तृतीय आरग्वधीयाध्यायः अथात आरग्वधीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः ॥ १ ॥ इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः ॥ २ ॥
We shall now expound the Chapter on “Aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn.).” Thus said lord Atreya. [ 1-2 ]
Drugs are of two kinds-one variety of drugs is used for internal cleansing and the other for external cleansing. In the previous chapter, drugs for internal cleansing have been mentioned. The other variety of drugs used for external cleansing e.g. ointment, etc. is now being explained.
The treatment of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy will be taken up separately in the section on treatment (vide Chikitsa : 7) and it would have been more appropriate if aragvadha ( Cassia fistula Linn.), etc. were described there. The separate mention of the formulae from the point of view of treatment in the present chapter indicates that the skin diseases including leprosy come under the category of chronic and obstinate diseases. Verily repetition implies emphasis.
Although tuberculosis, etc. are also regarded as obstinate diseases, still they are not prominent objects of external cleansing. The skin diseases, on the other hand are prominent objects of external cleansing.
Different formulae enumerated in this chapter will be effective only when applied after proper purification of the body-vide Chikitsa 7:39-41. Thus, after having explained the purificatory methods in the previous chapter, the author now describes the various formulae for the cure of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy.
Khadira (Acacia catechu Willd.) in fact occupies the first position among the drugs for the cure of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy. But here aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn.) is described first in preference to khadira (Acacia catechu Willd.) with a view to indicating the prominent usefulness of aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn.) among the drugs used externally.
आरग्वधः सैडगजः करञ्जो वासा गुडूची मदनं हरिद्रे । श्रयाह्नः सुराह्नः खदिरो धवश्च निम्बो विडङ्गं करवीरकत्वक् ॥ ३ ॥ ग्रन्थिश्च भौर्जो लशुनः शिरीषः सलोमशो गुग्गुलुकृष्णगन्धे । फणिज्झको वत्सकसप्तपर्णी पीलूनि कुष्ठं सुमनःप्रवालाः ॥ ४ ॥वचा हरेणुस्त्रिवृता निकुम्भो भल्लातक गैरिकमञ्जनं च | मनःशिलाले गृहधूम एला काशीसलोधार्जुनमुस्तसर्जाः ॥ ५ ॥ इत्यर्धरूपैर्विहिताः षडेते गोपित्तपीताः पुनरेवपिष्टाः । सिद्धाः परं सर्षपतैलयुमश्चूर्णप्रदेहा भिषजा प्रयोज्याः ॥ ६॥ कुष्ठानि कृच्छ्राणि नवं किलासं सुरेशद्भुतं किटिभं सद भगन्दराशंस्यपचीं सपामां हृन्युः प्रयुक्तास्त्वचिरान्नराणाम् ॥ ७ ॥ 1
(1) Aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn. ),sedagaja (Cassia tora Linn.), karanja ( Pongamia pinnata Merr.), vasa (Adhatoda vasica Nees.), Guduchi (Tinspora cordifolia Miers.), madana (Randia dumetorum Lam.), haridra (Curcuma longa Linn.), and daruharidra (Berberis aristata DC. );
( 2 ) Sryahva (?), surahva (?), khadira ( Acacia catechu Willd.), dhava (Anogeissus latifolia Wall.), nimba (Azaridachta indica A. Juss.), vidanga (Embelia ribes Burm. f.), and the bark of karaviraka (Nerium indicum Mill.);
(3) Node of bhurja (Betula utilis D. Don. ), lasuna (Allium sativum Linn.), sirisa (Albizzia lebbeck Benth.), lomasa (Ferri sulphas), guggulu (Commifora mukul Engl.), and krsnagandha (Moringa oleifera Lam.);
(4) Phanijjhaka ( a variety of parnasa), vatsaka (Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. ), saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris R. Br.), varieties of pilu (Salvadora persica Linn. ), kustha ( Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke.) and tender leaves of sumanas (Jasminum officinale Linn. var grandiflorum Bailey);
(5) Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.), harenu (Pisum sativum Linn.), trivrita (Operculina turpethum R. B.), nikumbha ( Baliospermum montanum Muell-Ang. ), bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f.), Ferrum haematite and Antimoni isulphidum;
(6) Arsenii disulphidum, Arsenii trisulphidum, kitchen soot, ela (Elletaria cardamomum. Maton), Ferri sulphas, lodhra (Symplocos recemosa Roxb.), arjuna (Terminalia arjuna W & A.), musta (Cyperus rotundus Linn.) and sarja (Vateria indica Linn.)
