[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915) › c8.t3 # The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.t3: Snakes in Suśruta-Nâgârjuna The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.t3 - **Language:** English ### Snakes in Suśruta-Nâgârjuna ### [c8.t3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.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. ## Cites (1) - [Suśrutasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.samhita.susruta-school.susruta) — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t3) · Pramāṇa