A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c25.1110

Language: English

v1.c25.1110.1

A.s.U.49.1–4ab = A.h.U.39.1–4ab. A.s.U.49.4cd agrees with A.h.U.39.4cd. Rasāyana procedures will be of no avail in persons who have not been subjected previously to oleation, etc. (49.5). Habits and practices which exite the doṣas and are thus injurious to the preservation of health are enumerated (49.6); the physiological effects of these habits and practices (49.7); their effects on the functions of the human organism (49.8); sensible humans behave therefore otherwise and resort to rasāyana measures, properly applied (49.9). Rasāyana is of two main types: kuṭīprāveśika and vātātapika; the first of these is the most efficient (49.10).⁷²⁹ The requirements for the construction of a kuṭī are described (49.11),⁷³⁰ followed by those for the one to be subjected to the treatment (49.12).⁷³¹ A.s.U.49.13–17 = A.h.U.39.8cd–14. The name of the drug called harītakī is explained; the meanings of its synonyms, śivā, vijayā and abhayā are explained as well (49.18–19). Substances to be used in combination with harītakī, in order to have particular effects, are mentioned (49.20–21). The way to prepare harītakī for use, the rules for its use, and its effects are dealt with next (49.22–23). A.s.U.49.24–29 = A.h.U.39.15–20. The effects of this brāhmarasāyana are described (49.30).⁷³² A medicated ghee for rasāyana purposes is added (49.31–32). A number of rasāyanas with āmalaka (49.33–36),⁷³³ viḍaṅga (49.37) and triphalā (49.38) as their main ingredients are described.

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A.s.U.49.39–49 = A.h.U.39.33–43. Several rasāyana preparations are added: a recipe with triphalā (49.50–51), harītakī (49.52), āmalaka and iron (49.53–54),⁷³⁴ āmalaka and other metals (49.55), and gold (49.56–61). A rasāyana preparation containing gold should be used in combination with śaṅkhapuṣpī on one seeking longevity, in combination with ugragandhā,⁷³⁵ or the stamens of padma or vidārī, by those seeking increase of intelligence, beauty (lakṣmī), or sexual pleasure (49.62). A.s.U 49.63–72 = A.h.U.39.44–53. The next subjects are: the preparation of nāgabalārasāyana, its uses, its effects (49.73);⁷³⁶ other plants, to be prepared and used in the same way (49.74); preparations with sāravṛkṣas (49.75); ways to obtain a svarasa (49.76) or a similar product (49.77). A.s.U.49.78–90ab = A.h.U.39.84–95. A preparation with the burnt pith of the tuvaraka tree, to be employed in eye diseases, is added (49.90c–f);⁷³⁷ tuvaraka oil should be used every other day during a month in order to achieve its full effect (49.91); more tuvaraka preparations are described (49.92–98). The section that follows is concerned with the preparation of bhallātaka fruits, the ways this preparation may be used, and its effects (49.99);⁷³⁸ the gradual increase of the dose (49.100–101); the preparation of bhallātaka juice by the puṭapāka procedure (49.102)⁷³⁹ and the way it should be used (49.103); preparations with bhallātaka oil A section on pippalīrasāyana follows.

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A.s.U.49.115–121 = A.h.U.39.96–102.740 The chapter continues with preparations containing viḍaṅga (49.122),741 alambuṣā (49.123–125), and bākucī, also called avalguja (49.126–136). A.s.U.49.137–139 = A.h.U.39.107–109. A.s.U.49.140 is in conformity with A.h.U.39.110. More preparations with bākucī, also called somarājī and śaśiśakala, follow; pra-punāṭa fruits may be used in the same way (49.141–143), as well as kṛmiripu (= viḍaṅga), dahana (= citraka) and sphoṭakṛt (= bhallātaka) (49.144). The bākucī- or somarājīkalpa proceeds with recipes in which bākucī is combined with other medicinal substances in order to achieve specific effects (49.145–154). A verse and a prose passage on the virtues of bākucī end this kalpa (49.155–156). A short section on preparations with the plant called haimavatī742 (49.157–159) precedes a long one devoted to garlic (laśunakalpa; 49.160–213). A.s.U.49.160 = A.h.U.39, additional verse between 110 and 111. A.s.U.49.161–163cd = A.h.U.39.111–113. An added ardhaśloka says that garlic cures disorders arising in patients suffering from raktapitta (49.163ef). Divergent opinions are referred to concerning the duration of a treatment with garlic preparations (49.164). A.s.U.49.165–172 = A.h.U.39.114–121. Two verses on the role of attractive women during the course of treatment are added (49.173–174). A.s.U.49.175 = A.h.U.39.122. Garlic preparations should never be ingested in haste, because this would lead to particular disorders (49.176).

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A.s.U.49.177 = A.h.U.39.123. The diet to be prescribed to someone with a flaming digestive fire (due to garlic) (49.178–179). A.s.U.49.180 = A.h.U.39.124. Drinks are mentioned which are suitable to patients not accustomed to alcoholic beverages (49.181). A.s.U.49.182 = A.h.U.39.125. Added verses deal with particular preparations with specific effects (49.183–194). A.s.U.49.195 = A.h.U.39.126. Additional verses are concerned with more prescriptions (49.196–203). A method enabling brāhmaṇas to use garlic as a medicine is described (49.204). A.s.U.49.205 = A.h.U.39.127. A laśunāsava is mentioned, prepared by Nārada for Uddhava’s use (49.206).743 Things to be avoided by those using garlic preparations are enumerated (49.207). In conjunction with oleation, garlic becomes heavier (49.208). At the end of the treatment, a mild purgative should be prescribed in order to avoid excitation of pitta (49.209).