A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c43.s20.t2.2

v3.c43.s20.t2.2

The aromatic substances are, for the purpose of combining them, divided into three classes: mitra (friendly), udāsīna (neutral), and śatru (hostile); equal quantities can be taken when the substances are mitra, half the quantity of an udāsīna substance, and a quarter of a śatru substance (6.62 and 70). Five types of gandhajala are distinguished: kalkāmbu, svarasa, kvātha, āsava, and kusumadruti (9.10–10.6). The author sometimes gives his own opinion on a disputed subject, after quoting various opinions (11.8–9). Many fragrant compounds have fanciful names. Names of pārijāta’s are: vidagdhadayita (12.8), madhukarasamtoṣa (13.9), tripuraharadāsavallabha (13.12). Names of dhūpas are: madanapaṭākā (25.10), dakṣiṇapavana (25.11), candrāmoda (25.12), ugraśaraśita (25.13), nārāca (25.18), tribhuvanasāra (27.33), kolāhala (27.41), citramṛgākṣa (28.54), etc. Names of vartis are: vasantatilaka (30.73) and māṇavakā (30.75). Some of the dhūpas are not only fragrant, but have special effects, such as: causing confusion (janamohana; 28.49), protecting pregnant women and young children (29.58), preventing possession by bhūtas and ḍākinīs (29.59), curing all kinds of fevers (29.60), and protection against noxious or poisonous insects, and wild animals (29.61–63).