युक्तसेनीयाध्यायः
अथातो युक्तसेनीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||
यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||
"Now, I shall explain the chapter on 'Proper Selection of Assistant Physicians."
"As spoken by the revered Dhanvantari."
This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Sushruta Samhita, focusing on the guidelines and criteria for selecting assistant physicians to ensure effective medical practice.
नृपतेर्युक्तसेनस्य परानभिजिगीषतः |
भिषजा रक्षणं कार्यं यथा तदुपदेक्ष्यते ||३||
विजिगीषुः सहामात्यैर्यात्रायुक्तः प्रयत्नतः |
रक्षितव्यो विशेषेण विषादेव नराधिपः ||४||
"For a king with a well-organized army, who wishes to conquer others, the physician's duty is to protect him as instructed. A king who wishes to conquer, accompanied by ministers and prepared for a journey with effort, should be especially protected from poison."
These Shlokas emphasize the importance of selecting competent physicians for a king, particularly in times of conquest and war, to ensure the king's health and protection from potential dangers like poison.
पन्थानमुदकं छायां भक्तं यवसमिन्धनम् |
दूषयन्त्यरयस्तच्च जानीयाच्छोधयेत्तथा ||५||
"Enemies can contaminate the road, water, shade, food, barley, and firewood; one should be aware of this and purify them accordingly."
This Shloka emphasizes the need for vigilance and caution in ensuring the purity of essential resources, especially in the presence of potential threats from enemies.
तस्य लिङ्गं चिकित्सा च कल्पस्थाने प्रवक्ष्यते |६|
"Its symptoms and treatment will be explained in the Kalpa Sthana."
This Shloka indicates that further details about the symptoms and treatment of the conditions mentioned will be elaborated in the Kalpa Sthana section of the Sushruta Samhita.
एकोत्तरं मृत्युशतमथर्वाणः प्रचक्षते ||६||
तत्रैकः कालसंयुक्तः शेषा आगन्तवः स्मृताः |७|
"The Atharvans mention 101 types of death. One of them is associated with natural causes (Kala), while the remaining are considered to be caused by external factors (Agantavah)."
This Shloka emphasizes the categorization of different types of death, with a distinction between natural causes and those caused by external factors.
दोषागन्तुजमृत्युभ्यो रसमन्त्रविशारदौ ||७||
रक्षेतां नृपतिं नित्यं यत्तौ वैद्यपुरोहितौ |८|
"The physician and the priest, skilled in antidotes and incantations, should always protect the king from deaths caused by doshas and external factors."
This Shloka emphasizes the importance of having knowledgeable and skilled physicians and priests to safeguard the king from various causes of death, both internal (doshas) and external (Agantavah).
ब्रह्मा वेदाङ्गमष्टाङ्गमायुर्वेदमभाषत ||८||
पुरोहितमते तस्माद्वर्तेत भिषगात्मवान् |९|
"Brahma spoke the eight branches of Ayurveda from the Vedas. Therefore, a wise physician should always act according to the guidance of the priest."
These Shlokas emphasize the divine origin of Ayurveda and the importance of following the guidance of priests in medical practice.
सङ्करः सर्ववर्णानां प्रणाशो धर्मकर्मणाम् ||९||
प्रजानामपि चोच्छित्तिर्नृपव्यसनहेतुतः |१०|
"The intermingling of all castes, the destruction of righteous actions and duties, and the eradication of the people, are caused by the downfall of a king."
These Shlokas emphasize the consequences of a king's downfall, leading to societal disruption and the deterioration of moral and ethical values.
पुरुषाणां नृपाणां च केवलं तुल्यमूर्तिता ||१०||
आज्ञा त्यागः क्षमा धैर्यं विक्रमश्चाप्यमानुषः |
तस्माद्देवमिवाभीक्ष्णं वाङ्मनःकर्मभिः शुभैः ||११||
चिन्तयेन्नृपतिं वैद्यः श्रेयांसीच्छन् विचक्षणः |१२|
"In men and kings, there is no difference in physical form. But obedience, renunciation, forgiveness, courage, and valor are extraordinary. Therefore, considering the king as a deity, the wise physician should always think of him with good words, mind, and actions, desiring his welfare."
These Shlokas emphasize the qualities that distinguish a king from ordinary men and the importance of treating the king with utmost respect and dedication, akin to worshiping a deity.
स्कन्धावारे च महति राजगेहादनन्तरम् ||१२||
भवेत्सन्निहितो वैद्यः सर्वोपकरणान्वितः |
तत्रस्थमेनं ध्वजवद्यशःख्यातिसमुच्छ्रितम् ||१३||
उपसर्पन्त्यमोहेन विषशल्यामयार्दिताः |
स्वतन्त्रकुशलोऽन्येषु शास्त्रार्थेष्वबहिष्कृतः ||१४||
वैद्यो ध्वज इवाभाति नृपतद्विद्यपूजितः |१५|
"In a great camp near the king's house, the physician should be present with all necessary instruments. Standing there, renowned like a banner, approached without hesitation by those afflicted with poison, injuries, and diseases. Independently skilled and proficient in other sciences, not excluded from any pursuits, the physician shines like a banner, honored for his knowledge by the king."
