Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Unto persons suffering from Epilepsy, correctives (purgatives, emetics, &c.) of keen virtues, as also alleviatives of similar virtues, are beneficial. These correctives and alleviatives, however, should be selected agreeably to the particular variety that confronts the physician.

When, however, the Accidental variety supervenes on any of the constitutional varieties, Mantras are beneficial.

On the well-known occasion of the destruction of Daksha’s Sarifice in days of old, ‘Gulma’ (or abdominal tumours) arose in em¬ bodied beings who fled in various directions, in consequence of the convulsions to which their bodies were subjected owing to the speed with which they ran, and swam across rivers and lakes and large tanks and jumped upwards and leapt forwards.

In consequence, on the same occasion, of their eating (in copious meaning here, as opposed to ‘ugra’ or fierce, and ‘bhairava’ or horrible, which are the characteristics of the forms seen in Epilepsy caused by excited bile. — T.

* The Constitutional varieties are four, viz., the three born of each of the three faults separately, and one born of all the three faults in a combined state. Besides these four, there is the Accidental variety. In this certain additional symptoms appear which are slightly different from those of the Constitutional varieties. — T,

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

p. 1007

measure) the sacrificial butter, ‘Prameha’ and Leprosy of various kinds were generated.

In consequence of the fear, anxiety, and grief that stirred them, arose the diverse varieties of Insanity.

In ’consequence, again, of their contact with various kinds of noxious creatures and impure objects arose the different varieties of Epilepsy. 10

As regards Fever, it sprung from the head of Mahegwara. From the heat, again, of Fever, arose ‘blood-bile.’ (that is, haemorrhage).

From excessive indulgence in sexual congress, arose phthisis which afflicted the lord of the constellations viz., the deity of the moon).* n

( Here occur some verses ).

Verily, Epilepsy springs from (excited) wind, (excited) bile, and (excited) phlegm.

A fourth variety springs from all the three excited together.

This last should not be taken up for treatment. 12

* It is difficult to believe that aphorisms 9 and 10 are either of Agnivega or of Charaka, both of whom are very sensible writers. They who did not believe in ‘ayus’ or an allotted period of existence for each person, they who have made so many sensible observations on the nature of disease, could not believe in the Pauranic tale of fever springing from the forehead of Mahadeva whose wrath was excited against Daksha for the latter’s endeavour to perform a great sacrifice without giving due honours to him. It is impossible for them to believe in such fanciful origin of abdominal tumours, of ‘Prameha,’ of Leprosy, and Phthisis. The origin of phthisis, again, as explained here, differs from what has been said before. (Vide Lesson VI. ante). There it has been said that phthisis afflicted the deity of the Moon through the curse of Daksha, the father of the seven and twenty daughters, viz. , the seven and twenty constellations, who were wedded to Chandramas or the deity of the moon. The immediate cause of the curse was Chandramas’s preference for only one of his seven and twenty wives against the repeated warnings of Daksha, his father-in-law.

This explanation of the origin of the several maladies is as sane as the Biblical explana¬ tion of the confusion of tongues as due to the endeavour to raise a high tower in Babylon as a safety against future deluges.

The Pauranic incident of Daksha’s great sacrifice has been explained in a previous note. Daksha is one of the sons of Brahman, the Grandsire of the universe. He was created by a fiat of Brahman’s will. He made preparations to perform a grand sacrifice without giving to Mahadeva any share of the sacrificial offerings. His youngest daughter, Sati (Durga) was wedded to Mahadeva. Neither she, nor Mahadeva, was invited, although the whole universe was invited. Moved by Daksha’s censures on Mahadeva, Sati cast off her body. Mahadeva’s ire was roused. He came with his ghostly army and destroyed the sacrifice. Everbody fled away in fear.— T.

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CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

Wise physicians, with rapt attention, cure the curable varieties of this disease by treating them with correctives of keen virtues, as also alleviatives, agreeably to the requirements of each case. J3

When the Accidental variety of the disease supervenes upon any of the Constitutional varieties, the treatment should then, according to physicians of wisdom, consist of the union of remedies for both the Accidental and the Constitutional forms.* H

A physician who understands the particular features of all dis¬ eases, and who is conversant also with the particulars of all medicines, succeeds in killing all diseases. Such a person is never confounded, nor does he commit errors when called to the patient’s side. :S

This ^excellent Division of Nidana, has thus been treated elaborately.

It is (sometimes) seen that a particular disease operates as the ‘Nidana’ or cause of another disease. 16