Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

* Verses 79 and 80 at first sight appear to be contradictory ; for’if the Kishis promulgated ithe Science of Life for the sake of piety, of wealth, and of enjoyments, how can it be improper for a physician to take wealth and secure his own enjoyments ? The truth is, the physician is not commanded to disregard wealth and enjoyments, but to secure these without losing sight of piety. Only that physician is censurable who seeks wealth and enjoyments Without regard for piety He, on the other hand, who disregarding wealth and enjoyments, acts from compassion alone, transcends all people in merit. — T.

t This Division of the treatise is calledJChikitsa’ or Treatment. The first Lesson, i'n this Division is called ‘Rasayana.’ This Lesson is distributed into four sections. The fourth section, called ‘Ayurveda-samutthana’, ends here, and with it, the Lesson atsoends. — TCHARAKA-SAMHITA.

p. 1071

LESSON II.

VAJIKARANA.

S' 1. SAMYOGA-^ARAMULIYA.

We shall now expound the Section, called ‘Samyoga-^aramuliya’ of (the Lesson on) ‘Vajikarana.’

Thus said the illustrious son of Atri.* 1

A person who has his self under control, should seek for ‘Vaji¬ karana’ (use of aphrodisiacs), since piety and wealth, and enjoyment and fame, depend upon it. 2

The use of aphrodisiacs is the source of progeny. The aforesaid acquisitions all depend upon progeny. The best field for (the action of) aphrodisiacs is that woman who fills with joy, at her very sight, the person who intends to use them : 3

Since each of the desirable objects (of the senses) is said to be exceedingly pleasing, what need then be said of (the pleasure-giving power of) all the objects (of the senses) which exist in a state of combination in the body of woman ?f 4

A combination of all the objects of the senses exists in women only. Such a combination does not occur anywhere else.

Then, again, that combination, which exists in woman, of the objects of the senses, is conducive of the greatest pleasure.^ S

In women is pleasure in especial.

Upon women rests offspring.

Piety and wealth depend on women.

Lakshmi (goddess of Prosperity) depends on women.

* ‘Vajikarana’ Implies the administration of aphrodisiacs or medicines which increase semen and enhance sexual power.

Like Lesson I, this Lesson also is divided into four Sections. The first of these Sections is called ‘Samyoga-CJaramuliya’, because it treats first of sexual union and then of ‘Qaramula’ or the roots of Saccharum Sara which occur first in the first combination of drugs (pos¬ sessed of aphrodisiac virtues) mentioned below.— T.

f What is said here is this : the objects of each of the senses are highly delightful. They exist separately in separate things. In the body of woman, however, the objects of ali the senses exist together. Hence, the. power of woman to contribute to our pleasure is superior to that of all other things in the world. — T.

+ Things may exist in which a combination occurs of the different objects of senses. Take, for example, a harmonium. It may have a delightful appearance. It has a delightful sound. If laved with otto-de-rose, it may have a delightful scent. If covered with velvet, its touch also may be delightful. Yet it cannot be compared with a beautiful woman.— T.

p. 136

1072CH ARAKA-SAM H IT A

All the worlds depend on women*. 6

That woman who is exceedingly beautiful, who is in the full vigour of youth, who is adorned with auspicious marks, who is pliant (to the will of her husband), and who is educated, is herself the best of aphrodisiacs. 7

The accomplishments of women, viz., beauty and the rest, (which arise) from the influence of destiny and also from diverse kinds of food and enjoyments occurring in this world, increase (in degree) when they get congenial male companions (for pairing with them).f s She who, in consequence of her age, beauty, speech, and gestures, is regarded by one as the best of her species, she who, through destiny or her own acts, enters into one’s heart, 9 she who is the feast of one’s heart, she who has a heart that beats in unison with one’s heart, she who is of the same temperament with one, she who is pliant to one’s will, she who gratifies one with all the means of gratification, 10 she who, in consequence of her superior accomplishments, enchains all the senses of one, she from whom when one is separated one becomes unable to derive pleasure from anything and looks upon the whole world as destitute of woman, 11 she without whom one bears one’s body as if it were reft of all senses, she whose very sight dispels one’s grief and anxieties and cheerlessness and fears, 12