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

Having made obeisance to the holy Dhanvantari, Sushruta said : — "You have stated before that food determines the origin of beings and forms the chief source of their bodily strength and complexion, as well as of the albuminous (Ojas) principle in their organisms. Food primarily depends upon the six different tastes. Moreover tastes are inherent in substances. Again the substances, with their specific tastes, virtues, potencies and reactionary or chemical transformations, tend to diminish or increase the deranged humours and the fundamental principles of the body, as also to bring about a normal equilibrium amongst them. Food is the primary cause of the origin, continuance and dissolution even of such beings as the divine Brahma, etc. Life is impossible without food. Food is the source of the growth, strength, and healthful glow of organic beings. It is food that imparts strength to the organs of sense and makes them operative in their respective fields of action. It is irregularity (Vaishamya) of diet which brings about ill-health. Diet may be divided into four kinds such as^

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solid food, (Ashitha) drink, Leedham (food taken by licking), and the Kh^ditam (food that is chewn and assimilated only for the enjoyment of a specific taste). A variety of substances enters into the composition of our food, which admit of being grouped under various preparations and necessarily involve the co-operation of a large number of dynamical forces. I am eager to learn of the substances and their specific inherent properties, virtues, potencies and transfonnations (chemical reactions) which constitute the daily food of human beings, inasmuch as a physician, who is ignorant of them, is quite helpless in checking or curing any distemper and maintaining health in individuals. And since food (diet) determines the origin of all created beings, instruct us, O Lord, on the proper regimen of food and drink."

The holy Dhanvantari, thus addressed by Sushruta, replied as follows : — "O child, hear me discourse on the proper regulation of food and drink as requested by you. There are several species of Shall rice such as, the Lohitaka, Shdli, Kalama, Kardamaka, Panduka, Sugandhaka, Shakunahrita, Pushpdndaka, Pundarika, Mahashali, Shita-Bhiruka, RodhraPushpaka, Dirghashuka, Kanchanaka, Mahisha-mastaka, Hayanaka, Dushaka, and Mah^-Dushaka etc.

IVIetrical Texts— The several species of Shall rice are sweet in taste, cooling in potency,

Chap. XLVL] SUTRASTHA'NAM. 47 1

light of digestion, and impart strength to those who use them. They subdue the Pittam and shghtly generate Vayu and Kaphara. They are demulcent and tend to constipate the bowels and reduce the quantity of fecal matter. Of these the red species (Lohitaka) is the most efficacious, and subdues the deranged humours. It is diuretic, spermatopoietic, refrigerant, eye-invigorating, cosmetic, tonic and pleasant. It improves the voice. Its efficacy has been witnessed in cases of fever and ulcer, and in all other diseases. It is a good disinfectant and anti-toxic. The other species differ a little in their properties from the preceding one and are successively inferior in quality in their order of enumeration.

Shashtika Group : — The several species of Shashtika, K^nguka, Mukundaka, Peetaka, Pramodaka, Kdkalaka, Asana-Pushpaka, Mah^-Shashthika, Churnaka, Kiu-avaka, and the Kedar^ka, etc.

IVIetrical Texts : — They (Shashtikas) are sweet in taste and digestion, and pacify the V^yu and the Kapham. Their properties are somewhat identical with those of Shali rice inasmuch as they are constructive, tonic and spermatopoietic, and increase the Kapham. The Shashtika is pre-eminently the most efficacious of all the other species, and leaves an astringent after-taste in the mouth. It is light, mild, demulcent and imparts Strength and firmness to the body. It is astringent and

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THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.' [Chap. XLVI.

sweet in digestion, and exhibits properties similar to those of the red Shali. The remaining varieties are inferior in quality, each succeeding one being inferior to the one immediately following it.