Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 1.djvu/469

Chap.XL.] are respectively accommodated to the faculty of special sense organs. Fifthly because, a drug or a substance is the receptacle of the attributes of taste, etc., while the latter are the things contained. Sixthly because, a dictum of medicine can be commenced with the name of a drug or substance. As for example, it is quite natural to say that the drugs such as Vidari Gandha,etc., should be pressed and boiled. But it sounds preposterous to utter that the sweet taste should be pulverised and boiled. Seventhly because, the greater importance of a drug or substance has been laid down in the Shastras of medicines inasmuch as medical recipes have been described by the names of their component ingredients such as Matulunga, Agnimantha, etc., and not described as the tastes of Matulunga, Agnimantha etc. Eighthly because, the attributes of tastes, etc., depend upon the drugs and substances (of which they are the attributes) for their progressive maturity. As for example, the taste of a drug or substance varies with its growth and is different in its raw (immature) and ripe (mature) conditions. (Hence a drug is more important than its attributes of taste, etc.) Ninthly because, a drug may prove curative through the eflicacy of one of its component parts or principles as in the case of Mahavriksha, the milky exudations of which are possessed of therapeutical virtues, which cannot be said of its taste.

Hence a drug or a substance (Dravyam) is the most