अथातो जलौकावचारणीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१|| यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||
Meaning of the śloka
Now we shall explain the chapter on applying leeches, as taught by the venerable Dhanvantari.
🔊 Audio coming soon
अथात इत्यादि||१-२||
Meaning of the commentary
The commentary refers to the opening words 'Now, therefore' without further explanation.
नृपाढ्यबालस्थविरभीरुदुर्बलनारीसुकुमाराणामनुग्रहार्थं परमसुकुमारोऽयं शोणितावसेचनोपायोऽभिहितो जलौकसः ||३||
Meaning of the śloka
Leeches are described as an especially gentle means of removing blood, intended for the benefit of kings, wealthy people, children, older people, the fearful, the weak, women and those of delicate constitution.
🔊 Audio coming soon
जलौकसां विषयं निर्दिशन्नाह- नृपाढ्येत्यादि| अनुग्रहार्थमिति उपकारार्थम्| परमसुकुमारोऽयमिति प्रधानमृदुरित्यर्थः; शृङ्गालाबू सुकुमारोपायौ, जलौकसस्तु परमसुकुमारोपायः; असुकुमारोपायस्तु प्रच्छन्नं सिराव्यधनं च||३||
Meaning of the commentary
Anugraha means benefit or assistance. 'Especially gentle' means foremost in gentleness: horn and gourd are gentle methods, while leeches are especially gentle. Scarification and puncturing a vessel are classified as methods that are not gentle.
Key terms
तत्र वातपित्तकफदुष्टशोणितं यथासङ्ख्यं शृङ्गजलौकालाबुभिरवसेचयेत्, सर्वाणि सर्वैर्वा (विशेषस्तु विस्राव्यं शृङ्गजलौकालाबुभिर्गृह्णीयात्) ||४||
Meaning of the śloka
The text assigns the horn, leeches and gourd respectively to removing blood affected by vata, pitta and kapha. Alternatively, any of the three may be used for blood affected by any of these doshas. A parenthetical qualification concerns removing blood that especially requires drainage by these means.
🔊 Audio coming soon
दोषविशेषेणापि जलौकसां तत्प्रसङ्गेनागतस्य शृङ्गस्यालाब्वाश्च विषयं दर्शयितुमाह- तत्र वातेत्यादि| अस्याग्रे केचित् ‘स्निग्धशीतरूक्षत्वात्’ इति हेतुमुदाहरन्ति, अमुं च निबन्धकारा न पठन्ति| पक्षान्तरं दर्शयन्नाह- सर्वाणीत्यादि| सर्वाणि वातपित्तकफदुष्टानि शोणितानि, सर्वैरिति शृङ्गादिभिर्यथालाभम्| ननु यथासङ्ख्यमित्यभिधाय सर्वाणि सर्वैर्वेत्युक्तमनियतं वचनं स्यादित्यभिप्रायेणाह- विशेषतस्तु विस्राव्यं शृङ्गजलौकालाबुभिर्गृह्णीयादिति; अतिशयेन विस्रावणार्हं यद्भवति शोणितमतिप्रबलतया तच्छृङ्गादिभिर्गृह्णीयान्निर्हरेदित्यर्थः| विशेषतस्त्वित्यादि पाठस्तु कैश्चिदेव निबन्धकारैः कथञ्चिदेव व्याख्यातः, बहुभिस्तु जेज्झटादिभिः परिहृत एव||४||
Meaning of the commentary
Some add 'because of unctuousness, coldness and dryness' as the rationale for the respective assignments; the commentary's compilers omit that reading. The alternative permits any instrument according to availability. An objection notes that allowing all instruments seems to undermine the fixed correspondence. The additional qualification is explained as permitting removal by the horn and other means when blood particularly needs drainage because of the great severity of its disorder. Only some commentators include and explain this qualification; many, including Jejjhata, omit it.
Key terms
भवन्ति चात्र श्लोकाः- उष्णं समधुरं स्निग्धं गवां शृङ्गं प्रकीर्तितम् | तस्माद्वातोपसृष्टे तु हितं तदवसेचने ||५|| शीताधिवासा मधुरा जलौका वारिसम्भवा | तस्मात् पित्तोपसृष्टे तु हिता सा त्ववसेचने ||६|| अलाबु कटुकं रूक्षं तीक्ष्णं च परिकीर्तितम् | तस्माच्छ्लेष्मोपसृष्टे तु हितं तदवसेचने ||७||
Meaning of the śloka
The verses describe a cow's horn as hot, somewhat sweet and unctuous, and therefore suitable for bloodletting when vata is involved. The leech is described as living in a cold habitat, sweet and born in water, and therefore suitable when pitta is involved. The gourd is described as pungent, dry and sharp, and therefore suitable when kapha is involved.
🔊 Audio coming soon
तत्र वातादिदुष्टे सहेतुशृङ्गाद्यवचारणं दर्शयन्नाह- भवन्ति चात्रेत्यादि| समधुरम् ईषत्स्निग्धं; केचित् ‘स्निग्धं श्लक्ष्णं समधुरं’ इति पठन्ति| शीताधिवासा शीतगृहा||५-७||
Meaning of the commentary
The verses give the stated reasons for each method according to the dosha. The supplied commentary glosses samadhura as slightly unctuous. Some instead read 'unctuous, smooth and somewhat sweet.' Shitadhivasa means having a cold dwelling.
