౨౭. నవగ్రహాకృతివిజ్ఞానీయాధ్యాయః

Meaning of the śloka

Now we shall explain the chapter concerning recognition of the characteristic manifestations of the nine grahas. Thus spoke the revered Dhanvantari.

Key terms

navagraha

The nine grahas described for children within this classical framework.

akriti

The observable form or resulting clinical sign, as clarified by the commentary.

Kaumara-tantra

The classical discipline concerning children that begins with this chapter.

Bhuta-vidya

The textual discipline in which the commentary says eight grahas of non-children are discussed.

Meaning of the śloka

O Sushruta, listen attentively to the recognition and treatment of the grahas affecting children, together with their origin and causes, which will now be described.

Key terms

balagraha

A graha said in the classical framework to affect children.

vijnana

Specific or discriminating knowledge used for recognition.

sadhana

Treatment, according to the commentary.

utpatti

Origin or arising.

karana

Cause or causal factor.

Meaning of the śloka

The nine are Skandagraha, Skandapasmara, Shakuni, Revati, Putana, Andhaputana, Shitaputana, Mukhamandika, and Naigamesha, the ninth, who is known as the paternal graha.

Key terms

Skandagraha

The first or foremost of the nine named grahas.

Skandapasmara

The second graha named in the enumeration.

Naigamesha

The ninth graha, described as protective toward the child.

pitr-graha

The paternal graha designation explained here through father-like protection.

Meaning of the śloka

These grahas are said to harm children for the sake of receiving worship when the wet nurse or mother commits previously described improper conduct, when cleanliness, auspicious observances, or proper conduct are neglected, or when children are frightened, overly excited, threatened, or struck.

Key terms

dhatri

The breastfeeding caregiver or wet nurse.

shauca

Cleanliness, including washing away urine and feces in this commentary.

mangala

Auspicious observance involving the objects listed by the commentary.

puja

Worship through offerings such as flowers and food, presented as a motive in the classical account.

Meaning of the śloka

The grahas, established in extraordinary power and having many forms, cannot be seen by human beings as they enter the body. Therefore, after considering the statements of reliable authorities, I shall describe the signs that appear in the body.

Key terms

aishvarya

Extraordinary power attributed to the grahas in the classical account.

vishvarupa

Having manifold or varied forms.

apta-vakya

The statement of a reliable authority who is understood to speak truthfully.

linga

An observable sign appearing in the body.

Meaning of the śloka

A child described as affected by Skanda has swollen eyes, an odor resembling blood, aversion to the breast, a crooked mouth, and one eye whose lashes or movement are impaired. The child appears distressed, keeps the eyes partly closed, cries little, and has tightly closed fists and compact stool.

Key terms

Skandagraha

The graha to which this classical symptom cluster is attributed.

stanadvit

Showing aversion to breastfeeding.

vakrasya

Having a crooked or deviated mouth or face.

stabdhanga

Rigid-bodied, found in Gayadasa's alternative reading.

Meaning of the śloka

A child described as seized by Skandapasmara, the companion of Skanda, repeatedly loses and regains awareness, becomes agitated, and moves the hands and feet as though dancing. The child passes stool and urine after making a sound or bending the body, yawns, and discharges foam from the mouth.

Key terms

Skandapasmara

The named graha to which this classical episode is attributed.

nihsanjna

Without awareness or consciousness.

sasanjna

Having regained awareness or consciousness.

phena

Foam discharged from the mouth.

vinadya / vinamya

Alternative readings meaning after making a sound or after bending the body.

Meaning of the śloka

Within the chapter's historical graha framework, a child considered afflicted by Shakuni has slack or weakened limbs, appears frightened, and has an odour associated with birds. The child is distressed by discharging wounds over the body, and the skin is covered with blisters accompanied by burning and suppuration.

Key terms

śakunī

The named graha in the chapter's historical classification.

srastāṅga

Having slack, loose, or weakened limbs.

saṃsrāvī-vraṇa

A wound producing discharge, explained here as pus.

sphoṭa

Blister-like lesions, distinguished from open wounds in the commentary.

Meaning of the śloka

Within the historical classification, a child afflicted by Revati is described as having a red mouth, greenish excreta, and an extremely pale or alternatively dark-grey complexion. The child suffers from fever, painful inflammation or ulceration of the mouth, and bodily pain, and repeatedly rubs the ears and nose.

Key terms

revatī

The named graha in the chapter's historical classification.

harita-mala

Greenish excreta; the commentary includes both stool and urine.

mukhapāka

Painful inflammation or ulcerative lesions of the mouth.

vyathita-tanu

Having a painful or distressed body.

Meaning of the śloka

Within the chapter's historical framework, a child considered afflicted by Putana has slack limbs and cannot sleep comfortably either by day or at night. The child passes loose stool with an odour compared to that of a crow, suffers from vomiting, has body hair standing on end, and is very thirsty.

