੫. ਕਸ੍ਣਗਤਰੋਗਵਿਜ੍ਞਾਨੀਯਾਧ੍ਯਾਯਃ

Meaning of the śloka

Now we shall explain the chapter concerning knowledge of diseases situated in the dark region of the eye (Kṛṣṇagatarogavijñānīya), as taught by the revered Dhanvantari.

Key terms

कृष्णगत रोग (kṛṣṇagata roga)

Diseases described as situated in the dark region of the eye.

कृष्णमण्डल (kṛṣṇamaṇḍala)

The dark ocular region discussed in this chapter.

प्रत्यासत्ति (pratyāsatti)

Adjacency or close relationship, given as the reason for the chapter sequence.

धन्वन्तरि (Dhanvantari)

The revered authority to whom the teaching is attributed.

Meaning of the śloka

The four disorders previously summarized as affecting the dark region are Savraṇa Śukla, Avraṇa Śukla, Pākātyaya, and Ajakā.

Key terms

सव्रण शुक्ल (savraṇa śukla)

The named form of śukla associated with a wound or ulceration.

अव्रण शुक्ल (avraṇa śukla)

The named form of śukla without a wound or ulceration.

पाकात्यय (pākātyaya)

One of the four classical disorders said to affect the dark ocular region.

अजका (ajakā)

One of the four named disorders of the dark ocular region.

सङ्ग्रहतः (saṅgrahataḥ)

In summary or by complete inclusion, as glossed by the commentary.

Meaning of the śloka

A lesion in the dark region that appears sunken or embedded, looks as though it has been pierced by a needle, produces a distinctly warm discharge, and causes very severe pain is called Savraṇa Śukla.

Key terms

निमग्नरूप (nimagnarūpa)

Appearing sunken or entered inward and consequently only slightly visible.

सूच्येव विद्ध (sūcyeva viddha)

Appearing pierced by a needle; interpreted as indicating a circular lesion.

उष्णस्राव (uṣṇasrāva)

A discharge or flow experienced as warm.

सव्रण शुक्ल (savraṇa śukla)

The classical name for the injured or ulcerated form described here.

रक्तज (raktaja)

Classified by the commentary as arising from rakta.

Meaning of the śloka

When the lesion is not close to dṛṣṭi, is not deeply seated, does not discharge excessively, has little pain, and is not a paired or double Śukla, it may occasionally be successfully treated.

Key terms

दृष्टेः समीपे (dṛṣṭeḥ samīpe)

Near dṛṣṭi, a prognostically important ocular location whose precise anatomical scope requires contextual review.

अवगाढ (avagāḍha)

Deeply entered or deeply seated.

संस्रवेत् (saṃsravet)

To discharge profusely; the commentary reads the prefix sam as intensifying the flow.

अवेदनावत् (avedanāvat)

Explained by the commentary as having mild pain.

युग्मशुक्ल (yugmaśukla)

A paired or double form of Śukla; its precise clinical sense is not clarified in the supplied commentary.

Meaning of the śloka

A Śukra lesion should be avoided as unsuitable for treatment when its centre appears broken or hollow, when it is surrounded by fleshy tissue, when it seems mobile and attached to vessels, when it obstructs vision, when it has entered two layers, when its margins are red, or when it has persisted for a long time. A Śukra lesion associated with hot tears and a papule in the dark region, and resembling a mudga seed, is also declared incurable by some authorities; some likewise include a lesion resembling a partridge's wing.

Key terms

विच्छिन्नमध्य (vicchinnamadhya)

Having a broken or apparently hollow centre.

सिरासक्त (sirāsakta)

Attached to vessels, offered as the reason for apparent mobility.

अदृष्टिकृत् (adṛṣṭikṛt)

Obstructing vision.

द्वित्वग्गत (dvitvaggata)

Situated in or involving two layers according to the commentary.

मुद्गनिभ (mudganibha)

Resembling a mudga seed in form.

तित्तिरिपक्षतुल्य (tittiripakṣatulya)

Compared in appearance to a partridge's wing.

Meaning of the śloka

When a white lesion appears in the dark region of the eye, has a flowing or exudative character, is not accompanied by excessive pain or lacrimation, and resembles a thin, clear patch of cloud in the sky, it is called Avraṇa Śukra and is said to be highly treatable within the text's system.

Key terms

असितप्रदेश (asita-pradeśa)

The dark region of the eye in which the white lesion is seen.

स्यन्दात्मक (syandātmaka)

Having a flowing or exudative character; explained as causing abhiṣyanda.

अच्छघनानुकारि (acchaghanānukāri)

Resembling a thin fragment of clear cloud.

अव्रण शुक्र (avraṇa śukra)

The classical name for the non-ulcerative Śukra lesion described here.

रक्तज (raktaja)

Classified by the commentary as arising from rakta.

Meaning of the śloka

A Śukra lesion that arises deeply, is thick, or has persisted for a long time is said to be difficult to treat.

Key terms

गम्भीरजात (gambhīrajāta)

Arising deeply; glossed as occupying two layers.

बहल (bahala)

Thick or dense in this description of Śukra.

चिरोत्थित (cirotthita)

Long-standing or present for a prolonged period.

कृच्छ्र (kṛcchra)

Difficult to treat within the text's prognostic classification.

अव्रण शुक्र (avraṇa śukra)

The non-ulcerative Śukra lesion to which the commentary applies these features.

Meaning of the śloka

When the entire dark region of the eye becomes covered by a whitish-looking disorder, accompanied by intense pain and arising from an aggravated condition of the eye, it is called Akṣipākātyaya.

Key terms

असितमण्डल (asita-maṇḍala)

The dark region or circular dark area of the eye described in the passage.

श्वेतनिभ (śveta-nibha)

Having a whitish appearance.

अक्षिपाकात्यय (akṣipākātyaya)

The classical name for the intensely painful eye disorder described here.

स्यन्द (syanda)

The antecedent eye disorder from which the commentary says this condition develops.

त्रिदोषज (tridoṣaja)

Classified by the commentary as arising from all three doṣas.

Meaning of the śloka

A painful accumulation resembling goat droppings, somewhat red and accompanied by red, sticky tears, which breaks through the dark region of the eye and enlarges, should be identified as Ajakājāta.

Key terms

अजापुरीषप्रतिम (ajā-purīṣa-pratima)

Resembling dried goat droppings in appearance.

लोहितपिच्छिलाश्रु (lohita-picchila-aśru)

Having tears described as red and sticky.

कृष्ण (kṛṣṇa)

The dark region of the eye that the accumulation is said to break through.

प्रचय (pracaya)

An accumulation or enlarging mass; inferred by the commentary to consist of medas.

अजकाजात (ajakājāta)

The classical name assigned to the disorder described in this passage.

श्लेष्मज (śleṣmaja)

Attributed by the commentary to śleṣman or kapha.

Meaning of the śloka

Thus ends the fifth chapter of the Uttaratantra in the Suśruta Saṃhitā, entitled ‘Knowledge of Disorders Situated in the Dark Region of the Eye’ (Kṛṣṇagatarogavijñānīya).

Key terms

कृष्णगतरोगविज्ञानीय (kṛṣṇagata-roga-vijñānīya)

The chapter title, concerning knowledge of disorders situated in the eye’s dark region.

उत्तरतन्त्र (uttaratantra)

The division of the Suśruta Saṃhitā containing this chapter.

शालाक्यतन्त्र (śālākyatantra)

The specialty section identified in the commentary colophon.

निबन्धसङ्ग्रह (nibandhasaṅgraha)

The title of Dalhaṇa’s commentary on the Suśruta Saṃhitā.