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The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.t3: Snakes in Suśruta-Nâgârjuna

The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.t3

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Snakes in Suśruta-Nâgârjuna

c8.t3.1

The Snakes (Ophidæ) are especially noticed by Suśruta-Nâgârjuna in the chapters relating to Toxicology (*Kalpasthâna*, Chap. IV.). Five different genera or families are noticed, of which one is non-venomous and four venomous, including one hybrid and three pure or unmixed families. Of the last, (1) the *Darvîkaras* (कृष्णसर्प, महाकृष्ण, पद्म, महापद्म, शङ्खपाली—Naia Tripudians, Naia Bungarus) are hooded, swift in their movements, diurnal in their habits, and bear on their hoods or their bodies the marks of chariot-wheels, ploughs, umbrellas, rhombs or cross-bands, goads, etc. (2) The *Mandalîs* (Vipera, Viperidæ?) are thick (पृथवः), slow-moving, nocturnal in their habits, and bear circles or rings on the body (मण्डलैश्चित्रित). Charaka adds that they are without hoods. (3) *Rajimats* also are without hoods, and nocturnal, and bear series of dots or marks, and are often of variegated colours on the upper parts and sides. Twenty-six varieties are named of the first, two of the second, and ten of the third.

c8.t3.2

Of the *Nirviṣas*, non-venomous snakes, twelve varieties are mentioned, including Boidæ (अजगरा) and the Colubrine Dendrophis (वृक्षेशय). Of the *Vaikaraṇja* (hybrid) snakes, there are ten varieties, of which three are produced by the union of certain venomous species, and seven are secondary derivative forms.

c8.t3.3

The *Darvîkaras* are most deadly when young, the *Mandalîs* when middle-aged, the *Rajimats* when aged. Their poisons act differently, and an elaborate description is given of the action of the venom of each of the three venomous families.

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