Ayurved sutram

Author(s): Yoganandnatha, R Shama Shastry
Publisher: Government of Mysore

Page 8

muus (1:1) in the alimentary canal, location o particular diseases in particular limbs or parts oi tlu body is decided by the indistinct utterance on the par of the cliseased of such alphabetical letter-sounds a: are assigned to thosc limbs. The letting of blood from such diseised parts is also taught as a means to get ric of those diseases. Massage (Tailodvartana) and application of Enema (Urdhvachovastikarma) are other devices which are taught as in other works to be availed of as remecial or preventive means of diseases. In dietary, foodstuffs are divided into three classes; Taması, that which causes drowsiness, lethargy and indolence; Rajasa, that which causes hot temper, incessant activity and indiscreet proceedings, and Satvika, thai which causes calm and serene teniper, tranquillity of mind, balanced judgment anci discretion. The combination of Havours are said to result in rasa, agreeable flavour, virasa disagreeable, or viruddha rasa, hostile flavour. Svabhavika Madhura, naturally sweet foodstuffs as contrasted with artificial sweet meats is commended as the only saia diet conducive to long life and emancipation. Pathology, therapeutics, and materia inedica arc also noticed at some length. What however forms the main theme of the treatise is, as noticed in detail in the table of contents, Patanjali's theistic Yoga.
The commentator goes to the length of saving that "the only means to eradicate diseases defying clrugs and to attain long life and final emancipation is Pranayama, «leep breathing is taught in the YoganuSasana."
It is the importance assigned to this naturopathic treatment of diseases that has led this Library to unundertake the restoration withe text of the Ayurveda Sutra for publication and to bring to light the long. forgotten art of licaling taught in this brief, thougii excellent treatise, in spite of the inutilated and deiective character of text and the hopelessly corrupt form of reading.