A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c23.32

v1.c23.32

The twenty-four svastikayantras are described; their mouth parts resemble the snout or beak of twenty-four different animals and birds: siṃha, vyāghra, vṛka, tarakṣu, ṛkṣa, dvīpin, mārjāra, śṛgāla, mṛgairvāruka, kāka, kaṅka, kurara, cāṣa, bhāsa, śaśaghātin, ulūka, cilli, śyena, gṛdhra, krauñca, bhṛṅgarāja, añjalikarṇa, avabhañjana, and nandīmukha;⁴⁸ they are used for removing a śalya from within a bone (7.10). The two saṃdaṃśayantras are described; they are provided with a catch (nigraha) or without it;⁴⁹ they are employed in the extraction of śalyas from the skin, muscles, sirās and snāyus (7.11).⁵⁰ The two tālayantras, with one blade (tālaka) or two blades, are useful in the removal of śalyas from the passages of the ears and the nose (7.12). The nāḍīyantras are of many varieties and applied for various purposes (7.13). The many śalākāyantras and their various uses are described (7.14). The upayantras are listed (7.15).⁵¹