Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna
The text is shown on its own: no facing layer is held for this issue.
The translator’s English as printed (Avinash Chandra Kaviratna). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
It expels undigested food from the intestines.
It scoops and hollows parts that are solid.
It destroys the (excited) wind. It allays and destroys rigidity of the limbs or the whole body. It removes the sensation which one feels at times of this or that limb being bound with cords.
It melts or softens things congealed and hardened.
It overwhelms all other Tastes.*
It causes saliva and other matters to appear in the mouth.
It melts or liquifies thickened phlegm. It cleanses all ducts. It softens all the limbs of the body. It adds relish to food. It is well suited to be mixed with food.
It is heavy, oily, and warm, but not excessively so.f01
Although possessed of these attributes, yet when used exclu¬ sively and largely, it generates the following diseases ; it pro¬ vokes the bile ; it increases the blood (abnormally); it causes thirst ; it produces unconsciousness or swoons ; it causes stupefaction ; it causes heat of body ; it burns ; it deadens the flesh ; it causes leprous eruptions to ripen and melt ; it enhances the power of any poison that has found its way into the system ; it causes swel¬ lings to burst ; it blackens the teeth ; it destroys the virile power ; it obstructs the free action of the senses ; it induces wrinkles, t There are many words in this aphorism that are, rather, of doubtful import. ‘Chyavana’ means anything that expels. This probably refers to the power of salt to expel digested and undigested matter. ‘Bhedana’ means that which expels scybake’ without liquifying them. ‘Vikaci’ is explained by Chakrapani as equivalent to ‘cchedana’ .which would be tautological, for ‘cchedana’ is, as Chakrapani explains, ‘vishyandanafila,’ meaning, probably, expelling undigested matter. ‘Natyartham’ has reference to what follows. — T.
* Chakrapani explains ‘pratyanika’ as implying ‘yalra matrarikto lavano bhavatt tatra nanyorasa upalahshyate'. — T.
p. 312
whiteness of the hair, and baldness ; it generates hemorrhages, Amla-pitta,* Erysipelas, Leprosy, Herpes, total baldness, and other diseases.
The Pungent Taste corrects (the dulness of) the mouth ; pro¬ vokes the digestive fire ; dries up the food that has been eaten ; causes nasal discharges ; purges the eye ; clears all the senses ; alleviates and destroys Tympanites, swellings or intumescences, plethoric growth of the body, urticaria, opthalmia, oiliness, sweat, impure secretions, and all kinds of impurities.
It adds relish to all kinds of food.
It alleviates and cures Itching of the skin. It destroys all kinds of eruptions. It destroys worms and parasites.
It furrows the flesh.
It liquifies congealed or coagulated blood. It separates or disjoins such elements of the body as coagulate or unite with one another. It cleanses and widens all ducts.
It is light, warm, and dry.68
Although possessed of these attributes, yet when taken exclu¬ sively and largely, in consequence of the strength of its effects on the system, it destroys the virile power.
In consequence of the puissance of its energy, it stupifies the mind, causes pain, produces a lassitude or enervation of the system, leads to leanness or emaciation, brings about unconsciousness or swoons, bends the body, produces great agony, generates errors, burns the throat, causes great heat of the body, and diminishes the strength.
In consequence of the preponderance in it of Wind and Fire, it generates mental wanderings (erroneous impressions due to
# “By ‘Amla-pitta’ is meant dyspepsia with vomiting or purging, including hsematemesis, perhaps, of cancer, pyrosis, and acidity.” — {7, C. Dult's Mat. Med. of the Hindus.— T.
It is very much to be desired that the translation of Snsruta should be done with as nine’ll regularity as yours. You will have rendered to Science a service for which all the Orientalists will be grateful.
[FrontMos. A. Barth,o/ Columbia, Paris. ]
Dea'ik Sir,
Accept ray best thanks for Part IX- just received, of your translation of “CharakaSamhita.” The discussion about the origin of disease and the various statisticsOibouf food and diet are very interesting. They are just the sort of doctrine and observation as is to be expected from the ancient Hindu practice. Here all is genuine, be it either experience or prej udice.
[ From the Journal of the American Medical Association. ]
Chicago, April 21, 1894.
In our issue of September 23, we commented editorially on the character of this work, its great antiquity, and its interest to all physicians.
[ From the Indian Mirror, of May, 18, 1894.] “Sip. Chap.lf,s Elliott, in the course of his Presidental address at the Asiatic Society of Bengal, noticed Pandit Avinash Chunde'r Kaviratna’s English translation of “Charaka” in terms of deserving praise. Here is. what His Honour said : —
No commentary for this page under the selected tracks.
There is commentary on page 1.