A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c46.1226

v3.c46.1226

Chapters 175 to 196 consist of medical teachings expounded by Hari to Śiva. Chapter 175 is concerned with the treatment of fevers. Chapters 176 to 193 describe treatments for all sorts of diseases. The contents of these chapters differ considerably from those in which Dhanvantari speaks to Suśruta. Many features point to Tantric influence, for example the large number of mantras 616 and the repeatedly described magical procedures. 617 Chapter 184 mentions the killing (māraṇa) of mercury (rasa; 184.18) and the making of artificial silver and gold (184.19). Chapter 194 is about the vaiṣṇava kavaca which keeps off all diseases, and chapter 195 about a mantra that grants everything one desires. Chapter 196 describes the viṣṇudharmavidyā which enabled Indra to overcome all his adversaries.