Useful inf. from ancient scripture please!
From: nandanpa kumar <nand...@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: [samskritabharatichennai] Fwd: FW: Water Filter Jugs - TV story
To: samskritabh...@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, 3 February, 2010, 1:56 PM
the treatment of water is seen in Bruhatsamhita also.
To: samskritabharatiche nnai@yahoogroups .com
From: kalyan97@gmail. com
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 16:25:15 +0530
Subject: Re: [samskritabharatich ennai] Fwd: FW: Water Filter Jugs - TV story
Vol. I, Chapter XIV. Sushruta Samhita
Now we shall discourse on the Chapter, which deals with the rules to be observed in respect of liquid
substances in general (Drava-Dravya- Vidhi- madhyaryam).
Water Group : — Atmospheric, or rain water is possessed of a non-patent taste. It is ambrosial
in its nature, pleasant and beneficial to life. It is enlivening,* invigorating or strength-giving, f re-
frigerent, frigorific, antipyrotic, anti-hypnotic, and conquers vertigo, drowsiness and fits of fainting.
It is most wholesome to the human body. After having fallen upon the surface of the earth it acquires one of the six different tastes according to the nature of its receptacle such as, a river, or a Nada (a river
with a masculine name), a pond, a tank (Yapi) + , a Kupa §, a Chunti ||, a fountain, an Artesian
spring a Yikira 1, fallow land (Kedar), or a pond covered over with a growth of aquatic plants
* Enlivens the body during fits of fainting and such like cases.
+ Imparts strength to the exhausted or emaciated frames.
J A tank or a large well with its sides protected by buttresses of masonry work.
§ A well with flights of masonry steps descending to its bottom.
II An ordinary well, unprotected by buttresses and unprovided with steps.
*~ A flow of subterranean water dug out of a bed of sand.
Chap. xlv. ] SUTRASTHANAM. 4 i 9
(Palvala). Certain authorities maintain that heavenly or atmospheric water having fallen on a red, brown,
grey, yellow, blue or white coloured soil, respectively assumes a sweet, acid, saline, pungent, bitter or an astringent taste. But the theory is not a sound one in as much as the comparative predominance
of the attributes of the five material principles in a particular soil determines the taste of the water
contained therein. Water, contained or collected in a soil marked by a predominance of the attributes
of earth-principle, acquires an acid and saline taste.
Water, contained in a soil marked by a predominance of the attributes of fire, acquires a bitter and pungent taste. Water, contained in a soil marked by a pre- dominance of the attributes of air, acquires an astringent taste. The sky is devoid of all tastes, and hence, the water contained in a soil, which is largely possessed of the specific attributes of that element, is characterised by the absence of any taste whatever. Only the last named kind should be used for drinking purposes where atmospheric water would not be available.
Atmospheric water (Antariksha Jalam), in its turn, may be divided into four classes such as,
rain water, hail water, frost water or dew, and snow water, of which the first is the best for its
lightness. Rain water may be divided into two classes such as the Gangam and the Samudram,
according as the rain- cloud is charged with vapours evaporated from the bosom of the Ganges or the sea.
Gangetic rain generally descends in the month of Ashvina, but both kinds should be subjected to a
test; The test in the case of Gangam rain water consists in exposing to it, for a Muharta (forty-eight
minutes), a quantity of undiscoloured Shali rice in a silver bowl which is not extremely softened by boiling.
To ascertain whether it is Gangetic rain water or not, Gangetic rain water should be ascertained from the fact of the aforesaid Shali rice not being in any way affected in its colour ; whereas a change in its
colour under exposure, as well as the fact of its being formed into shreddy or seedy balls mixed with
slimy secretions, would indicate that the rain water had been formed of the vapours of the sea : Samudram), and should be regarded as extremely unwholesome. Rain water from a cloud entirely formed of sea-vapours and collected in the month of Ashvina, is as wholesome as what is technically known as Gangetic rain water, but the latter is the best of the several kinds of atmospheric water.
The means of collecting atmospheric (rain) water vessel. As an alternative, rain water flowing from
the waterspouts of a house should be collected in a clean receptacle, and subsequently poured into
a golden, silver or an earthen vessel. The water thus collected can be taken at all times, and ma3 r * be
substituted by any other terrestrial water in the event of its not being available at the time.
