The 28th chapter of Uttaratantra of Sushruta Samhita is named as Skanda Grahapratisedha Adhyaya. This chapter deals with the Treatment for Skandha Graha.
अथातःस्कन्धग्रहप्रतिषेधंव्याख्यास्यामः।।१।।
यथोवाचभगवान्धन्वन्तरिः || २ ||
We will now expound skandagraha pratisedha – treatment of child seized by skandagraha; as revealed by the venerable dhanvantari.
Parisecana and Taila
स्कन्दग्रहोपसृष्टानांकुमाराणांप्रशस्यते।।
वातघ्नद्रुमपत्राणांनिष्काथःपरिषेचने || ३ ||
तेषांमूलेषुसिद्धंचतैलमभ्यञ्जनेहितम्।।
सर्वगन्धसुरामण्डकैडर्यावामिष्यते।।४।।
Parisecana – decoction prepared with leaves of vata mitigating trees shall be used for bathing or showering the child seized by Skanda Graha.
Taila – Medicated oil prepared from the below mentioned ingredients shall be used for anointing or giving massage to the child suffering from seizure of Skanda Graha –
– Roots of vata mitigating trees
– Sarvagandha – all fragrant substances
– Sura manda – scum of beer
– Kaidarya – Mahanimba
Ghrta, Dhupana
देवदारुणिरास्नायांमधुरेषुद्रुमेषुच।।
सिद्धंसर्पिश्चसक्षीरंपानमस्मैप्रयोजयेत्।।५।।
सर्षपाःसर्पनिर्मोकोवचाकाकादनीघृतम्।।
उष्ट्राजाविगवांचैवरोमाण्युद्धपनंशिशोः।।६।।
Ghrta – The child seized by Skanda Graha should drink or lick the ghee prepared with below mentioned ingredients –
– Devadaru
– Rasna
– Madhura Dhruma – trees of sweet taste like Madhuka, Rajadana etc
– Milk
Dhupana – Smoke emitted by burning the below mentioned ingredients should be used for fumigating the child seized by Skanda Graha –
– Sarsapa – mustard
– Peel of snake
– Vaca
– Kakadani
– Hairs of camel, goat, sheep and cow lubricated by ghee
Dharana
सोमवल्लीमिन्द्रवल्लींशमींबिल्वस्यकण्टकान्।।
मृगादन्याश्चमूलानिप्रथितान्येवधारयेत्।।७।।
Dharana – Below mentioned herbs should be tied on the body of the child seized by Skanda Graha as amulets –
– Somavalli,
– Indravalli
– Sami
– Bilva Kantaka – thorns of Bilva – Aegle marmelos tree
– Roots of Margadani
Bali, Snana
रक्तानिमाल्यानितथापताकारक्ताश्चगन्धाविविधाश्चभक्ष्याः।।
घण्टाचदेवायबलिर्निवेद्यःसुकुक्कुटःस्कन्दग्रहेहिताय || ८ ||
स्नानंत्रिरात्रंनिशिचत्वरेषुकुर्यात्पुरंशालियवैर्नवैस्तु।।
अविश्वगायत्र्यभिमन्त्रिताभिःप्रज्वालनंव्याहृतिभिश्चवहेः।।९।।
Below mentioned should be offered as oblation to please Skandagraha and derive benefits to the child seized by the mentioned Graha –
– Garlands
– Flags
– Perfumes of red colour
– Many kinds of snacks, eatables
– Bronze bell
– Cock
Snana – Bath should be given to the child seized by Skanda Graha at the meeting place of four roads, for three days. An altar should be prepared therein. For this, fresh rice and barley which have been sprinkled and sanctified with Gayathri mantra hymns shall be laid in the altar. Fire should be lit to this. While doing so, sacred hymns should be chanted and worship offered to please the Graha.
Raksha Karma
रक्षामतःप्रवक्ष्यामिबालानांपापनाशिनीम्।।
अहन्यहनिकर्तव्यायाभिषग्भिरतन्द्रितैः।।१०।।
तपसांतेजसांचैवयशसांवपुषांतथा।।
निधानंयोऽव्ययोदेवःसतेस्कन्दःप्रसीदतु।।११।।
ग्रहसेनापतिर्देवोदेवसेनापतिर्विभुः।।
देवसेनारिपुहरःपातुत्वांभगवान्गुहः।।१२।।
देवदेवस्यमहतःपावकस्यचयःसुतः।।
गङ्गोमाकृत्तिकानांचसतेशर्मप्रयच्छत्।।१३।।
रक्तमाल्याम्बरःश्रीमान्रक्तचन्दनभूषितः।।
रक्तदिव्यवपुर्देवःपातुत्वांक्रौञ्चसूदनः।।१४।।
Acharya says ‘Now I shall tell you about the Rakshamata or Raksha Karma i.e. rites to protect the child and to destroy its sins. These rituals need to be performed by the physician for the benefit of the child, every day without any laxity’.
The rites are as below explained.
‘Oh God Skanda, you are the one whose body is the abode of radiance of penances and reputation, you the one having an indestructible body, be pleased. You are the Guha, the commander of the army of Devas and Grahas. You are all pervading and destroyer of enemies of Gods. Oh mighty God, please protect this child. You, being the son of God of Gods – Lord Siva, Agni – fire, Ganga, Uma and Krttika, please bestow on the child the happiness. You, being the destroyer of Kraunca – a mountain, the one wearing red garlands and clothes and anointed with red unguents, having a divine and red coloured body, please protect the child’.
इति श्रीसुश्रुतसंहितायामुत्तरतन्त्रान्तर्गते कुमारतन्त्रे स्कन्दप्रतिषेधो नामा (द्वितीयोऽध्यायः, आदितोऽ) ष्टाविंशोऽध्यायः।।२८।।
Thus ends the twenty eighth chapter by name Skanda grahaPratisedha in Uttara sthana of Susruta Samhita.
