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

The Vayu, Pittam and Shleshma should be considered as the primary and the most essential factors in the constitution of human organism. These fundamental and vital humours, occupying respectively the lower, middle, and upper parts of the body, maintain its integrity. The human body is supported by the three fundamental humours in the same way as a dwelling house is propped up by three supporting poles or stays ; from which fact, the body is called the three-supported one (Tristhunam) by certain authorities. A deranged condition of these three fundamental humours may bring about its dissolution or death, while on their continuance in a normal state depends the vitality of the organism. These three humours, in combination with a fourth, the principle of blood, determine the origin, preservation, and dissolution of animated organism and permeate it with their respective properties till the moment of death.

Authoritative verse on the subject : — There can be no organism without Vdyu, Pittam, Kapham and blood, which are necessary top. 195 constantly maintain its integrity. The terms Vata (Vayu), Pittam and Shleshma (Kaphami are respectively derived from the roots 'Va', to move or smell, ' Tapa,' to burn or to heat, and " Shlisha," to embrace, with the suffix 'Ta' thereto added.*

Seats of the bodily humours :— Now we shall describe the locations of the foregoing vital humours. The Vaj'^u may be briefly described as located in the regions of the pelvis (Shroni), and the rectum (Guda . The Pittam has its seat in the region between the stomach 1 Amashaya) and the intestines (Pakvashaya) which is above the pelvis and the rectum and below the umbilicus, while the Kapham is ensconced within the cavity of the stomach (Amashaya. j

Xow we shall divide the locations of each of the vital humours into five parts : — The five localities of the Vayu will be described under the head of VataVyadhis (nervous diseases), while those of Pittam are the liver and the spleen, the heart, the pupils of the eyes, the skin and the intestines (Pakvashaya\ The Kapham is located in the region of the breast, the throat, the head, the joints and the stomach (Amashaya). The foregoing regions are the seats of the vital humours in their normal state.

* From this shiiuld he infenetl that niotion and sim-ll arc ilic nalural allriljutes of ihe viud \^yu, heal and ImininL; arc lliosc uf I'iUam, and union and inlegraliun arc iho.sc of Kapham.

p. 196

IVIetrical Texts :— The vital humours ^Vayu, Pittam and Kapham maintain the integrity of the animated organism by creating, assimilating and diffusing strength in the same way as the moon, the sun, and the winds maintain the integrity of the terrestrial globe.*

The Pittam :— Now it may be asked whether the Pittam is identical with the elemental fire, or is it something other than that ? The question may be answered by stating that the Pittam is the same as fire. Since such symptoms, as a burning sensation, digestion (boiling , and all other characteristics of fire can never exhibit themselves in the human body without the intervention of Pittam. Pittam therefore is called internal fire.t

Consequently, an enfeebled action of Pittam is remedied by the administration of drugs and substances which are akin to the elemental fire in their attributes, while an abnormal or excessive action (secretion) of Pittam is subdued by cooling measures as an overkindled fire is subdued by moisture. There is no other fire (heat making factor) in the organism than Pittam.

* The moon laves the ea.rlh and imparls lo it the vitaHsing principle with her own ambrosial lii^ht. The sun draws off the moisture in virtue of his own attractive force, and the Vdyu distributes the heal and moisture over its surface.

t The analogy is based on the healing (and metabolic) actions of Pittam, and does not extend to its liquid secreli<jn ,'bile). Bui since the former attributes permeate in its entirety, it is designated the Inlernal fireChap. XXI. ] SUTRASTHA'NAM. 1^7

The Pd'Chakygni :— By the ordination of fate or necessity (unfathomable natural cause \ the Pittam, located in the region between the stomach (Am^shaya < and the intestines (Pakvashaya), helps the digestion of the four kinds of food such as drink and edibles etc. 1 partaken of by a living subject, and purges off the residue or impure morbiferous matter in the shape of urine and excreta after the completion of the process. Even thus located, it keeps up the temperature in its other distant locations (skin, etc.) in virtue of its native heat-giving attribute. Hence this Pittam is called the Pachakagni (digestive fire or heat) in an animated organism.

The Ranjaka'gni :— The function of the Pittam, which has its seats in the liver and the spleen, consists in imparting its characteristic pigment ( Ragakrit i to the lymph-chyle and is hence known as Ranjakagni (lit : — dyeing fire or pigment bile.)