The 1st chapter of Kalpasthana of Sushruta Samhita is named as Annapānarakṣākalpa Adhyaya. This chapter deals with Protection from (Poisoned) Foods and Drinks.
अथातोऽन्नपानरक्षाकल्पं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||
यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||
We will now expound Annapānaraksā kalpā – methods of protection from (poisoned) foods and drinks; as revealed by the venerable Dhañvañtari.
धन्वन्तरिः काशिपतिस्तपोधर्मभृतां वरः |
सुश्रुतप्रभृतीञ्छिष्याञ्छशासाहतशासनः ||३||
Dhañvañtari, apart from being the king of Kasi, was the best one amongst the upholders of Dharma – the righteous living and was also the one who knew of future happenings. He was also a respected teacher. In the process of his Ayurveda teachings, he instructed Sushruta and other disciples of his as follows.
Rājarakṣaṇīya – king to be protected
रिपवो विक्रमाक्रान्ता ये च स्वे कृत्यतां गताः |
सिसृक्षवः क्रोधविषं विवरं प्राप्य तादृशम् ||४||
विषैर्निहन्युर्निपुणं नृपतिं दुष्टचेतसः |
स्त्रियो वा विविधान् योगान् कदाचित्सुभगेच्छया ||५||
विषकन्योपयोगाद्वा क्षणाज्जह्यादसून्नरः |
तस्माद्वैद्येन सततं विषाद्रक्ष्यो नराधिपः ||६||
Driven by valour / heroism, the enemies of the king who have wicked intentions (cruel mind) and have developed hatred towards him, would generate poison of anger. They would try to find faults in his behaviour and try to kill him by poisoning him.
On the other hand, the women who are desirous of wealth sometimes administer various kinds of poisons which they have prepared.
Visakanya means ‘poisonous girl’ who has been fed with poison in small doses from childhood and prepared as a homicide weapon, to poison the kings and noble men. By engaging himself and coming into contact with such Vishakanya, a person would lose his life quickly.
Therefore, the physician (royal physician) should be very cautious and always protect the king from the poison and from those who would poison him.
Reasons why the king should not trust anyone easily
यस्माच्च चेतोऽनित्यत्वमश्ववत् प्रथितं नृणाम् |
न विश्वस्यात्ततो राजा कदाचिदपि कस्यचित् ||७||
It is wise for a king to not invest complete faith in any person at any given point of time since the mind of a man (any person) is unsteady and ever changing, just like an uncontrolled horse.
Mahānasa adhikāri vaidya – physician as kitchen superintendent
कुलीनं धार्मिकं स्निग्धं सुभृतं सन्ततोत्थितम् |
अलुब्धमशठं भक्तं कृतज्ञं प्रियदर्शनम् ||८||
क्रोधपारुष्यमात्सर्यमायालस्यविवर्जितम् |
जितेन्द्रियं क्षमावन्तं शुचिं शीलदयान्वितम् ||९||
मेधाविनमसंश्रान्तमनुरक्तं हितैषिणम् |
पटुं प्रगल्भं निपुणं दक्षमालस्यवर्जितम् ||१०||
पूर्वोक्तैश्च गुणैर्युक्तं नित्यं सन्निहितागदम् |
महानसे प्रयुञ्जीत वैद्यं तद्विद्यपूजितम् ||११||
The kitchen is one of the main sources for the poison to reach the king through the food supply. Therefore, the royal kitchen should always be under supervision. A learned and experienced physician (who also has knowledge about different poisons and poisoning) is an ideal person to supervise the kitchen activities. Therefore, the king should appoint such a physician as a superintendent of the royal kitchen.
