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

Of these, oiliness and thermogenetic potency prove curative in respect of the deranged Vayu, while cooling potency, plastive potency, and that of engendering slime subdue the deranged Pittam. Keenness, parchifying and non-slimy potencies conquer the deranged Kapham. Substances, which are hea^y in digestion, destroy the deranged Vayu and Pittam, while those which are light in digestion (easily digestible substances) prove curative in respect of the deranged Kapham.

Of these, softness, coldness and heat ma)?^ be perceived by touch. The properties of sliminess and its opposite may be perceived by the eyes and touch. The properties of dr3mess and oiliness of a drug may be perceived with the eyes ; keenness of a drug from the fact of its producing pain in the mouth ; and [heat and cold, by the sensation of comfort (pleasure) or discomfort— A. Text] The fact of heavy (insufficient)

Chap.XLL] SUTRASTHA'NAM. 381

digestion should be inferred from the frequent passing of stool and urine, • as well as from the expectoration of Kapham, while the contrary should be presumed from the constipation of the bowels, retention -of urine and disorders of the abdominal Va}^! (flatulence, distension of the abdomen^ etc.). A specific taste is detected in material principles of similar properties. As for example, a drug or a substance, which is heavy and endued with a sweet taste, should be deemed as belonging to the group of the earthy matter (largely possessed of attributes characterising earth-matter). Similarly, a substance, which is sweet and oily in its character, should be regarded as belonging to one in which the principle of water predominates.

Authoritative verse on the subject : — Properties, which characterise drugs and substances, may be as well found in a human organism, and the normal continuance, aggravation or diminution of the deranged humours is due to the action of the drugs (substances).

Thus ends the forty-first Chapter of the Sutrasth^nam in the Sushruta Samhiti which treats of specific properties of drugs.

CHAPTER XLII.

Now we shall discourse on the Chapter, which treats oi" the specific properties of flavours (RasaVishcsha-Vljnariiya-maclhyaryam).

The properties of sky (Akasha), air (Pavana), fire (Dahana), water (Toya) and earth (Bhumi) are sound touch, colour, taste and smell, each of the preceding elements possessing properties less by one than those of the one immediately succeeding it in the order of enumeration.*

[Since a matter is designated after the name of the preponderant natural element, which enters into its composition], taste is said to be a water-origined principle. All material elements are inseparably connected with one another, and there is a sort of interdependence among them, each one contributing to the continuance of the other and jointly entering, to a more or less extent, into the composition of all material substances. This water-origined flavour (Rasa), which becoming modified through its contact with the rest of the material

*To put it more explicitly the property of sound belongs to the sky (Akdsha). The'properties of sound and touch appertain to the air (V^yu). The properties of sound, touch and colour form the characteristics of Fire (Teja). Sound, touch, colour and taste form the specific properties of water (Toya). Sound, touch, colour, taste and smell mark the earth matter (Bhumi)*

p. 383

elements, admits of being divided into six different kinds, such as sweet, acid, saline, pungent, bitter and astringent. These, in their turn, being combined with one another, give rise to sixty- three different kinds. A sweet taste is largely endued with attributes whi{;h specifically appertain to the material principles of earth and water. An acid taste is pre-eminenth' possessed of attributes, which belong to the elementary principles of earth and fire. A sahne taste is mostly endued with attributes which characterise the elements of water and fire. A pungent taste is largely possessed of attributes, which mark the elementary principles of air and fire. The specific attributes of air and sky predominate in a bitter taste. The specific properties of earth and air should be regarded as dominant in an astringent taste.

Tastes such as sweet, acid and saline are endued with the virtues of subduing Vayu. Tastes such as sweet, bitter and astringent are possessed of the virtue of subduing the deranged Pittam. Tastes such as pungent, bitter and astringent tend to subdue the deranged Kapham.

The Vayu is a self-origined principle in the human organism. The Pittam owes its origin to the bodily heat (Agneya), while the origin of Kapham is ascribed to the presence of watery (Saumya) principle in the body. Tastes such as sweet, etc. are augmented by

3^4

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XLII.

causes in which they have their origin, and prove soothing or pacifying in respect of causes other than those which produce them.