Terrestrial water is generally marked by a predominance of the specific properties of the sky, and
admits of being grouped i under seven sub-heads such as, well-water, river- water, lake- water, tank- water, fountain water, spring (Artesian) water, and Chunti (well unprovided with masonry steps) water. Atmospheric or spring water should be used for their high efficacy during the rains (Varsha). All kinds of water may be used in Sharat on account of their clearness. Lake or tank water should be used in Hemanta ; well and fountain water, in spring* (Vasanta) and summer ; and Chunti water, as well as all water not of recent origin, nor due to an excessive down-pour or inundation, should be used during Pravrit.
Metrical Texts : — He falls an easy victim to etc., who drinks of or bathes in a pool of water,
* The " rains " in the present passage should be interpreted to mean the end of the rainy season or the month of Ashvina, and not the month of Bhadra, as its use is specially forbidden in that month. which is full of poisonous worms, or is saturated with urine or fecal matter, or is defiled with germs of vermin or decomposed animal organisms, or is covered over with the growths of aquatic plants, or is stiewn over with withered and decomposed leaves, or which in any way is rendered poisonous and contaminated, as well as he, who drinks and bathes in the freshly collected water of a pool or a reservoir during the rains.
A sheet of water, which is entirely covered over with the growths of aquatic plants such as, moss,
zoophytes, water weeds, lotus leaves, etc., or which looks turbid owing to oozy mire, or is not exposed to the currents of fresh air, nor illumined by the sun or the moon, and is possessed of a definite smell, colour, and taste, should be regarded as contaminated or defiled (Vyapannam). Water may be affected with regard to the six categories of touch, sight, taste, smell, potency, and chemical transformation or re-action (lit : digestion), Roughness, sliminess, warmth, and the production of a shivering sensation (lit : tooth-edge) are the tactual defects (Sparsha- Dosha) of defiled water, whereas a varied colour, and the presence of mire, sand, and shreds of moss are the defects, which mark its look or appearance (Rupa-Dosha) . A distinct taste marks the water, which is affected as regards its taste (Rasa- Dosha), while an unpleasant smell is the characteristic of the water, which is affected as regards its smell (Gandha- Dosha).
The water, which being taken gives rise to thirst and to a sense of heaviness of the limbs, colic, and a flueut coryza, is said to be affected or vitiated in its potency (Virya-Dosha" , whereas that, which takes a long time to be digested, or is retained in the stomach for an inordinate length of time, is said to be affected as regards digestion or chemical transformation (Vipaka-Dosha) . Atmospheric water is free from the abovesaid defects. The defiled or contaminated water should be purified by boiling it, or by heating it in the sun, or by immersing a red-hot iron, or hot sands or stones in the same, and its smell should be removed by perfuming it with the Nageshvara, Champaka, Utpala, or Patala flowers, etc.
Metrical Texts :— Water should be drunk perfumed in a golden, silver, copper or an earthen goblet, or in a bowl made of bell metal or of precious stones. Contaminated water, as well as rain water accumulated in an improper season, should never be used for drinking purposes, inasmuch as it tends to derange the fundamental humours of the body, and is positively injurious to the human' system.
The man, who drinks, or bathes in, any contaminated water without previously purifying it as before directed, incurs the risk of being speedily affected with oedema, jaundice, cutaneous affections, indigestion, dyspnoea, cough, catarrh, colic pains, abdominal glands, ascites or any other dreadful disease.
There are seven modes of purifying water such as, by immersing the Kataka fruits, the gems known as the Gomedha, the roots of lotus plants, or of aquatic mosses, a piece of linen, or a pearl, or a crystal in a pitcher or vessel containing it. The bottoms of a water pitcher are made of five different shapes such as, the Phalakam (rectangular wooden stool), the Tryashtakam (octagonal wooden tripod), the Manju Valayam (ring made of the blades of Manju grass), the Udaka-Manchika (wooden scaffold for a pitcher) and the Shiky (pendent bracket". There are seven ways of cooling water, such as by exposing a water pitcher to currents of air, immersing a water pitcher (tied round with a piece of wet cloth) neck-deep in a vessel full of water, churning it with a stick, by fanning, or siphoning it by means of a piece of linen, or by burying a water pitcher underneath a bed of sand, or by keeping it suspended in a pendent bracket.