Key terms
तत्र प्रच्छिते तनुबस्तिपटलावनद्धेन शृङ्गेण शोणितमवसेचयेदाचूषणात्, सान्तर्दीपयाऽलाब्वा (जलायुका वक्ष्यन्ते) ||८||
Meaning of the śloka
After scarification, the text describes drawing out blood by suction through a horn covered with a thin membrane, or by a gourd containing a lighted lamp. The account of leeches follows.
🔊 Audio coming soon
वातादिदोषदुष्टरुधिरास्रावणप्रसङ्गागतयोः शृङ्गालाबुकयोरवचारणं दर्शयन्नाह- तत्र प्रच्छिते इत्यादि| बस्तिरत्र मूत्राशयः, पटलं घनं शुभ्रं मर्कटिकाजालकं, तनुशब्दस्तु द्वयोरपि सम्बध्यते| अन्ये तु ‘तनुवस्त्रपटलावनद्धेन’ इति पठन्ति, व्याख्यानयन्ति च- सूक्ष्मवस्त्रावरणपिहितेन| सान्तर्दीपया मध्यदीपसहितया, शोणितमवसेचयेदिति सम्बन्धः| केचिदलाब्वा अवचारणमन्यथा पठन्ति; तथाहि- भूर्जपत्रशणतुलानामित्यादि| अयं पाठोऽभावात् समग्रो न लिखितः| शृङ्गलाबुप्रमाणं भालुकिसकाशादवगन्तव्यम्| तथाच तद्वचः- “विषाणं श्वेतगोरिन्दुवक्रं सप्ताङ्गुलायतम् | क्षिप्तान्तः पिचुपेशीकं योज्यं वातयुतेऽसृजि|| अङ्गुष्ठमूलवन्मूले छिद्रमग्रेऽस्य मुद्गवत्”- इति; “अष्टाङ्गुलपरिणाहा चतुरङ्गुलनालसम्मिता सुमुखी| कृष्णमृदालिप्ततनुः श्रेष्ठा रक्तावसेचनेऽलाबुः”- इति| अन्ये तु शृङ्गालाबुप्रमाणमत्रैव पठन्ति, तथा वातादिदुष्टरक्तलक्षणं च, स च पाठोऽस्माभिरभावान्न लिखितः||८||
Meaning of the commentary
Basti means the urinary bladder. Patala is described as a dense, white, spider-web-like layer, and 'thin' qualifies both terms. Others read 'covered with a thin cloth layer' and explain a fine-fabric covering. The instruction to remove blood also applies to the gourd with an inner lamp. Some give a different gourd procedure beginning with birch bark, hemp and cotton; the commentary says the full reading is unavailable and has not been reproduced. For dimensions it cites Bhaluki: a crescent-curved horn from a white cow, seven angulas long, containing a piece of cotton, with a base opening like the base of the thumb and a tip opening like a mung bean. The gourd is described as eight angulas in circumference, with a four-angula neck, a well-formed mouth and a body coated with black clay. Others include instrument dimensions and signs of blood affected by vata and other doshas here, but those readings are also omitted as unavailable.
Key terms
जलमासामायुरिति जलायुकाः, जलमासामोक इति जलौकसः ||९||
Meaning of the śloka
They are called jalayuka because water is their life, and jalaukas because water is their dwelling.
🔊 Audio coming soon
जलौकसां निरुक्तिमाह- जलमासामायुरित्यादि|- आसां जलौकसां जलमायुरिति जलायुकाः, ‘कथ्यन्ते’ इत्यध्याहारः| निरुक्तिपक्षान्तरमाह- जलमासामोक इति जलौकसः||९||
Meaning of the commentary
The commentary supplies the understood verb 'are called' in the first derivation: water is the life of these leeches. The second gives another derivation of their name from water being their dwelling.
Key terms
ता द्वादश; तासां सविषाः षट्, तावत्य एव निर्विषाः ||१०||
Meaning of the śloka
There are twelve kinds. Six are classified as poisonous and an equal number as nonpoisonous.
🔊 Audio coming soon
इदानीं चिकित्सोपयोगिनीं जलौकसां सङ्ख्यां निर्देष्टुमाह- ता द्वादशेत्यादि| तासामेव सविषनिर्विषभेदाद्द्विविधत्वमाह- तासामित्यादि| एवशब्दोऽत्र परतन्त्रोक्तसविषाष्टजलौकाशङ्कानिरासार्थम्||१०||
Meaning of the commentary
The enumeration is relevant to treatment. The twelve are divided into poisonous and nonpoisonous groups. The emphatic word eva excludes the possibility of eight poisonous kinds stated in another treatise.
