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

Thus ends the sixth Chapter of the S'arira Sthanam in the Sus'ruta Samhita, which treats of Marmas.

CHAPTER YII.

Now we shall discourse on the Sariram which treats of the description and classification of Sira or vascular system * ( ^ira-Varnana-Vibhaktinama Sariram).

There are seven hundred Siras (vessels) in the human organism (except those which cannot be counted for their extremely attenuated size). The vessels (Siras) by their contractibility and expansibility &c , sustain and nourish the organism in the same manner as streamlets and canals serve to keep a field or a garden moist and fruitful. From the principal or central trunk hundreds of small and minute vessels branch off and spread all over the body, just as small or minute fibres are found to emanate from the large central vein of the leaf of a plant. They originate from the umbilical region and thence they spread all over the body upwards and downwards and obliquely. 2.

IVIemorable Verses :— All the Siras (vessels)

that arc found in the organisms of created beings, originate from the umbilical region (Nabhi)+ and thence they spread all over their bodies. The life of an organic animal is seated in the vessels surrounding its navel which forms their starting point. The navel in its turn rests on or is attached to the Franas (the lifecarrying vessels — nerves attached to it) in the same

* The Sanskrita term S'ira denotes veins, nerves, arteries and lymphalie vessels as well. Some read S'ird- Varna (different colours of the Siras) in lieu of S'ira-varnana (description of S'iras).

t Most probably the idea is derive \ from the appearance of the S'iras in their fcetal state.

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manner as the nave of a wheel supports the spokes, and the spokes in their turn support the nave. 3-4.

Principal ^iras:— Of these Siras (vessels), forty are principal ones, of which ten arc Vayu-carrying Siras (nerves), ten are Pitta-carrying Siras (veins), ten convey Kapha (lymphatic vessels?) and ten arc bloodcarrying Sirds (arteries). Of these the Vayu-carrying Sirds, situated in the specific receptacle of that bodily principle (Vata), are again found to branch out in one hundred and seventy five smaller branches (ramifications). Similarly, each of the remaining Pitta-carrying, Kaphacarrying and blood-carrying vessels (Siras) situated in their specific receptacles, {ie, in the receptacles of Pitta, Kapha and spleen and liver respectively) are found to branch out in as many numbers (one hundred and seventy-five), — thus making a total of seven hundred in all. 5.

Their Specific Locations :- There are

twenty-five Vayu-carrying Siras (nerves) in one leg and the same count applies to the other. Similarly there are twenty five Vayu-carrying Siras (vessels) in each of the hands. There are thirty-four Vayu-carrying v?issel5 in the Koshtha .trunk) ; of these eight occur in the pelvic regions attached with the anus and the penis ; two in each of the sides, six in the back, six in the Udara (cavity of the abdomen), and ten in the region of the chest. There are forty-one Vayu-carrying Sira's (vessels) situated in the region above the clavicles. Of these fourteen occur in the neck ; four in the two ears ; nine in the tongue ; six in the nose and eight in the two eyes. Thus we have finished the description of the one hundred and seventy-five Siras that carry Vayu. 6. What has been said of these Vayu-carrying vessels (Siras) will also hold good to the rest (in blood-carrying,

Chap. VII.] SARIRA STHANAM.

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Pitta-carrying and Kapha-carrying channels in the respective regions of the bDcly), with the exception that in these three cases, ( Pitta, Kapha and blood ) ten occur in the eyes and two in the ears in lieu of eight and four respectively, as in the case of V^yu-carrying Siras (vessels). Thus we have described the seven hu.idred Siras with their branches, 7.

Memorable Verses— The Vayu-carrying Siras : —The Vayu in its normal state and coursing through its specific Siras (vessels) helps the unobstructed performance of its specific functions viz., expansion, contraction, speech, &c., and produces the clearness and non-illusivenesi of BuJdhi ( intellect ) and the senseorgans, whereas a coursing of the said Vayu in a deranged condition through the aforesaid Siras (vessels), gives rise to a host of such diseases as are due to the derangement of V^yu. 8.

The Pitta carrying ^iras :— The Pitta in its normal state and coursing through its specific Siras (vessels) produces the healthy glow of complexion, relish for food, kindling of the appetite, healthfulnnss and other good effects, characteristic of the Pitta, which however being aggravated and coursing through them gives rise to a host of Pittaja diseases. 9.

The Kapha-conveying ^iras:-The

Kapha in its normal state and coursing through itsspecific Sirds (vessels) smoothes and contributes to the firmnes5 of the limbi and joints, improves the strength and produces all other go 3d effects specially belonging to it, whereas the same Kapha, flowing through them in an aggravated condition, ushers in a large number of the Kaphaja distempers of the body. 10.

The Rakta-carrying ^i ras : —The blood in its normal state and flowing through its specific Siras

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