प्रथमोऽध्यायः । अथातोऽन्नपानरक्षाकल्पं व्याख्यास्यामः, यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ।। १ ।।
Now we shall discourse on the mode of preserving food and drink from the effects of poison (Anna-pana-Raksa-Kalpa). 1
धन्वन्तरिः काशिपतिस्तपोधर्मभृतां वरः । सुश्रुतप्रभृतीन् शिष्यान् शशासाहतशासनः ।। २ ।।
Dhanvantari, the King of Kasi, the foremost in virtue and religion and whose commands brook no disobedience or contradiction, instructed his disciples, Susruta and others (in the following words). 2
रिपवो विक्रमाक्रान्ता ये च स्वे कृत्यतां गताः । सिसृक्षवः क्रोधविषं विवरं प्राप्य विषैर्निहन्युर्निपुणं तादृशम् ।। ३
दुष्टचेतसः । नृपतिं स्त्रियो वा विविधान् योगान् कदाचित् सुभगेच्छया ।। ४ ।।
विषकन्योपयोगाद् वा क्षणाज्जह्यादसून् नरः । तस्माद् वैद्येन सततं विषाद्रक्ष्यो नराधिपः ।। ५ ।।
Powerful enemies and even the servants and relations of the sovereign in a fit of anger to avenge themselves on the sovereign sometimes concoct poisonous compounds and administer the same to him, powerful though he may be, by taking advantage of any defect or weak point in him. Sometimes the ladies (of the royal house-hold) are found to administer to the king various preparations (of food and drink), which often prove to be poisonous with a foolish motive of securing his affection and good graces thereby, and sometimes it is found that by the embrace of poisoned girl (Visa-Kanya),¹ he dies almost instantaneously. Hence it is the imperative duty of a royal physician to guard the person of the king against poisoning. 3-5
यस्माच्च चेतोऽनित्यत्वमश्ववत् प्रथितं नृणाम् । न विश्वसेत् ततो राजा कदाचिदपि कस्यचित् ।। ६ ।।
The minds of men are fickle and uncontrollable like horse. Faith is a rare thing in the human society and hence a crowned head should never believe any one 2 in this world. 6
The Necessary Qualifications of a Superintendent of the Royal Kitchen
कुलीनं धार्मिकं स्निग्धं सुभृतं सततोत्थितम् । अलुब्धमशठं भक्तं कृतज्ञं प्रियदर्शनम् ।। ७ ।।
क्रोधपारुष्यमात्सर्य्यमायालस्यविवर्जितम् । जितेन्द्रियं क्षमावन्तं शुचिं शीलदयान्वितम् ॥ ८ ॥
हितैषिणम्। मायाविवर्जितम् ।। ९ ।। सन्निहितागदम् । तद्विद्यपूजितम् ।। १० ।।
मेधाविनमसंश्रान्तमनुरक्तं पटुं प्रगल्भं निपुणं दक्षं पूर्वोक्तैश्च गुणैर्युक्तं नित्यं महानसे प्रयुञ्जीत वैद्यं
The necessary Qualifications of a Superintendent of the Royal Kitchen: A king should appoint a physician for the royal kitchen (to superintend the preparations of the royal fare). He should be well-paid and possess the following qualifications. He should come of a respectable family, should be virtuous in conduct, fondly attached to the person of his sovereign, and always watchful of the health of the king. He should be greedless, straight-forward, god-fearing, grateful, of handsome features, and devoid of irascibility, roughness, vanity, arrogance and laziness. He should be forbearing, self-controlled, cleanly, compassionate, well-behaved, intelligent, capable of bearing fatigue, well-meaning, devoted of good address, clever, skilful, smart, artless, energetic and marked with all the necessary qualifications (of a physician) as described before. He should be fully provided with all kinds of medicine and be highly esteemed by the members of his profession. 7-10
1. A girl slowly habituated to taking poison or poisoned food is called a Visa-Kanya, such a girl presented to a king by a pretending friend of the state often managed to hug her royal victim into her fatal embrace. The poison operates through the perspiration, proving almost instantaneously fatal through the act of dalliance.