Key terms
तत्र सविषाः- कृष्णा, कर्बुरा, अलगर्दा, इन्द्रायुधा, सामुद्रिका, गोचन्दना चेति | तासु, अञ्जनचूर्णवर्णा पृथुशिराः कृष्णा; वर्मिमत्स्यवदायता छिन्नोन्नतकुक्षिः कर्बुरा; रोमशा महापार्श्वा कृष्णमुखी अलगर्दा; इन्द्रायुधवदूर्ध्वराजिभिश्चित्रा इन्द्रायुधा; ईषदसितपीतिका विचित्रपुष्पाकृतिचित्रा सामुद्रिकाः; गोवृषणवदधोभागे द्विधाभूताकृतिरणुमुखी गोचन्दनेति | ताभिर्दष्टे पुरुषे दंशे श्वयथुरतिमात्रं कण्डूर्मूर्च्छा ज्वरो दाहश्छर्दिर्मदः सदनमिति लिङ्गानि भवन्ति | तत्र महागदः पानालेपननस्यकर्मादिषूपयोज्यः | इन्द्रायुधादष्टमसाध्यम् | इत्येताः सविषाः सचिकित्सिता व्याख्याताः ||११||
Meaning of the śloka
The six leeches classified as poisonous are Krishna, Karbura, Alagarda, Indrayudha, Samudrika and Gochandana. Krishna is the colour of powdered anjana and has a broad head. Karbura is elongated like a varmi fish, with an abdomen depressed in places and raised in others. Alagarda looks hairy, has large sides and a dark mouth. Indrayudha is patterned with upright stripes like a rainbow. Samudrika is somewhat dark-yellow, with varied flower-like markings. Gochandana has a divided appearance underneath, resembling a bull's scrotum, and a small mouth. The text associates their bites with marked swelling at the site, severe itching, fainting, fever, burning, vomiting, an intoxicated state and bodily exhaustion. It describes Mahagada for drinking, application, nasal administration and other measures. A person bitten by Indrayudha is declared incurable in this account. Thus the poisonous kinds and their treatment have been described.
🔊 Audio coming soon
सविषाणां पोषणावचारणनिषेधार्थं प्रमादतस्त्वचारितानां स्वयं वा लग्नानां व्यापच्चिकित्सार्थं नाम्ना निर्देशं कुर्वन्नाह- तत्र सविषा इत्यादि| तासामाकृतिं निर्देष्टुमाह- तास्वञ्जनेत्यादि| अञ्जनं कज्जलं, पृथुशिरा महामस्तका| वर्मिमत्स्यः सर्पाकारः, अन्ये रोहितमत्स्यमाहुः; छिन्नोन्नतकुक्षिरिति क्वचिच्छिन्नकुक्षिः क्वचिदुन्नतकुक्षिः| रोमशेति वलियुक्तत्वाद्रोमावततेव प्रतिभाति| इन्द्रायुधं शक्रधनुः; चित्रा चित्रिता मण्डितेत्यर्थः| विचित्रपुष्पाकृतिचित्रेति नानासंस्थानधवलबिन्दुचित्रा| गोवृषणवदधोभागे द्विधाभूताकृतिरिति वृषभाण्ड इवाधोभागे द्विप्रकारभूताकृतिः| तासां दंशे विषोपद्रवं निर्दिशन्नाह;- ताभिर्दष्टे इत्यादि| अतिमात्रशब्दः कण्ड्वादिभिः सह प्रत्येकं सम्बध्यते| मदः पूगफलेनेव मत्तता| सदनमङ्गग्लानिः| तासां दंशविषे चिकित्सां वक्तुमाह- तत्र महागद इत्यादि| तत्र तस्मिन् विषे महागदः ‘त्रिवृद्विशल्ये मधुकं हरिद्रे’(क. अ. ५) इत्यादिना कल्पस्थानोक्तः| नस्यकर्मादिष्वित्यत्रादिशब्दात् परिषेकावगाहादिषु योज्यः| इन्द्रायुधेत्यादि असाध्यम् असाधनार्हम्| तद्दंशलिङ्गं त्वसाध्यसर्पदष्टविषवेगविज्ञानवद्वेदितव्यम्; अन्ये तु श्वयथ्वादीनां सम्पूर्णलिङ्गत्वादरिष्टाद्युपपत्तेर्महागदावचारणेनाप्यनुपशान्तेस्तल्लिङ्गज्ञानमित्याहुः||११||
Meaning of the commentary
These names are given to exclude such leeches from keeping and application, and to explain management of complications when one is applied accidentally or attaches by itself. Anjana here means soot or collyrium, and a broad head means a large head. Varmi is explained as a snake-shaped fish; others identify it as rohita. Karbura has an abdomen depressed in some places and raised in others. Alagarda appears hairy because of its folds. Indrayudha means Indra's bow, the rainbow. Samudrika's flower-like pattern is explained as white spots of different shapes. Gochandana's underside appears divided in two like a bull's scrotum. 'Excessive' qualifies itching and the other symptoms individually. Mada resembles the intoxicated condition associated with areca fruit; sadana means weariness of the limbs. Mahagada refers to the preparation taught in Kalpasthana in the passage beginning 'trivridvishalye madhukam haridre'. The additional measures include pouring and immersion. For Indrayudha, incurable means not fit for curative treatment. One explanation says its signs should be understood by comparison with the stages of poisoning in an incurable snakebite. Others identify it by the full set of swelling and the other symptoms, the presence of ominous signs, and failure to subside even after Mahagada.