Such a physician should have the below mentioned qualities –
– he should be coming from a reputed family,
– should be righteous in nature and friendly in behaviour
– should have been well brought up,
– should always be alert,
– should never be greedy or stubborn,
– should be devoted to the work and grateful,
– should have pleasing looks,
– should be devoid of anger, cruelty, jealousy and laziness,
– should have control over his senses
– should be forgiving in nature,
– should be clean, endowed with cleanliness, virtue and kindness,
– should be intelligent,
– should be the one who does not get tired quickly (energetic) and devoted to his duty,
– should be the one who would always think well of others,
– should be a skilled talker and good spokesman
– should be bold, experienced, efficient and devoid of laziness,
– should possess anti-poisonous medicines always and should be the one who is knowledgeable about the poisons and methods of poisoning and is praised and renowned for the same
Mahānasa – royal kitchen
प्रशस्तदिग्देशकृतं शुचिभाण्डं महच्छुचि |
सजालकं गवाक्षाढ्यमाप्तवर्गनिषेवितम् ||१२||
विकक्षसृष्टसंसृष्टं सवितानं कृतार्चनम् |
परीक्षितस्त्रीपुरुषं भवेच्चापि महानसम् ||१३||
तत्राध्यक्षं नियुञ्जीत प्रायो वैद्यगुणान्वितम् |१४|
The kitchen (royal kitchen) should be endowed with the below mentioned properties –
– should be located in an auspicious place and direction,
– should be clean,
– should be equipped with big and clean vessels meant for cooking, storing and serving foods,
– should have adequate ventilators and windows,
– should be devoid of hay stocks,
– should have trustworthy people including cooks, attendants etc.
– should have separate places for storage of fuels etc.
– should have a good and protective canopy (roof),
– should have been sanctified by worship and fire sacrifices etc.,
– should be employed (cooks and attendants) with men and women who have been thoroughly examined for their conduct, character, behaviour etc.
– should be supervised by a physician possessing ideal qualities (described in earlier paragraph)
शुचयो दक्षिणा दक्षा विनीताः प्रियदर्शनाः ||१४||
संविभक्ताः सुमनसो नीचकेशनखाः स्थिराः |
स्नाता दृढं संयमिनः कृतोष्णीषाः सुसंयताः ||१५||
तस्य चाज्ञाविधेयाः स्युर्विविधाः परिकर्मिणः |१६|
Qualities of the attendants appointed in the royal kitchen –
In the royal kitchen, many attendants are appointed in many cadres, for various tasks. They should possess the below mentioned qualities –
– they should be clean,
– they should have a good and clean family background, they should be efficient at work, obedient in nature, have good and pleasing looks,
– they should be capable and have expertise in performing different kinds of works,
– they should be of good mind,
– they should be devoid of undesirable hairs, moustaches and nails (they should have been removed and trimmed on regular basis),
– they should be steadfast,
– they should take bath every day,
– they should be strong and disciplined,
– they should be wearing a turban (or light headwear),
– they should be devoid of laziness and should be self controlled,
– they should carry out orders obediently and be skilful to do many works
आहारस्थितयश्चापि भवन्ति प्राणिनो यतः ||१६||
तस्मान्महानसे वैद्यः प्रमादरहितो भवेत् |१७|
माहानसिकवोढारः सौपौदनिकपौपिकाः ||१७||
भवेयुर्वैद्यवशगा ये चाप्यन्येऽत्र केचन |१८|
The physician should take the responsibility of preventing the mistakes happening (and which might happen) in the kitchen because this is a place where food is prepared and served and the well being of persons depends on the nature of their food.
The physician should also supervise and control all the persons who attend to many works in the kitchen (cooks, helpers etc.) who prepare a menu of various foods like rice, sweets and other delicacies.
Visa data – person who puts poison
इङ्गितज्ञो मनुष्याणां वाक्चेष्टामुखवैकृतैः ||१८||
विद्याद्विषस्य दातारमेभिर्लिङ्गैश्च बुद्धिमान् |
न ददात्युत्तरं पृष्टो विवक्षन् मोहमेति च ||१९||
अपार्थं बहु सङ्कीर्णं भाषते चापि मूढवत् |
स्फोटयत्यङ्गुलीर्भूमिमकस्माद्विलिखेद्धसेत् ||२०||
वेपथुर्जायते तस्य त्रस्तश्चान्योऽन्यमीक्षते |
क्षामो विवर्णवक्त्रश्च नखैः किञ्चिच्छिनत्त्यपि ||२१||
आलभेतासकृद्दीनः करेण च शिरोरुहान् |
निर्यियासुरपद्वारैर्वीक्षते च पुनः पुनः ||२२||
वर्तते विपरीतं तु विषदाता विचेतनः |२३|
The person who intends to poison (the foods, drinks etc.) or does the same is called Visadata. He would exhibit certain features. An intelligent physician who has the knowledge of understanding the intention of others by their speech, actions and expressions should recognize the Visadata by observing those features in him.
