A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c26.s3.74

v1.c26.s3.74

Ātreya is not only mentioned at the beginning of each chapter and in the list of sages referred to. His name appears among a series of deities and sages to be honoured during a treatment with clysters (Sū.28.34). He refutes the opinion held by women that, in the seventh month of pregnancy, due to the coming into being of the hair of the head in the foetus, vidāha arises in a pregnant woman. Ātreya declares that, due to the pressure exerted by the foetus, the doṣas move about and reach the cardiac region; this is the cause of the vidāha that occurs; from this vidāha itching arises, which causes in its turn kikkisa (striae) (Śā.3.3).334 Khaṇḍakāpya’s view on the diet in the eighth month of pregnancy is rebutted by Ātreya (Śā.3.5).335 Interesting is a group of verses in the chapter on rasāyana (U.49.262–263), which contain a mantra, to be recited when guggulu is used; this mantra, said to derive from the muni Ātreya, is addressed to Puṇḍarīkākṣa, 336 Purandara (= Indra), and other deities.337