௩௮. யோநிவ்யாபத்ப்ரதிஷேதாத்யாயஃ

Meaning of the śloka

Now we shall explain the chapter on the prevention and treatment of disorders of the yoni. Thus spoke the venerable Dhanvantari.

Key terms

yonivyapat (yonivyāpad)

A disorder affecting the yoni in the classical classification.

pratiShedha (pratiṣedha)

Prevention or treatment; the commentary specifies treatment here.

yoni

The female reproductive tract or generative passage in this context.

Meaning of the śloka

When a young woman who is dry and weak engages excessively in intercourse with a man whose genital organ is greatly enlarged, vāyu becomes aggravated in her. That disturbed vāyu reaches the yoni and becomes capable of producing a disorder there.

Key terms

pravRuddhali~gga (pravṛddhaliṅga)

A greatly enlarged or excessively elongated male genital organ in the source description.

rUkShadurbalabAlA (rūkṣa-durbala-bālā)

A young woman described as dry and physically weak.

vAyuH (vāyuḥ)

Vāyu or vāta, described as becoming aggravated.

Meaning of the śloka

The disorders are to be recognized through the respective signs of each of the three doṣas. Twenty disorders of the yoni were listed in the compendium of diseases. They may arise in women from improper conduct, from disturbed ārtava, from a defect of bīja, or from daiva; hear them explained separately.

Key terms

doSha (doṣa)

One of the three classical regulatory factors whose characteristic signs are used for classification.

Artava (ārtava)

Female reproductive or menstrual material in this context.

bIjadoSha (bījadoṣa)

A defect or disturbance of the reproductive seed in the classical account.

daiva

A causative category attributed to fate or forces beyond ordinary human action.

Meaning of the śloka

The disorders said to arise from vāta are Udāvartā, Vandhyā, Viplutā, Pariplutā, and Vātalā. Those attributed to pitta are Rudhirakṣarā, Vāminī, Sraṃsinī, Putraghnī, and Pittalā. Those attributed to kapha are Atyānandā, Karṇinī, the two Caraṇā disorders, and Śleṣmalā. Those called Ṣaṇḍā, Phalinī, Mahatī, Sūcivaktrā, and Sarvajā are attributed to all three doṣas.

Key terms

vAtotthAH (vātotthāḥ)

Classified as arising from vāta.

pittotthA (pittotthā)

Classified as arising from pitta.

kaphAt (kaphāt)

Classified as arising from kapha.

tridoShajA (tridoṣajā)

Classified as involving all three doṣas.

Meaning of the śloka

In Udāvartā, menstruation is discharged with difficulty and is frothy. Vandhyā is marked by loss of menstruation. Viplutā has constant pain, while Pariplutā causes severe pain during sexual intercourse. Vātalā is rough, rigid, and afflicted by colicky and needle-pricking pain. Signs of aggravated anila also occur in the first four disorders.

Key terms

rajaH (rajas)

Menstrual discharge in this passage.

udAvartA (udāvartā)

A classical yonivyāpad characterized here by difficult, frothy menstrual discharge.

shUla (śūla)

Colicky or severe pain, attributed here to vāta.

nistoda

A pricking pain compared with needle piercing.

Meaning of the śloka

The condition in which blood or menstrual flow is discharged with burning is called Lohitakṣarā. In Vāminī, bīja is expelled together with vāta and mixed with menstrual blood. Prasraṃsinī discharges when disturbed and is associated with difficult childbirth. Putraghnī repeatedly destroys an established pregnancy through bleeding. Pittalā is intensely affected by burning, suppuration, and fever. Prominent signs of pitta also occur in the first four disorders.

Key terms

lohitakSharA (lohitakṣarā)

A classical yonivyāpad marked in the main reading by bleeding or menstrual discharge with burning.

vAminI (vāminī)

A classical condition described as expelling bīja mixed with menstrual blood.

prasraMsinI (prasraṃsinī)

A classical condition described as discharging when disturbed and as involving difficult childbirth.

putraghnI (putraghnī)

A classical category associated in the text with repeated loss of established pregnancies through bleeding.

