Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

For ascertainment of the measure of strength (of the patient), these (ten) incidents beginning with (prakriti) the normal constitu¬ tion in health, we shall explain here. They are as follow.

The nature of the vital seed (of the sire) and the blood (of the mother) ;

The nature that is dependent on the time (with respect to the mother) of gestation ;

The nature of the mother as regards her food and sports (during the period of gestation ) ;

The nature of the modifications which the great elements (earth, water, light, air, and ether or space) undergo: all these exercise an influence on the foetus*

The foetus is affected by that fault or those faults which affects or affect those causes, and to the same extent also in which the causes themselves are affected.

Commencing, therefore, from the moment of existence as foetus the nature of human beings come-; to be recognised as dependent constitution in health ; ‘vikrititah’ has reference to the reverse of the above, i. e., to the abnormal condition that has set in ; 'saratath’ has reference to the predominance of particular elements ; some men are called ‘raktasara,’ some are called ‘twak-sara,’ some ‘fukra-sara,’ &c.

‘Ahara-fakti’ has reference to the power of taking food, «. e. the measure of appetite and the power of digestion. Every one of these is explained below in this very lesson. — T.

*The Hindu medical scriptures say that the sire’ vital seed and the mother’s blood form the foetus. The nature of these two determine the nature of the foetus.

‘Kala-gabtha faya-prakritim’ has reference to the time of gestation, i. e., the age of the mother at the time of conception. It may also refer to the con¬ dition of her body, viz., hale or diseased. So also, it may refer to the season and other circumstances relating to the time of conception. Thus, conception may take place during a season of extraordnary cold or extraodinary heat, or during a plague, the excitement or fear caused by a war, &c.

The reading ‘maturahara &c.’ is better than ‘aturahara &c.’ ChakrapSni and Gangadhara both accept the former reading.

The great elements, viz., earth, water, &c., undergo modifications. These modifications exercise an influence on the foetus.

The correct reading is ‘avekshyate' and not ‘apekshyate.’ — T.

p. 594

CHA R A KA-SA MhItA.

on the predominance or ortherwise of such a fault or faults.

For this reason,

Some persons, by nature, have the wind predominating in thie constitutions ;

Some have the bile predominating in their constitutions ;

Some have the phlegm predominating in their constitutions ;

Some have any two of the three faults or all the three faults combined together in predominant measure ; and

Some have all the three faults combined in harmonious proportions.

We shall explain the characteristics of these several kinds of human beings.*111

Phlegm is oily, smooth, soft, sweet, firm, thick, mild, moist, heavy, cool, slippery, and transparent.

In consequence of its oiliness, persons in whose constitution it predominates, have a body that is oily.

In consequence of its smoothness, their bodies are smooth.

In consequence of its mildness, they have bodies which are agreeable to look at, delicate, and clear (in the sense- of freedom from filth).

In consequence of its sweetness, they have a large measure of vital seed ; they indulge largely in sexual congress, and they have a large number of children.

In consequence of its firmness, their bodies become firm, compact, and fixed. +

In consequence of its thickness, they have bodies with limbs all fully grown and developed.

•What is said here is this : some men have the wind, some the bile, some the phlegm, predominating in their constitutions. Some, again, have any two of these predominating, while some have all ithe three existing in harmonious proportions. Upon such predominance the nature (or prakriti) of a man is said to depend. This nature has its origin in the condition of the great elements at the time of one’s existence as a foetus, t-f- e., not subject to quick changes. — T.

CHA RAKA-SA M Hi 7 A.

p. 595

In consequence of its mildness, tlieir exertions, food, and sports, are always mild.*

In consequence of its moisture, they are slow in action, nor are they quickly upset or agitated.

In consequence|ot its heaviness, their tread is fiim, careful, and slow.f

In consequence of its coolness, their appetite, thirst, heat of body, perspiration, and diseases (born of the excitement of the faults), are mild.J

In consequence of its slipperiness, their bodies are smooth and their joints are strong and compact.

In consequence of its transparency, they are possessed of faces with, cheerful expression, and of complexion and voice that are agreeable. §

In consequence of their being endued with these attributes, people in whose constitution phlegm predominates become possess¬ ed of strength, wealth, learning, energy, mildness of disposition, and length of life.11® $

Bile is hot, keen, liquid, endued with the scent of raw meat, sour, and pungent.