An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. III: Uttara-tantra — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1916)

Thus ends the twenty -ninth chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Sus'ruta Samhiti which deals with the Therapeutics of an attack by Skand^pasmdra*

CHAPTER XXX.

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the medical treatment of an attack by Sakuni

(£akuni-Pratishedha). i.

A wise physician should sprinkle the body of the child possessed by Sakuni with the decoction (duly prepared) of Vetasa , Antra and Kapittha. Oils duly cooked with the drugs of the sweet and astringent groups should be used in anointing its body. Pradehas (plasters) composed of Madkuka , Us’ira> Hrivera> Sdrivd , Utpala , Padmaka , Rod hr a, Priyangu , Manjishthd and Gairika , should be applied. 2A.

Various kinds of medicinal powders and diet and remedial measures in general described in connection with the medical treatment of Ulcers * as well as the fumigations (Ohupana) mentioned in the chapter on the treatment of Skanda-graha (vide ch. XXVIII.) should be prescribed for the disease under discussion. Drugs such as S'atdvari , Mrigadani \ Ervdm , Ndgadanti, Nidigdh ikd , Lakshmand , Sahadevd and Vrihati should be fastened (as a charm) to the body of the child (in the preceding manner). 2B.

The presiding deity of the disease (Sakuni Graha) should be worshipped by a physician of self-control inside a Karanja bower and be propitiated with offerings of huskless sesamum, garlands of flowers, Haritdla (yellow orpiment) and Manahs’ild (realgar) and the child should be bathed duly inside the bow r er (according to the rules laid down in the treatment of Skanda Graha). The medicated Ghrita prescribed foi

See Chapter I, Chikitshita Sthdna.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITX. [Chap. XXX.

the treatment of Skanda Graha may also be advantageously given in the present instance. 2C.

Various sorts of worship should be made with the offerings of various species of auspicious flowers. The Mantra to be recited on the occasion runs as folllows : — “May the ever down-looking sharp-beaked goddess, S>akuni, who (with her keen and far-seeing eyes) is decked with all sorts of ornaments and who traverses the ethereal sky in her flight, be propitious to thee. May the brown-eyed, fierce-looking, huge-bodied, largebellied, and spike-eared Sakuni, who strikes terror into the heart of man with her terrible voice, be pleased with thee.” 2.

Thus ends the thirtieth chapter of the Uttara Tantra in the Sus'ruta SamhiU which deals with the treatment of (an attack) by S'akuni.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which treats of the Therapeutics of an an attack by Revati (Revath

Pratishedha). i.

The duly prepared decoction of As*vagandhd y Sdrivd , Ajas'ringi , Punarnavi , the two kinds of Sahd and Viddii should be employed in sprinkling (Sechana) the body of the affected child (in a case of an attack by Revati). Medicated oil duly cooked with Kushtha and Sarjarasa (resin) * should be used in anointing the child’s body. Medicated Ghrita duly cooked with the decoction of Dhava* As' va-kârna, Kakubha , Dhdtaki and Tinduka and with the drugs of the Kdkolyddi group (as Kalka) should be employed internally as a draught. 2A.

Kulattha , (burnt and) powdered S'amkha (conch-shell) and the drugs of the Sarvagandha group should be used as Fradehas (plasters), and the body of the child should be fumigated (D hup ana) morning and evening with the smokes of barley, Yava-phala (bamboo), and the dungs of vultures and owls mixed with clarified butter. Neckornament should be made with (the wood or pith of) Varuna , Arishta (Nimba), Ruchaka , Sinduka (Nirgundi), and Putranjivaka and should be always worn on the neck (as a charm) by the child. 2-3.

The presiding deity of the disease known as Revati should be worshipped in a cow-shed by a self-controlling physician with the offerings of white flowers, milk, parched

* There is an additional text in the Bhivaprakas'a which says that Guggulu (Palamkashd), Nalada (Khus*khus) and Giri-kadamba should also be used in the preparation of the medicated oil.

p. 152

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XXXI.

paddy and boiled S'dlt rice and the nurse as well as the child should be bathed in a junction of rivers. The Mantra (to be recited in course of worship) runs as follows “May the goddess, Revati, of dark complexion who is clad in parti-coloured garments and garlands of flowers of various colours and painted with anointments of various kinds and with oscillating earrings, be pleassd with thee. May the goddess, Revati, who is tall, drooping and terrible-looking, and who is the mother of many sons be always propitious to thee.” 2.

Thus ends the thirty-first chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Susfruta SamhitA which deals with the Therapeutics of an attaclt by Revati.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which treats of the medical treatment of an attack by PutanA (PutanA- Pratished ha). i.