Metrical Texts :— The water, which is devoid of all smell or taste, and is pure, cool, limpid, transparent, refrigerent and pleasant, should be regarded as possessed of all the commendable traits. The water of rivers, (which drain the Jangala countries) and flow into the western sea, is light, and therefore wholesome. The water of rivers, which traverse the marsh}' ( Anupa) countries and empty themselves into the eastern sea, is heavy and therefore not commended to be used. The water of rivers, which run into the southern sea, is neither too heavy nor too light owing to the fact of its traversing countries which have a Sadharana character.
The water of rivers, which have their sources in the Sajhya mountains, begets cutaneous affections ; while the water of those, which rise from the Vindhya mountains, produces Kushtha and Jaundice. The water of rivers, which rise on the mount Malaya, begets worms and intestinal parasites, while the water of those, that have their sources in the Mahendra mountain, begets elephantisis and abdominal dropsy. The water of rivers, which rise on the Himalaya, produces angina pectoris, (Hridroga), anasarca, diseases of the head, elephantisis, or goitre in persons using it for the purposes of life. Similarly, the water of rivers, which drain the eastern portion of the country of Avanti, or flow through its western part, begets piles ; while the water of those, which rise on the mount of Paripatra is wholesome, strength-giving, and conducive to health.
Metrical Texts : — The water of clear and swift- running rivers is light, while the water of those, which are sluggish in their course and are covered with mosses and other aquatic plants, is heavy. The water of rivers, which run through Marudesha (Modem Marwar) is possessed of a bitter saline taste, or is endued with a sweet taste blended with a shade of the astringent, and is easily digestible and strength-giving in its properties.
Every kind of terrestrial water should be collected early in the morning, since it is obtained the clearest and coolest at that part of the day ; and since these two attributes by far form the most commendable traits in water.
Metrical Texts : — The water, which gets the light of the sun in the day and reflects the moon in the night, and which, moreover, neither produces Kapham nor a parched condition in the body, should be regarded as one in virtue with the atmospheric water. Atmospheric water, collected in a good and proper receptacle, has the virtue of subduing the three deranged humours of the body, and acts as a pure tonic and elixir, its virtue varying with the excellence of the vessel in which it is contained. The cool and limpid washings of the gem known as the Chandra kanta Mani (the moon- stone) should be regarded as possessed of the mystic virtue of warding off the attacks of monsters and demons, and of subduing the deranged Pittam. They are beneficial in fever and in cases of poisoning marked by a burning sensation of the body, etc.
Cold water usually proves beneficial in epileptic fits, in hot seasons, and in a burning sensation of the body due to the deranged action of the Pittam, in blood- poisoning, haemoptysis, abuse of wine (MadaTya), loss of consciousness, fatigue or exhaustion, vertigo, Tamaka and vomiting. The use of cold w*ater should be avoided in pain at the sides (pleurodynia ?), in catarrh, in rheumatism, in diseases of the larynx, in distention of the stomach by gas or air, in cases of undigested faeces, in the acute stage of fever, and just after the exhibition of any emetic or purgative remedy, in hie- cough, and immediately following upon an oily or fatty drink (Snehapana). River water produces Vayu and a parched condition in the body, and is light, stomachic and (Lekhana) liquefacient. On the contrary, that which is heavy, comparatively denser in its consistency, sweet, and cooling, brings on catarrh.
The water of a lake (Sarasam) quenches thirst and is strength-giving, light, sweet and astringent. The water of a pond or a tank (Tadaga) produces Vayu, and is sweet, astringent, and pungent in digestion. The water from a Vapi (a large tank) subdues the deranged Vayu and Kapham, and generates Pittam, and is pungent in taste and is found to be charged with a solution of alkali. The water from a Chunti is a good digestant, sweet, and parchifying, though it does not give rise to Kapham in the system. The water from a well (Kupa) generates Pittam and is appetising. It subdues the deranged Kapham, and is light and alkaline. The water of a fountain is light, appetising, and pleasant, and destroys Kapham. The water of an Artesian spring is sweet, and subdues Pittam. It is antacid in its digestive reaction. The water from a Vikira is light, appetising, pungent, and is charged with potash (Khara).
