迦葉仙人說醫女人經

At that time the seer Tiểu Phược suddenly thought to himself: In this world all sentient beings are born from the body of a woman, and that woman, from the time she conceives until the full ten months—or sometimes the fetus remains within the womb for twelve months before being born. In the interval between, she is moreover afflicted with illness. When stricken with such sickness it is truly painful; therefore, by way of skillful means, let me inquire of a physician and seek out medicinal remedies to rescue and protect them. Having thought thus, he forthwith invited the seer Kāśyapa to come. Bowing in person, he then asked:

Great Master Kāśyapa is one of great wisdom! I now wish to ask a few things; I pray that you will listen attentively and grant your consent.

Kāśyapa said:

Ask as you please.

Then the seer Tiểu Phược spoke, saying:

A woman bears a child for ten months, sometimes twelve months, and when the days are full she gives birth; but why is it that in the interval between there are many illnesses and anxieties, and that the womb-treasury is stirred and unsettled? Or it is harmed and afflicted beyond measure. I pray that you, being one of great wisdom, will for my sake explain the methods of treating these afflictions and pains by means of excellent medicines.

Having asked thus, and having heard and received the reply, he stood there.

At that time the seer Kāśyapa said to Tiểu Phược Ca: A woman bearing a child does not clearly understand how to safeguard herself; therefore the womb-treasury is not made secure. Now, for your sake, I shall briefly explain the safeguarding of it month by month as a method of remedy.

When one bearing a child is unwell in the first month, take candana flowers and the utpala lotus flower, put them into water, and pound them fine. After that add milk and sugar together. Drinking this medicine warm causes the first month of pregnancy to be free of harm and affliction, and moreover to attain ease and joy.

Next he said to the seer Tiểu Phược: When a woman bearing a child is unsettled in her belly in the second month, she should use the blue utpala flower and the root of the kumuda flower, blended together with liṅga-karkaṭa-karkeṭuka, made into medicine. These medicines, divided equally, are then warmed with milk added, and afterward left to cool. Drinking this medicine causes the womb-treasury to be free of harm and pain, and day and night to be constantly at ease.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the third month and the womb-treasury too is unsettled, she should use the kakkola medicine blended together with the lāgha-kakkola medicine and the root of the sesame plant—these medicines together in water, then pounded very fine. Next add milk, warm it, and make it soft. After that add sugar and honey to the milk, leave it to cool, and then give it to drink. This medicine causes the fetus within the mother's belly to be at ease; the mother has little pain, and if she has worries, then drinking this medicine she will be at peace.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the fourth month and the womb-treasury is unsettled, take the root of the gokṣura herb together with its whole stem and leaves, pound them fine, and blend them in water with the utpala flower (lotus) together with its stem. After that add milk, warm it and cook it through, then leave it to cool. Drinking this medicine causes the womb-treasury to be at ease and lessens the pain. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be at peace.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the fifth month and the womb-treasury is unsettled, she should use the root of the kola tree together with the utpala flower, gather them together and pound them fine, then steep them with the water of the sweet-flag (vaca) herb, milk, and sugar, heat it, then leave it to cool and drink it. This medicine can cause the womb-treasury to be at ease and stop the aching.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the sixth month and the womb-treasury is made unsettled, she should use the medicines bilva, tila-madhuka-lānaka, and sarjarasa, in equal measure, and put them together into water, grinding them very fine; add milk and heat it up; after that add sugar and honey to the milk, then leave it to cool. This medicine can cause the fetus to be at ease and stop the pain. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will attain ease and joy.

Likewise, when a woman bearing a child reaches the seventh month and is also not at ease, she should use the gokṣura herb—the whole plant, stem and leaves—pounded soft like powder, and with milk and sugar form it into round pellets, to be taken together with meat-broth, while the meat itself is used for eating; or it is eaten with mung-bean water. This medicine and this food can put the womb-treasury at ease. One who is anxious, eating and drinking this, will be at peace.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the eighth month and the womb-treasury is unsettled, she should use the haṃsa medicine together with the blue lotus flower, mixed together evenly with the gokṣura herb, washed in cold water and then ground very fine; after that add milk, sugar, and honey, then heat it and leave it to cool. Drinking this medicine causes the womb-treasury to be at ease without aching. One who is anxious, partaking of it, will attain ease and joy.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the ninth month and is likewise unwell, she should use the root of the sesame plant blended together with the kakkola medicine, the śāla-patrī medicine, and the mṛdvīkā medicine; each in equal measure, put into cold water, washed, and then ground very fine. Add milk and heat it. After that leave it to cool. This medicine puts the womb-treasury at ease and stops the bouts of aching. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will attain ease and joy.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the tenth month and the womb-treasury is again unsettled, she should use mung beans and the utpala flower, in equal parts, put into cold water and washed clean, then ground very fine; after that add milk, sugar, and honey blended together and bring it to a boil, then leave it to cool. Drinking this medicine can put the womb-treasury at ease and stop the bouts of pain. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will attain ease and joy.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the eleventh month and the womb-treasury is unsettled, she should use the blue lotus flower together with the stem and petals of the lotus flower, and the bālukā medicine, in equal parts, put into cold water and washed clean, then ground fine. After that add milk and sugar, bring it to a boil, and leave it to cool. This medicine can put the fetus at ease and stop the bouts of aching. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be at peace.

Furthermore, when a woman bearing a child reaches the twelfth month and the womb-treasury is unsettled, she should use the kakkola medicine, the sthūla-kakkola medicine, together with licorice and the utpala flower; each in equal measure, pounded fine and then put into water and ground; after that add milk, blend it together, heat it, and leave it to cool. Drinking this medicine will put the fetus at ease and stop the bouts of aching. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be made to attain ease and joy.

At that time the seer Tiểu Phược, having heard the Master expound on a woman bearing a child and such methods of care and nurture, joyfully received it in faith, then made his salutation and withdrew.

The Sūtra in Which the Seer Kāśyapa Expounds Medicinal Remedies for Women — The End