द्वितीयोऽपामार्गतण्डुलीययाध्यायः CHAPTER II
DEHUSKED SEEDS OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA LINN.
अथातोऽपामार्गतण्डुलीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः ॥ १ ॥ इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः ॥ २ ॥
We shall now expound the chapter on the Dehusked Seeds of apamarga ( Achyranthes aspera Linn ) Thus said Lord Atreya. [ 1-2 ]
अपामार्गस्य बीजानि पिप्पलीर्मरिचानि । विडङ्गान्यथ शिग्रणि सर्षपांस्तुम्बुरूणि ॥ ३ ॥
अजाजीं चाजगन्धां च पीलून्येलां हरेणुकाम् । पृथ्वीकां सुरसां श्वेतां कुठेरकफणिज्झकौ ॥ ४ ॥
शिरीषबीजं लशुनं हरिद्रे लवणद्वयम् । ज्योतिष्मतीं नागरं च दद्याच्छीर्ष विरेचने ॥ ५ ॥
पीनसेऽर्धावभेदके । गौरवे शिरसः शूले क्रिमिव्याधावपस्मारे घ्राणनाशे प्रमोहके ॥ ६ ॥
In order to eliminate dosas from the head in the event of heaviness of head, headache, rhinitis, hemicrania, infectious diseases ( of the head ), epilepsy, anosmia and fainting, one e should prescribe seeds of apamarga ( Achyranthes aspera Linn.), pippali ( Piper longum Linn. ), marica ( Piper nigrum Linn. ), vidanga ( Embelia ribes Burm. f. ), sigru ( Moringa oleifera Lam. ), sarsapa (Brassica nigra Kotch), tumburu (Xanthoxylon alatum Roxb.), ajaji ( Kuminum cyminum Linn. ) ajagandha ( Gynandropsis gynandra Briquet ), pilu (Salvadora persica Linn.), ela ( Elettaria Cardamomum Maton ), harenuka ( Pisum sativum Linn. ), prthvika ( Nigella sativa Linn. ), surasa ( Ocimum sanctum Linn. ), Sveta ( Clitoria ternatea Linn. white variety ), kutheraka ( Ocimum basilibum Linn. ), phanijjhaka (?), seed of sirisa ( Albizzia labbeck Benth ), lasuna ( Allium sativum Linn. ), haridra ( Curcuma longa Linn. ), daruharidra ( Berberis aristata Dc. ), saindhava ( Rock salt ), sauvarcala ( Sonchal salt ), jyotismati ( Celastrus paniculatus Willd.) and nagara (Zingiber officinale Rose.) [ 3-6 ]
In the chapter on the “Quest for Longevity” plant having most useful roots and fruits have been described as means to Panchakarma (five elimination therapies). There are however, some other plants like pippali (piper longum Linn.), marica (piper nigrum Linn.) which are also useful for panchakarma but they are not described in the first chapter. Besides, the actual application of different therapies included under panchakarma in different diseases are not specified there. So now the chapter on “the Dehusked Seeds of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn. )” is being brought forth with a view to enumerating the remaining drugs which are useful for various elimination therapies and also to explain the objects of application of these therapies.
The title of this chapter should have normally been Apamargabijiya (bija-seed). but it has been named as Apamargatanduliya (tandula means dehusked seed) only to indicate that the dehusked seeds rather than the crude ones are to be prescribed for therapeutic purposes. While enumerating the drugs in the present verse, the author has used the term bija, meaning crude seed, indicating thereby that only those seeds which have got germinating power are to be used-of course after dehusking.
Usually, the panchakarma (five elimination therapies) begins with Vamana or emesis-cf. Vimana 8:126 and Susruta: Chikitsa 33:19). But in fact, this is not to be taken as a rule. For example, if pitta is aggravated during the autumn, the elimination therapy begins with virecana or purgation. Similarly, if vata is aggravated during the rainy season, the elimination therapy begins with basti or enema. Thus, sirovirecana is mentioned first just to emphasise that there is no fixed sequence or order of priority in the application of various therapies under panchakarma.
The alternative explation for the description of sirovirecana in the beginning is that the head being the most important organ (cf. Sutra 17:12) of the body, elimination of its dosas is of primary importance. As it has also been said in Salakya “a tree grows well when its roots are free from defects, so the body grows properly only if the head is free from diseases.” This justifies the first place given to Sirovirecana in the present context.
