The poison of all hooded snakes (Phani) deranges and aggravates the bodily Ydyu, that of the Mandali (circular spotted) species aggravates the Pitta, while that of the Rdjimin (striped) class aggravates the bodily Kapha. The poison of a snake of hybrid (Vaikaranja) origin aggravates the two particular Doshas of the body which its parents would have separately aggravated — a fact which helps us to ascertain the species to which its parents belong. 8.
Particular habits of different kinds
of snakes :— Now hear me describe the special
Chap. IV.] KALPA STHANAM. /O/
habits of each of these families of snakes. A snake of
the Rdjimdn species, is found abroad in the fourth or
the last quarter of the night, the Mandali snakes are
found to be out in the three preceding watches, while
the Darvi-kara snakes are found to be abroad (in quest
of prey) only in the day time. 9.
A Darvi-kara snake of tender age, a middle-aged
Rdjimin snake and an old Mandali snake are as fatal
as personified death. A snake of extremely tender
age, as well as the one roughly handled by a
mungoose, or oppressed with water, as well as an
extremely old and emaciated one, or one which is
extremely frightened or has recently cast off its slough
should be considered as mild-venomed. ion.
Names of the different Species of
Darvi-karaSnakeS : — Snakes known as Krishna-
Sarpa, Mahi-krishna, Krishnodara, Sveta-kapota, Vald
haka, Mahd-Sarpa, Sankha-pdla, Lohitdksha, Gave-
dhuka, Parisarpa Khanda-phana, Kakuda, Padma,
Mahi-Padma, Darbha-pushpa, Dadhi-mukha, Pundarika,
Bhrukuti-mukha, Vishkira, Pushpdbhikirna, Giri-sarpa,
Riju-sarpa, Svetodara, Maha-s'iras, Alagarda and As'i-
visha belong to the family of Darvi-kira snakes. 12
Names of the different Species of
Mandali Snakes: — Snakes known as Adarsha-
mandala, S'veta-mandala, Rakta-mandala, Chitra-man-
dala, Prishata, Rodhra-pushpa, Milindaka, Gonasa, Vrid-
dha-gonasa, Panasa, Mahd-panasa, Venu-patraka,S'is'uka,
Madana, P^limhira, Pingala, Tantuka, Pushpa-pdndu,
Shadga, Agnika, Vabhru, Kashdya, Kalusha, Pdravata,
Hastdbharana, Chitraka and Enipada belong to the
family of the Mandali species of snakes. 13.
Names of the different species of
RsCjiman Snakes r—Snakes known as Punda-
7o8 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. fChap. IV.
rika, Rdji-chitra, Anguia-rdji, Vindu-r^ji, Kardamaka,
Trina-soshakas, Sarshapaka, Sveta-hanu,Darbha-pushpa,
Chakraka,Godhumaka, Kikvisada belong to the Ratjimj^n
family of snakes. 14
Names of the different species of
NirviSha snakes :— The Galagoli, Suka-patra,
Ajagara, Divyaka, Varshdhika, Pushpa-sakali, Jyoti-
ratha, Kshirika, Pushpaka, Ahi-patika, Andhahika,
Gaur^hika and the Vrikshe-saya belong to the Nirvisha
(non-venomous) group of snakes. 15.
Names and Origin of the different species of Vaii{:aranja snakes s— The Vai-
karanja snakes are the cross-bred of the above first
three species, viz., Darvi-kara, etc., and are known as
Mdkuli, Potagala and Snigdha-raji. Those born of a
Krishna-sarpa father and Gonasi mother or the contrary
are known as Mdkuli, A Rdjila father and Gonasi
mother or the contrary bring forth a (hybrid species
known as the) Potagala, and a Krishna-sarpa father
and a Rdjimati mother or the contrary produce a
Snigdha-rdji snake. According to several authorities,
the poison of a snake of the first of these three hybrid
subfamilies partakes of the nature of that of its father
while that of the remaining two partakes of the nature
of their mother. 16.
Sub-famiiies of the Vaikaranja
Snakes : — Seven other sub-families arise out of the
three aforesaid families of Vaikaranja snakes and are
known as Divyelaka, Lodhra-pushpaka, Rdji-chitraka,
Potagala, Pushpabhikirna, Darbha-pushpsi and VelHtaka.
Of these the first three species resemble the Rajlla and
the last four resemble the Mandali species of snakes.
