一切經音義 24.47

24.47

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).