Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

In case these diseases appear, considering the gravity or lightness of the case, the child should be treated with such alleviatives of wind and bile as do not cause any burning sensation, as also with ghee. The tumorous growth should be rubbed, or chafed, or drenched over with these remedies.

Before this act (the cutting of the umbilical cord), Jata rites of the child should be performed.

At the conclusion of these rites, honey and ghee sanctified with mantras according to the particular Veda of the child’s parents, should be given to the child.

After this, agreeably to these very ordinances, the right breast (of the mother) should be first presented (for suck) to the child.

Then a vessel full of water, sancitified with proper mantras should be placed at the head of the child.*96 b. Liquorice.

c. Aglaia Roxburghiana., w.a.

d. Circuma tonga, Roxb.

e. Bcrberis Asiatica, D.C. ; syn. Berberis aristata, D.C.

f. Gangadhara explains that by 1 Uttundita’ is meant a tumorous growth, of large proportions, having the shape of a ball (Gudaka). (The Bengali word 1 Gond’ is evidently a corruption of ‘ Gudaka’).

g. According to Gangadhara, this means a flat, circular tumour. It is not so elavated or globular as the above.

h. A circular tumour with elevated edges and th\s central portion depressed.

i. A tumour that continually increases.

t ‘ Tatra’ implies ‘ if the diseases mentioned make their appearance.’

1 Avidahi’, literally, 1 not burning’, i.e., ‘ not painful in their application.’

‘ Abhyanga’ is gentle rubbing. ‘ Utsadana’ is chafing ; it is not so gentle as the previous operation. ‘ Pariseka’ implies drenching or sprinkling.

p. 856

CEARAKA 8 AMHITA.

The protection of the child should then be provided for.

The physician should cause the lying-in-room to be encom¬ passed by branches of Adani ( a ), Khadira (<5), Karkandhu {c), Pilu (at), and Parusha (e).

All around that room mustard seeds, linseeds, and broken grains of rice should be scattered.

Also the auspicious Homo, with oblations of rice should be caused to be performed every day, morning and evening.

Before the rites are performed in connection with the naming of the child, a pestle (iron or heavy wood) should be placed at the entrance of the lying-in-apartments, in an inclined posture.*

Next, having made a pellet (with a piece of cloth) of Vacha (/,) Kushtha (g), Kshaumaka (h), Hingu (*), Sarshapa (j), Atasi (k),

1 Jata-karma’, literally, ‘ acts or rites relating to birth.’ These rites are laid down in the 1 Grihya-Sutras.1 The ‘ Girhya-Sutras ’ are regarded as part of the Vedas. Each sect has its own Veda. For ‘ Jata’ rites, vide 1 Girhya-Sutras’ of Gobhila, Prapathaka 2, Khanda 7, Sutras 18 — 22.— T.

a. A variety of Ghoshaka, or, Luff a amara , Roxb.

b. Acacia Catechu. Linn., syn. Mimosa Catechu, Linn.

c. A variety of Vadara or Kola. Zizyffhus Jujuba , Lamk.

d. Salvadora Persica, Linn., syn. S alvadora Indica , Wight.

e. Grewia Asiatica, Linn.

* ‘ Mangala-homa’ is Homa undertaken for securing some auspicious end. Among the ‘ nitya’ or obligatory acts of a Brahmana is the Homa. It must be performed because the Scriptures have said so. When, however, the homa is performred for securing any auspicious end, it is generally called ‘ mangala-homa.’ The ‘ mangala-homa’ here referred to is directed to be performed with oblations of rice (Tandula-vali).

The rites in connection with the naming of a child are numerous. For full particulars, vide Prapathaka 2, Khanda 8, Sutras 8—18, of the ‘ GrihyaSutras’ of Gobhila. The choice of names is determined by astrological conditions The sign of the Zodiac' under which one is born determines the letters of the alphabet which must form the initial letters of the names which may be selected. Thus one born under the sign Capricornus, can have such names only as begin with the letters Klia and Gha. Then, again, a child must have two names. The true name, determined by the sign of its birth, requires to be kept secret. It is used in religious rites. The second name is conferred for all other purposes. It is by this name that one is known to the world. There is no rule for determining its selection.

f. Acorus Calamus , Linn.

g. Saussurea auricalata ; syn. Afflotaxis auriculata, DC.

h. A kind of perfume, called in Bengali, Choar.

i. Assafoetida.

j. Mustard Seeds.

k. Linseeds.

CHARAKA SAMHITA.

p. 857

Laguna (a) and Kanakanika (b), and other herbs and plants which are said to keep off Rakshasas, it should be placed upon the threshold of the northern entrance of the lying-in-apartments.*97

Similar pellets should be tied to the neck of the mother as also of the child ; also to the cauldron, the water-jar, and the bedsteads.

Pellets of the same drugs should also be placed on both sides of the door (leading to the room).

Broken grains of rice, full of water, fire-wood, fire, fire-wood of Tinduka (a), and fire made of that wood, are always to be kept within the lying-in-apartments. *

For ten or twelve nights (after delivery) women of the qualities already mentioned, as also friends (of her own child) should be in attendance without going to sleep.