2. A Royal Physician is an honourable exception in this respect.
The necessary features of a Royal kitchen
प्रशस्तदिग्देशकृतं शुचिभाण्डं महच्छुचि । सजालकं विकक्षसृष्टसंसृष्टं सवितानं परीक्षितस्त्रीपुरुषं भवेच्चापि महानसम् । तत्राध्यक्षं नियुञ्जीत प्रायो वैद्यगुणान्वितम् ।। १२ ।। शुचयो दक्षिणा दक्षा विनीताः प्रियदर्शनाः । संविभक्ताः सुमनसो नीचकेशनखाः स्थिराः ।। १३ ।। स्नाता दृढं संयमिनः कृतोष्णीषाः सुसंयताः । तस्य चाज्ञाविधेयाः स्युर्विविधाः परिकर्मिणः ।। १४ ।। आहारस्थितयश्चापि भवन्ति प्राणिनो यतः । तस्मान्महानसे वैद्यः प्रमादरहितो भवेत् ।। १५ ।। माहानसिकवोढार: सौपौदनिकपौपिकाः । भवेयुर्वेद्यवशगा ये चाप्यन्ये तु केचन । । १६ ।। गवाक्षाढयमाप्तवर्गनिषेवितम् ।। ११ ।। कृतार्चनम् ।
The necessary features of a Royal kitchen : The Royal kitchen should be a spacious chamber occupying an auspicious (south-east) corner of the royal mansion and built on a commendable site. The vessels and utensils (to be used in a royal kitchen) should be kept scrupulously clean. The kitchen should be kept clean, well lighted by means of a large number of windows and guarded with nets and fret works (against the intrusion of crows, etc.) None but the trusted and proved friends and relatives should have access to the royal kitchen, or hold any appointment therein. Highly inflammable articles (such as hay, straw, etc.) should not be stocked in the royal kitchen whose ceiling should be covered with a canopy. The Fire-god should be (daily) worshipped therein. The head or manager of the royal cooks should generally possess the same qualifications as these of a physician. The bearers and cooks in the royal kitchen should have their nails and hair clipped off and should bear turbans. They should be cleanly, civil, clever, obedient, good-looking, each charged with separate duties, good-tempered, composed in their behaviour, well-bathed, greedless, determined, and prompt in executing the orders of their superiors. A physician of the royal kitchen should be very cautious and circumspect in the discharge of his duties, since food is the main stay of life, and the sole contributor to the safe continuance of the body. Every one employed in a royal kitchen such as, bearers, servers, cooks, soupmakers, cake-makers (confectioners ) , should be placed under the direct control and supervision of the physician of the kitchen. 11-16
Characteristic features of a poisoner
इङ्गितज्ञो मनुष्याणां वाकूचेष्टामुखवैकृतैः । विद्याद् विषस्य दातारमेभिर्लिङ्गैश्च बुद्धिमान्।। १७ ।। न ददात्युत्तरं पृष्टो विवक्षन् मोहमेति च । अपार्थं बहु सङ्कीर्णं भाषते चापि मूढवत् ।। १८ ।। स्फोटयत्यङ्गुलीर्भूमिमकस्माद् विलिखेद्धसेत् । वेपथुर्जायते तस्य त्रस्तश्चान्योऽन्यमीक्षते ।। १९ । । क्षामो विवर्णवक्त्रश्च नखैः किञ्चिच्छिनत्त्यपि । आलभेतासकृद्दीनः करेण च शिरोरुहान् ।। २० ।। निर्यियासुरपद्वारैर्वीक्षते च पुनः पुनः । वर्तते विपरीतन्तु विषदाता विचेतनः ।। २१ । ।
Characteristic features of a poisoner: An intelligent physician well qualified to ascertain the true state of one’s feelings from the speech, conduct, demanour and distortions of the face, would be able to discover the true culprit (poisoner) from the following external indications. A giver of poison does not speak nor does he answer when a question is put to him. He swoons or bearks off suddenly in the middle of his statement, and talks incoherently and indistinctly like a fool. He is found suddenly and listlessly to press the joints of his fingers or to scratch the earth, to laugh and to shiver. He will look frightened at the sight of others ( indifferently), and will cut ( straw or hay) with his finger-nails, and his colour changes constantly. He will scratch his head in an agonised and confused state, and will look this way and that, trying to slip away by a back or side door, thus betraying his guilty conscience by his confusion. 17-21