Below mentioned are the features of Visadata (the person who poisons) –
– he does not replay when questioned,
– becomes confused and disillusioned while talking,
– speaks irrelevantly and enigmatically or speaks like an idiot,
– makes sounds from his fingers,
– scratches the ground without reason,
– falls on the ground,
– trembles with fear,
– looks at one another,
– becomes thin, pale (discoloured in face),
– keeps tearing something around him with his nails,
– often pulls his hairs with his hands,
– is timid,
– tries to exit through wrong doors,
– looks around suspiciously again and again,
– behaves in all opposite manners and
– becomes unconscious
केचिद्भयात् पार्थिवस्य त्वरिता वा तदाज्ञया ||२३||
असतामपि सन्तोऽपि चेष्टां कुर्वन्ति मानवाः |
तस्मात् परीक्षणं कार्यं भृत्यानामादृतैर्नृपैः ||२४||
All the attendees should be personally examined by the king honourably, with diligence. This is because some persons, in spite of being virtuous and innocent, sometimes perform activities either due to fear of the king or carrying the orders in a hurry.
Visa dana vidha – Modes of poisoning
अन्ने पाने दन्तकाष्ठे तथाऽभ्यङ्गेऽवलेखने |
उत्सादने कषाये च परिषेकेऽनुलेपने ||२५||
स्रक्षु वस्त्रेषु शय्यासु कवचाभरणेषु च |
पादुकापादपीठेषु पृष्ठेषु गजवाजिनाम् ||२६||
विषजुष्टेषु चान्येषु नस्यधूमाञ्जनादिषु |
लक्षणानि प्रवक्ष्यामि चिकित्सामप्यनन्तरम् ||२७||
Below mentioned are different methods by which poisons can be administered to the king –
– mixed with his food and drinks,
– added to his toothbrush, anointing oil, comb, massaging powders or pastes,
– mixed in his bathing tub (water),
– added to unguents, garlands
– applied to his dress, bed, armours, ornaments, footwear, foot stool,
– applied on the back of elephants and horses on which he frequently rides,
– added to his nasal drops (snuff), smokes, eye salves etc.
Now, I shall describe the symptoms of poisoning along with their treatments.
Visa justa annādi – poisoned food etc
नृपभक्ताद्बलिं न्यस्तं सविषं भक्षयन्ति ये |
तत्रैव ते विनश्यन्ति मक्षिकावायसादयः ||२८||
हुतभुक् तेन चान्नेन भृशं चटचटायते |
मयूरकण्ठप्रतिमो जायते चापि दुःसहः ||२९||
भिन्नार्चिस्तीक्ष्णधूमश्च नचिराच्चोपशाम्यति |
चकोरस्याक्षिवैराग्यं जायते क्षिप्रमेव तु ||३०||
दृष्ट्वाऽन्नं विषसंसृष्टं म्रियन्ते जीवजीवकाः |
कोकिलः स्वरवैकृत्यं क्रौञ्चस्तु मदमृच्छति ||३१||
हृष्येन्मयूर उद्विग्नः क्रोशतः शुकसारिके |
हंसः क्ष्वेडति चात्यर्थं भृङ्गराजस्तु कूजति ||३२||
पृषतो विसृजत्यश्रुं विष्ठां मुञ्चति मर्कटः |
सन्निकृष्टांस्ततः कुर्याद्राज्ञस्तान् मृगपक्षिणः ||३३||
वेश्मनोऽथ विभूषार्थं रक्षार्थं चात्मनः सदा |३४|
The animals, flies, crow etc. which consume the poisoned food / oblation offered by the king would immediately die.
Poisoned foods will produce a cracking sound when put on fire. The fumes coming from the fire on which the poisoned food has been put will be blue in colour and would resemble the neck of the peacock. The flame is found broken (split), is unbearably strong and does not subside soon.