Of all the drugs useful for the elimination of dosas from the head, The Apamarga occupies the most important place, (cf. Sutra 25:40). drugs mentioned in this verse can be used for the elimination of dosas from the head both jointly and severally,-cf. Susruta: Sutra 37:33.
मदनं मधुकं निम्बं जीमूतं कृतवेधनम् । पिप्पलीकुटजेक्ष्वाक्कूण्येलां धामार्गवाणि च ॥ ७ ॥ उपस्थिते श्लेष्मपित्ते व्याधावामाशयाश्रये । वमनार्थ प्रयुञ्जीन भिषग्देहमदूषयन् ॥ ८ ॥
In the event of gastro-intestinal diseases caused by vitiated kapha and pitta, the physician should prescribe madana ( Randia dumetorum Lam.), madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.), nimba (Azadirachta indica A. Juss. ), jimuta ( Luffa echinata Roxb. ), krtavedhana (Luffa acutangula Roxb.), pippali-( Piper longum Linn.), kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.) iksvaku (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.), ela ( Elettaria cardamomum Maton. ), dhamargava ni (Luffa cylindrica M. Roem.) for emesis without causing any injury to the body. [7-8 ]
These plants are to be used for emesis, for a disease which originates from the site of kapha, i. e. the upper portion of the amasaya or stomach. As regards the vitiated pitta, no emesis is generally prescribed but when the vitiated pitta comes to the site of the kapha, i. e. upper part of amasaya or stomach, then it becomes an object of emesis owing to its contact with kapha. As it has been said “When a dosa changes its place and comes to the site of another dosa, it is to be treated on the lines of treatment for the latter.”
This therapy is to be administered very carefully; if it is overdone, inadequately done or incorrectly done, this may cause considerable injury to the body. Although this precautionary measure is advocated here in the context of emesis, this applies in toto for all the elimination therapies like purgation, etc. Of all the plants enumerated in the above verse, madana ( Randia dumetorum Lam.) occupies the first position in as much as it is most useful owing to its harmlessness.
त्रिवृतां त्रिफलां दन्तीं नीलिनीं सप्तलां वचाम् । कम्पिल्लकं गवाक्षीं च क्षीरिणीमुदकीर्यकाम् ॥ ९ ॥ पोलून्यारग्वधं द्राक्षां द्रवन्तीं निचुलानि च । पक्वाशयगते दोषे विरेकार्थ प्रयोजयेत् ॥ १० ॥
For purgation in the event of the vitiated dosas of the colon, the physician should prescribe trivrta (Operculina turpethum R. B.), haritaki (Terminalia chebula Linn. ), amalaki ( Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), bibhitaka (Terminalia belerica Roxb.), danti ( baliospermum montanum Muell-Arg), nilini (Indigofera tinctoria Linn.), saptala (Acacia concinna Dc.), vaca (Acorus calamus Linn.), kampillaka (Mallotus philippinensis Muell-Arg.), gavaksi (Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. ), ksirini (Mimosops hexandra Roxb.), udakiryaka (Pongamia pinnata Merr.), pilu (Salvadora persica Linn.). aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn.), draksa (Vitis vinifera Linn.) dravanti (Jatropha glandulifera Roxb.), nicula (Borringtonia – acutangula Gaertn. ). [ 9–10 ]
Purgation therapy is now being described after the description of emesis. Panchakarma therapy starts with the nasya (elimination of dosas from the head by inhalation); then comes the elimination of dosas, from the body by emesis and purgation from the stomach and small intestine respectively; next will come basti or enema.
Among the plants for purgation, Trivrta (Operculina turpethum R. B.) occupies the first position. This is said to be very useful as a laxativecf. Sutra, 25.40. The term “pakvasayagata” may be construed as pakva plus asayagata, i. e. a vitiated dosa which is pakva (ripe or mature) and which is located in the adha amasaya (small intestine). That is to say, the dosa located in the site of pitta (small intestine) is the object of purgation and not the one located in large intestine. Dosa here implies both vitiated pitta and kapha because both of them can be eliminated by purgation-cf. Chikitsa, 3.171.