केचिद्भयात् पार्थिवस्य त्वरिता वा तदाज्ञया असतामपि सन्तोऽपि चेष्टां कुर्वन्ति मानवाः । तस्मात् परीक्षणं कार्य्यं भृत्यानामादृतैर्नृपैः ।। २२ । । अन्ने पाने दन्तकाष्ठे तथाभ्यङ्गेऽवलेखने । कषाये परिषेकेऽनुलेपने ।। २३ ।। उत्सादने स्त्रक्षु वस्त्रेषु शय्यासु पादुकापादपीठेषु पृष्ठेषु विषजुष्टेषु चान्येषु कवचाभरणेषु च। गजवाजिनाम् ।। नस्यधूमाञ्जनादिषु ।। २४ । ।
An innocent man, unjustly arraigned before the royal tribunal might from fear or precipation, become (confused and) liable to make untrue statements (and thus be unjustly convicted). Hence the king should first of all test the sincerity and fidelity of his servants ascertaining the non-poisonous character of the boiled rice, drink, tooth-twigs, unguents, combs, cosmetics, infusions, washes, anointments (with sandal pastes, etc.), garlands (of flowers, etc.), clothes, bedding, armour, ornaments, shoes, foot-cushions, the backs of horses and elephants and snuffs (Nasya), Dhuma (tobacco smoking), collyrium and such other things (reserved for the use of the king ). 22-24
Indications of poisoned food and drin
चिकित्सामप्यनन्तरम् ।। २५ ।। लक्षणानि प्रवक्ष्यामि नृपभक्ताद् वलिं न्यस्तं सविषं भक्षयन्ति ये । तत्रैव ते विनश्यन्ति मक्षिकावायसादयः ।। २६ ।। हुतभुक् तेन चान्नेन भृशं चटचटायते । मयूरकण्ठप्रतिमो जायते चापि दुःसहः । भिन्नार्चिस्तीक्ष्णधूमश्च न चिराच्चोपशाम्यति ।। २७ ।। चकोरस्याक्षिवैराग्यं जायते क्षिप्रमेव तु । दृष्ट्वान्नं विषसंसृष्टं म्रियन्ते जीवजीवकाः ।। २८ ।। कोकिलः स्वरवैकृत्यं क्रौञ्चस्तु मदमृच्छति । हृष्येन्मयूर उद्विग्नः क्रोशतः शुकसारिके ।। २९ ।। हंसः क्ष्वेडति चात्यर्थं भृङ्गराजस्तु कूजति । पृषतो विसृजत्यश्रुं विष्ठां मुञ्चति मर्कटः ।। ३० ।। सन्निकृष्टांस्ततः कुर्य्याद्राज्ञस्तान् मृगपक्षिणः । वेश्मनोऽथ विभूषार्थं रक्षार्थञ्चात्मनः सदा ।। ३१ ।।
Indications of poisoned food and drink, etc. : The indications by which the poisonous character of food, drink, etc. (to be used by a king) may be detected are described first and the medical treatment is dealt with secondly. A portion of the food prepared for the royal use should be first given to crows and flies and its poisonous character should be presumed, if they instantaneously die on partaking of the same. Poisoned food burns making loud cracks, and when cast into the fire it assumes the colour of a peacock’s throat, becomes unbearable, burns in severed and disjointed flames and emits irritating fumes and it cannot be speedily extinguished. The eyes of a Cakora bird are instantaneously affected by looking at such poisoned food and a Jivajivaka dies under a similar condition. The cooing of the cuckoo becomes hoarse and a Kraunca (heron) becomes excited. A peacock moves about and becomes sprightly, and a Suka and a Sarika scream ( in fear ). A swan cackles violently and a Bhrngaraja (of the swallow class) raises its inarticutate voice. A Prsata ( a species of spotted deer) sheds tears and a monkey passes stool. Hence these birds and animals should be kept in the royal palace for show and entertainment as well as for the protection of the sovereign master. 25-31
उपक्षिप्तस्य चान्नस्य बाष्पेणोद्धं प्रसर्पता । हृत्पीडा भ्रान्तनेत्रत्वं शिरोदुःखञ्च जायते ।। ३२ ।।
तत्र नस्याञ्जने कुष्ठं लामज्जं नलदं मधु । कुर्याच्छिरीषरजनीचन्दनैश्च प्रलेपनम् । हृदि चन्दनलेपस्तु तथा सुखमवाप्नुयात् ।। ३३ ॥
The vapours arising from poisoned food when served for use give rise to a pain in the cardiac region and produce headache and restlessness of the eyes. As an antidote a preparation of Kustha, Ramatha (asafoetida), Nalada and honey mixed together should be used as an Anjana (along the eye-lids) and a medical compound of the same drugs should be snuffed into the nostrils. A plaster composed of Sirisa, turmeric, and sandal pasted together or simply a sandal paste should be used over the region of the heart in such cases. 32-33
