A History of Sanskrit Literature c34.s2.10

c34.s2.10

Çārīrasthāna (iii) covers anatomy and embryology; Cikitsāsthāna (iv) therapeutics; Kalpasthāna (v), toxicology; and the Uttaratantra, which is clearly a later addition, supplements the work. The view of Hoernle¹ that even this later book is as old as Caraka and the *Bhela Saṃhitā* appears to be quite untenable, for it rests on his erroneous view that the anatomical views of Suçruta were known to the author of the *Çatapatha Brāhmaṇa*, a view which has been disproved.² It is of interest to note the high standard demanded from a doctor by Suçruta; the introduction of the student is based on the formal initiation of a youth as a member of the twice-born; he is made to circumambulate a fire, and a number of instructions are given to him, including purity of body and life; he is to wear a red garment—an idea with many parallels; his nails and hair are to be cut short; he is to treat as if they were his kith and kin, holy men, friends, neighbours, the widow and the orphan, the poor and travellers, but to deny his skill to hunters, bird-catchers, outcastes, and sinners.