3. Importance of Salya-Tantra

The word salya is derived from the sala-svala=Asugamany which means the foreign body or noxious element which spreads all over the body very quickly on entering the body. Thus, this tantra or the branch of medical system is so named because of its swiftness and accuracy in dealing with institutions of emergency. Salya tantra means diagnosis and removal of all foreign bodies like trna (grass blades) kastha (wooden pieces), sikata (sand particles) Loha (metalic, substances like bullets, rods, balls, nails etc), Pasana (stone pieces etc, from the body.) The above list of foreign bodies is only an indication that these were the substances used in the days of Susruta as weapons and implements. But now it can be interpreted that any foreign body which is dangerous to the body is a salya and the aim of salya tantra is to deal with such salyas. 273

"Yatkincidabadhakaram sarire tatsarvameva pravadanti salyam" salya not only means a foreign body but also substances like mudhagarbha (dead foetus) Puya (pus) which are harmful either to body or mind and salya tantra means the measures to eliminate them from the body. Among all the branches of medicine, salya tantra is considered the most important because:- 1 Asu Kriya Karanat: The Salya tantra or surgery gives immediate relief and there is no doubt about the prognosis of the disease and efficacy of the treatment. The result can practically be observed and enjoyed by the patient the moment the operation is completed. Such a tremendous result can not be obtained in other modes of medical treatment. 2. Yantra sastra Ksara Agri Pranidhanat : The measures adopted in salya tantra are Yantras = sastras blunt instruments, == sharp instruments, Ksaras (Caustics), Agni- cauterization etc. Almost all the surgical procedures are drastic and definitely effective. 3. Sarva tantra samanyat: This is a branch of science accepted by all the other allied sciences like kayacikitsa, Koumarabhrtya etc. 274

Thus the disciples of Lord Dhanvantari i.e. Susruta, Aupadhenava, Aurabhra etc. have preferred this branch and pleaded to explain the entire Ayurveda taking this branch as the prime one.