Key terms
अथ निर्विषाः- कपिला, पिङ्गला, शङ्कुमुखी, मूषिका, पुण्डरीकमुखी, सावरिका चेति | तत्र, मनःशिलारञ्जिताभ्यामिव पार्श्वाभ्यां पृष्ठे स्निग्धा मुद्गवर्णा कपिला; किञ्चिद्रक्ता वृत्तकाया पिङ्गाऽऽशुगा च पिङ्गला; यकृद्वर्णा शीघ्रपायिनी दीर्घतीक्ष्णमुखी शङ्कुमुखी; मूषिकाकृतिवर्णाऽनिष्टगन्धा च मूषिका; मुद्गवर्णा पुण्डरीकतुल्यवक्त्रा पुण्डरीकमुखी; स्निग्धा पद्मपत्रवर्णाऽष्टादशाङ्गुलप्रमाणा सावरिका, सा च पश्वर्थे; इत्येता अविषा व्याख्याताः ||१२||
Meaning of the śloka
The six leeches classified as non-poisonous are Kapila, Pingala, Shankumukhi, Mushika, Pundarikamukhi and Savarika. Kapila has sides that look coloured with manahshila, and a smooth, mudga-coloured back. Pingala is somewhat reddish, rounded in body, tawny and quick-moving. Shankumukhi has the colour of liver, sucks quickly, and has a long, pointed mouth. Mushika resembles a mouse in shape and colour and has an unpleasant smell. Pundarikamukhi is mudga-coloured and has a lotus-like mouth. Savarika is smooth, has the colour of a lotus leaf, and measures eighteen angulas; the text assigns this kind to use on animals.
🔊 Audio coming soon
उपादानार्थं निर्विषाणां नामानि निर्दिशन्नाह- अथेत्यादि| ता एव लक्षणैर्निर्दिशन्नाह- तत्रेत्यादि| मुद्गवर्णा हरितमुद्गवर्णा| पिङ्गला कपिला| आशुगा शीघ्रगामिनी| यकृद्वर्णा नीललोहितवर्णा| मूषिकाकृतिवर्णेति मूषिकाकृतिर्मूषिकवर्णा चेत्यर्थः| पुण्डरीकतुल्यवक्त्रेति पद्मवद्विस्तीर्णमुखी| सावरिकाया विषयमाह- सा चेत्यादि| पश्वर्थे हस्त्यश्वादीनामर्थे, न पुनर्मनुष्याणाम्||१२||
Meaning of the commentary
These names are supplied to identify the kinds to be selected. Mudga colour means the green colour of mung beans. Pingala's colour is glossed as tawny, and ashuga means moving quickly. Liver colour is explained as blue-red. Mushika resembles a mouse in both shape and colour. A lotus-like mouth means a broadly spread mouth. Savarika is assigned to elephants, horses and other animals, not to humans.
Key terms
तासां यवनपाण्ड्यसह्यपौतनादीनि क्षेत्राणि; तेषु महाशरीरा बलवत्यः शीघ्रपायिन्यो महाशना निर्विषाश्च विशेषेण भवन्ति ||१३||
Meaning of the śloka
Their regions include Yavana, Pandya, Sahya and Pautana. The text especially describes leeches from these places as large-bodied, strong, quick to suck, able to take a large amount, and non-poisonous.
🔊 Audio coming soon
निर्विषाणां प्रशस्तानि क्षेत्राण्याह- तासामित्यादि| यवनः तुरुष्कदेशः, पाण्ड्यो दक्षिणदिग्विभागीयो देशः, सह्यो नर्मदायाः पारे पर्वतविशेषः, पौतनो मथुराप्रदेशः| यवनादिक्षेत्रेषु कीदृशा जलौका भवन्तीत्याह- तेष्वित्यादि| केचिद्यवनादीनि क्षेत्राणि न पठन्ति; कुतः? सविषाणां सविषकीटादिकोथस्य क्षेत्रत्वात्, निर्विषाणां तु पद्मोत्पलादिकोथस्य क्षेत्रत्वादयुक्तं यवनादिक्षेत्रकथनमिति वदन्ति||१३||
Meaning of the commentary
The commentary identifies Yavana as Turushka country, Pandya as a southern region, Sahya as a particular mountain beyond the Narmada, and Pautana as the Mathura region. Some readers omit this list of geographical regions. They object that the habitats or sources of poisonous leeches are decomposing poisonous creatures and similar matter, whereas those of non-poisonous leeches are decomposing lotuses and related plants; on that understanding, they consider the geographical list inappropriate here.
Key terms
तत्र, सविषमत्स्यकीटदर्दुरमूत्रपुरीषकोथजाताः कलुषेष्वम्भसु च सविषाः; पद्मोत्पलनलिनकुमुदसौगन्धिककुवलयपुण्डरीकशैवलकोथजाता विमलेष्वम्भःसु च निर्विषाः ||१४|| भवति चात्र- क्षेत्रेषु विचरन्त्येताः सलिलाढ्यसुगन्धिषु | न च सङ्कीर्णचारिण्यो न च पङ्केशयाः सुखाः ||१५||
Meaning of the śloka
The text classifies as poisonous those leeches arising in the decomposing matter of poisonous fish, insects, frogs, urine and faeces, and in turbid water. Those arising in the decomposing matter of padma, utpala, nalina, kumuda, saugandhika, kuvalaya, pundarika and shaivala, and in clear water, are classified as non-poisonous. A verse states that these beneficial leeches move through pleasantly scented places rich in water; they do not range among mixed, unsuitable matter or lie in mud.
