Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

With the ‘swarasa’ should then be mixed honey equal to an eighth of its measure, and ghee that is twice the measure of the ‘swarasa.’ Thus prepared, the medicine should be taken.* 42

In, consequence. of the administration of this medicine, one is able to live for, a. hundred years, without any sign of decrepitude or. decay.

As regards its other, virtues, they are like those of the medicines mentioned before. 43

OIL OF SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM.

Take a ‘patra’ of the oil (manufactured rn the above manner) of the fruits of S emecarpus Anacardium (of the kind indicated above and obtained also in the manner described above).

Mix it with cow’s milk.

* ‘Pishta swedanamT implies a vessel with a hole at the bottom, the literal meaning being ‘that which is capable of allowing juicy matter to escape.’

"The honey to be mixed should be one year old. The ghee also should be one year old. Besides, it should be obtained from cow’s milk . — T.

charaka-saMhita.

p. 1041

Mix it, again, with an ‘aksha’^of the paste of liquorice.

Cook it a hundred times.

As regards the manner of administration, diet during the period it is administered and after that period, as also its effects, the same observations apply.* 44

The Ordinances about the Administration of

BHALLATAKA OR SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM.

Bhallataka-miik, Bhallataka-hbney, Bhallataka-oil, as also Bhallataka-treacle, Bhallataka-soiip, Bhallataka-ghee, Bhallataka-flesh, Bhallataka-flour, Bhallataka-salt, and Bhallataka-tarpana, are the diverse forms in which Bhallataka is administered.

Thus end the ordinances about the administration of Bhallataka the fruits of (S emecarpus Anacardiuwi).\ 45

( Here occur some verses.)

Bhallatakas are keen ; they promote digestion ; they are like fire.

Administered according to the ordinances laid down, they become like nectar (in their effects on the constitution). 46

The above are the ten methods of administering them.

The physician conversant with diseases, the nature of the human constitution, and the laws of assimilation, should select the method of administration. 47

There is no disease born of phlegm, there is no form of constipa¬ tion, which Bhallataka (properly administered) cannot alleviate

* A ‘patra’ is equivalent to an ‘adhaka’ or 8 seers. The measure of the oil being stated to be 8 seers, double the quantity, that is, 16 seers, should actually be taken, in consequence Of the general rule about liquids. The measure Of the milli to be mixed with it should be 64 seers. The measure of the paste of liquorice should be 2 tolas. The process of boiling on a slow fire should go on till the measure of milk.' e. e., 64 seers, should evaporate. The product that remains should then be strained through a piece of cloth. Add 64 seers of milk again, and 2 tolas of liquorice, and boil it down again'till 64 seers evaporate. The process should in this way be repeated a hundred times.

The measure in which the medicine should be administered should accord with the measure of one’s appetite, &c. — T.

t After 'Bhallataka- tailam’ comes ‘ evani Guda-Bhallatakam &c.’ The fact is, the method of preparing the first three, viz , Bhallataka-milk, Bhallataka-honey, and Bhallatakaoil, have been explained. The methods, however, of preparing the rest have not been laid down. They are all preparations df Bhallataka which possess great merits. The physi¬ cian must learn to make them. — T.

p. 1042

CHARAKA-SAMHITA

promptly. Bhallataka enhances mental powers and the digestive fire. 48

In days of yore, great Rishis beginning with Chyavaria, when overtaken by decrepitude and aspiring for longevity, attained through (the effects of) these ‘Rasayanas’, which are highly beneficial, to count¬ less years. 49

Having attained long periods of life, they acquired and enjoyed knowledge, (the merit of) penances, (the merit of) continence, conver¬ sance with the Self, and contemplation, and proceeded to heaven. 5°

Hence, those that are desirous of longevity and happiness should, for lengthening the period of life, observe duly and with proper atten¬ tion, the ordinances in respect of the administration of ‘Rasayana.’ 51

( Here occurs a verse containing a summary ).

In this Lesson called ‘Prankamiya’, have been laid down seven and ten well-tested preparations of ‘Rasayana’ by the Rishi (Punarvasu) who was inspired with the desire of benefiting all creatures. 52

Thus ends the second Section on ‘Rasayanas’ in the Lesson called ‘Prankamiya’, in the Division called ‘Chikitsa’ in the treatise of Agnivega as revised by Charaka.

SECTION III.

We shall now expound the Section called ‘KaraprachitiyaRasayana.’

Thus said the illustrious son of Atri. 1

Of Amlakas (fruits - of Phyllanthus Emblica) which have been plucked with the hand (and not by shaking the branches), in the month of Magh or Phalguna, which possess all the virtues that have already been indicated, whose seeds have been thrown away, which have been dried in the sun and reduced to powder, after having been made to absorb one and twenty times, the expressed juice of other fruits of the same kind, take an adhaka (8 seers).

Of, again, those groups of drugs, which are called ‘Jivaniya’ (those which lengthen life), ‘Vringhaniya’ (those which promote nutrition),

CHA RAKA-SA MHITA.

p. 1043