An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita (Bhishagratna ed.)

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 **Dharmetara" to mean evil deeds (other than good) and quotes verses from S'rutis, S'mritis and Tantras on ex- piations of sin in support of his view.

j?,2 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA [Chap. II.

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

The conduce and character of a child and its incli- nation to particular dietary are determined by those of its parents during the act of fecundation. A boneless {i, e. with cartilaginous bones) monstrosity is the outcome of the sexual act in which both the parties arc female and their Sukra (sexual secretion) unite some how or other in the womb of one of them. Fecundation may take place in the womb of a woman, dreaming of sexual intercourse in the night of her menstrual ablution. The local Vayu carries the dislodged ovum into the uterus and exhibits symptoms of pregnancy, which develop month after month till the full period of gestation. The offspring of such a conception is a Kalala (a thin bone- less jelly-like mass) on account of the absence of the paternal elements* in its development. Such monstro- sities as serpents, scorpions, or gourd shaped foetus delivered from the womb of a woman should be ascribed as the effects of deadly sins. 46-49.

The child of a mother whose wishes are not honoured
and gratified during pregnancy stands in danger of being
bom palmless, hunchbacked, lame, dumb or nasal
voiced through the deranged condition of the Vdyu of
its mother's body. The malformation of a child in the
womb should be ascribed to the atheism of its parents,
or to the effects of their misdeeds in a prior existence, or

* Hair, beard, nails, teeth, arteries, veins, ligaments and semen are called paternal elements inasmuch as these are said to be inherited by tlje child from its fj^ther

Chap. II.] SARIRA STHANAM. I33

to the aggravated condition of the Vayii, Pittam and Kapham. 50 — 51.

A foetus in uterus does not excrete faeces or urine, owing to the scantiness of the fecal matter, etc , in its intestines and also to the obstruction and consequently lessened admission of the Vayu into its lower bowels. A child in the womb does not cry inasmuch as its mouth remains covered with the sheath of the placenta i.e. foetal membranes (Yarau) and its throat is stuffed with Kapham. The processes of respiration, sleeping and movement of the foetus in the womb are effected through those of its mother. 52 — 53.

The adjustment of the different limbs and organs of the body of a child in the womb at their proper places, the non-development of hair on its palms and soles and the subsequent cutting and falling off of its teeth are spontaneously effected according to the laws of nature after the model of its own species. An honest, pious, erudite man, who has acquired a vast knowledge of the Sastras in his prior existence, becomes largely possessed of mental traits of the Sdttvika stamp in this life too and also remembers his prior births (Jatismara). Acts similar to those, which a man performs in a prior existence, overtake him also in the next. Similarly the traits and the temperament which he had developed in a previous existence are likewise sure to be patent in the next. 54—55-

Thus ends the second Chapter of the S'arira Sthanam in ihe Sus'ruta Samhila which treats of the purification of sperm and ovum.

Now we shall discourse on the Sariram which treats of

pregnancy, etc. (Garbha Yakrant i ^ari ram), i.

The male reproductive element (Sukra) is endowed
with Soma-guna (i.e , thermolytic properties) the female
element Artava) presents the opposite property and is
therefore Agni-guna (i e., thermogenetic properties).
The principles of earth, water, fire:, air and ether are also
present in men in their subtile forms and contribute to
the formation of the material parts by their molecular
adjustment in the way of supplying nutrition and in
way of the adding to their bulk. 2.

Combination of Self with the im- pregnated matter :— The local Vdyu (nerve- force) heightens or aggravates the heat generated by the friction of the sexual organs in an act of copula- tion. The Vdyu and heat thus aggravated tend to dis- lodge the semen from its sac or receptacle in a man which enters into the uterus of a woman through the vaginal canal and there it mixes with the ovum (Artavam) dislodged and secreted by similar causes. The combined ovum and semen are subsequently con- fined in the uterus vGarbhclsaya). After that, He who is known by the epithet; of Self-conscious, impressioner (creator of sensations and perceptions), toucher, smeller, seer, hearer, taster. Self or Ego, creator, wanderer, wit- ness, ordainer, speaker, though eternal, unmanifested and incomprehensible in his real nature, takes hold of the five subtile or essential material principles contributed by the united impregnating matter, assumes a subtile shape throughout, marked by the three fundamental

Chap. III.] SARIRA STHANAM. 1 35

qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, and led away by
the Vayu, lies confined in the uterus to be subsequently
evolved out in the shape of a god, animal, or monster,
as determined by his acts in the former existence. 3.

Factors which determine sex :— The

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 ele-
ment. 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.

IVlemorable 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 in her aims, thighs, mammse,
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 (inter-
nally). 6.

Just as the petals of a full blown lotus flower are gathered up during the 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 of

136 THE SUSHRUTA SAMIIITA. [Ch&p. III.

the uterus (Yonij whence it flows out odourless and blackish, 7.

Period of IVIenstruation :— 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 visit"!- to one's wife on even days during the cata-
menial 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 /Rafter coition) are symptoms of a recent fecun-
dation. 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, water-

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

t 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.

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 to the preponderance of menstrual secretion. If both the secretions be equal (in quality and quantity) a hermaphrodite is issued.

Chap. III.] SARIRA STHANAM.

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

Prohibited conducts during gesta- tion : ^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 appli- cation 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

month 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 (Vdyu 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 tumour-
like shape (like a Salmali-bud) predicts the absence of
any sex {i 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

138 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. III.

papillae. In the fourth month all the limbs and organs
(of the body of the embryo) become more potent and
the foetus is endowed with consciousness owing to the
formation of viscus of the heart. As heart is the seat
of consciousness, so a? the heart becomes potent, it is
endowed with consciousness and hence it expresses its
desire for things of taste, smell etc. (through the
loneincfs of its mother). The enciente is called double-
hearted (Dauhrida) at the time, whose wishes and
desires — not being honoured and gratified — lead to the
birth of a paralysed, hump-backed, crooked -armed,
lame, dwarfed, defect-eyed, and a blind child. Hence
the desires of the enciente should be gratified, which
would ensure the birth of a strong, vigorous and long-
lived son. 14.

IVlemorable Verses :— A physician should

cause the longings of a pregnant woman (Dauhrida)
to be gratified inasmuch as such gratifications would
alleviate the discomforts of gestation ; her desires being
fulfilled ensure the birth of a strong, long-lived, and
virtuous son. A non-fulfilment of her desires during
pregnancy, proves injurious both to her child and her
ownself. A non-gratification of any sensual enjoy-
ment by its mother ;Dauhrida) during gestation tends
to painfully afTect the particular sense-organ of the
child.

Longings and its effects during

pregnancy : — An enciente longing for a royal
interview during her gestation (fourth month) gives
birth of a child, who is sure to be rich and to hold a
high position in life Her longing for fine silks,
clothes, ornaments etc. indicates the birth of a beauti-
ful child of aesthetic taste. The birth of a pious and
self-controlled child is indicated by its mother's longing