The water accumulated in an open field, or in fallow land, is heavy to digest and tends to augment the deranged humours of the body. The water of a Palvalam is possessed of the same virtue as thepreceding one, with the exception that it greatly aggravates the deranged humours of the body.
Sea-water has a fishy smell, and a saline taste ; it aggravates all the three deranged humours of the body. The water of an Anupa (marshy) country is the source of man} r an evil. It is extremely condemnable, as it increases the slimy secretions of all the bodily organs, etc. The water of a Jangala country is free from the preceding baneful traits. It is faultless, acid in its digestive reaction (Vidahi), is possessed of all com- mendable traits, and is pleasing and refrigerant. The water accumulated in a Sadharana country is light, cool, pleasant and appetising (Dipanam).
Warm water subdues the deranged Vayu and Kapham. It is antifat, appetising, diuretic, (Vasti- shodhak) and febrifuge. It proves beneficial in cases of cough and dyspnoea, and is wholesome at all times.
Water boiled down to a quarter part of its original quantity and then cooled down with all its froth and ebullitions removed, is light and limpid, and may be safely commended to the use of all. Water, boiled overnight, should not be knowingly given to a thirsty person inasmuch as it has acquired an 'acid taste and will augment the internal Kapham of the body, and becomes positively injurious. Water boiled and subsequently cooled down should be given to a person suffering from any of the diseases due to an abuse of wine or to Pittam, or from a complaint brought about through the concerted action of the three deranged humours.
The water found inside the shell of a cocoanut is heavy,* demulcent, cool, pleasant and appetising etc. It is diuretic, (Vasti-shodhaka) spermatopoietic, and subdues Pittam and thirst. The use of water boiled and subsequently cooled down is recommended in dysentery, burning of the skin, hemoptysis, diseases due to the abuse of wine, or to the effects of any imbibed poison, as well as in thirst, vomiting, catarrh, vertigo and loss of consciousness. Water should be taken as little as possible by a person suffering from any of the following diseases viz., loss of relish for food, catarrh, water-brash, oedema, any of the wasting diseases, impaired digestion, abdominal dropsy, cutaneous affection, fever, diseases affecting the eyes, ulcer and diabetes (Madhumeha, etc).
AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE' SUSHRUTA SAMHITA BASED ON ORIGINAL SANSKRIT TEXT.
EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY
KAVIRAJ KUNJA LAL BHISHAGRATNA
WITH A FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION, & PLATES.
( IN THREE VOLUMES. )
kalyanaraman
On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 5:17 AM, VHP New Zealand
<vhp.newzealand@ gmail.com> wrote:
Namaskar.
Can anyone help with this query?
With regards
Guna Magesan
From: Heather McKay [mailto:Heather@top- shelf.co. nz]
Sent: Wednesday, 27 January 2010 11:59 a.m.
To: Guna Magesan
Subject: Water Filter Jugs - TV story
Dear Dr Guna Magesan
My name is Heather McKay and I work for a TV production company called Top Shelf Productions – we are the company that makes the TV3 consumer affairs show “Target”.
I am currently directing a product check on water filter jugs comparing 3 brands and as part of the story I say, “the earliest records of water treatment come from Sanskrit writings – dating back to around 2000BC”.
I would like to have some Sanskrit writing on the screen to accompany this. Ideally something saying “water purification” or “water filtration” etc.
To be able to use this on screen I need a high resolution digital copy of the text.
I initially contacted Auckland University for help, but they have given me your contact details. Please let me know if this is something you can help me with.
Kind wishes
Heather McKay
Director
Top Shelf Productions Limited
PO Box 8257, Symonds Street, Auckland
P: +64 9 377 8774 ext 222
M: 021 245 8072
F: 09 377 0433
Email: heather@top- shelf.co. nz
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