Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Among the four Vedas, the Atharvan only contains mantras for incanta¬ tions of all sorts. It contains also the whole of the Ayurveda or Science of Life. Of course, this is only a tradition, for the Science of Life as contained in the Atharvan, if it was ever contained in it, has long ago been lost. All that we have of the Atharvans is rules about incantations for effecting all sorts- of objects, such as ‘Marana’ or the destruction of foes, ‘ Uchatana ’ or depriving foes of their reason or sanity, ‘ Vajikarana ’ or bringing an enemy under control or subjection, &c. ' Indrajala ’ or magic also forms a part of the Atharvans.

‘ Paridrishtakarman ’ is one who has experience, i.e., one who has performed the operation with success several times.

‘ Calyahartri ’ is an accoucheur ; or one who, with the aid of instruments, if needed, performs the operation of extracting children, dead or alive, from the womb. — T.

* Three classes of women are taken : first, ‘ amagarbhS,’ i.e., she who is not in a mature state of pregnancy ; seeond, ‘ paripakkagarbha,’ i.e., she who is in a mature state of pregnan y ; and, third, ‘ Vimu : ' grrbl a/ i.e., she who has been delivered at the proper ime. Unto the first, when her embryo has been removed, the wines mentioned here ought to be administered. The treatment of the two others occurs lower down.

Sura, Sidhu, Arishta, &c., are wines of different descriptions. See Lesson on Wines, in Sutras ana, ante.— T.

t ‘Vilep? adibhih ’ is added in some texts, after ‘ Yav5gw5dibhih.’ This is clearly incorrect. GangSdhara tightly omits it. — T.

CHARAKA SAMH1TA.

p. 841

(«.g., those that promote nutrition), ‘Madhura,’ ( he ., those that belong to the group of sweets), and ‘ Vatahara,’ {i.e., those that alleviate the wind).' '

Unto the woman whose embryo is dead at an advanced stage of gestation (and has been expelled or extracted), as also unto her that is delivered (in course of nature) at the proper time, (medicated) oils may be administered the very day.6'

After this we shall lay down the treatment which should be observed, month by month, in the case of the woman whose embryo grows without obstruction of any kind (caused by disease).8 ’*

If it is suspected that the woman has conceived, then, during the first month, she should drink milk that is unmedicated, in proper measure, in a cold state.

She should also, morning and evening, eat such food as may readily be assimilable."

In the second month her diet should consist of only milk boiled with the group of drugs called sweets.

In the third month, (her diet should be) milk mixed with honey and Ghee.

In the fourth month, it should be cheese, churned out of milk, of the measure of an Aksha (2 tolas).-)*

In the fifth month, it should be Ghee raised from milk {

In the sixth month, it should be Ghee raised from milk, boiled with the group of drugs called sweet3.

In the seventh month, the same diet is prescribable.70

Women say that the hair of the child grows in the seventh month and that this causes the mother a burning sensation.

The illustrious son of Atri said, — This is not so. What really takes place is this: owing to the pressure caused by the embryo, wind, bile, and phlegm, reaching the chest, cause the burning sensation.

* 1 Nirvik5ram 1 implies ‘ without vikara,’ i.e., without disease or ailment of any kind. What is implied is, those cases in which the gestation goes on without obstruction of any kind. — T.

t Gangadhara explains that cheese churned out of milk, and not that raised from curds, is prescribed. — T.

I Ghee from milk and not that raised from curds is what is meant here.^T,

p. 842

CHARAKA SAMHITA.

From this, a sensation of itching arises, in consequence of Which the skin (of the chest) becomes torn (through the scratching that becomes a necessity).*

If this happens, she should be given a palmful of cheese boiled with the group of drugs called sweets, mixed with the decoction of Kola (. Zizyphus Jujiiba, Lamk).

With, again, the paste, dissolved in water, of Chandana (a) and Mrinala ( b ), her bosoms should be rubbed ; or, they may be rubbed with Cirisha (<?), Dhataki ( d ), Sarshapa ( e ), and liquorice powdered together; or, with the paste, dissolved in water, of Kutaja (/),. the seeds of Arjjaka (g), Musta (//), and Haridra (*), or, with the paste, dissolved in water, of Nimva (/), Kola (k), Surasa (/), and Manjishta ( m ).

Or, it should be washed with the infusion of the triple fruit (viz., Haritakl or Ckebiilic myrobalans , Vibhitaka or Terminalia Bellerica, Roxb., and Amlaki or Phyllanlhus Emblica , Linn '. ) mixed with the blood of the Ptishat deer and the hare.t

Or, the part should be rubbed With oil boiled with the leaves of Karaviraka («),.

Or, it should be washed also with water boiled with Malati ( 0 ) and liquorice.

* ‘ Kikkasa ’ is explained by Gangadhara as * Charmadarana.’ The sensa¬

tion of itching becomes so violent that the scratching it necessitates leads to ths Skin (of the chest as also of the breasts) being actually torn. — T.

а. Santalum album , Linn.

б. Stalk of the Lotus.

c. Mimosa sirisa, Roxb , ; syn. Albizzia lebbek , Betith.

d. IVoodfordia floribunda , Salisb. ; syn. Grislea tomentosd, Roxb.

e. Mustard seeds.

f. Hola?-rhena Untidy senterica , Roxb. ; syn. E chiles antidysenterica , Wall:

g. A variety of Ocimum Sanctum , Linn.