Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap, v.] SARIRA STHANAM. 171
(large intestine) and the foetus lies in tliis during the
period of gestation.* 42-43.
According to their position in the system, these
muscles are found to be thick, slender, small, expanded,
circular, short, long, hard, soft, smooth or rough. The
muscles cover the veins, ligaments, bones and joints;
hence their shape and size are determined by the
exigencies (organic structures) of their positions. 44.
Memorable Verses : —The muscles which
are found in the penis and scrotum of a man as des-
cribed before correspond to the covering of the uterus
in the case of a woman owing to the absence of those
organs in her body. The positions and classifications
of the veins, channels, Marmas and arteries will be
dealt with in a separate chapter. 45-46.
The vagina of a woman resembles the navel of a
conch-shell in shape and is possessed of three involuted
turns (Avartas) like the interior of mollusc The uterus
(Garbhas'aya— -foiital bed) is situated at the third posterior
involuted turn. The shape of the uterus resembles the
mouth of aRohit-fish (narrow at the mouth and expanded
in the upper end). The fcetus lies in a crouched or
doubled up posture in the uterus and thus naturalh" at
the time of parturition its head is presented at the
entrance to the vagina. 47-48.
Superiority of ^alya-Tantram '.—The
different parts or members of the body as mentioned
before including even the skin cannot be correctly
described by any one who is not versed in Anatomy.
Hence, any one desirous of acquiring a thorough
knowledge of anatomy should prepare a dead body
and carefully observe (by dissecting it) and examine
If wc read Mutrcis'aya (bladder) in place of Pillac'aya it ixplains
the anatomy beUtr. — Ed.