On seeing the poisoned food, different birds will exhibit strange behaviours or signs. Below mentioned are those behaviours and signs –
– quick discolouration of the eyes of cakora bird,
– jivajivaka bird dies,
– the voice of koil becomes disordered,
– kraunca bird gets intoxicated,
– the agitated peacocks start hooting,
– suka – parrot and sarika – mynah birds would cry aloud with fear,
– hamsa – swan would make more sounds,
– bringaraja bird would hoot,
– prsata – spotted deer would start shedding tears,
– monkeys start excreting
The above mentioned reactions or behaviors can be observed in the birds and animals which live in the vicinity of the king or are maintained as pets in the royal palace. These reactions and behaviors branch out either due to fear or to protect themselves. This will help in identifying the poisoned food.
उपक्षिप्तस्य चान्नस्य बाष्पेणोर्ध्वं प्रसर्पता ||३४||
हृत्पीडा भ्रान्तनेत्रत्वं शिरोदुःखं च जायते |
तत्र नस्याञ्जने कुष्ठं लामज्जं नलदं मधु ||३५||
कुर्याच्छिरीषरजनीचन्दनैश्च प्रलेपनम् |
हृदि चन्दनलेपस्तु तथा सुखमवाप्नुयात् ||३६||
The fumes rising from the fire on which poisoned food is put would produce the below mentioned symptoms –
– pain in the region of the heart,
– unsteady movement of eyes and
– headache
Treatment – In this condition, nasal medication (snuffs) and collyrium should be administered. They should be prepared from Kustha, Lamajja, Nalada and Honey.
Pastes of Sirisa, Rajani and Candana should be used for anointing the body.
Paste of Candana would provide comfort when applied on the heart (chest).
Hasta visa – poison in hands
पाणिप्राप्तं पाणिदाहं नखशातं करोति च |
अत्र प्रलेपः श्यामेन्द्रगोपासोमोत्पलानि च ||३७||
When present in the hands, poison would cause a burning sensation in the palm. The nails of that hand would also fall off.
Treatment – The affected hand should be smeared with the paste prepared from the below mentioned ingredients –
– Syama (Priyangu),
– Indra (Indravaruni),
– Gopa (Sariva),
– Soma (Guluchi) and
– Utpala
Asya visa – poison in mouth
स चेत् प्रमादान्मोहाद्वा तदन्नमुपसेवते |
अष्ठीलावत्ततो जिह्वा भवत्यरसवेदिनी ||३८||
तुद्यते दह्यते चापि श्लेष्मा चास्यात् प्रसिच्यते |
तत्र बाष्पेरितं कर्म यच्च स्याद्दान्तकाष्ठिकम् ||३९||
Poisoned foods may be consumed by mistake or greed. If done, it would produce the below mentioned symptoms in the mouth –
– tongue becomes hard like the anvil of a blacksmith,
– tongue becomes incapable of recognizing any tastes,
– pricking pain,
– burning sensation and
– excessive flow of kapha (salivation)
Treatment – The treatments suggested for poisoned fumes and poisoned toothbrush should be done in this condition too.
Āmāśaya vișa- poison in the stomach
मूर्च्छां छर्दिमतीसारमाध्मानं दाहवेपथू |
इन्द्रियाणां च वैकृत्यं कुर्यादामाशयं गतम् ||४०||
तत्राशु मदनालाबुबिम्बीकोशातकीफलैः |
छर्दनं दध्युदश्विद्भ्यामथवा तण्डुलाम्बुना ||४१||
Below mentioned symptoms are caused when the poison enters amashaya (stomach) –
– fainting,
– vomiting,
– diarrhoea,
– flatulence,
– burning sensation,
– shivering and
– disorders of sense organs
Treatment – Vomiting should be induced to expel the poison from the stomach. It should be administered using the paste of powder of Madana, Bimbi or Kosataki mixed with curds, dilute buttermilk or rice wash.
