Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Kiratatikta ( Agathotes Cherayta), ShadgranthS (otherwise called VachS, i. e., Acorus Calamus), Trayamana ( Ficus heterophyllci), Katutrika (the three acrids), Chandana ( Pterocarpus santalinus), Padmaka (a fragrant wood of that name), Ugira (the roots of Andropogon Muricatus), DSrbi ( Berberis Asiatica), Tvach (the bark of Cinnamomum cardamomum), Katurohini {Picrorrhiza Kurroa ), 137

Kutajatvach (the bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica), Kutaja-phala (the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica ), Musta (the tubers of Cyperus

* ‘Cyonaka’ being twice mentioned, 2 parts of it are to be taken.— T. t The Calcuttr edition reads ‘Murva,’ i. e., Sanseviera Zeylanica.—T.

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

I4J3'

rotundus ), Yamani (the seeds of Ptychotis Ajowari), Devadaru ( Pinus deodara ), Patola-patra .(the leaves of Trichosanthes dioica ), Nimbapatra (the leaves of Melia Azadirachta), Ela ( Elettaria cardamomwn ), ‘Saurashtra’ (earth obtained from Surat and the neighbouring region), Ativisha ( Aconitum heterophyllu m), Tvach (bark of Cinnamomnm cardamomum), 138

Madhuka (liquorice), Sigru-vija (the seeds of Moringa pterygosperma ), Murva ( Sanseviera Zeylanica ), and Parppataka (. Oldenlandicc biflora ) :

These should be reduced to pulv. Adding honey, a linctus may be made for the patient to lick ; or, mixing the pulv with wines or with water, he may drink it. *39

This medicine cures diseases of the chest, chlorosis, ‘Grahanidisease,’ abdominal tumours, ‘£ula’ pains, disgust for food, fever, anaemia, simultaneous excitement of all the three faults, and diseasesof the mouth also. r40

(Thus has been laid down the treatment of ‘Graham-disease’ caused by excited bile).

MADHVASAVA.

When the ‘Graham’ has been vitiated by (excited) phlegm, the patient should first be made to vomit by proper emetics. His digest¬ ive fire should then be kindled by administering to him. acrids,, sours,, salts, alkaline ashes, and bitters. M*

Palaga (. Butea frondosa), Chitraka {Plumbago Zeylanica), Chavya {Piper Chaba \ Mâtulunga {Citrus medico), Haritaki (Chebulic myrabalans), Pippali (fruits' of Piper longutn ), Pippalimula (roots of thesame), Pstha {Cissampelos hernandifolia ), Dhanyaka (coriander seeds), and Nfigara (dry ginger) : 14.2

A ‘kSrshika’ (equal to 2 tolas) of each of these is to be taken. These should be boiled in a ‘prastha’ (equal to 2 seers, 4 seers being actually taken) of water till a fourth of the liquid remains in the ' vessel.

This decoction should be administered as a drink.

p. 1434

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

‘Yavagu’ may also be given, cooked in this decoction.* 143

The patient should be given light food (consisting of boiled ‘Shashtika’ rice), with the soup of such pulses as Mudga ( Phaseolus Mungo ) and the rest in which has been boiled dry radishes, or with the soup of Kulattha ( Dolickos bifloriis), adding to each acrids and sours and alkaline ashes.f 144

After such food the patient should drink sour whey, or the ‘arishta’ of Madhuka (flowers of Bassia latifolia ), or ‘Nigada’ (a variety of wine). 145

MADHUKA ASAVA.

A ‘drona’ (equal to 32 seers) of the flowers of Madhuka ( Bassia latifolia ), half a ‘drona’ (equal to 16 seers) of Vidanga ( Embelia Ribes), Chitraka (the roots of Plumbago Zeylanica ) of the measure of 8 seers, Bhallataka (the seeds of Semecarpus Anacardiutn) of the measure of an ‘adhaka’ (equal to 8 seers), and 3 palas of Manjishtha ( Rubia Munjista) :

All • these should be boiled in water of the measure of 3 ‘dronas’ (equal to 96 seers ; in practice, however, double that quantity, viz., 192 seers, is taken).

Three-fourths of the liquid should be allowed to evaporate. The vessel should be taken down when only one-fourth remains.

When the liquid becomes cold, half an ‘adhaka’ of honey should be added. (In practice a full ‘adhaka,’ i. e., 8 seers, is used). It should then be kept for a month in a jar the interior surface of which has been plastered with the paste of Ela (the seeds of Elettaria cardamomum ), Mrinala (the stalk of Nymphcea lotus), Aguru (Aquilaria Agallocha), and Chandana ( Pterocarpus Santalinus ).

* The text dirrcts that ‘ICarshikani’ should be taken of the drugs mentioned in 142. ‘KarshikSni’ is in the plural. Hence, it is apparent that a ‘Karshika should be taken of each of them. Gangadhara explains that the united measure of the drugs should be a ‘Karshika.’ This is not supported by his reading. — T.

f To each of the soups are added acrids and the rest. In preparing also the soup of Mudga, dry radishes arc boiled with it, or their paste is added to it. — T.

CHA RAKA- SA MHITA .

p. 1435

The ‘asava’ (vinous spirit) that will result should be administered. This ‘asava’ kindles the power of the ‘Grahani.’ It is a ‘Vringhana’ (nourisher of the body). It conquers the (excited) wind.

It cures also dropsical swellings, leprosy, leucoderma, and Gonorrhoea. 146-149

ANOTHER ASAVA.

Take a measure of the expressed juice of Madhuka flowers (t. e., the flowers of Bassia latifolia ).

- Boil it to half the quantity taken.

Add, when it is cooled, honey equal to a fourth of the measure in the vessel.