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

A Snelia or an oleaginous substance forms the essential factor of the physical organism, and the selfconscious animated element (which contributes directly to its vitality and makes life possible) abounds in oleaginous principles; both are consequently in constant want of a Sneha. Snehas or oleaginous substances are enjoined to be administered in food and drinks as well as in Anuv^sana, Mastikya-s'iro-vasti and Uttara-vasti (urethral or vaginal enemas), errhines (Nasya), ear-drops (Karna-purana) and unguents (Abhyanga). 2.

There are four kinds of Snehas which, however, are divided into two classes according to their origin : viz., vegetable and animal. Clarified butter prepared from cow's milk is the best of the animal Snehas, while Sesamum oil is the best of the vegetable ones. 3.

Now we shall describe the ends for which the different vegetable oils should be used as well as the modes in which they should be prepared and employed. 4.

The expressed oils prepared from (the seeds of) Lodhra, Erafida, Kos'dmra, Danti, Dravanti, Saptald, S'amkhini, Palds'a, Vishdnikd, Gavdkshi, Kampillaka, Sampdka and of Nilini act as purgatives. The oils prepared from (the seeds of) Jimtitaka, Kutaj'a, Kritavedhana, Ikshvdku (bitter gourd), Dhdmdrgava and of Madana act as emetics. The expressed oils prepared from (the seeds of) Vidanga, Khar a manjari, Madhu-

* The Sneha is of four kinds, viz., clarified butter, oil, lard and marrow, of which clarified butter and oil are generally used.

p. 547

s'igru, Surya-valli, Pilu, Siddhdrthaka and o{ Jyotishmati act as errhines (S'iro-virechana). 5.

The expressed oils prepared from (the seeds of) Karanja, Putika, Kritamdla, Mdtulunga, Ingudi and of Kirdta-tikta are used in cases of Dushta-vrana (malignant ulcers). The expressed oils of Tuvaraka, Kapittha, Kampillaka, Bhalldtaka and of Patola are used in cases of Mlhai-vyadhi > Kushtha, etc.). The expressed oils of Trapusha, Ervdruka, Karkdruka, Tumbi and of Kushmdnda are used in cases of Mutra-satl^a (for diuretic purposes). The expressed oils of Kapota-vamka, Avalguja and of Haritaki are used in cases of Sirkara'- s'lnari (gravels, stones, etc.). The expressed oils of Kusumbha, Sarshapa, Atasi, Pic/iumarda, Atimuktaka Bhdndi, Kaiu-tiinihi and of Katabhi are used in cases of PlMmeha, (urinary complaints). The expressed oils of the fruits of Tdla, Ndrikela, Patiasa, Mocha, Piydla, Vilva, Madhuka, S'leshmdtaka and of Arnrdtaka are used in diseases due to the deranged Vaiyu acting in concert with the deranged Pitta. The expres.sed oils of Vibhitaka, Bhalldtaka and of Pinditaka are used in Krishna-karma (blackening the cicatrix of a healed ulcer, etc.). The expressed oils of 5 nzz^^^^, Kanguka and of Tuntuka are used in imparting a yellow colour (to a cicatrix). The expressed oils of the pith of S^ims'^apd and of the Aguru are used in cases of Kushtha known as Dadra (ring-worm) and Kitima. 6-7.

The primary action of all kinds of Sneha (oil, clarified butter, etc.J is to subdue the aggravation of the deranged Vayu of the body, and the general virtues of all kinds of (vegetable) oil have been described above. 8. Now we shall describe the process of preparing drugdecoctions and of medicating oils (therewith). According to several authorities, the bark^ roots and leaves,

548 THE SUSHRUrA SAMIilTA. [CtiapXXXl.

etc., of the drugs to b^ used should be boiled with water weighing four times their combiiiv^d weight, and should be taken down with three-fuur hs of the original water evaporated by boiling. This is the rule of preparing drug-decoctions (Kashdya\ Six Prasrita (one Prasrita being equal to sixteen Tol^s) weight of oil, twenty-four Prasrita weights of the liquid (decoction prepared before) and four Aksha measures (one Aksha being equal two to Tolas) of pasted drugs ;'as Kalka) are the proportions to be observed in cooking a medicated oil. But this is not correct. Why ? Because it is not in conformity with the injunctions of the Scriptures (officinal standard). We shall now proceed to explain the different measures of Pala, Kudava, etc. 9-10.

Measures of Drug's :— The weight of twelve middle-sized Dhanya-mashas (corns of paddy) make one Suvarnamishaka. Sixteen Suvarna-mashakas make one Suvarna. The weight of nineteen middle-sized Nishpdvas (pulse) make one Dharana. Three Dharanas and a half make one Karsha. Four Karshas make one Kudava. Four Kudavas make one Prastha.* Four Prasthas make one Adhaka. Four Adhakas make one Drona. Hundred Palas make one Tula. Twenty Tulds make one Bhdra. This is ths measure in respect of dried substances. The quantity should be doubled in cases of fresh vegetables and fluids -|- i r.

* Thirty-two Palas make one Prastha in respect of water t but in respect of non-oily substances a Prastha is equal to twenty Palas, whereas in respect of fresh drugs it is equal to only sixteen Palas,