Pakvāśaya vişa – poison in large intestine
दाहं मूर्च्छामतीसारं तृष्णामिन्द्रियवैकृतम् |
आटोपं पाण्डुतां कार्श्यं कुर्यात् पक्वाशयं गतम् ||४२||
विरेचनं ससर्पिष्कं तत्रोक्तं नीलिनीफलम् |
दध्ना दूषीविषारिश्च पेयो वा मधुसंयुतः ||४३||
Below mentioned symptoms are produced when the poison reaches the pakvasaya – colon (large intestine) –
– burning sensation,
– fainting,
– diarrhoea,
– thirst,
– disorders of the sense organs,
– gurgling noises in the abdomen,
– yellowish-white colour and
– emaciation
Treatment – This condition should be treated by administering purgation using Nilini Phala with ghee or Dusivisari Agada with curd and honey.
Paniya visa – poison in drinks
द्रवद्रव्येषु सर्वेषु क्षीरमद्योदकादिषु |
भवन्ति विविधा राज्यः फेनबुद्बुदजन्म च ||४४||
छायाश्चात्र न दृश्यन्ते दृश्यन्ते यदि वा पुनः |
भवन्ति यमलाश्छिद्रास्तन्व्यो वा विकृतास्तथा ||४५||
Below mentioned are the features of all liquids including milk, wine, water etc. having the presence of poison in them (poisoned liquids) –
– different kinds of lines appear on the surface of the liquid,
– appearance of froth and bubbles in the liquid,
– images of other objects will not be seen in those liquids and
– even if the images of other objects are seen in these poisoned liquids, the images will either be double, broken, thin or distorted
Śākādi vişa – poisoned vegetables etc
शाकसूपान्नमांसानि क्लिन्नानि विरसानि च |
सद्यः पर्युषितानीव विगन्धानि भवन्ति च ||४६||
गन्धवर्णरसैर्हीनाः सर्वे भक्ष्याः फलानि च |
पक्वान्याशु विशीर्यन्ते पाकमामानि यान्ति च ||४७||
Below mentioned are the features of poisoned vegetables, soups, cooked rice and meat –
– they will be very moist,
– tasteless,
– devoid of smell,
– appear as though soaked in water just now
All eatables and fruits will be devoid of odour, colour and tastes. Raw (unripe) eatables and fruits would undergo ripening quickly and even get putrefied.
Dantakāstha visa – poisoned toothpick / brush
विशीर्यते कूर्चकस्तु दन्तकाष्ठगते विषे |
जिह्वादन्तौष्ठमांसानां श्वयथुश्चोपजायते ||४८||
अथास्य धातकीपुष्पपथ्याजम्बूफलास्थिभिः |
सक्षौद्रैः प्रच्छिते शोफे कर्तव्यं प्रतिसारणम् ||४९||
अथवाऽङ्कोठमूलानि त्वचः सप्तच्छदस्य वा |
शिरीषमाषका वाऽपि सक्षौद्राः प्रतिसारणम् ||५०||
Features of poisoned tooth-stick –
– loss of bristles,
– produces swelling of tongue, teeth, gums and lips
Treatment – The swelling should be mildly incised first. Then the paste of the below mentioned ingredients mixed in honey should be applied –
– dhataki pushpa,
– pathya,
– seeds of jambuphala
Alternatively, the paste of any of the below mentioned should be mixed with honey and applied –
– ankota or
– bark of saptachada or
– seeds of sirisa
जिह्वानिर्लेखकवलौ दन्तकाष्ठवदादिशेत् |५१|
Poisoned tongue scraper and mouth gargles will also produce the same symptoms as those produced by poisoned toothbrush brush. The treatment will also be the same for these conditions.
Abhyanga visa – poisoned anointing
पिच्छिलो बहुलोऽभ्यङ्गो विवर्णो वा विषान्वितः ||५१||
स्फोटजन्मरुजास्रावत्वक्पाकः स्वेदनं ज्वरः |
दरणं चापि मांसानामभ्यङ्गे विषसंयुते ||५२||
तत्र शीताम्बुसिक्तस्य कर्तव्यमनुलेपनम् |
चन्दनं तगरं कुष्ठमुशीरं वेणुपत्रिका ||५३||
सोमवल्ल्यमृता श्वेता पद्मं कालीयकं त्वचम् |
कपित्थरसमूत्राभ्यां पानमेतच्च युज्यते ||५४||
Oil for anointing, if poisoned, will be –
– slimy,
– thick or
– of different colour
When used for anointing, it produces –
– eruptions,
– pain, and
– exudation,
– suppuration (ulcer) of the skin,
– excessive sweating,
– fever and
– tearing of muscles
Treatment –
Cold water should be poured on the body.
