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

Thus ends the thirty-fourth chapter in the Uttara-Tantra of the Sus'ruta Samhita which deals with the medical treatment of (an attack by) S'itaputanl

CHAPTER XXXV.

Now wc shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the medical treatment of (an attack by) Mukhamandik* ( M ukha- mandi ka~ Prat ished ha i

The decoction of Kapittha , Vilva, Tarkdri (Jayanti), V ants a-lochana (D.R. Vds&), Gandkarva-hastaka (Eranda) and Kuverdkshi (Pdtala) should be used in sprinkling (the body of the possessed child). Oil and fat (in equal parts) should be duly cooked* with the expressed juice of the Bhringardja , Ajagandhd and IlarigandhA (As'wagandhi) and be used in anointing the child’s body. Medicated Ghrita should be duly cooked with Madhulikd (Murva), Tugd-kshiri and the drugs of the Madhura and the minor Pancha-mula groups and with milk. 2. A.

Fumigation with Vachd, Sarjarasa and Kushtha mixed with clarified butter would be found beneficial and the child should be made to wear the tongue of a Chdsa bird, a Chiralli bird or a snake (as a charm). 2. It

Offerings of Varnaka (Kampillaka), Churnaka , garlands of flowers, Rasdnjana , Pdrada (mercury), ManahS'ilA , Pdyasa (rice boiled in milk) and puddings should be made (to the deity) inside a cow-shed and the child should also be bathed therein with water consecrated with Mantra. The Mantra runs as follows : — “May the beautiful and blessed goddess, Mukhamandika, who is decked with ornaments, who can assume different forms at will and who resides in cow-sheds, preserve thee”.

Thus ends the thirty-fifth Chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Sus'ruta Samhita which deals with the medical treatment of (an attack by) Mukhamandika.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Now wc shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the medical treatment of (an attack by) Naigamcsha (Naigamesha-Pratishedha). r.

The decoction of Vilva , Agnimantha and Putikd should be used in sprinkling (the body of the possessed child) and sprinkling with Surd , Sauvira and Dhdnydmla (Kanjika) is also advisable in such cases. A medicated oil should be duly cooked with Priyangu , S a raid, Anantd , S' ata-pu slip d and Kutannata and with cow’s urine, the liquid of the milk-curd (Dadhi-mastu) and Kdnjika Medicated Ghritas should be duly prepared with the drugs of the Madhura group as Kalka, with the decoction of the Dasani u la and with milk or with the head of a date-palm tree 2. A.

The child should be made to wear Vachd , Vayasthd , Gofomi and Jatild as a charm and the utsidana measures recommended in the treatment of Skandâpasmclra should be used in this case also. Siddhdrthaka (white mustard), Vachd , Ilingu , Kushtha , parched rice, Bhal Idtaka and Ajamodd should be used in fumigating the body of the child. In cases of attacks by Navagraha the dungs of a monkey, an owl and a vulture should also be used by persons wishing the good of the child for a fumigating purpose and that at the dead of the night when all persons arc asleep. 2. B.

Offerings of huskless sesamum, garlands of flowers and various dishes should be made to the deity Naigamcsha (the preserver of the child) at the foot of a Vata tree on the sixth day of the fortnight and the child should be bathed there at the foot of the tree.

l6o THE SUSHRUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap. XXXVI.

The Mantra runs as follows : — “May the far-famed god, Naigamcsha, the preserver of children, who has a goat's face with moving brow and rolling eyes and who can assume different forms at will, preserve the child." 2.

Thus ends the thirty-sixth chapter of the U ttara-Tantra in the Sus'ruta Samhitd which deals with the medical treatment of (an attack by) Naigamesha.

CHAPTER XXXVIL

Now wc shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the origin of the (nine) Grahas (Grahot pattiAdhyaya). r.

The nine presiding deities — v?rj.> Skanda and others — of the nine diseases of infant life arc all possessed of ethereal frames, divine effulgence and specific sexdistinction of their own. They were created by the gods Agni, Mah^deva and the goddesses Krittika and Umd for guarding the person of the new-born Guha though protecting himself with his own divine prowess amidst the stems of S'ara grass. Of these Grahas the females who arc possessed of various shapes as described before arc considered as originally made of the R£jasa essence of the goddesses Gangd, Uma and Krittika. 2 A.

The Naigamesha Graha who is possessed of a sheep’s face was created by the goddess Pârvati as the friend and protector of the young god Guha and who was as dear to him as his own self. Skanddpasmira, the presiding deity of the disease named after him, was created by Agni, the fire-god (Vulcan). He is as bright as fire itself and is a constant companion of the god Skanda and is also known by the name of Vis'akha. The god Skanda, the tutelar divinity of the disease of that denomination, was begotten by His Holiness, the Almighty Destroyer of Tripura and is otherwise known by the name of Kumara (lit. a child, vie., of Mahddeva). 2B.

It is impossible that the god springing from Rudra and Agni, with his exalted parentage would find pleasure jn such a dangerous disease even out of childish frolic21

p. 162

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

[Chap. XXXVH.