A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c46.168

v3.c46.168

NĀḌĪPRAKĀŚA by Śaṃkarasena¹⁵⁷ Kavirāja, a work in three¹⁵⁸ or four¹⁵⁹ chapters (uddyota), based on Kaṇāda’s Nāḍīvijñāna. It quotes a large part of Kaṇāda’s verses,¹⁶⁰ frequently in a changed order, and comments on them, thereby comparing Kaṇāda’s views with those of other authorities. Śaṃkarasena enlarges on some subjects, in particular the seasons and the causes of the doṣas. Chapter three contains sections on the examination of the menstrual discharge, semen, urine, nose, eyes, and tongue, which are subjects not dealt with in Kaṇāda’s work. Chapter three ends with the statement that the art of feeling the pulse can be learnt only by concentrating one’s mind in the same way as in yoga. Chapter four is, apart from the first few verses, omitted in edition b and replaced by an exposition on yoga and breathing. The full Sanskrit text of this chapter and its translation are found in edition c; it consists of an exposition on prognostic signs derived from characteristics of the breathing of the patient.¹⁶¹