पाटलांचाग्निमन्धं च बिल्वं श्योनाकमेव च । काश्मर्ये शालपर्णी च पृश्चिपर्णी निदिग्धिकाम् ॥ ११ ॥ बृहतीमेरण्डं सपुनर्नवम् । यवान् कुलत्थान् कोलानि गुडूचीं पलाशं कचूर्णं चैव स्नेहांश्च मदनानि च ॥ १२ ॥ लवणानि च । उदावतें विबन्धेषु युञ्ज्यादास्थापनेषु च ॥ १३ ॥ अतएवौषधगणान् संकल्पमनुवासनम् । मारुतघ्नमिति प्रोक्तः संग्रहः पाञ्चकर्मिकः ॥ १४ ॥ dबलां श्वदंष्ट्रां
For asthapana ( a variety of enema) in the event of udavarta (conditions caused by the inhibition of natural urges), vibandha (constipation), one should prescribe patala (Stereospermum suaveolens DC.), agnimantha ( Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. f.), bilva (Aegle marmelos Corr.), syonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent. ), kasmarya (Gmelina arborea Linn.), salaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC.), prsniparni (Uraria picta Desv.), nidigdhika (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. ), bala (Sida cordifolia Linn.), svadamstra (Tribulus terrestris Linn.), brhati (Solanum indicum Linn.), eranda (Ricinus communis Linn. ). punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.), yava (Hordeum vulgare Linn.), kulattha (Dolichos biflorus Linn.), kola (Zizyphus jujuba Lam.), Guduchi ( Tinspora cordifolia Miers.), madana (Randia dumetorum Lam.), palasa (Butea monosperma Kuntze), kattrna (Cymbopogon schoenanthus Spreng.), fats and salts. These very drugs are also to be prescribed for anuvasana of vitiated Vata. another variety of enema ) for the cure (Thus, the five elimination therapies are mentioned here in brief. [11-14]
Of the two types of enema viz., niruha and anuvasana, niruha comes first in the order of priority because of its superiority in the matter of the elimination of dosas. The drugs prescribed for the niruha type of enema hold good even for the anuvasana which is meant mainly for the cure of vitiated vata. The details about drugs for and methods of elimination therapies will be given in the Rogabhisagjitiya chapter-cf. Vimana, 8.138144 and also in Siddhi and Kalpa sections.
argofteaeterai स्नेहस्वेदोपपादनैः । पञ्चकर्माणि कुर्वीत मात्राकालौ विचारयन् ॥ १५ ॥
In the event of vitiated dosas brought forth fomentation therapies, a physician should administer those five elimination therapies paying due regard to the dose and time. [15] How are these five elimnation therapies to be administered? Before they are administered, it is necessary that the vitiated dosas are brought forth to an explicit form from their previous latent state. Unless these vitiated dosas are made explicitly and prominently distinct, the administration of the five elimination therapies may not be facilitated. In order to achieve this, viz. bringing forth the vitiated dosas from their latent state in exterior dhatus to their explicit state in alimentary canal, the administration of oleation and fomentation therapies have been prescribed.
There are, however, situations in which it is not necessary to take recourse to oleation and fomentation therapies. As it is said, “In suitable cases and at appropriate times, a physician is required to eliminate, by taking recourse to emetic therapy such of the vitiated gastro-intestinal dosas as are dominated by kapha and are considered to be responsible for causing fever”-vide Chikitsa. 3.146-147. In this case, emesis is administered even without oleation and fomentation therapies.
There is another utilitarian aspect of the administration of oleation and fomentation therapies. This helps normalise the vitiated vata caused by the disturbances coming out of the administration of elimination therapies.
There is a marked difference between the effects of the oleation and fomentation therapies on the one hand and the five elimination therapies on the other. The former do not eliminate the vitiated dosas but simply neutralise them but the latter are directly responsible for, the elimination of the vitiated dosas. That is why the number of elimination therapies are five and not seven including oleation and fomentation therapies, as mentioned elsewhere. Oleation and fomentation therapies, no doubt, serve as accessories of the five elimination therapies but their main function is to bring forth the vitiated dosas from their latent state to an explicit state.
Strictly speaking, unlike emesis and other elimination therapies, anuvasana type of enema does not eliminate dosas considerably but still it does eliminate faeces and flatus for which it is included under five elimination therapies.
This list of five elimination therapies does not include spitting and application of collyrium because they do not eliminate dasas considerably nor do they have complex therapeutical implications.
