mucus (Ama) in the alimentary canal, location of particular diseases in particular limbs or parts of the body is decided by the indistinct utterance on the part of the diseased of such alphabetical letter-sounds as are assigned to those limbs. The letting of blood from such diseased parts is also taught as a means to get rid of those diseases. Massage (Tailodvartana) and application of Enema (Urdhvadhovastikarma) are other devices which are taught as in other works to be availed of as remedial or preventive means of diseases. In dietary, foodstuffs are divided into three classes; Tamasa, that which causes drowsiness, lethargy and indolence; Rajasa, that which causes hot temper, incessant activity and indiscreet proceedings, and Satvika, that which causes calm and Serene temper, tranquility of mind, balanced judgment and discretion. The combination of flavours are said to result in rasa, agreeable flavour, virasa disagreeable, or viruddha rasa, hostile flavour. Svabhavika Madhura, naturally sweet foodstuffs are contrasted with artificial sweet meats is commended as the only safe diet conducive to long life and emancipation. Pathology, therapeutics, and materia medica are also noticed as some length. What however forms the main theme of the treatise is, as noticed in detail in the table of contents, Patanjali's theistic Yoga.
The commentator goes to the length of saying that "the only means to eradicate diseases defying drugs and to attain long life and final emancipation is Pranayama, deep breathing as taught in the Yoganusasana".
It is the importance assigned to this naturopathic treatment of diseases that has led this Library to unundertake the restoration of the text of the Ayurveda Sutra for publication and to bring to light the long-forgotten art of healing taught in this brief, though excellent treatise, in spite of the mutilated and defective character of text and the hopelessly corrupt form of reading.
