A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c25.876

v1.c25.876

The grahas mentioned, who can assume any shape at will (kāmarūpin), waited upon Skanda devotedly; Skanda, as a protector of children, became the foremost among them (3.4); when Skanda had grown up and assumed the leadership, Rudra was favourably disposed towards these grahas, who humbly asked him for a living (3.5); he requested them to take away the wellbeing and health of children living in the house of parents who do not honour the forefathers and deities (3.6–7); therefore, on the request of Śūlin (= Rudra), these grahas attack children, usually when they are asleep and on parvan days ⁸² (3.8–10); when taking possession of a child, they can only be observed by the pure eyes of science (śāstracakṣus), like gandharvas who enter the bodies of women (3.11). ⁸³ A.s.U.3.12–35ab = A.h.U.3.3cd–29. A.s.U.3.35cd is added. A.s.U.3.35ef–46 = A.h.U.3.30–41ab.