Thus we have finished describing the eighty different
families of snakes. 17.
Chap. IV.] KALPA STHANAM. 709
Characteristic features of Wlale and female snakes :— The eyes, the tongue,
the mouth and the head of a male serpent are large,
while those of a female snake are small Those which
partake of both these features and are mild-venomed
and not (easily) irritable, should be considered as
hermaphrodite (Napumsaka). 18.
Now we shall describe the general features of snake- bites : — Why does snake-poison prove instantaneously fatal like a sharp sword, thunder-bolt or fire ? Why is it that a case of snake bite, if neglected even for a very short time (Muhurta) at the outset, terminates in the death of the patient without (even) giving him an opportunity of speaking ? 19-20.
From the general characteristics of the bites, it should be presumed that they may be divided into three kinds. We shall, therefore, describe in detail the specific features of the bites of these three kinds (instead of all of them separately). It will be both beneficial to the patient and will leave no room for the confusion of the physician. From the specific features of these three kinds of snake-bites should be inferred all other snake- bites, 21.
Specific symptoms of a bite by a Darvi-kara snake:— A black colour of the skin,
eyes, nails, tooth, urine and stool and the seat of the bite, roughness of the body and heaviness of the head, pain in t.b'=r joints, weakness of the back, neck and waist yawning, shivering, hoarseness of the voice, a rattling sound in the throat, lassitude, dry eructation, cough and difficult breathing, hiccough, upward course of the bodily Vayu, pain (S'ula) and consequent aching of the limbs, thirst, excessive salivation, foaming in the mouth, choking of the external orifices of the body (such as
yiO THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. CCbap- IV.
the mouth and the nostrils) and peculiar pains (such
as the pricking, piercing pain in the body) due to the
aggravation of the bodily Vdyu, — these are the specific
symptoms of a bite by a snake of the Darvi-kara
species. 22,
Specific symptoms of a bite by a
IVIandali snake : -Yellowness of the skin, etc., longing for cold, a sensation as if the whole interior is being burnt with scorching vapours, extreme burning sensation in the body, thirst, a sensation of intoxication, delirium, fever, haemorrhage through both the upper and the lower channels, sloughing of the flesh, swelling and suppuration in the affected part, a jaundiced sight, a rapid aggravation (of the Pitta) and the presence of various sorts of pain peculiar to the derangement of the of the bodily Pitta, — these are the specific symptoms of a bite by a snake of the Mandali species. 23.
Specific symptoms of a bite by a
RsCjimSin snake : — Whiteness of the skin, etc., ^ita-Jvara (catarrhal fever), horripilation, a numbness of the limbs, a swelling about the seat of the bite, flow- ing out of dense phlegm (from the mouth), vomiting, constant itching of the eyes, a swelling of and a rattling sound in the throat, obstruction of breath, delirium, peculiar pain and troubles characteristic of the deranged Kapha in the body,— these are the specific symptoms of a bite by a snake of the Ra(jima^n species 24.
Specific symptoms of bites by snakes of different sexes and ages,
etc. :— The sight or the pupils of the eyes of a pjrson
bitten by a male snake, is turned upward. A bite by
a female serpent exhibits such smyptoms as downcast
eyes and appearance of veins on the forehead, while
that by a hermaphrodite (Napumsaka) snake makes the
Chap. IV.] KALPA STHANAM. 7"
patient look sidelong. A person bitten by a pregnant snake produces yellowness of the face and tympanites. A bite by a newly delivered snake causes Sula (pain), bloody urination and an attack of tonsilitesvUpa-jihviki) in the victim. A person bitten by a hungry serpent craves for food. A bite by an old serpent is marked by a slow and mild character of the different stages of poisoning. A bite by a snake of tender age is marked by a rapid setting of the characteristic poisonous symp- toms which are found to be mild in their nature, A bite by a non-venomous serpent is marked by the absence of any of the specific symptoms of poisoning. According to several authorities, a bite by a blind serpent brings on blindness in its train. An Ajagara (Boa-constructor) is found to actually swallow up the body of its prey, to which should be ascribed the death of the victim in such a case (resulting from the crushing of bones and strangulation) and not to the effects of any poison. A person bitten by a snake of instantaneously fatal poison, drops down dead at the moment of the bite as if struck by a sharp weapon or by lightning. 25.