🔊 Audio coming soon
इदानीं सविषनिर्विषकोथकलुषनिर्मलजलोत्पन्नानां जलौकसां सविषनिर्विषत्वं दर्शयन्नाह- तत्र सविषेत्यादि| कोथः पूतिभावः| कलुषेषु मलिनेषु| पद्मोत्पलेत्यादि पद्ममीषच्छुक्लम्, उत्पलमीषन्नीलं, नलिनमीषद्रक्तं, कुमुदं ‘कुइआ’ इति लोके, सौगन्धिकं गर्दभपुष्पाभिधानमत्यन्तसुरभि चन्द्रोदयविकाशि, कुवलयं रक्तोत्पलं, पुण्डरीकम् अतिश्वेतपद्मं, शैवलं शैवालं, कोथजाता इति एषां पूतिभावजाताः| इदानीं क्षेत्रसङ्ग्रहश्लोकमाह- भवति चात्रेत्यादि| एता इति पूर्वोक्ता निर्विषा जलौकाः, सुगन्धिषु शोभनगन्धिषु| न च सङ्कीर्णचारिण्य इति न विषादिविरुद्धाहारभुजः शैवलाद्यशनत्वात्| न च पङ्के स्वपन्ति, तृणोदकपत्रशयनत्वात्| सुखा इति सुखहेतुत्वात्, सुखकारिण्य इत्यर्थः||१४-१५||
Meaning of the commentary
Kotha means decomposition or putrefaction, and turbid water means dirty water. The plant names are distinguished as follows: padma is somewhat white, utpala somewhat blue, and nalina somewhat red. Kumuda has the vernacular name 'kuia'. Saugandhika is called gardabhapushpa, is very fragrant and opens at moonrise. Kuvalaya is the red utpala, pundarika a very white lotus, and shaivala is the aquatic growth of that name. The text describes the leeches as arising from these plants in their decomposed state. The concluding verse refers to the non-poisonous kinds already mentioned. Pleasantly scented means having a good smell. The statement about not ranging in mixed places is interpreted as not consuming poison and other unsuitable food, because they feed on shaivala and similar material. They do not sleep in mud but rest on grass and aquatic leaves. Calling them pleasant or beneficial refers to their being a cause of comfort.
Key terms
तासां ग्रहणमार्द्रचर्मणा, अन्यैर्वा प्रयोगैर्गृह्णीयात् ||१६||
Meaning of the śloka
The text describes collecting the leeches with moist hide or by other methods.
🔊 Audio coming soon
तासां ग्रहणोपायं दर्शयन्नाह- तासां ग्रहणमित्यादि| ग्रहणं चासां शरत्काले, तन्त्रान्तरवचनात्| अन्यैर्वा प्रयोगैरिति सद्योहतजन्तुमांसपेशीनवनीतघृतक्षीराद्यभ्यक्तजङ्घाद्यवयवैर्वा||१६||
Meaning of the commentary
Their collection is assigned to autumn on the authority of another treatise. The other methods include freshly killed animal flesh and body parts such as the shanks smeared with fresh butter, ghee, milk and similar materials.
Key terms
अथैनां नवे महति घटे सरस्तडागोदकपङ्कमावाप्य निदध्यात्; भक्ष्यार्थे चासामुपहरेच्छैवलं वल्लूरमौदकांश्च कन्दांश्चूर्णीकृत्य; शय्यार्थं तृणमौदकानि च पत्राणि; त्र्यहात्त्र्यहाच्चाभ्योऽन्यज्जलं भक्ष्यं च दद्यात्; सप्तरात्रात् सप्तरात्राच्च घटमन्यं सङ्क्रामयेत् ||१७||
Meaning of the śloka
The text describes keeping the leeches in a large new pot containing water and mud from a lake or pond. Their food consists of shaivala, vallura and aquatic tubers reduced to small particles. Grass and aquatic leaves are provided for resting. Water and food are replaced every three days, and the leeches are transferred to another pot every seven days.
🔊 Audio coming soon
पोषणं दर्शयन्नाह- अथैनामित्यादि| आवाप्य प्रक्षिप्य| निदध्यात् स्थापयेत्| वल्लूरं शुष्कमांसम्| सङ्क्रामयेत् सञ्चारयेत्||१७||
Meaning of the commentary
Avapya means putting in, nidadhyat means placing, and sankramayet means transferring. Vallura is dried meat.
Key terms
भवति चात्र- स्थूलमध्याः परिक्लिष्टाः पृथ्व्यो मन्दविचेष्टिताः | अग्राहिण्योऽल्पपायिन्यः सविषाश्च न पूजिताः ||१८||
Meaning of the śloka
A verse states that leeches with thick middles, a distressed appearance, excessive breadth or sluggish movement, those that do not attach or take little blood, and the poisonous kinds are not favoured.
🔊 Audio coming soon
तास्वयोग्या निदर्शयन्नाह- भवति चात्रेत्यादि| परिक्लिष्टा अमनोज्ञदर्शनाः, पृथ्व्यो विस्तीर्णाः, मन्दविचेष्टिता मन्दगामिन्यः, न पूजिता न श्लाघिताः||१८||
Meaning of the commentary
This identifies unsuitable leeches. Pariklishta is explained as unpleasant in appearance; prithvi means broad; slow movement means moving sluggishly. 'Not honoured' means not commended for selection.
