A History of Indian Medical Literature v2.c33.370

v2.c33.370

30 Kālakūṭa is a poisonous substance that arose after the churning of the Milky Ocean and was drunk by Śiva, because it threatened to destroy the universe; since it coloured the god's neck blue, he is called Nīlakaṇṭha. See F. Staal (1975): 206–207. Cf. Ca.Ci.23.11–13. 31 Halāhala is, like kālakūṭa, a poison that arose after the churning of the Milky Ocean. 32 Cf. Ca.Ci.23.11–13. 33 Su.Ka.2.7–11ab = Mādhavanidāna 69.8cd–12. 34 Cf. Ca.Ci.23.24. 35 Cf. Ca.Ci.23.25–27. 36 See Arthaśāstra 14.4 on counter-measures against dūṣīviṣa. 37 Cf. Mādhavanidāna 69.25cd–26. 38 Cf. Ca.Ci.23.31; Mādhavanidāna 69.27. 39 Cf. Mādhavanidāna 69.28–29ab. 40 Cf. Mādhavanidāna 69.29cd. 41 Cf. Mādhavanidāna 69.30cd–32. 42 Cf. Mādhavanidāna 69.33. 43 Compare Ca.Ci.23.18–21, where eight stages (in human beings) are distinguished. Compare also the seven stages of poisoning by a snake-bite (Su.Ka.4.39). 44 Cf. Ca.Ci.23.45cd–52. 45 Bhishagratna: alligator? P. Rāy c.s.: crocodile (Crocodilus porosus). Singhal c.s.: crocodile. A makara is also a kind of kīṭa (Su.Ka.8.8cd–12ab). See Ḍalhaṇa's comments. Compare on makara: Ca.Sū.27.40–41a. 46 Bhishagratna and Singhal c.s.: a kind of insect. Ḍalhaṇa also regards it as a kīṭa (see Su. Ka.8.8cd–12ab). P. Rāy c.s.: a sucking fish (some member of the Catostomidae). 47 A godhā is a varan. See Ca.Sū.27.37cd–38. 48 Bhishagratna: mollusc (snail). Singhal c.s.: snail. P. Rāy c.s.: common snail (Helix aspera), cone shell (Conus). Helix aspera, unknown to me, may be an error for Helix aspersa, which is, however, a European species. The identification of śambūka as the shell of species of Conus is very doubtful, since these shells are rare and fetch extravagant prices (see WIRM VI, 404). See on venomous molluscs: D.F. McMichael (1971). 49 See Ḍalhaṇa's comment; compare his remarks on pracalāka ad Su.Ci.18.28. Compare also Su.Ka.8.12cd–15ab. The pracalāka is known to the Arthaśāstra (14.1.23; 14.3.16), some dharmaśāstra texts (see H. Lüders, 1942: 33), and one of the Jātakas (Nr. 345). Interpreted as a chameleon by H. Lüders (1942: 33). 50 See G.J. Meulenbeld (1974): 455–456. 51 Cf. Su.Ka.8.8cd–12ab. 52 Cf. Su.Ka.8.12cd–15ab. 53 Cf. Su.Ka.8.15cd–16ab. 54 Cf. Su.Ka.8.12cd–15ab (troṭaka). 55 Cf. Su.Ka.8.8cd–12ab. 56 Mentioned as a pitta-provoking kīṭa at Su.Ka.8.8cd–12ab. Known to the Arthaśāstra (14.1.4, 9, 24) as a poisonous insect. 57 Rats and related animals. 58 Cf. Su.Ka.8.12cd–15ab and 32. 59 MW: a kind of wasp. Paryāyaratnamālā 804: also called gandholī. 60 P. Rāy c.s.: mullet (Mugil corsula). Cf. Su.Sū.46.113 and 118. One of the fishes belonging to the mullet family (Mugilidae) is Liza corsula (Ham.), formerly called Mugil corsula Day (see WIRM IV, Supplement, 32, 75–77). See on venomous fishes: B.W. Halstead (1971).