पाणिप्राप्तं पाणिदाहं नखशातं करोति च । अत्र प्रलेपः श्यामेन्द्रगोपासोमोत्पलानि च ।। ३४ ॥
A poison affecting the palms of the hands, produces a burning sensation in them and leads to the falling off the finger-nails. The remedy in such cases consists in applying a plaster of Syama¹, Indra, Gopa soma and Utpala pasted together. 34
स चेत् प्रमादान्मोहाद् वा तदन्नमुपसेवते । अष्ठीलावत् ततो जिह्वा भवत्यरसवेदिनी ।। ३५ ।।
तुद्यते दह्यते चापि श्लेष्मा चास्यात् प्रसिच्यते । तत्र बाष्पेरितं कर्म यच्च स्याद् दान्तकाष्ठिकम् ।। ३६ ।।
Poisoned food partaken of through ignorance or folly, produces a stone-like swelling and numbness of the tongue, a loss of the faculty of taste and a pricking burning pain in that organ attended with copious mucous salivation. The measures and remedies already laid down in connection with the treatment of cases of poisonous vapours as well as those to be here in after described in connection with the use of a poisoned tooth-twig should be adopted. 15
मूर्च्छा छर्दिमतीसारमाध्मानं दाहवेपथू । इन्द्रियाणाञ्च वैकृत्यं कुर्य्यादामाशयं गतम् ।। ३७ ।।
तत्राशु मदनालाबुबिम्बीकोशातकीफलैः । छर्दनं दध्युदश्विद्भ्यामथवा तण्डुलाम्बुना । । ३८ । ।
Food mixed with poison, when itreaches the amasaya (stomach), gives rise to epileptic fits, vomiting, dysenteric stools (Atisara), distension of the abdomen, a burning sensation, shivering and a derangement of the sense-organs. Under such circumstances an emetic consisting of Madana, Alabu, Bimbi and Kosataki pasted together and administered through the medium of milk, curd and Udasvit (Takra) or with rice-washings should be understood as the properremedy. 37-38
1. Some explain “Syama” as “Syama-lata; other explain it as “Priyangu”. Dalhanaexplains “Indra’ to mean “Indra-Varuni’’, ‘‘Gopa” to mean “Sariva” and ‘‘Soma” to mean “Guduci”. Others, however, take “Indra-Gopa” as one word and explain it to mean a kind of insect known by that name, and they take “Soma” to mean “Soma-lata” in the ordinary sense of the word.
मूर्च्छामतीसारं दाहं तृष्णामिन्द्रियवैकृतम्। आटोपं पाण्डुतां कार्यं कुर्यात् पक्वाशयं गतम् ।। ३९ ।।
विरेचनं तत्रोक्तं नीलिनीफलम् । ससर्पिष्कं दध्ना दूषीविषारिश्च पेयो वा मधुसंयुतः ।। ४० ।।
Food mixed with poison, if it reaches the Pakvasaya (intestines), gives rise to a burning sensation (in the body), epileptic fits, dysenteric stools (Atisara ) derangements of the organs of sense-perception, rumbling sounds in the abdomen and emaciation, and makes the complexion (of the sufferer) yellow. In such a case a purgative composed of clarified butter and Nilini fruits should be the first remedy. As an alternative, remedies to be described lateron (in the next chapter) in connection with the effects of Dusi-Visa (slow chemical poison) should be adopted and used, saturated with milk-curd (Dadhi) or honey. 39-40
द्रवद्रव्येषु सर्वेषु क्षीरमद्योदकादिषु । भवन्ति विविधा राज्य: फेनबुद्बुदजन्म च ।। ४१ ।।
छायाश्चात्र न दृश्यन्ते दृश्यन्ते यदि वा पुनः । भवन्ति यमलाश्छिद्रास्तन्व्यो वा विकृतास्तथा ॥ ४२ ॥
All liquid substances such as wine, milk, water, etc., if anywise poisoned, are found to be marked with variegated stripes on their¹ surface and become covered over with froth and bubbles. Shadows are not reflected in such (poisoned) liquids and if they ever are, they look doubled, net-like ( porous) thin and distorted. 41-42
शाकसूपान्नमांसानि क्लिन्नानि विरसानि च। सद्यः पर्युषितानीव विगन्धानि भवन्ति च । । ४३ ।।
गन्धवर्णरसैर्हीनाः सर्वे भक्ष्याः फलानि च। पक्वान्याशु विशीर्यन्ते पाकमामानि यान्ति च । । ४४ ।।
Preparations of potherbs, soups, boiled rice and cooked meat are
1. The colours of the different poisoned articles vary in each case and this is elaborately described by Vagbhata in his Samhita.
