Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

t “Pansuja or Ushasuta literally means salt manufactured from saline earth. Panga or common salt, manufactured from earth impregnated with salt water, would come under this head.” — U. C. Dutt’s Mad. Met. of the Hindus.

a. A variety of Nigella Saliva, Linn. It is very fine.

5. A variety of Nigella Sativa. It is thick and gross.

c. A variety of Cuminum Cyminum, Linn. It is very fine.

d. A variety of Ptychotis Ajowan.

e. Coriandrum Sativum, Linn.

f. Zanthoxylum alatum, Roxb.

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CIJ A RA KA-SA MHITA.

£uka paddy and £ami paddy, when one year old, is praised. When very old, they generally become dry ; when new, they generally become heavy.811

Amongst all grain of the paddy species, those varieties which grow or ripen quickly, are regarded very light.

Freed from husk and fried under proper regulations, all grain which falls under the class called Supya is light and easily digestible.81®

The flesh of animals that are dead, or emaciated, or unclean, or old, or too young, or slain with poison, or which have been brought up in habitats other than their own, or which have been assailed by beasts of prey or snakes, should be avoided.*813

Flesh that is otherwise is beneficial, promotes nutrition and bulk of body, and increases strength.814

The juice of (good) meat is gratifying to all creatures, and highly conducive to cheerfulness.

In the case of those that are being emaciated, or that are convalascent, or that are weak and wasted, or whose vital seed is weak, or that are desirous of strength and complexion, the juice of meat should be regarded as Nectar.

Such juice, prescribed according to the requirements of each individual disease, is capable of alleviating every disease. It improves the voice and conduces to the strength of the aged and of the intellect as well as of the senses, and lengthens one’s period of life.

Those that undergo physical exercise every day, or indulge in sexual association every day, or drink alcoholic spirits every day, by taking meat every day, will not feel either weak or afflicted.615-317

* The correct reading of the first line of 313 is ‘Krifamamedhyam’ and not ‘Kecatimedhyam.’ The flesh of dead animals must, of course, be eschewed ; dead implies dead in course of nature, of disease, &c. ‘Amedhyam’ is ‘not allowable for sacrifice’ ; hence, unclean. ‘Slain with poison,’ i.e., by the aid of poisoned food or envenomed arrows. ‘Agocharabhritam’ is reared in elements or places which are not their own by nature ; such as amphibious animals reared on land exclusively. ‘Assailed by beasts of prey or snakes ;’ beasts of prey are believed to have poison. Hence, when a goat or sheep or hare has escaped, with wounds, from the clutches of a tiger or panther or jackal or dog, or from the fangs of a snake, its meat should be eschewed. — T.

CHAR A KA-SA MHITA.

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Such potherbs as are afflicted by worms and wind and the sun, as are dry or faded, as do not belong to the season, as are boiled without using oil or Ghee, and as have not the moisture extracted from them after boiling, should be avoided.318

Flesh that is old, or that is stained by worms, or beasts of prey, or cold or heat, or that is obtained from animals slain untimely or in countries' which are not their habitat, or that is putrid, produces consequences that are baneful.813

As regards Greens, the directions are the same as in the case of Potherbs. The operations of correction, however, do not apply to them.*

As. regards the kinds of wines, water, milk, and others (that should or should not be taken), the conclusions occur under their respective heads.810

That fluid food or drink should be taken subsequently which in ■qualities is the reverse of the food taken previously. It should be remembered, however, that the subsequent fluid food should not be hostile to the upholding ingredients of the body.f821

Four and eighty varieties of wines have been laid down before.

As regards water, one should first examine whether it is drink-, ■able or otherwise. If drunk after such examination, then only it proves beneficial. 322

* In 318 it is laid down that potherbs, when they happen to be afflicted by worms, ■&c., should be avoided. Further, they should never be taken unless the juice has ■been pressed out of them after boiling, and then fried in oil or Ghee. What is said here is that Greens must be avoided when they happen to be of the same kind. They should not, however, be subjected to the same operation as potherbs, i.e.. their juice should not be pressed out. — T. ; v