The above six formulae are to be used by the physician for external application in powder form after they are impregnated with purified ox bile, ground again and mixed up with mustard oil. Their application immediately cures obstinate skin diseases including leprosy, leucoderma of recent origin, alopacia, keloids, ringworm, fistula-in-ano, piles, cervical adenitis and papular eruptions of human beings. [3–7]
कुष्ठं हरिद्रे सुरसं पटोलं निम्बाश्वगन्धे सुरदारुशित्रू | ससर्षपं तुम्बुरुधान्यवन्यं चण्डां च चूर्णानि समानि कुर्यात् ॥ ८ ॥ तैस्तक पिष्ठैः प्रथमं शरीरं तैलाक्तमुद्वर्तयितुं । यतेत । तेनास्य कण्डूः पिडकाः सकोठाः कुष्ठानि शोफाश्च शमं व्रजन्ति ॥ ९ ॥
Powder of kustha ( Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke ), haridra ( Curcuma longa Linn. ), daruharidra ( Berberis asistata DC. ), surasa ( ? ), patola ( Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. ), nimba ( Azaridachta indica A. Juss. ), asvagandha ( Withania somnifera Dunal ), suradaru ( Cedrus deodara Loud ). Sigru ( Moringa oleifera Lam. ), sarsapa ( Brassica nigra Koch. ), tumburu ( Xanthoxylon alatum. Roxb. ), dhanya ( Coriandrum sativum Linn. ), vanya ( Cyperus tenuiflorus ), and canda (?) should be prepared in equal quantity and ground with buttermilk. One should apply this over the body smeared with oil. By this pruritus, pimples, urticaria, obstinate skin diseases including leprosy and edema are relieved. [ 8 –9]
कुष्ठामृतासङ्गकटङ्कटेरी कासीसकम्पिल्लक मुस्तलोधाः । सौगन्धिकं सर्जरसो विडङ्गं मनःशिलाले करवीरकत्वक् ॥ १० ॥ तैलाक्तगात्रस्य कृतानि चूर्णोन्येतानि दद्यादवचूर्णनार्थम् । दद्रुः सकण्डूः किटिभानि पामा विचर्चिका चैव तथैति शान्तिम् ॥ ११ ॥
Powder of kustha ( Sussurea lappa C. B. Clarke ), Cuprum sulphas, kataikateri ( Berberis aristata DC. ), Ferri sulphas, kam. pillaka (Mallotus philippinensis Muel-Arg.), musta ( Cyperus rotundus Linn. ), lodhra ( Symplocos recemosa Roxb. ), sulpher, Sarjarasa ( extract of Vateria indica Linn. ), vidainga ( Embelia ribes Burm.f.), realgar, orpiment, and bark of karavira ( Nerium indicum Mill. ),— when dusted over the body smeared with oil, relieves ringworm, pruritus. keloids, papular eruptions and pamphigus. [ 10–11]
मनःशिलाले मरिचानि तैलमार्क पयः कुष्टहरः प्रदेवः ।
Realgar, orpiment, varieties of marica ( Piper nigrum Linn. ), Oil, and the latex of arka ( Calotropis gigantea Linn. ), constitutes an ointment for the cure of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy.
तुत्थं विडङ्गं मरिचानि कुष्ठं लोभ्रं च तद्वत् समनःशिलं स्यात् ॥ १२ ॥
Copper Sulphate, vidanga ( Embelia ribes Burm. f. ) varieties of marica ( Piper nigrum Linn. ), kustha ( Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke ), lodhra ( Symplocos racemosa Roxb. ) alongwith realgar likewise constitute (an ointment for the cure of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy ) [ 12 ]
सप्रपुनाडबीजं युक्तं कपित्थस्य रसेन लेपः ।
रसाञ्जनं Rasanjana (concentrated aqueous extract from Berberis aristata DC. ) alongwith the seeds of prapunada ( Cassia tora Linn. ) mixed with juice of kapittha (Feronia limonia Linn.) constitutes an ointment (for the cure of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy ).