instantaneously decomposed, and become putrid, tasteless and emit little odour when in contact with poison. All kinds of food become tasteless, smelless and colourless when in contact with poison. Ripe fruit, under such conditions, is speedily decomposed and the unripe ones are found to get prematurely ripe. 43-44
विशीर्यते कूर्चकस्तु दन्तकाष्ठगते जिह्वादन्तौष्ठमांसानां विषे । श्वयथुश्चोपजायते ।। ४७ ।।
धातकीपुष्प-पथ्याजम्बूफलास्थिभिः । अथास्य सक्षौद्रैः प्रच्छिते शोफे कर्त्तव्यं प्रतिसारणम् ।। ४८ ।।
अथवाऽङ्कोठमूलानि त्वचः सप्तच्छदस्य वा। शिरीषमाषका वापि सक्षौद्राः जिह्वानिर्लेखकवलौ प्रतिसारणम् ।। ४९ ।।
दन्तकाष्ठवदादिशेत् ।। ५० ।।
If the tooth-twig be anyway charged with poison its brush-like end is withered and shattered and if used gives rise to a swelling of the lips and the tongue and about the gums. In such a case, the swollen part should be first rubbed (with any leaf of rough fibre)and then gently rubbed with a plaster composed of Dhataki flowers. Pathya, stones of Jambuline (black-berry) and honey pasted together. As an alternative, the part should be gently rubbed and dusted over with a plaster of powdered Amkota roots of Sapta-cchada bark or seeds of Sirisa, pasted together with honey. The same remedies should be applied in the cases of affections due to the use of a poisoned tongue-cleanser or a poisoned gargle (Kavala). 47-50
पिच्छिलो बहुलोऽभ्यङ्गो विवर्णो वा विषान्वितः । स्फोटजन्मरुजात्राव- त्वक्पाकः स्वेदनं ज्वरः ।। ५१ । ।
दरणञ्चापि मांसानामभ्यङ्गे विषसंयुते । कर्त्तव्यमनुलेपनम् ।। ५२ ।।
वेणुपत्रिका | तत्र शीताम्बुसिक्तस्य चन्दनं तगरं कुष्ठमुशीरं सोमवल्ल्यमृता श्वेता पद्मं कालीयकं त्वचम् ।
कपित्थरसमूत्राभ्यां उत्सादने परीषेके शय्यावस्त्रतनुत्रेषु पानमेतच्च कषाये युज्यते ।। ५३ ।। चानुलेपने । ज्ञेयमभ्यङ्गलक्षणैः।। ५४।।
Poisoned articles for Abhyanga (oils and unguents) look thick, slimy or discoloured and produce, when used, eruptions on the skin which suppurate and exude a characteristic secretion attended with pain, perspiration, fever and bursting of the flesh. The remedy in such a case consists in sprinkling cold water over the body of the patient and in applying a plaster of sandal wood, Tagara, Kustha, Usira, Venupatrika (leaves of bamboo), Soma-valli, Amrta, Sveta-padma (lotus), Kaliyaka and cardamom pasted together (with cold water). A potion of the same drugs mixed with the urine of a cow and the expressed juice of Kapittha is equally commended in the present instance. Symptoms which mark the use of poisoned armour, garments, bedding, cosmetic, washes, infusions, anointments, etc. and the remedies for these are identical with those consequent upon the use of poisoned unguents “1-54
केशशात: शिरोदुःखं खेभ्यश्च रुधिरागमः । ग्रन्थिजन्मोत्तमाङ्गेषु प्रलेपो बहुशस्तत्र भाविता: कृष्णमृत्तिकाः । ऋष्यपित्तघृतश्यामा- पालिन्दीतण्डुलीयकैः ।। ५६।। गोमयस्वरसो वापि हितो वा मालतीरसः । रसो मूषिकपर्ण्या वा धूमो वाऽगारसम्भवः ।। ५७ ।। विषजुष्टेऽवलेखने ।। ५५ ।।