Following this, paste of the below mentioned ingredients made with juice of kapittha and gomutra should be applied –
– Candana,
– Tagara,
– Kustha,
– Usira,
– Venupatra,
– Somavalli,
– Amrta,
– Sveta,
– Padma,
– Kaliyaka or
– Twak
Water used for drinking purposes is also processed with the same herbs (mentioned above).
उत्सादने परीषेके कषाये चानुलेपने |
शय्यावस्त्रतनुत्रेषु ज्ञेयमभ्यङ्गलक्षणैः ||५५||
The symptoms produced by poisoned things used for the purpose of massaging, bathing, decoctions for bath, unguents, bed, dress and protectives like body armor will also be similar to those of poisoned anointing oil.
केशशातः शिरोदुःखं खेभ्यश्च रुधिरागमः |
ग्रन्थिजन्मोत्तमाङ्गेषु विषजुष्टेऽवलेखने ||५६||
प्रलेपो बहुशस्तत्र भाविताः कृष्णमृत्तिकाः |
ऋष्यपित्तघृतश्यामापालिन्दीतण्डुलीयकैः ||५७||
गोमयस्वरसो वाऽपि हितो वा मालतीरसः |
रसो मूषिकपर्ण्या वा धूमो वाऽगारसम्भवः ||५८||
Below mentioned symptoms are produced by poisoned comb –
– shedding and falling off of the hairs,
– headache,
– bleeding from minute channels and
– development of tumours in the head
Treatment –
Paste of black mud is mixed with bile of big deer (rsya), ghee, syama (priyangu), trivrt and tanduliyaka. This should be often applied.
The below mentioned recipes are also beneficial –
– juice of fresh cow dung (paste of black mud mixed with it) or
– juice of malati or musikaparni (paste of black mud mixed with it) or
– exposure to smoke of kitchen black / soot
शिरोऽभ्यङ्गः शिरस्त्राणं स्नानमुष्णीषमेव च |
स्रजश्च विषसंसृष्टाः साधयेदवलेखनात् ||५९||
The same diseases / symptoms mentioned as caused by use of poisoned comb will also be produced when poisoned materials for head bath, helmet, headwear and garlands are used.
मुखालेपे मुखं श्यावं युक्तमभ्यङ्गलक्षणैः |
पद्मिनीकण्टकप्रख्यैः कण्टकैश्चोपचीयते ||६०||
तत्र क्षौद्रघृतं पानं प्रलेपश्चन्दनं घृतम् |
पयस्या मधुकं फञ्जी बन्धुजीवः पुनर्नवा ||६१||
When poisoned cosmetics are used it gives rise to black colour of the face. The other symptoms are similar to those caused by (and mentioned under) poisoned anointing material.
The face of the person who has applied such cosmetics will become covered with thorny eruptions, like those found in the lotus flower.
Treatment –
Honey and ghee should be mixed together and given for drinking.
Paste of the below mentioned ingredients mixed with ghee should be used for application –
– Candana,
– Payasya,
– Madhuka,
– Phanji (Bharngi),
– Bandhujiva and
– Punarnava
Vāhana vişa – poisoned materials used for riding on animals
अस्वास्थ्यं कुञ्जरादीनां लालास्रावोऽक्षिरक्तता |
स्फिक्पायुमेढ्रमुष्केषु यातुश्च स्फोटसम्भवः ||६२||
तत्राभ्यङ्गवदेवेष्टा यातृवाहनयोः क्रिया |६३|
Below mentioned are the features of the equipments used for riding on the animals being poisoned –
– animals like elephant etc. will become ill,
– the animals would have more salivation and redness of the eyes,
– eruptions would appear on the butts, anus, penis and scrotum of the rider
Treatment – The same treatments indicated for poisoned massage oil should be adopted to treat the rider and the animal.
