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

birth of a male-child marks the preponderance of semen over the ovum (in its conception) ; the birth of a daughter shows the preponderance of the maternal element. A child of no-sex (hermaphrodite) is the product when ovum and sperm are equal (in their quality and quantity). The first twelve nights after the cessation of the flow should be deemed as the proper period for conception, as being the time during which the ova are secreted. Certain authorities hold that there are women who never menstruate to all appearances 4 — 5.

Memorable verses :— The face of a woman (lit : a woman of undetected menstruation) becomes full and lively. A moist and clumsy deposit is found on the body, face, teeth and gums. She feels a desire for sexual intercourse and speaks sweet words. Her eyes, hair, and belly droop down. A sort of distinct throbbing is felt m her aims, thighs, mamma;, umbilicus, perineum and buttocks. Her sexual desire grows intense and prominent, and its gratification gives her utmost joy and pleasure. These symptoms will at once indicate that a woman has menstruated (internally). 6.

Just as the petals of a full blown lotus flower are gathered up during ths night, so the uterus (Yoni) of a woman is folded up {i. e., os of the uterus is closed) after the lapse of the menstrual period {ie. fifteen days from the date of the flow). The menstrual flow, accumulated in the course of a month, is led in time by the local Vayu through its specific duct (Dhamani) into the mouth ofp. 136 the uterus (Yonij whence it flows out odourless and blackish. 7.

Period of IVIcnstruation :— The process

(menstruation) commences at the twelfth year, flowing once in every month, and continues till the fiftieth* year when it disappears with the sensible decay of the body. 8

A visiti* to one's wife on even days during the catamenial period (twelve days in all from the cessation of the flow) leads to the conception of a male child while an intercourse on odd days results in the birth of a daughter. Hence a man, seeking a male-issue, should approach his wife for the purpose in a clean body and with a quiet and calm spirit on an even date. 9.

A sense of fatigue and physical languor, thirst, lassitude and weariness in the thighs, suppression of the flow of semen and menstrual secretion (Sukra and Sonita) out of the uterus (Yoni), and throbbing in the organ Cafter coition) are symptoms of a recent fecundation. lO.

Signs of Pregnancy- (M T. :— A black rash (areola) around the nipples of the mammae, the rising appearance of a row of hair (as far as the umbilicus), contractions of the eye-wings, sudden vomitings, nausea which does not abate even on smelling perfumes, watert According to Videha, menstrual secretion flows less on even days, hence a son is born if the sexual intercourse be made on those days ; whereas menstrual secretion becomes more on odd days, so a daughter is born if the intercourse be made on odd days.

* Some are of opinion that the menstruation continues up to the sixtieth year.

According to Bhoja, a son is born from intercourse on even days and a daughter is born from that on odd days. The birth of a male issue is due to the preponderance of semen virile and that of a female sex is due lo the preponderance of menstrual secretion. If both the secretions be equal (in quality and quantity) a hermaphrodite is issued.

Chap. III.] SARIRA STHANAM. I37

brash, and a sense of general lassitude are the indications of pregnancy, ri.

Prohibited conducts during gestation : — Immediately on the ascertainment of her pregnancy, a woman should avoid all kinds of physical labour, sexual intercourse, fasting, causes of emaciation of the body, day-sleep, keeping of late hours, indulgence in grief, fright, journey by carriage or in any kind of conveyance, sitting on her haunches, excessive application of Sneha-karmas etc., and venesection at an improper time {i.e , after the eighth month of gestation), and voluntary retention of any natural urging of the body. 12.

IVIetrical Text :— The child in the womb feels pain in the same part of its body as the one in which its mother feels any ; whether this (pain) may be from an injury or through the effect of any deranged morbific principle (Dosha) of her organism. 13.

Development of the Foetus:— in the first mouth of gestation a gelatinous substance is only formed (in the womb) ; the molecules of the primary elements (Mahabhuta — air, fire, earth, water, and ether) being acted upon by cold (Kapham), heat (Pittam) and air (Vayu or nerve-force) are condensed in the second month. A lump-like appearance (of that confused matter) indicates the male-sex (of the embryo). An elongated-like shape of the matter denotes that the foetus belong to the opposite sex ; whereas its tumourlike shape (like a Salmali-bud) predicts the absence of any sex (/ e. a hermaphrodite). In the third month, five lump-like protuberances appear at the places where the five organs —namely the two hands, two legs and the head — would be and the minor limbs and members of the body are formed in the shape of extremely small

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