Key terms
अथ जलौकोवसेकसाध्यव्याधितमुपवेश्य संवेश्य वा, विरूक्ष्य चास्य तमवकाशं मृद्गोमयचूर्णैर्यद्यरुजः स्यात् | गृहीताश्च ताः सर्षपरजनीकल्कोदकप्रदिग्धगात्रीः सलिलसरकमध्ये मुहूर्तस्थिता विगतक्लमा ज्ञात्वा ताभी रोगं ग्राहयेत् | श्लणशुक्लार्द्रपिचुप्रोतावच्छन्नां कृत्वा मुखमपावृणुयात्; अगृह्णन्त्यै क्षीरबिन्दुं शोणितबिन्दुं वा दद्यात्, शस्त्रपदानि वा कुर्वीत; यद्येवमपि न गृह्णीयात्तदाऽन्यां ग्राहयेत् ||१९||
Meaning of the śloka
The historical procedure seats or lays down a patient with a condition considered suitable for leech application. If the site is free from a wound or pain, it describes drying or roughening it with powdered earth and cow dung. The leeches are coated with a watery paste of mustard and turmeric, kept briefly in a water vessel and applied to the affected area once free from fatigue. Smooth, white, damp cotton or cloth covers the leech, with its mouth exposed. If it does not attach, the text describes offering a drop of milk or blood, or making small instrument marks at the site. Another leech is used if it still does not attach.
🔊 Audio coming soon
तासामवचारणमुद्दिशन्नाह- अथेत्यादि| संवेश्य शाययित्वा| अरुजमव्रणं, सव्रणे तु गन्धक्लेदाभ्यामेव गृह्णन्तिः; अथवा रुजावति विरुक्षणेन रुजातिवृद्धिः| सलिलसरकं जलपात्रं; केचित् सलिलसरकस्थाने ‘सरकमध्ये चारिण्यः’ इति पठन्ति, सरकं जलपूर्णपात्रम्| रोगोऽत्र रोगाधिष्ठानं दोषाधिष्ठानं वा| श्लक्ष्णेत्यादि| पिचुः तूलं बीजहीनः कार्पासः, प्रोतं वस्त्रम्| अपावृणुयात् आच्छादयेत्||१९||
Meaning of the commentary
Samveshya means laying the patient down. Aruja is explained as unwounded: on an existing wound, smell and moisture themselves cause attachment. Alternatively it means without pain, since roughening a painful site would increase pain. Salilasaraka means a water vessel; some instead read a phrase describing leeches moving in a water-filled vessel. Roga means the location of the disease or dosha. Picu is seedless cotton and prota is cloth. The commentary glosses apavrunuyat as 'cover,' contrary to the sense of uncovering supported by the instruction concerning the mouth.
Key terms
यदा च निविशतेऽश्वखुरवदाननं कृत्वोन्नम्य च स्कन्धं तदा जानीयाद्गृह्णातीति; गृह्णन्तीं चार्द्रवस्त्रावच्छन्नां कृत्वा धारयेत् ||२०||
Meaning of the śloka
The leech is considered attached when it settles with its mouth shaped like a horse's hoof and raises its neck region. While it takes blood, the text describes keeping it covered with damp cloth.
🔊 Audio coming soon
रोगाधिष्ठाने तासां ग्रहणलक्षणमाह- यदेत्यादि| निविशते लगतीत्यर्थः, गृह्णाति विध्यतीत्यर्थः| गृह्णन्तीं शोणितमाददानामित्यर्थः| आर्द्रवस्त्रावच्छन्नामिति इत्थं सुखिता शीघ्रं रक्तं पिबति; जलौकास्त्वात्मप्रभावेण प्राग्दुष्टमेव रक्तं पिबन्ति, यथा दुग्धमिश्रितोदकाद्धंसो दुग्धमेव पिबतीत्यर्थः||२०||
Meaning of the commentary
Nivishate means attaching, and gruhnati first means piercing, while its following related form means taking blood. The damp cloth is said to keep the leech comfortable so that it drinks quickly. The commentator claims that the leech's distinctive property enables it to drink vitiated blood first, comparing this with the traditional image of a hamsa drinking milk alone from a mixture of milk and water.
दंशे तोदकण्डुप्रादुर्भावैर्जानीयाच्छुद्धमियमादत्त इति; शुद्धमाददानामपनयेतः अथ शोणितगन्धेन न मुञ्चेन्मुखमस्याः सैन्धवचूर्णेनावकिरेत् ||२१||
Meaning of the śloka
Pricking pain and itching at the bite are presented as signs that the leech is taking pure blood. The text calls for its removal at that point. If it does not release because of the smell of blood, its mouth is sprinkled with powdered saindhava.
