सङ्गीतरत्नाकर: प्रथम भाग (शार्ङ्गदेव - स्वरगताध्याय सविस्तार व्याख्या व अनुवाद सहित)

80 Treatment of Svara
16. रसवाहिन्यो धमन्यः
धमन्यो रसवाहिन्यश्चतुर्विंशतिरीरिताः ॥१०५॥
कुल्याभिरिव केदारास्ताभिर्देहो ऽभिवर्धते ।
एताः प्रतिष्ठिता नाभ्यां चक्रनाभावरा इव ॥१०६॥
ऊर्ध्वं दश दशाधस्ताच्चतस्रस्तिर्यगायताः ।
ऊर्ध्वगा हृदयं प्राप्ताः प्रतायन्ते पृथक्त्रिधा ॥१०७॥
वातं पित्तं कफं रक्तं रसं द्वे द्वे विमुञ्चतः ।
शब्दं रूपं रसं गन्धं द्वे द्वे तत्रावगच्छतः ॥१०८॥
द्वे द्वे च भाषणं घोषं स्वापं बोधं च रोदनम् ।
कुर्वति द्वे नरे शुक्लं स्तन्यं तु स्रवतः स्त्रियाम् ॥१०९॥
अधोगता अपि त्रेधा पृथक्पक्वाशयस्थिताः ।
प्रवर्तयन्ति तत्राद्या दश वातादि पूर्ववत् ॥११०॥
अन्नं भुक्तं धमन्यौ द्वे वहतो ऽम्बुसमाश्रयात् ।
तोयं मूत्रं बलं द्वे द्वे नारीणामातवं त्विमे ॥१११॥
विमुञ्चतो द्वे स्त्रोतांसि द्वे स्थूलान्त्रान्विते शकृत् ।
स्वेदं समर्पयन्त्यष्टौ,
तिरश्च्यो बहुधा मताः ॥११२॥
रोमकूपेषु संस्थासां मुखानि स्वेदमुक्तये ।
प्रवेशयन्ति चाम्यङ्गलेपादिप्रभवान्रसान् ॥११३॥
16. The arteries carrying lymph-chyle (rasa) : 105c-113
The arteries carrying lymph-chyle (rasa) are known to
be twentyfour and like a field nourished by channels of
water, the body (fed by them) also grows. (105c-106b)
These (arteries) are so rooted around the umbilicus¹
as the spokes fitted into the hub of a wheel. (106cd)
Suśruta (Śā. Sthā. 91.92) refers to several authorities who empha-
size that no arbitrary distinctions should be made between sirā-s (veins),

1. This refers to the state of embryonic body during the period
   of gestation, since the allantoic arteries and the umbilical
   veins subserve the purposes of nutrition, excretion etc. reflect-
   ing the rudimentary vascular system. After the birth, the
   Section 2 : The Genesis of the Human Embodiment ...
   (Of these) ten proceed upwards, ten downwards and
   laterally. The upward coursing (arteries) reaching the heart
   ramify into three (branches) each.² (Of these) two each
   respectively conduct wind, bile, phlegm, blood and lymph-
   cycle (rasa); two each respectively perceive the sensations
   of sound, form, taste and smell, two each respectively cause
   the activity of speech, hearing, sleep, awakening and crying;
   and two go to produce semen in men and milk in women
   (107-109).
   The down-coursing arteries³ are also threefold and
   separately function in and around the intestines.⁴ The first
   ten function with respect to wind etc. on the above lines⁵,
   two carry digested food on liquid base, two each respectively
   release water⁶, urine, semen or the ovarian discharge of
   women, two are channels⁷ (srota-s) while two others attached
   dhamanī-s (arteriers) and srota-s (channels) since these are all modifica-
   tions of the original sirā-s (tubular vessels). But, however, he does not
   agree with this opinion, holding that these different terms denote diffe-
   rent functions performed by the sirā-s. However, he too admits that
   signification.
   The up-coursing thirty dhamanī-s perform the function of preserving
   the integrity of the organs of the upper portion of the body, i. e., above
   the umbilicus, such as stomach, the sides and the back of the chest, the
   neck, shoulders and the arms (cf. Bhishagratna, Vol. II, p. 210 on
   Suśruta Śā. Sthā. 9.4).
   The blood vessels (dhamanī-s) sustain and maintain the integrity of
   the lower body, i.e., such parts as the intestines, the waist, the genera-
   tive organs, the anus and the bladder.
   arteries are connected to the heart (cf. Ghanekar, Vol. II. 215
   and Bhishagratna, Vol. II, p. 209).
2. When each of the ten up-coursing arteries ramify into three,
   they make thirty in all.
3. Again the word artery is a loose translation of sirā which
   generally means a blood vessel.
4. Pakvāśaya of the text obviously refers to the small intestines.
5. That is, two serve to carry flatus (wind), two carry bile, two
   phlegm, two blood and two lymph-chyle.
6. Toya going into the bladder becomes urine.
7. These two channels are not clearly related to any function.
   Bhishagratna, relates them to the monthly course of women
   (cf. Vol. II, p. 211 on Suśruta Śā. Sthā. 9.6).
   6