करञ्जवीजैडगजं सकुष्ठं गोमूत्रपिष्टं च परः प्रदेहः ॥ १३ ॥
Seeds of karanja ( Pongamia pinnata Linn. ), edagaja ( Cassia tora Linn. ) alongwith kustha ( Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke ), pounded with cow’s urine constitute an ointment par excellence (for the treatment of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy ). [ 13 ]
उभे हरिद्रे कुटजस्य बीजं करञ्जबीजं सुमनःप्रवालान् । त्वचं समयां हयमारकस्य लेपं तिलक्षारयुतं विद्ध्यात् ॥ १४ ॥
Both the types of haridra (Curcuma longa Linn. and Berberis aristata DC. ), seeds of kutaja ( Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. ) and karanja ( Pongamia pinnata Linn. ), tender leaves of sumanas (Jasminum officinale Linn. var grandiflorum Bailey ), bark alongwith the pith of hayamaraka (Nerium indicum Mill.) mixed with the ash of tila (Sesamum indicum Linn.) is also used as an ointment for the treatment of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy. [ 14 ]
मनःशिला त्वक् कुटजात् सकुष्ठात् सलोमशः सैडगजः करञ्जः । ग्रन्थिश्च भौर्जः करवीरमूलं चूर्णानि साध्यानि तुषोदकेन ॥ १५ ॥ पलाशनहर चापि कर्षोद्धृतान्याढकसंमितेन । दर्वीप्रलेपं प्रवदन्ति लैपमेतं परं कुष्ठनिसूदनाय ॥ १६ ॥
Realgar, bark of kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.) alongwith that of kustha (Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke.), Ferrisulphas, edagaja (Cassia tora Linn.), karanja (Pongamia pinnata Linn.), node of bhurja (Betula utilis D. Don. ), root of karavira (Nerium indicum Mill.), should be prepared in. powder form mixed up with tusodaka. The darvipralepa (semi-solid in consistency) ointment made of one karsa (12 g) powder of each of the above, mixed up with an adhaka (3.072 1) of the juice extracted by burning the palasa (Butea monosperma Lam.), is said to be most useful in eradicating obstinate skin diseases including leprosy. [15-16]
A conjee prepared by fermenting barley alongwith its husk is known as tusodaka. The juice of palasa ( Butea monosperma Lam.), as mentioned in the above verse, is extracted by burning the tree itself. For that the tap root of the tree is to be cut and below that a pitcher is to be kept. In the process of the tree being burnt, its juice comes out through the severed tap root which is to be collected in the pitcher.
पर्णानि पिष्वा चतुरङ्गुलस्य तक्रेण पर्णान्यथ काकमाच्याः । तैलाक्तगात्रस्य नरस्य कुष्ठा न्युनर्तयेदश्वहनच्छदैश्च ॥ १७ ॥
One should use as an unguent on the parts of the body affected by the obstinate skin diseases including leprosy, the leaves of caturangula (Cassia fistula Linn.) as well as kakamaci (Solanum nigrum Linn.) ground with buttermilk and also leaves of asvahana (Nerium indicum Mill.) after applying oil to the body. [17]
कोलं कुलत्थाः सुरदारुरास्ना माषातसीतैलफलानि कुष्ठम् ।
वचा शताहा यवचूर्ण मम्लमुष्णानि वातामयिनां प्रदेहः ।। १८ ।।
Kola (Zizyphus jujuba Lam.), kulattha (Dolichos biflorus Linn.), suradaru ( Cedrus deodara Roxb. ), rasna (Pluchea lanceolata oliver & Hiern), masa (Phaseolus radiatus L.), atasi ( Linum usitatissimum Linn.) and fruits of eranda (Ricinus communis Linn. ), etc. soured by vinegar and warmed up constitutes a good unguent for those suffering from vata. [18]
आनुपमत्स्यामिषवेसवारैरुष्णैः प्रदेहः पवनापहः स्यात् ।
The vesavara prepared with the meat of marshy animals like fish when applied as an ointment cures ( vitiated) vata. [ 19 ] The vesavara referred to above is made of minced flesh devoid of bones, steamboiled and mixed up with molasses and ghee as well as pippali (Piper longum Linn.) and maricha ( Piper nigrum Linn.)