🔊 Audio coming soon
तासां विशुद्धरक्तादाने विज्ञानोपायं दर्शन्नाह- तोदेत्यादि| तोदो व्यथा, स धातुक्षयोत्पन्नेन वायुना| शुद्धरक्तक्षयात् श्लेष्मकार्यं कण्डूरिह न स्यादिति केचित् कण्डूग्रहणं न कुर्वन्ति; अन्ये तु वदन्ति- आग्नेयरक्तधातुक्षयात् कफधातोः सौम्यस्य जलौकामुखक्लेदवर्धितस्य वृद्धेः कण्डूसम्भव इति; अन्ये तु ‘दंशतोदकण्डूप्रादुर्भावैः’ इति पठन्ति, व्याख्यानयन्ति च- दंशो वनमक्षिका, दंशेन कृतो यस्तोदो व्यथा, तस्मिन् तोदे यादृशी कण्डूस्तादृशी कण्डूर्यदा स्यात्, तदा शुद्धरक्तादानं जानीयात्| तत्र किं कुर्यादित्याह- शुद्धमित्यादि| अवकिरेत् अवचूर्णयेत्| अन्ये तु ‘शोणितगर्धेन’ इति पठन्ति, गर्धेनाभिकाङ्क्षया, वदन्ति च- ‘गन्धेन’ इत्ययुक्त्तः पाठः, कुतः? यस्माज्जलौकसां गन्धेन्द्रियं नास्तीति||२१||
Meaning of the commentary
Toda means pain, attributed here to vata arising from tissue depletion. Some omit itching, arguing that a kapha effect should not arise from depletion of pure blood. Others defend the reading: depletion of fiery rakta allows cool, moist kapha, further increased by moisture from the leech's mouth, to increase and cause itching. Another reading compares the itching with that accompanying the painful bite of a forest fly; this kind of itching signals pure blood being drawn. Avakiret means sprinkling with powder. Some read 'desire for blood' instead of 'smell of blood,' rejecting the smell reading on the stated ground that leeches lack an organ of smell.
Key terms
अथ पतितां तण्डुलकण्डनप्रदिग्धगात्रीं तैललवणाभ्यक्तमुखीं वामहस्ताङ्गुष्ठाङ्गुलीभ्यां गृहीतपुच्छां दक्षिणहस्ताङ्गुष्ठाङ्गुलिभ्यां शनैः शनैरनुलोममनुमार्जयेदामुखात्, वामयेत् तावद्यावत् सम्यग्वान्तलिङ्गानीति | सम्यग्वान्ता सलिलसरके न्यस्ता भोक्तुकामा सती चरेत् | या सीदती न चेष्टते सा दुर्वान्ता, तां पुनः सम्यग्वामयेत् | दुर्वान्ताया व्याधिरसाध्य इन्द्रमदो नाम भवति | अथ सुवान्तां पूर्ववत् सन्निदध्यात् ||२२||
Meaning of the śloka
After the leech drops off, the text describes coating its body with rice-pounding particles and its mouth with oil and salt. Its tail is held with the left thumb and finger while the right thumb and finger stroke gently towards the mouth until signs of complete disgorging appear. A properly emptied leech moves in water as though seeking food. One that sinks and does not move is considered incompletely emptied, and the process is repeated. The text names indramada as an incurable disease of an incompletely emptied leech. A properly emptied leech is stored as previously described.
🔊 Audio coming soon
पातिताया रुधिरापहरणविधानायाह- अथ पतितामित्यादि| तण्डुलकण्डनं गुण्डनं ‘कणा’ इत्यर्थः| अनुलोमम् अनुकूलम्, अनुमार्जयेत् प्रोञ्छयेत्, आमुखादिति मुखं यावदित्यर्थः| सम्यग्वान्तलिङ्गान्याह- सम्यगित्यादि सलिलसरकन्यस्ता जलपूर्णशरावेऽर्पिता| चरेत् गच्छेत्| दुर्वान्ताया लिङ्गान्याह- या सीदतीत्यादि| सीदति निमज्जति| दुर्वान्तावचाराद्व्याधिविशेषमाह- दुर्वान्ताया इत्यादि| “अस्य तु व्याधेः शास्त्रे लक्षणानिर्देशान्न पठनीयः” इत्येके| अथ सुवान्ता किं कार्येत्याह- सुवान्तामिति| पूर्ववदिति यथा- ‘नवे महति घटे’ इत्यादौ||२२||
Meaning of the commentary
The rice-pounding material means small particles. Anuloma means in the appropriate direction, anumarjayet wiping or stroking, and amukha as far as the mouth. Movement in a water-filled bowl indicates proper disgorging. Sidati means sinking. Some omit the statement about indramada because the treatise does not specify its signs. Storage 'as before' refers to the directions beginning with a new, large pot.
Key terms
शोणितस्य योगायोगानवेक्ष्य शतधौतघृताभ्यङ्गः, तत्पिचुधारणं वा; जलौकोव्रणान् मधुनाऽवघट्टयेत्, शीताभिरद्भिः परिषेचयेद्बध्नीत वा, कषायमधुरस्निग्धशीतैश्च प्रदेहैः प्रदिह्यादिति ||२३||
Meaning of the śloka
After considering whether blood removal has been appropriate, the text describes applying shatadhauta ghee or holding cotton soaked in it against the site. It also names stimulating leech wounds with honey, pouring cold water, bandaging, and applying astringent, sweet, unctuous and cooling pastes.