These Shlokas emphasize the esteemed position and responsibilities of a physician, who must be well-equipped and skilled, always ready to assist those in need, and honored for his knowledge and service.
वैद्यो व्याध्युपसृष्टश्च भेषजं परिचारकः ||१५||
एते पादाश्चिकित्सायाः कर्मसाधनहेतवः |
गुणवद्भिस्त्रिभिः पादैश्चतुर्थो गुणवान् भिषक् ||१६||
व्याधिमल्पेन कालेन महान्तमपि साधयेत् |१७|
"The physician, the patient afflicted with disease, the medicine, and the attendant,
-
These are the four pillars of treatment. With three of these pillars being competent and the fourth being a skilled physician, even a severe disease can be cured in a short time."
These Shlokas emphasize the importance of having a well-coordinated approach to treatment, involving a competent physician, attentive patient, effective medicine, and a diligent attendant.
वैद्यहीनास्त्रयः पादा गुणवन्तोऽप्यपार्थकाः ||१७||
उद्गातृहोतृब्रह्माणो यथाऽध्वर्युं विनाऽध्वरे |१८|
"The three pillars, even if competent, are useless without the physician, just as the singers, priests, and Brahmanas are without the officiating priest in a sacrificial ceremony."
These Shlokas emphasize the crucial role of the physician in the treatment process, comparing it to the indispensability of the officiating priest in a sacrificial ceremony.
वैद्यस्तु गुणवानेकस्तारयेदातुरां सदा ||१८||
प्लवं प्रतितरैर्हीनं कर्णधार इवाम्भसि |१९|
"A single, competent physician can always save patients, just as a helmsman can steer a boat without other rowers across the water."
This Shloka emphasizes the crucial role of a skilled physician, likening them to a helmsman who can guide a boat safely across the water, even without additional help.
तत्त्वाधिगतशास्त्रार्थो दृष्टकर्मा स्वयङ्कृती ||१९||
लघुहस्तः शुचिः शूरः सज्जोपस्करभेषजः |
प्रत्युत्पन्नमतिर्धीमान् व्यवसायी विशारदः ||२०||
सत्यधर्मपरो यश्च स भिषक् पाद उच्यते |२१|
"The one who has mastered the theoretical knowledge and understood the essence of the scriptures, has practical experience and performs tasks independently, is skillful, clean, courageous, equipped with necessary instruments and medicines, quick-witted, intelligent, industrious, and proficient, and who is devoted to truth and righteousness, is considered a competent physician."
These Shlokas outline the qualities and attributes that define a competent and ideal physician, emphasizing the importance of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
आयुष्मान् सत्त्ववान् साध्यो द्रव्यवानात्मवानपि ||२१||
आस्तिको वैद्यवाक्यस्थो व्याधितः पाद उच्यते |२२|
"A patient who is long-lived, strong-willed, curable, wealthy, and self-restrained, who believes in the treatment and follows the physician's instructions, is considered an ideal patient."
This Shloka emphasizes the qualities that define an ideal patient, highlighting the importance of their belief in the treatment and adherence to the physician's guidance.
प्रशस्तदेशसम्भूतं प्रशस्तेऽहनि चोद्धृतम् ||२२||
युक्तमात्रं मनस्कान्तं गन्धवर्णरसान्वितम् |
दोषघ्नमग्लानिकरमविकारि विपर्यये |
समीक्ष्य दत्तं काले च भेषजं पाद उच्यते ||२३||
"Medicine that is sourced from a favorable region and collected on an auspicious day, in the right amount, appealing to the mind, with good fragrance, color, and taste, which destroys doshas, is non-debilitating, and effective even when used in reverse conditions, given thoughtfully and timely, is considered an ideal medicine."
This Shloka outlines the qualities and attributes that define an ideal medicine, emphasizing the importance of its source, collection, properties, and proper administration.
स्निग्धोऽजुगुप्सुर्बलवान् युक्तो व्याधितरक्षणे |
वैद्यवाक्यकृदश्रान्तः पादः परिचरः स्मृतः ||२४||
"A well-disposed, attentive, and strong attendant, dedicated to patient care, who follows the physician's instructions tirelessly, is considered an ideal attendant."
This Shloka outlines the qualities and attributes that define an ideal attendant, highlighting the importance of their dedication and adherence to the physician's guidance.
इति सुश्रुतसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने युक्तसेनीयो नाम चतुस्त्रिंशत्तमोऽध्यायः ||३४||
"Thus ends the thirty-fourth chapter named 'Proper Selection of Assistant Physicians' in the Sushruta Samhita's Sutra Sthana."
We have concluded another insightful chapter from the Sushruta Samhita, which provided valuable guidelines on selecting competent assistant physicians to ensure effective medical practice.