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

* Any foreign mailer, lodged in a human organism and proving painful 10 it, is called a Shalya.

t The name is derived from the Sanskrit term Slialak^, a probe or a rod, the use and application of the instrument being primarily jincluded within the scope of this branch of the Ayurveda.

J The term K^ya literally signifies the vital heat or fire which runs through the entire system, and hence the II5ya-chikits6 deals with diseases which may gradually invade the root-principles of a living human organism.

4 THE SUSHRUTA SAATHITA' [ Cliap. I.

restricted to an}^ specific organ, or to any particular part of the body, affect the entire system, as Fever, Dysentery, Haemoptysis, Insanity, Hysteria, Leprosy, unnatural discharges from the urethra, etc.

The Bhuta-Vidya' 'Demoniacal diseases) — lays down incantations and modes of exorcising evil spirits and making offerings to the gods, demons, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshas, etc. for cures of diseases originating from their malignant influences.

The Kauma'ra-Bhritya Management of children) — deals with the nursing and healthy bringing up of infants, with purification and bettering of mothers' milk, found deficient in any of its characteristic traits, and also with cures for diseases peculiar to infant life and due to the use of vitiated mother's milk or to the influences of malignant stars and spirits.

The Agada-Tantram ■Toxicology— deals with bites from snakes, spiders and venomous worms, and their characteristic symptoms and antidotes. It hai also for its object the elimination of poison whether animal, vegetable, or chemical (resulting from incompatible combinations) from the system of a man, overwhelmed with its effects.

The Rasa'yana-Tantram Science of Rejuvenation , — has for its specific object the

Chap. I. ] SUa^RASTHA'NAM. 5

prolongation of human life, and tl^e invigoration of memory and the vital organs of man. It deals with recipes which enable a man to retain his manhood or youthful vigour up to a good old age, and which generally serve to make the human system invuhierable to disease and deca}'.

The Varjcckarana-Tantram (Science of Aplarodisiacs, — treats of measures b}' which the semen of a man naturally scanty or deficient in quality becomes shorn of its defects ; or is purified, if deranged by the ^•itiated humours of the body (such as wind, etc. ; or is invigorated and increased in quantit}' (if pure and healthy) ; or acquires its health}' and normal consistence ' if thinned and enfeebled by indiscretions of youth\ [In short, it deals with things which increase the pleasures of youth and make a man doubly endearing to a woman].

Thus the entire science of the Ayurveda is classified into the eight preceding branches. Xow tell me, which of them is to be taught and to which of you ? Said the disciples : — "Instruct us all, O Lord, in the science of surgery ( Shalya ) and let that be the chief subject of our study." To which replied the holy Dhanvantari : — "Be it so." Then the disciples again said : — "We are all of one mind in the matter, O Lord, that Sushruta shall be our spokesman aiid .ask

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you questions conformably to the general trend of our purpose. All of us will attentively hear what you will be pleased to discourse to Sushruta, [and that will save you the trouble of teaching us individuall)']". To which replied the venerable sage — ",Be it so. Now listen, Sushruta, m}- dear child. The object or utility of the science which forms the subject of our present discussion, ma}' be gi^ouped under two distinct sub-heads such as (i) the cure of diseased persons, and (2) the presetvation of health in those who are not afflicted with any sort of bodily distempers."

The etymological meaning of the term "Ayurveda" may be interpreted to denote either a science in the knowledge of which life exists, or which helps a man to enjoy a longer duration of life.

The primary position of surgery:—

[As regards time and importance among the other allied branches of the Science of Medicine]. Hear me discourse on the Science of Surgery { Shalya-Tantram) which is the oldest of all the other branches of the Science of Medicme (Ayurveda) and is fuither corroborated by the four classes of testimonies, viz., Perception, Inference, Analogv and Scriptural Truths (Agamas). The primary position of this branch of the Ayurveda, (as regards its time or origin), may be inferred from the fact that Surgerv lends her aid materiallv towards thep. 7 healing up of traumatic mlcers.* The 'second reason for such an intWence may be deduced from the replacement of the severed head of Yajna.

It is told that the god Rudra, severed the head of the God of Sacrifice (Yajna). Whereupon the gods approached the celestial Ashvins, and addressed them as follows : — "You twins, O lords, who are to be the greatest of us all, connect the head of