The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c15.69

c15.69

The eleventh chapter, entitled *Puṣpīya* corresponds in part with the second chapter of Caraka, called *Puṣpitaka* because it commences with *puṣpam*. But in Bhela, this chapter, which of course describes first of all the *puṣpita*, that is to say, the patient in whom appear the symptoms announcing some result as the flower announces the fruit, does not begin with *puṣpa*. It appears, therefore, that the ancient tradition referred to Ātreya agrees, in both Bhela and Caraka, in ascribing to Ātreya an account commencing with *puṣpa*, but that the text of Bhela has not preserved here as that of Caraka, the old beginning. After five verses devoted to *puṣpita* Bhela continues with an explanation of premonitory signs drawn from the dreams of the patient, identical with those found in the fifth chapter of Caraka but of a different tenor.