vessel. As an alternative, rain water flowing from the waterspouts of a house should be collected in a clean receptacle, and subsequently poured into a golden, silver or an earthen vessel. The water thus collected can be taken at all times, and may be substituted by any other terrestrial water in the event of its not being available at the time.
Terrestrial water is generally marked by a predominance of the specific properties of the sky, and admits of being grouped under seven sub-heads such as, well-water, river-water, lake- water, tank- water, fountain water, spring (Artesian) water, and Chunti (well unprovided with masonry steps) water. Atmospheric or spring water should be used for their high efficacy during the rains (Varsha). All kinds of water may be used in Sharat on account of their clearness. Lake or tank water should be used in Hemanta; well and fountain water, in spring*[1] (Vasanta) and summer; and Chunti water, as well as all water not of recent origin, nor due to an excessive down-pour or inundation, should be used during Pravrit.
Metrical Texts:—He falls an easy victim to internal and external diseases (cutaneous affections), etc., who drinks of or bathes in a pool of water,
- ↑ *The " rains " in the present passage should be interpreted to mean the end of the rainy season or the month of Ashvina, and not the month of Bhadra, as its use is specially forbidden in that month.
