An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. II — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1911)

Vomiting, and a burning sensation, etc. in the body, mark the instance when the Prana Vayu is surcharged (Avrita) with the Pittam ; while weakness, lassitude, somnolence and a general discolouring of the complexion ( D. R., — loss of taste) characterise a case when it is surcharged with the deranged Kapham A burning sensation in the body, loss of consciousness or epileptic fits, and a .sense of giddiness (vertigo) and

Chap. I.] ^■ID.\NA STIlAXAM. 7

physical languor are the indications, which distinguish a case of the Udana Vayu being surcharged with the Pittam ; while a stoppage or absence of perspiration, appearance of goose-flesh on the skin, impaired digestion, coldness and numbness of the affected part characterise a case of the same being surcharged with the Kapham. 29—32.

Copious flow of perspiration, heat with a burning sensation in the body, and epileptic fits indicate a case when the Samana Vav'u has become united with the Pittam ; while a copious flow of stool and urine, and an excess of mucous secretion (Kapham) from the nose (fluent coryza) etc. and horripilation mark a case, where it has become saturated with the Kapham. 33 — 34.

Heat and a burning sensation in the affected part and a profuse mcnorrhagia mark a case when the Apana Vayu becomes surcharged with the Pittam, whereas a sense of heaviness in the lower limbs characterises a case when it becomes overcharged with the Kapham.

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[Symptoms such as,] burning and jerking in the limbs, and a sense of ph}'sical languor become manifest in the event of the Vyana Va}-u being surcharged with the Pittam, while a general heaviness of the limbs, stiffness or numbness of the bone-joints, and an incapability of locomotion indicate the fact of its being surcharged with the Kapham. 37 — 38.

The Nidanam of Vata Raktam : —

An over-indulgence in grief, excessive sexual intercourse, inordinate physical exercise, drinking large quantities of wine, observance of a regimen of diet and conduct in a particular season of the year which is improper to it, use of articles of food which are not congenial to one's own temperament and an improper or

.S Tin: srsiIKI'lA SAMIIITA, [CUp. I.

baneful use of such ()Ua;4iii()U^ substances (as <jil, clarified buLLer etc.) are the factors, w hich vitiate in common the blood and Pittam of a person. The foregoing causes cspcciall\' tend to \itiate or agitate the Vayu and blood in persons of delicate constitutions, or in corpulent persons, or in those who (observe a form of perfect continence. 39.

The \ital Va} u becomes enraged or agitated by excessive riding on horses, camels or elephants, or through the lifting or carrying of great weights, etc., or by an inordinate indulgence in things which are possessed of the specific virtue of enraging or aggra\ating that \ ital principle. On the other hand, an over-indulgence in such articles of food as arc heat-making in their potency. or a surfeit of edibles largeh' composed of sharp, acid or alkaline substances, as well as a large consumption of potherbs etc., or an exposure to heat tends to vitiate the blood of the organism, and which, on account of such contamination, tends to speedily obstruct the pas.sagc of the fleet-coursing Vayu. The \';i\u. thus impeded in its course, Ibecomcs more and more agitated each moment, and is prone to speedily agitate the blood in a similar way. The antecedence of the term "Vata" or "Va)-u" in the nomenclature of the disease (Vata-Rakta)is owing to the precedence accorded to the action of the deranged Vayu in bringing about the malady, although it effects this in concert with the vitiated blood of the organism. 40.

Similarl}', the disease brought about by the agitated Pittam. in conjunction with the vitiated or agitated blood, is called the Pitta- Raktam. while the one incidental to the combination of the deranged Kapham with the vitiated blood is called Kapha-Raktam. In a case of Vata-Raktam. the legs, or the lower extremities can

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