Uttarabasti ( vaginal douching) is not separately mentioned as it is included in snehabasti itself.
मात्राकालाश्रया युक्तिः, सिद्धिर्युक्तौ प्रतिष्ठिता । तिष्ठत्युपरि युक्तिशो द्रव्यज्ञानवतां सदा ॥ १६ ॥ Svil Setah
(Therapeutical) propriety depends upon the dose (of the therapy) and time (of administration). Success of treatment depends upon the ( observance of this) propriety. A physician, proficient in the principles of propriety is ways superior to those who are acquainted with the drugs only. [16]
प्रवक्ष्यामि यवागूर्विविधौषधाः । अत ऊर्ध्व
Hereafter, I will explain (different varieties of) gruel prepared with different medicines with a view to eradicating various diseases which can be cured by it. [17]
In the event of emesis, etc. not being applied, appetite may get suppressed or as a result of improper applicatien of emesis, etc. colic pain might occur. Thus, in order to stimulate the appetite and eradicate the colic pain, the different varieties of gruel are being described hereinafter. It has been said, “as a small particle of fire is by and by kindled with the help of grass, cowdung, etc. so the inner fire, i. e. appetite is enhanced and stabilised, and is rendered all digestive with the help of medicated gruel, etc. in respect of a patient who has been purged (by the administration of elimination therapies )-cf. siddhi 1.12-13.
Gruel is to be prepared with due regard to the proper measurement of its ingredients, viz. water, rice, drug, etc. The actual ratio of drug, etc. is, however, to be determined on the basis of the digestive capacity. As it has been said, “there is no fixed dose of drugs-the dose is to be prescribed keeping in view the (state of) dosas, (strength of) appetite, ability to work, age, ( stage of the ) disease, ( nature of the ) drug, and the ( condition of the ) kostha ( alimentary tract, for details cf. Sutra 11:48).
Ingredients of gruel can be broadly classified into two viz., the material in which virya is predominant and the food material in which rasa ( taste ) is dominant. The drug material is again of three kinds according to its virya as follows: . )
I. One whose virya is tiksna eg sunthi ( Zingiber officinale Roscetc., the dose being one Karsa ( 12 g );
II. One with moderate viryae.g. bilva ( Aegle marmelos Corr. ) agnimantha (Clerodendrum plomidis Linn. f) etc. the dose being ardhapala ( 24 g ); and
III. the one with mild virya e. g. amalaki ( Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) the dose is one pala ( 48g ).
The dose mentioned here is to be taken in terms of proximity rather than exactitude. For the gruel which is to be prepared out of a paste, water is to be used according to the measurement prescribed in Sudasastra (the Science of Cooking). As it has been said “Anna, vilepi, manda, yavagu ( gruel ) are to be prepared with five, four, fourteen, and six times of water respectively. The prescribed measurement of water is to be taken in proportion to the total quantity of rice and drug taken together.
(1) पिप्पलीपिप्पलीमूलचव्यचित्रकनागरैः । यवागूर्दीपनीया स्याच्छूलप्नी चोपसाधिता ॥ १८ ॥
(2) दधित्थ बेल्वचाङ्गेरीतक्रदाडिमसाधिता । पाचनी ग्राहिणी,
(3) पेया सवाते पाञ्चमूलिकी ।। १९ ।।