स्नेहैश्चतुर्भिर्दशमूलमिश्रैर्गन्धौषधैश्चानिलहः प्रदेहः ।। १९ ।।
The ointment made of the aromatic drugs mixed with the dasamula (Aegle marmelos Corr., Oroxylum indicum Vent., Gmelina arborca Linn., Stereospermum suaveolens DC., Cleodendrum phlomidis Linn. f., Desmodium gangeticum DC., Uraria picta Desv., Solanum indicum Linn., Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad & Wendl., and Tribulus terrestris Linn. )and four types of fat (ghee, oil, fat and marrow) is also useful for the cure of (vitiated) vata. [19]
For details of the gandhausadhas (aromatic drugs) referred to in this verse vide the chapter on the treatment of fever (Chikitsa 3 : 267).
तक्रेण युक्तं यवचूर्णमुणं सक्षारमतिं जठरे निहन्यात् ।
Warmed up powder of yava (Hordeum vulgare Linn.), mixed with buttermilk and alkalies eradicates abdominal pain. [201]
Kustha (Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke), satahva (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), vaca (Acorus calamus Linn.), powder of yava (Hordeum vulgare Linn.), and Oil, when soured ( with vinegar) are said to be useful for ( alleviating) vata. [20]
उभे शताह्ने मधुकं मधूकं बलां प्रियालं च कशेरुकं च । घृतं विदारीं च सितोपलां च कुर्यात् प्रदेहं पवने सरते ॥ २१ ॥
In the event of vatarakta (gout) one should apply an ointment consisting of both the types of satahva (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.), madhuka (Madhuca indica I. F. Gmel. ), bala (Sida cordifolia Linn.), priyala (Buchanania lanzan Spreng.), kaseruka (Scirpus grossus Linn. f.), ghee, vidari (Ipomoea paniculata R. Br.) and Sugar. [21]
रास्ना गुडूची मधुकं बले द्वे सजीवकं सर्वभकं पयश्च । घृतं च सिद्धं मधुशेषयुक्तं रक्तानिलार्तिं प्रणुदेत् प्रदेहः ॥ २२ ॥
The ointment consisting of rasna (Pluchea lanceolata Oliver and Hiern), Guduchi ( Tinspora cordifolia Willd.), madhuka (Glycy rrhiza glabra Linn.), two types of bala ( Sida cordifolia Linn. and Sida rhombifolia Linn.) alongwith jivaka (?), rsabhaka (?) and milk prepared with ghee and mixed up with honey wax eradicates the trouble arising out of vatarakta ( gout ). [ 22 ]
वाते सरक्ते सघृतं प्रदेहो गोधूमचूर्ण छगलीपयश्च ।
In vatarakta ( gout ), the ointment made of ghee, the powder of godhuma ( Triticum sativum Lam. ) and goat’s milk is ( also ) prescribed. [ 23
नतोत्पलं चन्दनकुष्ठयुक्तं शिरोरुजायां सघृतं प्रदेहः ॥ २३ ॥
Nata ( Valeriana Wallicii DC. ), utpala (Nymphaea alba Linn.), chandana ( Santalum album Lin. ) and kustha ( Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke)-these drugs mixed up with ghee constitute are useful for headache. [23]
प्रपौण्डरीकं सुरदारु कुष्ठं यष्ट्याह्नमेला कमलोत्पले च । शिरोरुजायां सघृतः प्रदेद्दो लोहैरकापद्मकचोरकैश्च ॥ २४ ॥
Prapanundarika ( Nymphaea lotus Linn. red variety ), suradaru ( Cedrus deodara Loud. ), kustha ( Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke ), yastyahva ( Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. ), ela ( Elettaria Cardamomum Maton. ), kamala ( Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. ), utpala ( Nymphaea alba Linn. ),—these drugs mixed up with ghee alongwith loha ( Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. ), eraka ( Typha angustifolia Linn. ), padmaka ( Prunus cerasoides D. Don. ), coraka ( Angelica glauca Edgw. ) constitute another useful for headache. [24]
रास्ना हरिद्रे नलदं शताहे द्वे देवदारूणि सितोपला च । जीवन्तिमूलं सघृतं सतैलमालेपनं पार्श्वरुजासु कोष्णम् ॥ २५ ॥