Symptoms of the different stages of poisoning from the bites of a Darvl-
kara Snake :— The poison of all species of snakes (snake-bites) produces seven distinct stages of transfor- mation (in the organism of a person bitten by one of them). The poison of a snake of the Darvi-kara species affects and vitiates the blood (vascular system) in the first stage of its course or its physiological transformation in the body. The blood thereby turns black, imparting its hue to the complexion and giving rise to a sort of creep- ing sensation in the body, as if ants have been creeping over it. In the second stage the poison affects the principle of flesh, turns it deep black and produces
712 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. CCh»p. IV.
swellings and Granthis all over the body. In the third stage it invades the principle of Medas (adipose tissues ?) in the body, giving rise to a «ort of mucous discharge from the seat of bite, heaviness in the head perspiration and numbness of the eyes. In the fourth stage the poison enters the Koshtha (abdomen?) ?.nd aggravates the Doshas, especially Kapha, producing somnolence, water-brash and a breaking sensation in the joints. In the fifth stage, it penetrates into the principle of bone, deranges the Prana (vital principle) and impairs the Agni (digestive fire), giving rise to hiccough, a burning sensation in the body and a breaking pain in the joints. In the sixth stage, it enters the principle of Majjan (marrow) and greatly deranges the Grahant (the large intestines f ) giving rise to a sense of heaviness of the limbs, dysentery, pain in the heart and epileptic fits. In the seventh stage it permeates the principle of semen, extremely aggravates the vital nerve-governing Vdyu known as the Vydna, dislodges the Kapha even from the minutest capillaries, producing secretions of lump-like phlegm from the mouth, a breaking pain in the waist and the back, impaired functions of the mind and of the body, excessive salivation, perspiration and a suppression of breath. 26.
Different stages of poisoning from the bites of a Mandali Snake: -In the
first stage of bite by a Manddi snake, the poison
affc^cts the blood (vascular system), which being thus
vitiated produces shivering (lit. coldness followed by a
burning sensation in the body and pallor (yellowness)
of the skin. In the second stage the poison contamin-
ates the flesh which causes an extreme yellowness of
complexion attended with a burning sensation in the
body and yellowness about the seat of the bite. In the
Chap. IV. ] KALPA STHAN AM . 7 1 3
third stage, the poison affects the principle of Medas (adipose tissues) producing numbness of the eyes, thirst, slimy exudation from the wound (bite) and perspiration as in the case of a bite by a Darvikara snake described before. In the fourth stage, it enters the Koshtha (cavity of the trunk) and produces fever. In the fifth stage, it produces a burning sensation throughout the whole organism. The sixth and the seventh stages are identical with those of the foregoing (Darvi-kara bite). 27.
Different stages of poisoning from the bite of a Raj i man Snake :— The poison
of a Ratjiman snake in the first stage of poisoning, vitiates the blood whicht is turned pale yellow pro- ducing the appearance of goose-skin of the victim who looks white. In the second stage, it contaminates the flesh, giving rise to an extreme paleness of com- plexion, prostration and swelling of the head. In the third stage, it aff*ects the principle of Medas, giving rise to haziness of the eyes, deposit of filthy matter on the teeth, perspiraion and secretions from the nostrils and the eyes. In the fourth stage, it enters the Koshtha (abdominal cavity) and produces paralysis of the nerves of the neck (Manyd) and heaviness of the head. In the fifth stage, it gives rise to loss of speech and brings on S'ita-Jvara (catarrhal fever). The sixth and the seventh stages of the poisoning are identical with the preceding kind. 28.
Memorable Verses:— A snake-poison is
found to successively attack the seven Kalds or facio
described before (in Chapter IV. Sarira Sthdna\ and
gives rise respectively to the seven stages of poisoning.
The interval of time during which a deadly poison leaves
a preceding Kald and, carried forward by the bodily
714 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. IV.
Vdyu, attacks the succeeding one, is called its Vega^n- tara (the intervening stage). 29-30.
Different Stages of poisoning in cases of lower animals:— A lower animal
bitten by a snake first becomes swelled up and looks
steadfast and distresse d.In the second stage of poison-
ing, salivation, horripilation and pain in the heart set in.
The third stage is marked by pain in the head and
drooping of the neck and of the shoulder. In the
fourth stage, it shivers, gnashas its teeth, drops down
unconscious and expires. Some experts hold that
there are only three stages of poisoning in the case
of a lower animal, the fourth being included there-
in. 31.