(4) शालपर्णीबलबिल्वैः पृश्निपर्ण्या च साधिता। दाडिमाम्ला हिता पेया पित्तश्लेष्मातिसारिणाम् ॥ २० ॥
(5) पयस्यर्धोदके च्छागे ह्रीवेरोत्पलनागरैः । पेया रक्ततिसारघ्नी पृश्चिपर्ण्या च
(6) दद्यात् सातिविषां पेयां सामे साम्लां सनागराम् ।
(7) श्वदंष्ट्र कण्टकारीभ्यां मूत्रकृच्छ्रे सफाणिताम् ॥ २२ ॥
(8) विडङ्गपिप्पलीमूलशिग्रुभिर्मरिचेन च । साधिता ॥ २१ ॥ ॥ २३ तक्रसिद्धा यवागूः स्यात् क्रिमिघ्नी ससुवर्चिका ॥
(9) मृद्धीका सारिवालाजपिप्पलीमधुनागरैः । पिपासानी,
(10) विषघ्नी च सोमराजीविपाचिता ॥ २४ ॥
(11) सिद्धा वराहनिर्यूहे यवागूगृहणी मता ।
(12) गवेधुकानां भृष्टानां कर्शनीया समाक्षिका ।। २५ ।। (
13) सर्पिष्मती बहुतिला स्नेहनी लवणान्विता ।
(14) कुशामलकनिर्यूहे श्यामाकानां विरुक्षणी ॥ २६ ॥ (
15) दशमूलीश्टता कासहिक्काश्वासकफापहा ।
( 16 ) यमके मदिरासिद्धा पक्काशयरुजापहा ॥ २७ ॥
(17) शाकैर्मासैस्तिलैर्मापैः सिद्धा वर्चो निरस्यति ।
(18) जम्ब्वाम्रास्थिदधित्थाम्लबिल्वैः साङ्ग्राहकी मता ॥ २८ ॥
(19) क्षारचित्रक हिड्ग्वम्ल वेतसैमंदिनी मता ।
(20) अभयापिप्पलीमूलविश्वैर्वातानुलोमनी ॥ २९ ॥
(21) तक्रसिद्धा यवागूः स्याद्वृतव्यापत्तिनाशिनी ।
(22) तैलग्यापदि शस्ता स्यात्तक्रपिण्याकसाधिता ॥ ३० ॥
(23) गव्यमांसरसैः साम्ला विषमज्वरनाशिनी ।
(24) कण्ठ्या यवानां यमके पिप्पल्यामलकैः श्रुता ॥ ३१ ॥
(25) ताम्रचूडरसे सिद्धा रेतोमार्गरुजापहा ।
(26) समाषविदला वृष्या घृतक्षीरोपसाधिता ॥ ३२ ॥
(27) उपोदिकादधिभ्यां तु सिद्धा मदविनाशिनी ।
(28) क्षुधं हन्यादपामार्गक्षीरगोधारसैः शृता ॥ ३३ ॥
The gruel prepared with pippali ( piper longum Linn.) root of pippali, cavya ( Piper chaba Hunter ), chitraka ( Plumbago zeylanica Linn. ) and nagara ( Zingiber officinale Rosc. ) stimulates digestion and cures colic pain. (1)
That prepared with dadhittha (Feronia limonia Swingle), bilva ( Aegle marmelos Corr. ), cangeri (Oxalis corniculata Linn.), buttermilk and dadima (punica granatum Linn.) is carminative and astringent. (2)
The gruel of salaparni ( Desmodium gangeticum DC. ), prsnipari ( Urariapicta Desv. ), brhati ( Solanum indicum Linn. ), kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendle) and goksura (Tribulus terrestris Linn. ) is useful for vatika type of diarrhoea. ( 3 )
The gruel prepared with salaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC.), bala ( Sida cordifolia Linn. ), bilva ( Aegle marmelos Corr. ), prsniparna ( Uraria picta Desv. ) and soured with dadima ( Punica granatum Linn.) is useful for paittika and slaismika types of diarrhoeas. ( 4 )
The gruel of hrwera (Pavonia odorata Willd.), utpala ( Nymphaea alba Linn.), nagara (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) prsniparni (Uraria picta Desv.) prepared with semi-diluted goat’s milk cures blood diarrhoea. (5)
One should prescribe the gruel prepared with ativisa ( Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.), and nagara (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), and soured (with dadima) for diarrhoea in its ama stage. (6).
That of svadamstra (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendl) along with phanita (a preparation of sugarcane ) should be prescribed in dysuria (7).
The gruel of vidanga (Embelica ribes Burm.), root of pippali (Piper longum Linn.), sigru (Moringa oleifera Lam.), marica (Piper nigrum Linn.) prepared with buttermilk and salted with sonchal salt cures infections (8).