Meaning of the śloka

A condition called Atyananda is described as not attaining satisfaction through sexual intercourse. In Karnini, a fleshy projection called karnika develops in the vaginal passage from shleshma and blood. The condition Charani is described as becoming excessively active before the man during intercourse, while Aticharana is said not to obtain bija because of repeated excessive intercourse. A shleshmala vaginal condition is slimy, associated with itching, and very cold. In these first four conditions, signs of aggravated shleshma are prominent.

Key terms

atyAnandA (atyananda)

The named condition described as lack of satisfaction through intercourse.

karNikA (karnika)

A fleshy projection described in the vaginal passage.

caraNI (charani)

A named condition associated in the commentary with excessive activity during intercourse.

aticaraNA (aticharana)

A named condition linked by the text with repeated excessive intercourse and failure of bija to remain.

bIja (bija)

The generative seed, explained here as the beginning that gives rise to an embryo.

shleShmali~gga (shleshma-linga)

Signs attributed to shleshma, such as sliminess and itching in this context.

Meaning of the śloka

Shandi is described as lacking menstruation and breasts and as having a rough sensation during intercourse. A young woman subjected to intercourse with a man of excessively large bodily proportions is said to develop the condition called Phalini. Vivrita is a vaginal passage that is excessively wide, while Suchivaktra is excessively constricted like the eye of a needle. Sarvaja arises from aggravation of all the doshas and displays all their signs. In the first four of these conditions, the full range of doshic signs may become prominent. These five vaginal disorders arising from all the doshas are stated to be incurable.

Key terms

ShaNDI (shandi)

A historical named condition described here by absent menstruation and breast development.

phalinI (phalini)

A named condition for which the commentary also preserves the reading aphalini.

vivRutA (vivrita)

A condition described as an excessively wide vaginal passage.

sUcIvaktrA (suchivaktra)

A condition described as having an extremely constricted opening.

sarvadoShaprakopajA (sarva-dosha-prakopaja)

Arising, in the source's framework, from aggravation of all the doshas.

asAdhyA (asadhya)

Classified by the source as not amenable to treatment.

Meaning of the śloka

For the vaginal disorders considered treatable, a sequence beginning with oleation is recommended according to the particular dosha. The specifically indicated forms of uttara-basti are also to be administered according to the stated distinctions.

Key terms

yonivyApatsu (yonivyapatsu)

In the vaginal or reproductive disorders classified in this chapter.

pratidoShaM (prati-dosham)

According to, and therapeutically opposed to, the particular dosha.

snehAdikrama (snehadi-krama)

A therapeutic sequence beginning with oleation.

uttarabasti (uttara-basti)

A classical internal administration procedure prescribed here in dosha-specific forms.

Meaning of the śloka

For a vaginal condition described as rough, cold, rigid, and having diminished sensation during intercourse, the text prescribes localized kumbhi-sveda using materials associated with marsh-dwelling and aquatic animals. Preparations called veshavara mixed with sweet-class medicines are to be placed in the vaginal passage, and medicated oil is to be retained there on a cotton pledget with sustained attention. Suitable washes and filling applications are also to be used.

Key terms

alpasparshA (alpa-sparsha)

Diminished sensation, explained by the commentary as numbness.

kumbhIsveda (kumbhi-sveda)

A localized steam-fomentation procedure involving a pot, described in two interpretations.

veshavAra (veshavara)

A prepared food-based formulation used here as a carrier for medicinal pastes.

picutaila (pichu-taila)

Medicated oil retained on a cotton pledget.

dhAvanAni (dhavanani)

Washing or cleansing applications.

ApUraNAni (apuranani)

Filling applications mentioned by the verse.

Meaning of the śloka

For conditions accompanied by heat and burning, the physician should employ the cooling regimen that has been stated.