A poisoned plaster (if applied to the head) leads to the falling off of the hair and to violent headache, bleeding through the mouth and the nostrils, etc., and the appearance of glands on the head. The remedy in such a case consists in the applicaion of a plaster made of black earth treated (Bhavita) several times with the bile of a Rsya ( a species of deer), clarified butter and the expressed juice of Syama, Palindi ( Trivrt) and Tanduliyaka (in succession ). The expressed juice of Malati (flower) or of Musika-parni, fluid-secretions of fresh cowdung and house-soot as external applications are also beneficial in such cases. 55-57
शिरोऽभ्यङ्गः शिरस्त्राणं स्नानमुष्णीषमेव च। स्त्रजश्च विषसंसृष्टाः मुखालेपे मुखं श्यावं पद्मिनीकण्टकप्रख्यः साधयेदवलेखनात् ।। ५८ ।। युक्तमभ्यङ्गलक्षणैः । कण्टकै चीयते ।। ५९ । । तत्र क्षौद्रघृतं पानं प्रलेपश्चन्दनं घृतम् । पयस्या मधुकं फञ्जी बन्धुजीव: पुनर्नवा ।। ६० ।।
In cases of poisoning through head-unguents or through a poisoned turban, cap garland of flowers, or bathing water, measures and remedies as laid down in connection with a case of poisoned Anulepana should be adopted and applied. In a case of poisoning through cosmetics applied to the face, the local skin assumes a bluish or tawny brown colour covered with eruptions like those in cases of Padmini-kantaka and the symptoms similar to a case of using a poisoned unguent becomes manifested. The remedy in such a case consists in the application of a plaster composed of (white) sandal wood, clarified butter, Payasya, Yasti madhu, Phanji (Bhargi), Bandhujiva and Punarnava. A potion of honey and clarified butter is also beneficial in this case. 58-60
अस्वास्थ्यं कुञ्जरादीनां लालास्त्रावोऽक्षिरक्तता । स्फिक्पायुमेढ्रमुष्केषु यातुश्च स्फोटसम्भवः ।। ६१
तत्राभ्यङ्गवदेवेष्टा यातृवाहनयोः क्रिया ।। ६२ ।। ।।
A poisoned elephant usually exhibits such symptoms as restlessness, copious salivation and redness of the eyes. The buttocks, the penis, the anal region and the scrotum of its rider coming in contact with the body of such an elephant are marked by eruptions. Under such conditions both animal and its rider should be medically treated with the remedies laid down in the treatment of poisoning through an unguent. 61-62
शोणितागमनं खेभ्यः शिरोरुक् कफसंत्रवः । नस्यधूमगते लिङ्गमिन्द्रियाणान्तु वैकृतम् ।। ६३ ।।
तत्र दुग्धैर्गवादीनां सर्पिः सातिविषैः शृतम् । पाने नस्ये च सश्वेतं हितं समदयन्तिकम् ।। ६४ ।।
गन्धहानिर्विवर्णत्वं पुष्पाणां म्लानता भवेत् । जिघ्रतश्च शिरोदुःखं वारिपूर्ण च लोचने ।
तत्र बाष्पेरितं कर्म मुखालेपे च यत् स्मृतम् ।। ६५ ।।
A poisoned snuff (Nasya) or poisoned smoke (Dhuma) produces bleeding from the mouth and nose, etc., pain in the head, a discharge of mucus and a derangement of the functions of the sense-organs. The remedy in such cases consists in drinking and snuffing¹ a potion of clarified butter duly cooked with the milk of a cow or such other animal together with Ativisa, Vaca and Mallika flower (as Kalka). A poisoned garland (of flowers) is characterised by the loss of odour and by the fading and discolouring of its natural colour, and when smelt produces headache and lachrymation. Remedies laid down under the heads of poisoning through vapour (Dhuma) and through cosmetics for the face (Mukha-lepa) should be used and applied. 63-65
कर्णतैलगते श्रोत्र – वैगुण्यं शोफवेदने । कर्णस्त्रावश्च तत्राशु कर्त्तव्यं प्रतिपूरणम् ।। ६६।।
