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

p. 130

Causes of different colours of the

Child:— The ficiy principle (Tejadliatu) of the organism, which is the originator of all colours of the skin (complexion), happening to mix largely with the watery principle of the body at the time of conception, serves to make the child a fair complexioned one (Gaiira-varna) ; mixed with a large quantity of the earth principle (Kshiti) of the body, it makes the chiid a dark complexioned one (Krishna-varna). In combination with a large quantity of earth and ethereal principles of the organism, it imparts a dusky (Krishnas'yama) complexion (^to the full developed fcetus). A similar combination of watery and ethereal principles serves to make the child dusky yellow (Gaura-s'yama). Others on the contrary aver that the complexion of the child is determined by the colours of the food taken by its mother during the period of gestation. 34.

A child is born blind in the failure of the fiery principle (Teja-dhatu) of the organism in reaching the region of its still undeveloped eyes (part — where the eyes would be) ; so also a penetration by the same (Teja-dhatu) into its blood accounts for the blood-shot eyes of the child. Entered into the Pittam it makes the child a yellow-pupiled one (Pingalaksha). Entered into its bodily Kapham it makes it a white-eyed body and mixed with its bodily Vayu, a child of defective eyesight. 35.

IVIemorable verses:— As a lump of con* densed clarified butter melts and expands if placed by the side of a fire, so the ovum (Artava) of a woman is dislodged and glides away in contact with an adult male*

* Sub'iula's theory is that ovulation occurs about the same lime as uienstfuation and rather initiates the latter, and the shed ova are washed out Nviili the menstrual flow, hence there is a possibility of conception on

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A seed divided into two by the deranged Vayii within the (cavity of the) uterus (Kukshi) gives rise to the birth of twins, conditioned by the good or evil deeds of their prior existence * A child born of scanty paternal sperm becomes att Asekya and feels no sexual desire (erection) without previously (sucking the genitals and) drinking the semen of another man. A child begotten in a sordid vagina is called a Sougandhika, whose organ does not respond to the sexual desire without smelling the genitals of others. The man who first becomes a passive member of an act of sodomy and then again commits sodomy with the woman (he visits) is called a Kumbhika (or Guda-yoni and is included within the category of a Kliva). ^,6 — 40.

The man who cannot copulate with a woman without previously seeing the sexual intercourse of another couple is called Irshaka. A child born of an act of fecundation foolishly or ignorantly effected during the menses of its mother by its progenitor by holding her on his bosom during the act is called a Shauda and invariably exhibits effeminate traits in his character. A daughter born of a woman riding on her husband during the act of sexual intercourse will develop masculine traits in her character. 41 — 43.

connexion during the period of flow. But when the menstruation stops of itself by the end of the third day, it also indicates that ovulation has ceased and no ovum is left to be fertilized, hence the question arises how can there be conception then on connexion on the fourth day and thereafter ? The explanation (as in the following verse) is that the ovulating organ though quiescent at the time is again stimulated to activity by intercourse with a male and new ova are shed which are ready to be fertilized by the semen. — Ed.

• Gayi interprets the term "Dharmelara" to mean evil deeds (other than good) and quotes verses from S'rutis, S'mritis and Tantras on expiations of sin in support of his view.

T?2 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA [Chap. II.

Semen is developed in the four types of Kliva known as Asekya, Sougandhika, Kumbhika and Irshaka, whereas a Shanda is devoid of that fluid (Sukra). The semen carrying ducts of an Asekya etc. are expanded by the drinking of the semen as above described which helps the erection of his reproductive organ. 44-45