Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The five products of the cow, mixed with the expressed juice of Brahmi ( Gratiola Monnieria ), have already been laid down. This should be administered (in the disease called ‘Atattwabhinivega ).

The expressed juice of £ankhapushpi ( Pladera decussata ) also may be administered.

Besides this, any ‘Rasayana’ that is good may also be admi¬ nistered. 60

Narratives, agreeable or interesting to the mind, should also be recited (in the hearing of the patient), by men who are accustomed to speak only words of approved wisdom.

* The name ‘Atattwabhinivega’ literally means ‘inability of aprehending the nature of things.’ It is a sort of mental feebleness or idiocy, in consequence of which right notions cannot be entertained of things. The description here given of the causes of the disease is fanciful.— T.

p. 1290

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

His (power of) apprehension also should be sought to be restored by the aid of patience, memory, and contemplation. 61

Or, oil boiled with garlics, or the expressed juice of ^atSvari ( Asparagus racemosus ), or the expressed juice of Brahmi ( Gratiola Monnieria), or the expressed juice of Kushtha ( Aplotaxis auriculata), or that of VachS ( Acorus Calamus ), mixed with honey, should be administered.* 6z

Epilepsy is exceedingly difficult of treatment. The great disease (viz., MahSgada or Atattwabhinivega) takes a very long time to cure. Hence, both these diseases should be treated with ‘RasSyana’ (i. <?., such medicines as promote the growth of the ingredients of the body.). 63

Persons afflicted with epilepsy, or the disease called ‘Atattwabhi¬ nivega’ should always be protected from water, fire, trees, hills, and other dangers of a similar kind. One afflicted with Insanity should also be protected from similar dangers, for these are causes of immi¬ nent destruction. 64

(Here are two verses containing, a summary ):■

The cause (of epilepsy), how the faults, becoming provoked, cause epilepsy, the general and the particular symptoms (of this disease), the medicines (of the general and the particular varieties), the causes that originate what is called the Mahagada (the great disease, other¬ wise called ‘Atattwabhinivega), its symptoms, along with the remedies (that should be administered), have all be expounded in brief as also in detail by the ascetic (Punarvasu) in this lesson on the treatment of epilepsy .f 65-6&

Thus ends Lesson X, called the Treatment of Epilepsy, in the Division called “Chikitsita,” of the treatise of Agnivega as revised by Charaka.

* The second line of this verse is read differently by Gangadhara. According to him, the meaning is, the expressed juice of Brahmi, or that of Kushtha, or Vacha mixed with honey, &c.’ The fact is, the final adjective, according to Gangadhara, is ‘madhusamyutam’ and not ‘madhusamyutam. — T.

f It should be stated that in rendering the last dozen verses, I have adopted the readings of Gangadhara. The fact is, the readings of the Calcutta edition (of Pandit Jibananda) are very faulty. As regards the very last verse, I have adopted the Calcutta edition reading.— T.

LESSON XL

TREATMENT OF WEAKNESS INDUCED BY SORES.

We shall now expound the treatment of Weakness induced by sores (on the lungs, &c.).

Thus said the illustrious son of Atri.

Of benevolent deeds, and conversant with the highest topic, the regenerate Rishi of Atri’s race (viz., Punarvasu) expounded the following course of treatment for treating the disease called ‘Kshatakshina’ (viz., weakness induced by sores on the lungs, &c.).*

Of one who exerts strongly in (stringing or drawing) the bow, of one who bears a heavy burden, of one who falls down upon an uneven ground or from a high place, of one who fights with many strong men (or, with many men at the same time, as some texts have), of one who seeks to forcibly stop an ox or a horse that is runing, or any other (strong) animal that requires to be checked, of one who throws with force a boulder, a piece of wood, a rock, a man (or the like), or who forcibly strike a foe or foes, of one who reads in a very loud tune, or who runs with long distance, of one who crosses a broad stream (by swimming), or who runs with an elephant (or, a horse, as some texts have it), of one who suddenly jumps high (above the ground), or who dances with quick motion, or of one who has been severely wounded in consequence of other acts of rashness (of a similar kind), the chest becomes wounded (or afflicted) and in consequence a severe disease arises. i-5

* The second line of this verse is tautological. The tautology is preserved in the English

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CHARAKA-SAMHITA

Again, of one who is very much addicted to women, or of one who takes dry food sparingly or in measure that is insufficient, the chest becomes diseased. It becomes cracked and a burning sensation arises.* 6

Gradually the sides become subject to pain. The body begins to dry up or wither, and tremors set in.