Books VAHATAS ASHTANGA HRIDAYA SAMHITA KALPA STHANA Edited and translated by Vayaskara N.S.

Mooss, published by Vaidya Sarathy Press (P) Ltd. (Book No.6, Vaidya sarathi English series) Kottayam, South India 1984 pp.220 Price Rs. 60/Vayaskara Mooss needs no introduction. Not his line-age to the Ashta Vaidyas, but his own creative efforts as in selecting and rationalistically presenting works as per the needs of the time; useful for practitioners, scholars and researchers alike with an awareness and seriousness to be clear and researchers alike with an awareness and seriousness to be clear and precise in commitments have contributed to his recognition and reputation. The present work is another such useful contribution sure to be acknowledged by the Ayurvedic Community in India and abroad alike. This choice of Kalpastana of Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita for translation and notes meets a timely want, It is on the rules of Pharmaceutics of Medicine, mainly on Medicines for managing emesis, purgation and vastis (enemas), the three important methods of Panchakarmas the purificatory treatments. According to Ayurveda, the balancing of Doshas is gained basically by SANTHARPANA and Apatharpana methods. But the majority of Pathological cases including degenerative ones is to be handled by Apatharpana or reducing treatment. Purification and pacification are the methods of Apatharpana. Even for cases to be dealt with Santharpana or nourishing techniques, some forms of purification are essential as a preliminary step. Purification is considered more important as it removes excess of Doshas. So not only the present disease and chance of its relapse, but the possibility of the affection of other diseases under this imbalanced condition of Doshas is also eradicated. The procedures of Panchakarmas are detailed in Suthrastana. Here we have the pharmaceutics of the three steps above described, the possible mishaps, and emergency measures along with the general pharmaceutics of Ayurveda, dealt with in six chapters. In the preface the editor speaks of his scheme to publish the whole text translated of which why priority is given to Kalpasthana. At present there is no complete translation of Ashtanga Hridaya. The first five chapters are rendered into English by Claus Vogel, published in 1965 Chapter XV of Suthrasthana, which classifies the groups of drugs (ganas) has been published by Dr. Mooss himself. Dr. Francis Zimmermann of France a student and colleague of Mooss in his well studied introduction reflects of the implied sense of the word : Kalpastana- Technically it means Section on pharmaceutics but Kalpa denotes jointly Bhesha ja kalpa and karmakakalpa which gives this book a more philosophical tone Section of processings (of medicines) and procedures (of medication). Dr. Zimmermanns attempt to gloss the terms in Ayurvedic texts to

bring out their implied senses is noteworthy, since it cautions the western readers from categorical misrepresentation of ?Sanskrit, terms as experienced in the past. Dr. Mooss invites suggestions and criticisms from readers. The first impression is one of appreciation, compared to many contemporary publications, the earnestness shown to be as precise and scientific as possible avoiding mispresentation, indistinct statements, and dubious factors, is a remarkable merit. Notes comparing the textual portions with variations in other classical and later texts, and consulting all reorganized commentaries including those are traditionally followed I Kerala, as Pathya are helpful. Besides, when referring to the drugs and their preparations, light is shed by presenting the traditionally accepted practices in Kerala which will be of special interest to others outside Kerala and abroad. For instance, when speaking about sneha Paka (Preparation of medicated oils and ghees), the textual statement regarding the time to remove the sneha from the oven, may create confusion. It is clear in the case of ghee as the time to remove it from the oven is when the foam is subsiding. But in the case of oil, the statement of the text Tailasyu Tu Tadulbhava is confusing. Indu and Arunadatta take it as to means, as the time when the foam starts to some up. But Indu also adds According to some it is the beginning or starting of the cessation of the foam. Dr. Mooss discloses that the latter version was taught to him by his preceptor. This statement is really an enlightening one. His glossary often snacks of a spirit of research also, Tilwaka (Excoecaria agallocha Linn.) (Page 57) is Kammati or Kammatti0hala in Malayalam. Its milk if gets into the eyes has a blistering effect and blinds the eyes. So it is called Kanpotti or that which blinds the eyes. Does not this reference take us to the origin of the term Kammatti? Dubious names of the herbs as AshtaVarga, ROHISHA etc. are put with question marks. But in such cases a reference to the traditionally accepted alternatives also could have been shown. On the mishaps of Vasthi, the text holds that Sometimes the enema having been rejected upwards by the action of Vata may find its way out through the mouth and nose. On such textual statements also, the remarks of the physician as to the practical occurance of such conditions, and the measures seen taken may be helpful and well appreciated. The problem of communication to a foreign reader confronts the translators, Dr. Mooss seems to be fully aware of this. Majja is translated as albumen. But being conscious of its ambiguity, he further explains it as the fatinaceous matter enclosing the embryo inside the testa of the seeds. (Endosperm?) As Dr. Zimmermann has pointed out in the case of the term Kalpa, Sanskrit words usually are with wide and profound implicated senses, to convey which to a foreign language is not easy. Take the word Ama sometimes it carries a limited sense. Ama lingani is translated as the symptoms of Chyme disorder (Sloka 36, Vasthivyapada sidhisthana page 16 K). It is just in this context. But Ama is not simply chime. All diseases are originated from Ama. So the

corresponding term to be employed in the other language also have to be selected as containing an equally wider implied sense. These are problems for workers and scholars in this field. Unfortunately most of our available old translations are of little help. So it is time for genuine scholars like Dr. Zimmermann and Dr. Mooss to take initiative for a new movement for an awareness of these problems and practical solutions. The book is well printed, and it is evident that the editor has taken much pain to avoid printing mistakes, but still there may be few that escapes caution (As normally page 174,540 c, d ). To sum up an excellent and timely selection work, recommendable, as really India and abroad alike. -Dr. N.V. Krishnankutty Varier SIDDHA SYSTEM OF LIFE (Vol. I, No.1) International Quarterly Journal; published from E-32 Anna Nagar (East), Madras-6000 102. Annual Subscription Rs. 40/- for Institutions and under Individual tier Rs. 20/Starting a new journal is pains taking and a risky undertaking. Here, the journal under review Siddha System of Life is the maiden attempt of the Siddha Medical Literature Centre of Madras which makes good the communication gap in that discipline. There are not many articles related to Siddha in this inaugural number, but we find few statements like Although Ayurveda may be favourably compared with other systems in the matter of standardization, it is a large lake whereas the Siddha Medical Science is a mighty ocean and it is very difficult to standardize it. The Wonders of the Tamil Siddha Medical system will really revolutionize the medical world if a Siddha Medical Research Institute is founded by the world Health Organization. No sooner or later siddha system is popularized the task of exploring the Indian Siddha Medical Science will be crowned with success (p.31). On another place (p.5) it is said (or admitted?) that the Siddha Medicine .... is popular in many hundreds of remote villages where modern medicine cant make inroads. As if, saying that it is not the inherent superiority of Siddha which makes it to survive, but the remoteness of those place.

All this with gems like: ...the vitamin content of a meat diet has got a poisonous characteristic (p.23) or Our eyes are not powerful in darkness ; we cannot digest, raw-flesh (p.22) give us a chance to ponder over the state of other new journals devoted to similar subjects be it Modern Times of Ayurveda (Published fro Bhavanagar, Gujarat), or Journal of scientific Research in Plants & Medicine (from Hardwar) etc. They are all disastrous. The reviewer hopes, the publisher will make efforts to convince that the journal is worthy of consideration to follow. -Dr. Paul Faigl.