That prepared with mrdvika (Vitis vinifera Linn.), sariva (Hemidesmus indicus R. B.), fried paddy, pippali (Piper longum Linn.), honey and nagara (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), cures (excessive ) thirst. (9)
The one cooked with somaraji (Psoralea corylifolia Linn, ) is anti-toxic. (10)
The gruel prepared with pork extract is nourishing. (11)
The one prepared with fried savedhuka (Triticum aestivum Linn.) alongwith honey is emaciating. (12)
The gruel prepared with tila (Sesamum indicum Linn.), and added with ghee and salt causes unctuousness. (13)
The one of syamaka (Punicum italicum Linn.) prepared with the extract of kusa (Desmostachya bipinnata Staff.) and amalaka (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) causes roughness. (14)
The one prepared with bilva ( Aegle marmelos Corr.), yonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent.) gambhart (Gmelina arbora Linn.) patala (Stereospermum suaveolans DC.), ganikarika ( Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. f.), salaparni ( Desmodium gangeticum DC.), prsniparni (Uraria picta Desv.), Brhati (Solanum indicum Linn.), kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendle), goksura (Tribulus terrestris Linn.), cures coughing, hiccough, dyspnoea and diseases due to kapha. (15)
The one prepared of ghee and oil with madira wine alleviates pain in colon. (16)
That of vegetables, meat, tila ( Sesamum indicum Linn.) and Masa (Phaseolus mungo Linn.) evacuate bowel. (17)
That of jambu (Syzygium cumini Skeels ), seeds of amra (Mangifera indica Linn.), sour dadhittha (Feronia limonia Swingle), bilva (Aegle marmelos Corr. ), is astringent. (18)
That of yavaksara (alkali preparation from Hordeum vulgare Linn.), chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica Linn.), Hingu ( Ferula narthex Boiss.) and amlavetasa ( Rheum emodi Wall.) is cathartic (substance that accelerates defecation). (19)
The one with abhaya (Terminalia chebula Linn.) root of pippali (Piper longum Linn.) and visva (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) helps elimination of flatus: (20)
The gruel prepared with buttermilk eradicates untoward effects caused by (incorrect intake of) ghee. (21)
The one prepared with buttermilk and oilcake would alleviate such defects as caused by the incorrect intake of oil. (22)
The gruel prepared with beef extract and soured with dadima (Punica granatum Linn.) cures irregular fever. (23)
The one prepared of yava (Hordeum vulgare Linn.) with ghee and oil, and boiled with pippali (Piper longum Linn.) and amalaka (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) is useful for throat. (24)
That of chicken extract alleviates diseases pertaining to the seminal passage. (25)
That of split masa ( Phaseolus radiatus Linn.) prepared with ghee and milk is aphrodisiac. (26)
The one prepared with upodika (Basella rubra Linn.) and curd cures narcosis. (27)
That of apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.) boiled with milk and extract of inguana flesh kills hunger. (28) [18-33 ]
The gruel prepared with upodika ( Basella rubra Linn.) and curd cures all the three types of narcosis.i. e. effected by the intake of poison, sight of blood and also the intake of alcoholic drinks.
तत्रश्लोकः- अष्टाविंशतिरित्येता यवाग्वः परिकीर्तिताः । पञ्चकर्माणि चाश्रित्य प्रोक्तो भैषज्यसंग्रहः ॥ ३४ ॥
contents:
Summing up the Thus, all the twenty eight varieties of gruel have been described and the drugs in connection with the five elimination therapies have been enumerated in brief. [34]
पूर्व मूलफलज्ञानहेतोरुक्तं यदौषधम् । पञ्चकर्माश्रयज्ञान हेतोस्तत् कीर्तितं पुनः ।। ३५ ।।
The drugs, which were described in the previous (chapter) just for the sake of knowledge as to their most useful roots and fruits, the same have again been described here to indicate their usefulness in the five elimination therapies. [35]
Even in the first chapter, the drugs have been described in relation to their usefulness in the five elimination therapies. The purpose there was just to show their usefulness in general. In the present chapter, however, their applicability and usefulness in the five elimination therapies occupies the most prominent position.
स्मृतिमान् हेतुयुक्तिशो जितात्मा प्रतिपत्तिमान् । भिषगौषधसंयोगैश्चिकित्सां कर्तुमर्हति ॥ ३६॥
इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरकप्रतिसंस्कृते श्लोकस्थानेऽपामार्ग..
Only the physician endowed with memory, having adequate knowledge of causes (of diseases and health) and principles of propriety, self restrained, and having presence of mind is entitled to practice medicine through the combination of various drugs.[36]
Thus ends the second chapter on the “Dehusked Seeds of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.)” of the Sutra Section of Agnivesa’s work as redacted by Charaka.