Nasya – dhūmavişa – poisoned snuff and smoke
शोणितागमनं खेभ्यः शिरोरुक्कफसंस्रवः ||६३||
नस्यधूमगते लिङ्गमिन्द्रियाणां च वैकृतम् |
तत्र दुग्धैर्गवादीनां सर्पिः सातिविषैः शृतम् ||६४||
पाने नस्ये च सश्वेतं हितं समदयन्तिकम् |६५|
Below mentioned are the symptoms of poisoned nasal drops and smoke –
– bleeding from the orifices,
– headache,
– excessive flow of kapha (kapha disorder),
– disorder of the sense organs
Treatment – Milk and cow ghee etc. boiled and prepared with Ativisa, Sveta and Madayantika should be used for drinking and as nasal drops.
Puspamāla visa – poisoned garland
गन्धहानिर्विवर्णत्वं पुष्पाणां म्लानता भवेत् ||६५||
जिघ्रतश्च शिरोदुःखं वारिपूर्णे च लोचने |
तत्र बाष्पेरितं कर्म मुखालेपे च यत् स्मृतम् ||६६||
Signs of poisoned garland – The flowers of the poisoned garland would be devoid of odour. Their colour would be changed and they would appear dull / withered.
Anyone inhaling the smell of such garland would develop a headache and teary eyes.
Treatment – The same treatments indicated for poisoned smoke and cosmetic pastes shall be adopted here too.
Karna taila visa – poisoned oil for ears
कर्णतैलगते श्रोत्रवैगुण्यं शोफवेदने |
कर्णस्रावश्च तत्राशु कर्तव्यं प्रतिपूरणम् ||६७||
स्वरसो बहुपुत्रायाः सघृतः क्षौद्रसंयुतः |
सोमवल्करसश्चापि सुशीतो हित इष्यते ||६८||
Below mentioned are the symptoms produced by the oil to be filled into the ears being poisoned –
– disorders of hearing,
– swelling,
– pain in the ears,
– exudation from the ears
Treatment – The below mentioned are used for filling the ears –
– fresh juice of bahupatra (mayurasikha) added with ghee and honey or
– juice of somavalka, filled cold
Añjana vişa – poisoned collyrium
अश्रूपदेहो दाहश्च वेदना दृष्टिविभ्रमः |
अञ्जने विषसंसृष्टे भवेदान्ध्यमथापि च ||६९||
तत्र सद्यो घृतं पेयं तर्पणं च समागधम् |
अञ्जनं मेषशृङ्गस्य निर्यासो वरुणस्य च ||७०||
मुष्ककस्याजकर्णस्य फेनो गोपित्तसंयुतः |
कपित्थमेषशृङ्ग्योश्च पुष्पं भल्लातकस्य वा ||७१||
एकैकं कारयेत् पुष्पं बन्धूकाङ्कोटयोरपि |७२|
Symptoms produced by poisoned collyrium –
– accumulation of wastes in the eyes,
– burning sensation,
– pain,
– disorders of vision and
– blindness
Treatment –
– Ghee and groats added with Pippali should be given for drinking
– Resin of Mesasringi and Varuna should be used for application to the eyes in the form of collyrium,
Other recipes for collyrium –
– MMuskaka, Ajakarna and Samudraphena mixed with gopitta / gorochana or
– Kapittha and Mesasrngi or
– flowers of Bhallataka or
– flowers of Bbandhuka or
– Flowers of Utkata
Padukā visa – poisoned footwear
शोफः स्रावस्तथा स्वापः पादयोः स्फोटजन्म च ||७२||
भवन्ति विषजुष्टाभ्यां पादुकाभ्यामसंशयम् |
उपानत्पादपीठानि पादुकावत् प्रसाधयेत् ||७३||
The wearer will have the below mentioned symptoms in the feet without any doubt if the footwear is poisoned –
– swelling,
– exudation,
– loss of sensation,
– eruptions etc.
Poisoned footrest and pillows will also produce similar symptoms.
Treatment for all these conditions is similar and should be planned according to manifested symptoms.
Abharana visa – poisoned ornaments
भूषणानि हतार्चींषि न विभान्ति यथा पुरा |
स्वानि स्थानानि हन्युश्च दाहपाकावदारणैः ||७४||
पादुकाभूषणेषूक्तमभ्यङ्गविधिमाचरेत् |७५|
Below mentioned are the features of poisoned ornaments –
– they lose their brightness,
– they do not shine as before,
– they cause damage of the part of the body they come in contact with by causing troublesome symptoms like burning sensation, ulceration and bruises
Treatment – The same treatments like anointing etc. indicated for poisoned footwear should also be adopted here.
