Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Food taken according to proper measure is easily transformed into faeces and passes into the anal canal. It does not injure the digestive fire. It is, again, digested without difficulty ( i. e.r easily).

For these reasons, one should take food according to the proper measure.28

One should take food after that taken previously has been, digested.

Of the person that eats before the food previously taken has been properly digested, the juice, still undeveloped, of the food' previously taken, mingling with the juice of the food taken sub¬ sequently, very soon excities all the faults.

Of the person that eats after the food previously taken has been properly digested, it is seen that the faults being in their res¬ pective places, the digestive fire being inflamed, the appetite being excited, the mouths of all the ducts being opened (or unclosed), the eructations being pure (i, e., not characterised by any bad odor), the action of the heart being unobstructed, the wind moving in natural directions, the urgings of wind, urine, and stools being satisfied, the food that is taken, without injuring any of the constituent elements of the body, increases the period of life in every case.

For these reasons,, one should eat after the food previously taken has been digested.28*

* For understanding what is meant by ‘aharasya rasam’ or ‘the juice of food/ vide p. 392, Lesson XXVIII of Sutrasthanam, ante. The food we take yields a juice as also a refuse. The former becomes changed into blood and other invigorating substances.

By ‘faults/ it is scarcely necessary to explain, is meant wind, bile, and phlegm.

What is stated in the second part of the aphorism is this : when digestion has taken place, wind, bile, and phlegm move about in their respective places ;

46o CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

One should not take food that is so made up as to be of hostile potencies.

The person that takes food that is not so made up as to be of hostile potencies, is never affected by such diseases as are generated by food of hostile potencies.

For these reasons one should take such food us is not of hostile potency.*30

One should take one’s food, ( sitting ) in an agreeable place. The person that takes his food in an agreeable place, never experiences any shock in consequence of those feelings of repug* nance which are generated by disagreeable spots.

So also one should eat food that consists of ingredients every one of which is agreeable.

For these reasons one should eat in an agreeable place food that consists of ingredients every one of which is agreeable.31

One should not eat too quickly.

Of one that eats too quickly the food taken conies upwards, causes a cheerlessness, and does not reach the proper receptacle.t Besides, the faults and merits of the food are not ( in the case of one that eats too quickly ) always perceived. Hence, one should not eat too quickly.

the digestive fire is inflamed ; appetite is felt ; the diverse ducts of the body become unobstructed ; &c., &c, ; accordingly, the food that is then taken, becomes really beneficial. — T.

* Food that is so made up as to become endued with hostile potencies has been explained in Sutrasthanam. Honey and ghee, or milk and meat, may be cited as examples. The diseases that are generated by food so made up as to be of hostile potencies have been indicated in the Lesson called Bhadrakapyiya of Sutrasthanam. — T.

j- ‘Utsnehanam’ is explained by Chakrapani is equivalent to ‘unmargagamanam,’ i. e., coming upwards.

‘Avasadanam’ is explained as implying ‘causing cheerlessness i. <?., not promoting cheerfulness. Food, when taken, ought to make one cheerful.

What is meant by the food not reaching its proper place, is, as explained by Chakrapani, this : food taken too quickly remains in the upper part of the body without reaching the ‘Koshtha’ or the region of digestion. — T.

% ‘Dosha-sadgunya,’ as explained by Chakrapani, implies ‘Doshanam, ke^adinam, sadgunyasyacha, swadutwaditi,’ i. e. faults, such as the presence

p. 461

One should not eat very slowly ( so as to occupy a large measure of time in finishing a meal),

One that eats too slowly never feels gratification. Such a person eats milch. His food also becomes cold. The digestion of such a man never becomes equable. Hence, one should not eat too slowly.88*

One should eat without talking or laughing the while, but with attention concentrated on the act. In the case of one that eats talking or laughing the while, or without concentrated attention, the same baneful results happen that have been declared in the case of him that eats too quickly.

Hence, one should eat without talking or laughing the while, but with attention concentrated on the act.84

One should eat after an adequate survey of oneself ; (noting that) this is suitable to me and this not so. Verily, what is suitable to one’s constitution is known to oneself.

Hence, one should eat after an adequate survey of one’s Own self.85f

(Here are some verses containing a Summary) .