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

The Triphalar Group :- The drugs known Haritaki, Amlaki and Vibhitaka, constitute the group known as the Triphaladi Gana.

Metrical Text :— The present group destroys the action of the deranged Vayu, Kapham and Pittam and proves curative in Meha, and in diseases of the skin (Kushtham). It is a good appetiser, improves the eyesight and proves beneficial in chronic intermittent fever (Vishama-jvara).

The Trikatu Group :— The Trikatu group consists of Pippali, Maricha and Shringavera.

Metrical Text :— It destroys fat and Kapham, proves curative in cutaneous affections, leprosy (Kushtha), and morbid discharges from the urethra, and is possessed of the virtue of curing abdominal glands, catarrh, dullness of the appetite and indigestion.

The A'mlakya'di Group :— The group known as the Amlakyadi Gana consists of Amlaki, Haritaki, Pippali and Chitraka.

Metrical Text : — The present group of medicinal drugs acts as a general febrifuge and may be used 45^54 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap, xxxviil. with advantage in fevers of whatsoever type. Moreover, it is an aphrodisiac and acts as a general tonic or restorative and appetiser, destroying the deranged Kapham and improving the eyesight.

The Trapvardi Group :—Tlie group known as the Trapvadi Gana consists of Trapu, Sisa, Tamra, Rajata, Krishna-Lauha, Suvarna and Lohamala.

lYIctrical Text :— The present group is regarded as a good vermifuge and possessed of the virtue of neutrahsing the effects of chemical poison originated through incompatible combinations. Its therapeutic range covers jaundice, chlorosis, Melia (morbid secretions from the uretlira), Hridroga (heart disease), thirst and maladies incidental to the effects of poison.

The La'ksha'di Group :— The drugs known as the Laksha, Arevata, Kutaja, Ashvamara, Katphalam, Haridra, Daru-Haridra, Ximva, Saptachchhada, Malati, and Trayamana form the Lakshadi Gana.

Metrical Text : — This consists of astringent, bitter and sweet taste (Rasa) and acts as a good vermifuge and a purifying (aseptic) agent in cases of bad, malignant or indolent ulcers. Diseases due to the deranged Kapham and Pittam prove amenable to its curative properties, which extend to cases of cutaneous affections (Kushtham) as well. Now we shall describe

Chap. XXXVIII.] SUTRASTHANAM. ^^^

the five groups of medicinal roots (Mulam), each consisting of similar number of components.

The Svalpa Panchamulam Croup :—

The group known as the mmor group of five roots (Svalpa-Pancha-Mula) consists of the roots of medicinal plants known as the Trikantaka, the two species of Vrihati, Prithakparni, and Vidarigandha.

lYIetrical Texts : — The compound possesses a taste blended of astringent, bitter and sweet. It is a tonic and aphrodisiac, subdues the deranged Yayu and proves soothing to the deranged Pittam.

The IVlahat Panchamula Croup:—

The one known as the great or the major group of five medicinal roots (Mahat-Pancha-Mula) consists of the roots of such trees as Vilva, Agnimantha, Tuntuka, Patala and Kashmari.

Metrical Texts :— It is bitter in taste and subdues the deranged Kapham and Vatam. It is light (easily digestible) and appetising, and acquires a subsequent sweet taste in its reaction (Anurasa).

The Dashamula Croup :— The two

preceding groups in combination form the one technically known as the Dasha-Mulam (the ten roots), which is possessed of the virtue of destroying the deranged Vata, Pittam and Kapham. It proves beneficial in cases of asthma and difficult respiration. It acts as a good

p. 356

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'. [ Chap. XXXVIII.

digestant in respect of undigested lymph chyle, etc and is used with satisfactory results in all types of fever.

The Valli-Panchamulam Group:—

The group consisting of the roots of the five medicinal creepers known as Vidari, Sariva, Rajani, Guduchi and Aja-Shringi, is called the Valli-Panchamulam.

The Pancha-kantakam Groups— Similarly, the group consisting of the five medicinal (thorny) shrubs known as Karamradda, Trikantaka, Sairiyaka, Shatavari, and Gridhranakhi, is called the Pancha- Kantaka.

Metrical Texts : — The two preceding groups prove curative in Hcemoptysis and in all the tliree types of anasarca or cedema (Shopha). Moreover, it has the incontestable virtue of arresting all sorts of urethral discharges and is a potent remedy in all cases of seminal disorders.

The Pancha-Trina Group :- The group consisting of the five medicinal herbs (of the grass species) and known as Kusha, Kasha, Nala, Darbha, Kandekshuka, is called the Pancha-Trina.

Metrical Texts : — Cases of Haemoptysis, renal defects or of uninary diseases are found to speedily yield to the curative efficacy of the compound internally administered through the medium of cow's milk.

Metrical Texts -.—The first two of the aforeChap. XXXVIII.]p. 357