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

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ring-like or circular spots on their skin, and have the glow of the sun or fire should be known as Mandali snakes, while th'^'Se which are glossy and whose bodies are painted with parti coloured horizontal, perpendicular and lateral stripes, should be known as the RfiCjiman species 6.

Features of the different Castes

amongst snakes : -The snakes whose skin is lustrous like a poarl or silver, is coloured yellow and looks like gold and emits a sweet smell, should be regarded as belonging to the Brahmana species of snakes. Those which are glossy, extremely irritable in their nature and marked with spots on their skin resembling the discs of the sun and moon, or of the shape of a conchshell (Ambuja) or an umbrella, should be regarded as belonging to the Kshatriya species. The snakes of the Vaisya caste arc coloured black or red or blackish grey or ash-coloured or pigeon-coloured and are (crooked or hard in their structures) like a Vajra. The snakes which resemble a buffalo or a leopard in colour and lustre or are rough-skinned or are possessed cf a colour other than the preceding ones should be considered as belonging to the Sadra class. 7.

The poison of all hooded snakes (Phani) deranges and aggravates the bodily Vayu, that of the Mandali (circular spotted) species aggravates the Pitta, while that of the Rdjimdn (striped; class aggravates the bodily Kapha. The poison of a snake of hybrid (Vaikaranja) origin aggravates the two particular Doshas of the body which its parents would have separately aggravated — a fact which helps us to ascertain the species to which its parents belong. 8.

Particular habits of different kinds

of snakes : — Now hear me describe the special

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habits of each of these families of snakes. A snake of the Rdjim^n species, is found abroad in the fourth or the last quarter of the night, the Mandali snakes are found to be out in the three preceding watches, while the Darvi-kara snakes are found to be abroad (in quest of prey) only in the day time. 9.

A Darvi-kara snake of tender age, a middle-aged Rfijimdn snake and an old Mandali snake are as fatal as personified death. A snake of extremely tender age, as well as the one roughly handled by a mongoose, or oppressed with water, as well as an extremely old and emaciated one, or one which is extremely frightened or has recently cast off its slough should be considered as mild venomed. lO-li.

Names of the different Species of

Darvi-kara Snakes :— Snakes known as KrlshnaSarpa, Maha-krishna, Krishnodara, Sveta-kapota, Vald haka, Maha-Sarpa, Sankha-p^la, Lohitaksha, Gavedhuka, Patifarpa Khanda-phana, Kakuda, Padma, Mahi-Padma, Darbhapushpa, Dadhi-mukha, Pundarika, Bhrukutimukha, Vishkira, Pushpabhikiriia, Giri-sarpa, Riju sarpa, Svetodara, Maha-siras, Alagarda and As'ivisha belong to the family of Darvi kara snakes. 12

Names of the different Species of

Mandali Snakes :~Snakcs known as Adarshamandala, Sveta-mandala, Rakta-mandala, Chitra-mandala, Prishata, Rodhra-pushpa, Milindaka, Gonasa, Vriddha-gonasa, Panasa, Maha-panasa, Venu patraka, Sis'uka, Madana. Palimhira, Pingala, Tantuka, Pushpa pandu, Shadga, Agnika, Vabhru, Kash^ya, Kalusha, Paravata, Hastabharana, Chitraka and Enipada belong to the fa nily of the Mindali species of snakes. 13,

Names of the different species of

RaJIman Snakes :— Snakes known as Punda708 THE SUSIIRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. IV.

rika, Raji-chitra, Angula-rAji, Vindu-r^ji, Kardamaka, Trina-s'oshakas, Sarshapaka, Svcta-hanu, Darbha-pushpa, Chakiaka,Godhumaka; Kikvisdda belong to the Rajimau family of snakes. 14.

Names of the different species of

Nirvisha snakes : -The Galagoli, S'uka-patra, Ajagara, Divyaka, Varsh^hika, Pushpa-s'akali, Jyotiratha, Kshirika, Fushpaka, Ahi-patdka, Andhdhika, Gaurclhika and the Vriks'he-s'aya belong to the Nirvisha (non-venomous) group of snakes. 15.

Names and Origin of the different species of Vaikaranja snakes :— The Vaikaranja snakes are the cross-bred of the above first three species, viz., Darvi-kara, etc., and are knov^n as Mfikuli, Potagala and Snigdha-raji. Those born of a Krishna-sarpa father and Gonasi mother or the contrary are known as Mdkuli. A Rajila father and Gonasi mother or the contrary bring forth a (hybrid species known as the) Potagala, and a Krishna-sarpa father and a Rajimati mother or the contrary produce a Snigdha-rdji snake. According to several authorities, the poison of a snake of the first of these three hybrid sub families partakes of the nature of that of its father while that of the remaining two partakes of the nature of their mother. 16.

Sub-families of the Vaikaranja

Snakes : — Seven other sub-families arise out of the three aforesaid families of Vaikaranja snakes and are known as Divyelaka, Lodhra-pushpaka, Raji chitraka, Potagala, Pushpabhikirna, Darbha-pushpa and VelHtaka. Of these the first three species resemble the Rdjila and the last four resemble the Mandali species of snakes. Thus we have finished describing the eighty different families of snakes. 17.

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Characteristic features of Male and female snakes :— The eyes, the tongue,