Key terms

pūtanā

The named graha in the chapter's historical classification.

srastāṅga

Having slack or weakened limbs; a variant reads svasthāṅga.

viḍ-bhinna

Loose or broken stool.

tṛṣṇālu

Experiencing pronounced thirst.

Meaning of the śloka

Within the historical classification, physicians describe a child considered afflicted by Andhaputana as refusing the breast and being tormented by diarrhoea, cough, hiccups, and vomiting accompanied by fever. The child has an unhealthy complexion, continually lies face downward, and has a sour odour.

Key terms

andhapūtanā

The named graha in the chapter's historical classification.

stanadveṣa

Refusal or aversion to breastfeeding.

adhaḥśaya

Lying face downward, according to the commentary.

amlagandhin

Having a sour odour, compared with sour preparations such as kāñjika.

Meaning of the śloka

Within the chapter's historical framework, a child considered afflicted by Shitaputana is intensely agitated, trembles greatly, and cries out. The child lies huddled or pressed into one part of the bed, has rumbling in the intestines, gives off an unpleasant raw odour, and has severe diarrhoea.

Key terms

śītapūtanā

The named graha in the chapter's historical classification.

saṃlīna

Huddled or remaining pressed into one part of the bed.

antrakūja

Audible rumbling within the intestines.

atisāra

Diarrhoea, described here as severe.

Meaning of the śloka

Within the historical classification, a child considered afflicted by Mukhamandika has a weak or withered body while the hands, feet, and face appear notably attractive or well formed. The child eats a great deal, has an abdomen covered by prominent turbid-looking veins, is agitated, and has an odour resembling urine.

Key terms

mukhamaṇḍikā

The named graha in the chapter's historical classification.

mlānāṅga

Having a weak or withered body.

bahvāśin

Eating a large quantity.

kaluṣa-sirāvṛtodara

An abdomen covered with prominent, turbid-looking veins.

Meaning of the śloka

A child described as affected by Naigameṣa vomits froth, bends at the middle of the body, cries out in distress while looking upward, remains continuously feverish, has an odor like animal fat, and loses awareness.

Key terms

naigameṣa

The graha named in the classical framework to which this cluster of signs is attributed.

sodvega

Accompanied by distress or fear.

vasāsagandhi

Having an odor compared in the text to animal fat.

niḥsaṃjña

Lacking proper awareness or consciousness.

Meaning of the śloka

A child who is extremely rigid, refuses the breast, and repeatedly becomes confused while episodes described as graha possession recur is said to be quickly overcome when the full set of unfavorable signs is present.

Key terms

prastabdha

Extremely rigid or stiff-limbed in this passage.

stanadveṣin

Refusing or showing aversion to breastfeeding.

muhyate

Becomes confused or loses awareness.

sampūrṇalakṣaṇa

Displaying the complete set of signs described as unfavorable.

Meaning of the śloka

A case showing the opposite of those signs and affecting the child only for a short time is considered treatable and should be treated.

Key terms

viparīta

The opposite condition, specifically the absence of the preceding unfavorable signs.

sādhya

Considered treatable within the classical prognostic framework.

acirārdita

Affected or distressed only for a short duration.

Meaning of the śloka

At home, a ritually pure practitioner should anoint the child with aged ghee in a clean place, scatter mustard seeds, and keep a lamp burning with mustard oil. A fire offering is to be made repeatedly with fragrant substances, medicinal seeds, and other seeds, while the fire or the child is adorned with fragrances and garlands. The offerings are addressed to Agni and the Kṛttikās with repeated invocations of svāhā.

Key terms

purāṇahavis

Aged ghee, according to the commentary, used here for anointing.

sarṣapa

Mustard seeds, scattered in the rite and used as the source of lamp oil.

havyavāhana

Fire as the bearer of ritual offerings.

bali

The ritual offering said by the commentary to be presented at midday.

Meaning of the śloka

Homage to the divine Skanda, lord of the grahas. Bowing my head, I honor you: accept my offering, and may my infant quickly become free from illness and disturbance.

Key terms

Skanda

The deity addressed by the mantra.

grahādhipati

Lord of the grahas, an epithet applied to Skanda here.

bali

The ritual offering whose acceptance is requested.

niruja

Free from illness or pain, the welfare sought for the infant.

Meaning of the śloka

Thus ends the twenty-seventh chapter, called ‘Knowledge of the Forms of the Nine Grahas,’ the first chapter of Kumāra-tantra within the Uttara-tantra of the Suśruta-saṃhitā.

Key terms

Kumāra-tantra (kumāra-tantra)

The section concerned with children in which this is identified as the first chapter.

navagrahākṛtivijñānīya

The chapter title, concerning knowledge of the forms or presentations of the nine grahas.

Kaumārabhṛtya-tantra (kaumārabhṛtya-tantra)

The pediatric section named in the commentary colophon.

Nibandhasaṅgraha (nibandhasaṅgraha)

The title of Dalhaṇa’s commentary.