स्वरसो बहुपुत्रायाः सघृतः क्षौद्रसंयुतः । सोमवल्करसश्चापि सुशीतो हित इष्यते ।। ६७।।
The act of applying poisoned oil into the cavity of the ears impairs the faculty of hearing and gives rise to swelling and pain in that locality and to the secretion (of pus) from the affected organs. The filling up of the cavity of the ears with a compound of clarified butter, honey and the expressed juice of Bahuputra (Satavari)² or with the juice of Soma-valka in a cold state prove curative in such cases. 66-67
अश्रूपदेहो दाहश्च वेदना दृष्टिविभ्रमः । अञ्जने विषसंसृष्टे भवेदान्ध्यमथापि वा ।। ६८ ।।
तत्र सद्यो घृतं पेयं तर्पणञ्च समागधम् । अञ्जनं मेषशृङ्गस्य निर्यासो वरुणस्य च ।। ६९ ।।
मुष्ककस्याजकर्णस्य फेनो गोपित्तसंयुतः । कपित्थमेषशृङ्गयोश्च पुष्पं भल्लातकस्य वा ।
एकैकं कारयेत् पुष्पं बन्धूकाङ्कोठयोरपि । ॥ ७० ॥
The use of poisoned Anjana (collyrium) to the eyes is attended with copious lachrymation, deposit of an increased quantity of waxy mucus (in the corners of the eyes), a burning sensation, pain (in the affected organs), impairment of the sight and even blindness. In such a case the patient should be made to drink a potion of fresh clarified butter (Sadyo-ghrita) alone or with pasted Pippali which would act as a Tarpana (soother). Anjana prepared with the expressed juice of Mesasrngi, Varuna bark, Muskaka or Ajakarna or with Samudraphena pasted with the bile (Pitta) of a cow should be applied to the eyes, or the one prepared with the (expressed juice of the) flower of Kapittha. Mesa-srngi, Bhallataka, Bandhuka and Amkotha separately. 68-70
1. Dalhana explains this couplete to mean that clarified butter cooked with milk and Ativisa should be given for drink, and that cooked with Vaca and Malati flower as an errhine.
2. Dalhana says that some read “बहुपत्राया:”andexplain “बहुपचा” to mean “मयूरशिखा”.
शोफ: स्त्रावस्तथा स्वापः पादयोः स्फोटजन्म च । भवन्ति विषजुष्टाभ्यां पादुकाभ्यामसंशयम् ।
उपानत्पादपीठानि पादुकावत् प्रसाधयेत् ।। ७१।।
भूषणानि हताचींषि न विभान्ति यथा पुरा । स्वानि स्थानानि हन्युश्च दाहपाकावदारणैः ।
पादुकाभूषणे युक्तमभ्यङ्गविधिमाचरेत् ।। ७२ ।।
The case which is incidental to the use of a paste of poisoned sandals, is marked by a swelling in the legs, secretion from the affected organs, complete anesthesia of the diseased locality and the appearance of vesciles thereon. Those due to the use of poisoned shoes or footstools exhibit symptoms identical with those of the above case and the medical treatment in all of these cases should be one and the same. Ornaments charged with poison lose their former lustre and give rise to swelling, suppuration and the cracking of the parts they are worn on. The treatment in these cases due to the use of poisoned sandals and ornaments should be similar to the one advised in connection with that due to the use of poisoned unguents (Abhyanga ). 71-72
विषोपसार्गो वाष्पादिर्भूषणान्तो य ईरितः । समीक्ष्योपद्रवांस्तस्य विदधीत चिकित्सितम् ।। ७३ ।।
महासुगन्धिमगदं यं प्रवक्ष्यामि तं भिषक् । पानालेपननस्येषु विदधीताञ्जनेषु च ।। ७४ ।।
1. Some are inclined to take “सद्यः” as an adverb meaning instantly” and modifying “” meaning thereby that clarified butter should be instantly taken.
