A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c23.504

v1.c23.504

Chapter thirty-seven is about the origin (utpatti) of the grahas (and related subjects). The nine grahas who afflict children are endowed with radiance (śrī), possess a divine body, and are either female or male (37.3). They were created by Kṛttikā,424 Umā,425 Agni426 and Śūlin427 in order to guard the newborn Guha,428 although, while staying in the Śaravaṇa,429 he was protected by his own fiery energy (ātmatejas) (37.4). The female grahas described are of a rājasa or tāmasa character and partake of the nature of Gaṅgā,430 Umā and the Kṛttikās (37.5).