Sāmāñya cikitsā – general treatment
विषोपसर्गो बाष्पादिर्भूषणान्तो य ईरितः ||७५||
समीक्ष्योपद्रवांस्तस्य विदधीत चिकित्सितम् |
महासुगन्धिमगदं यं प्रवक्ष्यामि तं भिषक् ||७६||
पानालेपननस्येषु विदधीताञ्जनेषु च |
विरेचनानि तीक्ष्णानि कुर्यात् प्रच्छर्दनानि च ||७७||
सिराश्च व्यधयेत् क्षिप्रं प्राप्तं विस्रावणं यदि |
मूषिकाऽजरुहा वाऽपि हस्ते बद्धा तु भूपतेः ||७८||
करोति निर्विषं सर्वमन्नं विषसमायुतम् |७९|
Diseases produced by poisons explained in this chapter commencing with poisoned smoke and ending with poisoned ornaments should be carefully examined by the physician and then appropriate treatments should be given.
Mahasugandhi Agada which will be described by me later (in 6th chapter – 6/14-27) should be administered by the physician. It should be administered in the form of drink, external application, nasal drops and collyrium.
Powerful purgatives and emetics should be administered.
If bloodletting is needed, vein puncture should be quickly done.
All foods mixed with poisons will be detoxified if the herbs like Musika or Ajaruha are tied to the hands of the king.
हृदयावरणं नित्यं कुर्याच्च मित्रमध्यगः ||७९||
पिबेद्धृतमजेयाख्यममृताख्यं च बुद्धिमान् |
सर्पिर्दधि पयः क्षौद्रं पिबेद्वा शीतलं जलम् ||८०||
मयूरान्नकुलान् गोधाः पृषतान् हरिणानपि |
सततं भक्षयेच्चपि रसांस्तेषां पिबेदपि ||८१||
Hridayavarana means protecting the heart. The heart of the patient should be protected. This should be done daily in the company of his friends by making him drink –
– medicines like Ajeya Ghrta and Amrta Ghrta,
– ghee, curd, milk, honey or cold water (may also be consumed)
Meat or meat soup of the below mentioned should be constantly consumed –
– peacock,
– mongoose,
– iguana lizard,
– spotted deer or antelope
गोधानकुलमांसेषु हरिणस्य च बुद्धिमान् |
दद्यात् सुपिष्टां पालिन्दीं मधुकं शर्करां तथा ||८२||
शर्करातिविषे देये मायूरे समहौषधे |
पार्षते चापि देयाः स्युः पिप्पल्यः समहौषधाः ||८३||
सक्षौद्रः सघृतश्चैव शिम्बीयूषो हितः सदा |
विषघ्नानि च सेवेत भक्ष्यभोज्यानि बुद्धिमान् ||८४||
Below mentioned are useful recipes (diet) –
– Palindi – Trivrt should be macerated with meat juice of iguana, mongoose and antelope. It should be served with Madhuka and sugar.
– Ativisha and Mahaushadha are given along with peacock meat.
– Pippali and Mahaushadha may be given with meat of spotted deer.
– Soup of Simbi – cowpea should be given for drinking, added with honey and ghee.
Eatables and foods which are anti-poisonous should always be consumed by an intelligent person.
पिप्पलीमधुकक्षौद्रशर्करेक्षुरसाम्बुभिः।।
छर्दयेद्गुप्तहृदयो भक्षितं यदि वै विषम्।।८५।।
The mixture of the below mentioned ingredients should be given for drinking if the poison is concealed secretly in the body –
– pippali,
– madhuka,
– honey,
– sugar,
– sugarcane juice and
– water
This recipe produces vomiting.
इतिश्रीसुश्रुतसंहितायांकल्पस्थानेऽन्नपानरक्षाकल्पोनामप्रथमोऽध्यायः।।१।।
Thus ends the first chapter by name Annarakṣā kalpa in Kalpasthāna of Susruta samhita.