Rasna ( Pluchea lanceolata Oliver & Hiern ), haridra ( Curcuma longa Linn. ), daruharidra ( Berberis aristata DC. ), nalada ( Nardostachys jatamansi DC. ), two varieties of satahva ( Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Foeniculum capillaecum ), two varieties of devadaru ( Cedrus deodara Loud. ), Sugar, root of jivanti ( Leptadenia reticulata W & A)-these drugs alongwith ghee and oil slightly warmed up make a good ointment for chest pain. [25]
शैवालपद्मोत्पलवेत्रतुङ्गप्रपौण्डरीकाण्यमृणाललोधम् । प्रियङ्गुकालेयकचन्दनानि निर्वापणः स्यात् सधृतः प्रदेहः ॥ २६ ॥
Saivala ( Vallisneria spiralis Linn. ), padma ( Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. ), utpala ( Nymphaea alba Linn. ), vetra ( Salix caprea Linn.), tunga (Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.), Prapaundarika (Nymphaea lotus Linn. red variety), amrnala (Vetiveria zizanioides Nash,) lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb. ), priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl.), kaleyaka (Santalum flavum Linn.), candana (Santalum album Linn. ),-ointment prepared of these drugs and mixed up with ghee relieves burning sensation. [26]
सितालता वेतसपद्मकानि यष्ट्याह्नमैन्द्री नलिनानि दूर्वा ।
यवासमूलं कुशकाशयोश्च निर्वापणः स्याजलमेरका च ॥ २७ ॥
Sugar, lata (Rubia cordifolia Linn.), vetasa (Salix caprea Linn.), padmaka (Prunus cerasoides D. Don. ), yastyahva (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.), aindri (Citrullus .colocynthis Lehrad.), nalina (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), durva (Cynodon dactylon Pers. ), root of yavasa (Alhagi psudalhagi Desv.), kusa (Desmostachya bipinnata Staff.), kasa (Saccharum spontaneum Linn.), jala (Pavonia odorata Willd.), and eraka (Typha angustifolia Linn. )-ointment of these drugs relieves burning sensation. [27]
शैलेयमेलागुरुणी सकुष्ठे चण्डा नतं त्वक् सुरदारु रास्ना । शीतं निहन्यादचिरात् प्रदेहो
Saileya (Permellia perforata), ela (Elettaria cardamomum Maton), aguru (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.), kustha ( Saussurea Lappa C. B. Clarke. ), canda (?), nata (Valeriana Wallicii DC.), tvak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume. ), suradaru ( Cedrus deodara Loud. ), rasna (Pluchea lanceolata Oliver and Hiern. )-Ointment of these drugs instantaneously alleviates cold sensation.
विषं शिरीषस्तु ससिन्धुवारः ॥ २८ ॥
Sirisa (Albizzia lebbeck Benth.) along with sindhuvara (Vitex nigundo Linn.) alleviates toxic conditions. [28]
शिरीषलामज्जकहेमलोभैस्त्वग्दोषसंस्वेदहरः प्रघर्षः ।
Sirisa (Albizzia lebbeck Benth.), lamajjaka (Cymbopogon jwarancusa Schult.), hema (Mesua ferrea Linn.) and lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb. ),-ointment prepared with all these drugs when rubbed (over the skin) alleviates skin diseases and reduces diaphoresis.
पत्राम्बुलोध्रभयचन्दनानि शरीरदौर्गन्ध्यहरः प्रदेहः ॥ २९ ॥
Patra (Cinamomum tamala Nees and Eberum. ), ambu ( Pavonia odorata Willd.), lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb.), abhaya (Vetiveria zizanioides Nash.), and chandana ( Santalum album Linn. ) — ointment of these drugs removes bad smell from the body. [ 29 ]
तत्र श्लोकः
इहात्रिजः सिद्धतमानुवाच द्वात्रिंशतं सिद्धमहर्षिपूज्यः । चूर्णप्रदेहान् विविधामयघ्ना नारग्वधीये जगतो हितार्थम् ॥ ३० ॥
Summing up the contents :Thus, for the sake of the well-being of the world, Lord Atreya, respected by the siddhas and maharsis expounded in the chapter on “ Aragvadha ( Cassia fistula Linn. ) ” thirty two types of most efficacious powders and unguents useful in different diseases. [ 30 ]
इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरक प्रतिसंस्कृत श्लोकस्थाने आरग्वधीयो नाम तृतीयोऽध्यायः ॥ ३ ॥
Thus, ends the third chapter on Aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn.) of the Sutra section of Agnivesa’s work as redacted by Charaka.