विरेचनानि तीक्ष्णानि कुर्यात् प्रच्छर्दनानि च । सिराश्च व्यधयेत् क्षिप्रं प्राप्तं विस्त्रावणं यदि । । ७५ ।।
मूषिकाउजरुहा वाऽपि हस्ते बद्धा तु भूपतेः । करोति निर्विषं सर्वमन्नं विषसमायुतम् ।। ७६ ।।
General Treatment: The symptoms which characterise cases of poisoning commencing with “poisoning through poisoned smoke” and ending with that due to the use of “poisoned ornaments” should be remedied with an eye to each of the specific and characteristic indications, and the medicine known ae Maha-sugandhi Agada to be described hereafter should be administered as drink, unguent, snuff and Anjana. Purgatives or emetics should be exhibited and even strong venesection should be speedily resorted to in cases where bleeding would be beneficial. The drugs known as Musika and Ajaruha should be tied round the wrists of a king as prophylactics to guard against the effects of poisoned food, since either of these two drugs (in virtue of their specific properties) tends to neutralise the operativeness of the poison. 73-76
हृदयावरणं नित्यं कुर्याच्च मित्रमध्यगः । पिबेद् घृतमजेयाख्यममृताख्यञ्च बुद्धिमान् ।
सर्पिर्दधि पयः क्षौद्रं पिबेद् वा शीतलं जलम् ।। ७७ ।।
मयूरान् नकुलान् गोधाः पृषतान् हरिणानपि । सततं भक्षयेच्चापि रसांस्तेषां पिबेदपि ।। ७८ ।।
A king surrounded by his devoted friends shall cover his chest (with drugs of heart-protecting virtues) and shall drink those preparations of clarified butter, which are respectively known as the Ajeya and the Amrta Ghritas¹. He should drink regularly every day such wholesome cordials as honey, clarified butter, curd, milk and cold water and use in his food the meat and soup of the flesh of a peacock, mungoose, Godha ( a species of lizard), or Prsata deer. 77-78
गोधानकुलमांसेषु हरिणस्य च बुद्धिमान् ।
दद्यात् सुपिष्टां पालिन्दीं मधुकं शर्करां तथा ।। ७९ ।।
1. See Kalpa-Sthana, Chapter II. Para 27, and Chapter VII. para 5, respectively.
शर्करातिविषे देये मायूरे समहौषधे । पार्षते चापि देयाः स्युः पिप्पल्यः समहौषधाः ।। ८० ।।
सक्षौद्रः सघृतश्चैव शिम्बीयूषो हितः सदा । विषघ्नानि च सेवेत भक्ष्यभोज्यानि बुद्धिमान् ।। ८१ ।।
पिप्पलीमधुकक्षौद्रशर्करेक्षुरसाम्बुभिः छर्दयेद् गुप्तहृदयो भक्षितं यदि वा विषम् ।। ८२ ||
The mode of preparing the Soup : The flesh of a Godha, mungoose, or deer should be cooked and spiced with pasted Palindi (Trivrt), Yasti-madhu and sugar. The flesh of a peacock should be similarly cooked and spiced with sugar, Ativisa and Sunthi and that of a Prsata deer with Pippali and Sunthi. The soup of Simbi taken with honey and clarified butter should, similarly, be deemed beneficial (as being possessed of similar antitoxic properties). An intelligent king should always use food and drink of poison-destroying properties. In a case of imbibed poison, the heart should be protected (with a covering of anti-piosonous drugs) and the patient should be made to vomit (the contents of his stomach) with a potion composed of sugar, Pippali, Yasti-madhu, honey and the expressed juice of sugar-cane dissolved in water. 79-82
इति सुश्रुतसंहितायां कल्पस्थानेऽन्नपानरक्षाकल्पो नाम प्रथमोऽध्यायः ।। १ ।।
Thus ends the first Chapter of the Kalpa-sthaana in the Susruta Samhita which deals with the mode of protecting food and drink (from the effect of poison).