Key terms

oSha (osha)

A sensation of heat or burning in this context.

coSha (chosha)

Burning or smarting sensation.

shItaM vidhiM (shitam vidhim)

The cooling therapeutic regimen referred to by the text.

raktapittaharam (rakta-pitta-haram)

Described as alleviating rakta and pitta.

Meaning of the śloka

For a condition described as foul-smelling and slimy, the passage prescribes filling the vaginal passage with powders made from the five astringent plants and washing it with decoctions of the Rājavṛkṣa group.

Key terms

durgandhā

A vaginal condition characterized here by foul smell.

picchilā

A slimy or viscid vaginal condition, associated by the commentary with kapha.

pañcakaṣāya

The five astringent plants enumerated in the commentary.

dhāvana

Washing or irrigation described as a local procedure.

Meaning of the śloka

When there is purulent discharge from the vaginal passage, cleansing is considered beneficial with preparations containing cleansing substances together with cow urine and salt.

Key terms

pūyasrāviṇī

A condition marked by discharge described as pus-like.

śodhana

Cleansing treatment in the specific local context of this passage.

gomūtra

Cow urine, included in the historical preparation.

lavaṇa

Salt, included with the cleansing substances.

Meaning of the śloka

For a vaginal condition with itching and diminished sensation, the text directs filling and fumigation with a paste of Bṛhatī fruit combined with the two Haridrās. For the condition called Karṇinī it prescribes a wick containing cleansing substances. For Prasraṃsinī it describes lubrication with ghee, fomentation with milk, repositioning, closure with veśavāra, and bandaging. The physician is then to prescribe measures according to the doṣa, including surā, ariṣṭa, and āsava. The person is advised to take expressed garlic juice each morning and a diet consisting chiefly of milk and meat broth.

Key terms

Bṛhatīphala (bṛhatīphala)

Fruit of Bṛhatī used in the paste and, according to the commentary, in fumigation.

dviharidrā

The two substances called Haridrā in the historical formulation.

Karṇinī (karṇinī)

A classical category of vaginal disorder for which a medicated wick is described.

Prasraṃsinī (prasraṃsinī)

A classical category involving displacement or descent, treated here by a manual local procedure.

veśavāra

A preparation used here to cover or close the area before bandaging; its exact practical form requires expert review.

surāriṣṭāsava

Fermented preparations named as part of doṣa-specific management.

Meaning of the śloka

Disorders of śukra and ārtava and related conditions, diseases of the breast, the causes of klaibya, and both the causes and management of mūḍhagarbha have already been described. Treatment has also been stated for illnesses occurring during pregnancy. A knowledgeable physician should apply those teachings, as appropriate, to yonivyāpats, and should treat illnesses of a woman who has delivered prematurely by drawing on the later teachings.

Key terms

śukra-ārtava

The reproductive substances whose disorders are said to have been discussed earlier.

klaibya

A classical category whose causes were discussed in a prior strengthening and vājīkaraṇa context.

mūḍhagarbha

A classical obstetric condition for which causes and management were taught elsewhere.

apaprajātā

According to the commentary, a woman who has delivered prematurely.

apatānaka

A serious condition cited as requiring treatment according to its separate textual teaching.

Meaning of the śloka

Thus ends the chapter named ‘Prevention and Treatment of Yonivyāpat’ in the Kumāratantra within the Uttaratantra of the Suśrutasaṃhitā, identified in the transmitted wording as the twelfth chapter of this subsection and the thirty-eighth chapter overall. The second division of the Uttaratantra, the Kaumāra-tantra, is concluded.

Key terms

Yonivyāpatpratiṣedha (yonivyāpatpratiṣedha)

The title of the chapter concerning prevention and treatment of vaginal or reproductive disorders.

Kumāratantra (kumāratantra)

The textual division that the source colophon says concludes here.

Kaumārabhṛtyatantra (kaumārabhṛtyatantra)

The division named in Dalhaṇa’s commentary colophon.

Nibandhasaṅgraha (nibandhasaṅgraha)

The title of Dalhaṇa’s commentary.