetrical Text : — The group is a febrifuge and anti-toxic, and its therapeutic action consists in destroying the action of the deranged Pittam and Kapham. It restores the natural relish of the patient for food, removes vomiting, and proves beneficial in ulcers, and itching erythematous eruptions.

The Ka'kolya'di Group :— The drugs known as Kakoli-Kshira-Kakoli, Jivaka, Rishabhaka, Mudgaparni, Mashaparni, Meda, Mah^meda, Chhinna-ruha,

Chap. XXXVIII.] SUTRASTHA'NAM.

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