迦葉仙人說醫女人經

At that time the seer Tiểu Phược suddenly reflected thus: 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 embryo remains within the womb for twelve months before being born. During that interval she is afflicted with illness. When she is afflicted with sickness in this way, it is truly painful; therefore, as a skillful means, let me inquire of a physician and seek out a remedy by which to rescue and protect her. Having thought thus, he then invited the seer Kāśyapa to come. Bowing down himself in reverence, he then asked, saying:

Great Master Kāśyapa, you are one of vast wisdom! I now wish to ask a few things; may you hearken to them and grant me your assent.

Kāśyapa said:

Ask whatever you wish.

Then the seer Tiểu Phược addressed him, saying:

A woman conceives within ten months, sometimes twelve months, and when the days are full she gives birth; yet why is it that during the interval between there are many illnesses and anxieties, causing the womb to stir and become unsettled? Or she is harmed and suffers affliction beyond measure. I beg you, who are one of vast wisdom, for my sake to declare the method of treating these painful illnesses by means of efficacious medicines.

When he had finished asking, having heard he received the teaching and stood there.

At that time the seer Kāśyapa said to Tiểu Phược Ca: A woman who conceives does not understand the manner of safeguarding herself; thus she has caused the womb to be unsettled. Now, for your sake, I shall briefly explain the safeguarding remedies according to each month.

For one whose conception in the first month is unsettled, take sandalwood blossoms and the utpala lotus blossom, place them in water, and pound them fine. Afterward add milk and sugar together. Drink this medicine warm; it will cause the first month of conception to be free from harm and affliction, and moreover to be at ease and joyful.

Next he said to the seer Tiểu Phược: When a woman conceiving in the second month has an unsettled belly, she should use the blue-colored utpala blossom and the root of the kumuda blossom, blended together with liṅgāra and kharjūra, to make medicine. Divide these medicines evenly, then add milk and warm it, and afterward let it cool. Drinking this medicine causes the womb to be free from harm and pain, and to be constantly at ease day and night.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the third month and the womb is likewise unsettled, she should use the medicine kakkola blended together with the medicine rāja-kakkola and the root of the sesame plant, these medicines placed together in water and then pounded very fine. Then add milk, warm it, and make it soft. Afterward add sugar and honey to the milk, let it cool, and then give it to be drunk. This medicine causes the embryo in the mother's womb to be at ease; the mother has little pain, and if she has worries, drinking the medicine will bring her ease.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the fourth month and the womb is unsettled, take the root of the gokṣura herb together with its branches and leaves, pound them fine and blend them in water with the utpala blossom (lotus blossom) together with its stalk. Afterward add milk, warm it and let it cook, then let it cool. Drinking this medicine will cause the womb to be at ease and lessen the pain. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be at ease.

Furthermore, when a woman reaches the fifth month of conception and the womb is unsettled, she should use the root of the koṣṭha tree together with the utpala blossom, gather them together and pound them fine, then steep them with the juice of the bulrush herb and milk and sugar, heat it and afterward let it cool, then drink. This medicine can cause the womb to be at ease and to stop the aching pain.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the sixth month and the womb is made unsettled, she should use the medicines bilva, ṛṣabhaka, sāgara, and sakta in equal measure, place them together in water and grind them very fine, add milk and bring it to a boil, then add sugar and honey to the milk, and let it cool. This medicine can cause the embryo to be at ease and to stop the pain. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be at ease and joyful.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the seventh month and is likewise unsettled, she should use the whole gokṣura herb—the plant, the branches and leaves—pounded fine like powder, and with milk, sugar and the powder form it into round pills, taking them together with meat broth, while the meat is to be eaten; or eat it with mung bean broth. This medicine and that food can settle the womb. One who is anxious, eating and drinking it, will be at ease.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the eighth month and the womb is unsettled, she should use the medicine haṃsa together with the blue lotus blossom, mixed evenly together with the gokṣura herb, washed in cold water and then ground very fine, after which add milk, sugar and honey, then heat it and let it cool. Drinking this medicine causes the womb to be at ease and without aching pain. One who is anxious, using it, will be at ease and joyful.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the ninth month and is likewise unsettled, she should use the root of the sesame plant blended together with the medicine kakkola, the medicine śāla-padminī, and the medicine mūrva-hṛdaya; each in equal measure, placed in cold water, washed and then ground very fine. Add milk and heat it. Afterward let it cool. This medicine causes the womb to be at ease and stops the aching pains. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be at ease and joyful.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the tenth month and the womb is again unsettled, she should use mung beans and the utpala blossom in equal portions, placed in cold water, washed clean and then ground very fine; afterward add milk, sugar and honey, blend them together and bring to a boil, then let it cool. Drinking this medicine can settle the womb and stop the pains. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be at ease and joyful.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the eleventh month and the womb is unsettled, she should use the blue lotus blossom together with the stalk and the petals of the lotus blossom, and the medicine bhāluka, in equal portions, placed in cold water, washed clean and then ground fine. Afterward add milk and sugar, bring to a boil, and let it cool. This medicine can settle the embryo and stop the aching pains. One who is given to worry, drinking it, will be at ease.

Furthermore, when a woman conceiving reaches the twelfth month and the womb is unsettled, she should use the medicine kakkola, the medicine sthūla-kakkola together with licorice and the utpala blossom; each in equal measure, pounded fine and then placed in water and ground; afterward add milk, blend them together, heat it and let it cool. Drinking this medicine will settle the embryo and stop the aching pains. One who is given to worry, drinking it, is brought to ease and joy.

At that time the seer Tiểu Phược, having heard the Master speak thus of a woman's conception and of the method of nurturing and care, with joy received it in faith, then made his reverence and withdrew.

The Scripture in Which the Seer Kāśyapa Declares the Remedies for Women — End