Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 1.djvu/138

34 (Vipaka), fundamental bodily principles (Dhatu) bodily excrement (Mala), hollow viscera (Ashaya), vital parts (Marma), veins (Sira), nerves (Snayu), joints (Sandhi), bones (Asthi) and the fecundating principles of semen and ovum, and to extricate any foreign matter lodged in an ulcer), or to ascertain the nature and position of ulcers or fractures, or the palliative, curable or incurable nature of a disease, etc.; and since these subjects perplex even the profoundest intellects though a thousand times discussed and pondered over, not to speak of men of comparatively smaller intellectual capacity, hence it is imperatively obligatory on a pupil or a disciple to attentively hear the exposition of each shloka, or a half or a quarter part thereof, made by the preceptor (while studying the science of medicine).

For explanations of truths and principles quoted from other branches of (science or philosophy) and incidentally discussed in the present work, the student is referred to expositions made by the masters (of those sciences or philosophies), since it is impossible to deal with all branches of science, etc. in a single book (and within so short a compass).

Authoritative verses on the subject:—By the study of a single Shastra, a man can never catch the true import of this ( Science of Medicine). Therefore a physician should study as many allied branches of (science or philosophy) as possible. The