A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c43.s24.26

v3.c43.s24.26

The first nine verses, called navaślokī in the commentary, are, apart from the two introductory stanzas, concerned with a short exposition on the general principles adopted in the book. In verse five the author declares that his book will resolve the problems arising from the mutually conflicting views of Caraka, Suśruta, and Khāraṇādi 729 concerning the actions of drugs. It can be concluded from verses six to eight 730 that fifty-seven types of drugs are distinguished in relation to their effects on the doṣas. 731 A special category among the actions of drugs, as a result of which the doṣas are neither alleviated nor provoked, but which may contribute to the one or the other outcome, depending on accompanying circumstances, is called udāsīna. 732