Salihotra
By Girindranath Mukherji
Summary
This essay profiles Śālihotra, an ancient Indian veterinary authority credited with a comprehensive treatise on horse‑medicine. Mukherji traces the legendary sage’s lineage and situates him among contemporaries like Suśruta and Caraka. He summarises the eight sections (sthānas) of the Śālihotra Saṃhitā covering anatomy, disease diagnosis, pharmacology, surgery and ethical precepts for vaidyas. Mukherji notes that the text emphasises preventive care, including dietary regimes and stable management, and prescribes herbal remedies for maladies ranging from colic to laminitis. The article compares Śālihotra’s prescriptions with those in Ayurvedic treatises and Greek hippiatry and argues for cross‑cultural transmission along trade routes. He discusses the manuscript’s survival in Nepalese and Tibetan translations and calls for critical editing.
Conclusion
Mukherji concludes that Śālihotra’s work reveals a sophisticated veterinary tradition in ancient India. It emphasises compassion toward animals and underscores the importance of preserving manuscript traditions.