一切經音義 24.47

24.47

虵衛旃檀（之然反旃檀梵語略也正梵音戰那曩西國香木名也此國本無難為對譯古來但存梵語相傳為名即白檀香水也外國云此香出諸海島山有赤白二種赤者為上性甚涼冷能除熱疾瘡腫有此樹處山中多有大毒虵暑月炎熱之時其虵多在樹上以避熱但虵多者其香殊勝夷人箭射其樹記之待虵蟄之後而採之也）。

Shéwèi zhāntán 虵衛旃檀 (Zhān 旃 is fanqie 之然 [zhān]. Zhāntán 旃檀 is an abbreviation of the Sanskrit; the correct Sanskrit pronunciation is candana, the name of a fragrant wood from the Western Countries. Since this country originally lacked it, it was difficult to translate, and from ancient times only the Sanskrit was retained and handed down as its name; it is white sandalwood. Foreigners say this fragrance comes from island mountains in the oceans, in two varieties, red and white, with the red being superior. Its nature is very cool and cold, able to eliminate heat sickness and swellings of sores. Where this tree grows in the mountains, there are many large venomous serpents. During the sweltering heat of the summer months, these serpents stay mostly on the trees to escape the heat; where there are many serpents, the fragrance is exceptional. The barbarians shoot the trees with arrows to mark them, waiting until the serpents hibernate before harvesting them).