🔊 Audio coming soon
शोणितावसेचने उत्तरकर्माणि निर्दिशन्नाह- शोणितस्येत्यादि| योगः सम्यक्स्रुति; अयोगो योगादन्यः, स त्रिविधो हीनातिमिथ्यायोगभेदात्| तत्र योगे शतधौतघृताभ्यङ्गः, शतधौतघृताक्तपिचुधारणं वा| हीनयोगे किं कुर्यादित्याह- जलौकोव्रणान् मधुना अवघट्टयेत् चालयेत् स्रावणार्थम्| अतियोगे किं कुर्यादित्याह- शीताभिरद्भिश्च परिषेचयेद्बध्नीत वेति; शीतलजलपरिषेचनं बन्धनं च जलौकोमुखपदस्य रक्तस्थित्यर्थम्| मिथ्यायोगे उपक्रममाह- कषायेत्यादि| प्रदिह्यात् लिम्पेत्| अत्र कषायप्रदेहः शेषदुष्टरक्तप्रसादार्थं, मधुरैः प्रदेहः स्रुतादुष्टरक्तवर्धनार्थं; अन्ये तु “मूर्च्छाद्युपद्रवपरिहारार्थं शीतलजलसेकः, मधुनाऽवघट्टनं कषायादिलेपनं च सन्धानार्थम्” इति व्याख्यानयन्ति| शोणितस्रावणमपि पुरुषबलप्रमाणाद्दोषबलप्रमाणाद्वा वातादिजनितव्याधिबलप्रमाणाद्वा यावच्छोणितस्य सम्यक्शुद्धिर्भवति तावद्वा रोगाशयं वा समीक्ष्य| तद्यथा- अल्पीयसि रोगाशयेऽल्पं रक्तमाहरणीयं, महति पुनर्बह्विति| रक्तमोक्षणं च पलादिमानेन, पलं चात्र पक्वसप्तगुञ्जाफलप्रमाणमाषकेण, तान्यपि चार्धत्रयोदशपलानि प्रस्थः; रक्तप्रस्थश्चैकैकस्यां सिरायां मोक्षणीयः; तदपि द्वाभ्यां दिवसाभ्यां; प्रस्थश्चात्रोत्तममात्रा; मध्यमा मात्राऽर्धप्रस्थः, अर्धप्रस्थश्चात्र कर्षाधिकषट्पलानि, एतदपि द्वाभ्यामहोभ्यां स्रावणीयम्; अधममात्रा कुडवं, कुडवश्चात्राष्टमाषाधिकानि त्रीणि पलानि; इदमपि दिनद्वयेन मोक्षणीयम्; इति प्रसिद्धः कर्ममार्गः||२३||
Meaning of the commentary
Yoga means proper blood flow; ayoga includes insufficient, excessive and improper blood removal. For proper removal, the commentary assigns shatadhauta ghee or cotton soaked in it. For insufficient removal, honey is used to stimulate bleeding. For excessive removal, cold water and bandaging at the bite are intended to stop the flow. For improper removal, astringent pastes are explained as improving remaining vitiated blood, and sweet pastes as replenishing pure blood that has escaped. Others explain cold water as countering complications such as fainting, and honey with astringent and other pastes as promoting closure. The quantity removed should reflect the person's strength, the strength of the dosha or disease, purification of the blood, and the affected site's extent: less from a small site, more from a large one. A traditional measurement scheme follows in pala and related units, referring to a mashaka based on seven ripe gunja fruits. One prastha equals twelve and a half pala and is described as the largest amount from an individual sira over two days. The middle amount is half a prastha, expressed as six pala plus one karsha, also over two days. The smallest is one kudava, expressed as three pala plus eight masha, again over two days. These are reported as the commentary's customary procedure, without conversion to modern units.
Key terms
भवति चात्र- क्षेत्राणि ग्रहणं जातीः पोषणं सावचारणम् | जलौकसां च यो वेत्ति तत्साध्यान् स जयेद्गदान् ||२४||
Meaning of the śloka
A concluding verse states that someone who understands the habitats, collection, varieties, maintenance and application of leeches can overcome the diseases considered amenable to them.
🔊 Audio coming soon
इदानीं सङ्ग्रहश्लोकमाह- भवति चात्रेत्यादि| क्षेत्राणीति सविषाणां क्षेत्राणि ‘तत्र सविषकीट’ इत्यादि, निर्विषाणां ‘पद्मोत्पलपत्र’ इत्यादि| ग्रहणमिति ‘तासां ग्रहणमार्द्रचर्मणा’ इत्यादि| जातयः सविषाणां ‘कृष्णा कर्बुरा’ इत्यादि; निर्विषाणां ‘कपिला पिङ्गला’ इत्यादि| पोषणमिति ‘नवे महति घटे’ इत्यादि| अवचारणमिति ‘अथ जलौकोऽवसेकसाध्य’ इत्यादि, चकारात् पश्चात्कर्मादि||२४||
Meaning of the commentary
The commentary identifies the earlier passages being summarised. Habitats refers to descriptions of poisonous leeches beginning with poisonous insects, and non-poisonous leeches beginning with lotus and utpala leaves. Collection refers to moist leather. Varieties includes Krishna and Karbura among poisonous kinds, and Kapila and Pingala among non-poisonous kinds. Maintenance refers to the directions beginning with a new, large pot. Application refers to the passage beginning with the patient whose disease is suitable for leeches. The conjunction also includes subsequent care and related procedures.
Key terms
इति सुश्रुतसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने जलौकावचारणीयो नाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः ||१२||
Meaning of the śloka
Thus ends the thirteenth chapter, called Jalaukavacharaniya, in the Sutrasthana of the Sushruta Samhita.
🔊 Audio coming soon
इति श्रीडल्ह(ह्ल)णविरचितायां निबन्धसङ्ग्रहाख्यायां सुश्रुतव्याख्यायां सूत्रस्थाने जलौकावचारणीयो नाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः||१२||
Meaning of the commentary
Thus ends the thirteenth chapter, called Jalaukavacharaniya, in the Sutrasthana of the commentary on Sushruta named Nibandhasangraha, composed by Shri Dalhana.