Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna
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The translator’s English as printed (Avinash Chandra Kaviratna). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
Swedana (fomentation, &c., for promoting perspiration), Snehana (application of ghees and oils as emollients), ^uddhi (administration of correctives, such as purgatives, emetics, &c.\ Langhana (fasts), Dipana (enkindling the digestive fire\ the pulvs (mentioned above), things that are sweet, the several (alkaline) ashes, the ‘arishta’ (spirit) of honey, the wines called ‘sura’ and ‘asava,’ the diverse preparations of whey, and the various combinations of ghees that kindle the digestive fire, — these should be had recourse to by those who are afflicted with ‘Grahani-ailments.’
Listen (after this) to the treatment of these ailments in particular sages. 197-198
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CHARAKA-SAMHITA.
If the phlegm predominates (in ‘Grahani-disease’ born of all the faults), gargles of the decoctions of drugs that are dry and capable of kindling the digestive fire, mixed with those that are bitter, followed by expectorations, are beneficial.
If the phlegm predominates largely and the patient is emaciated, the continued administration of drugs that are dry followed by those that are oily, is beneficial. *99
Ascertaining the presence of 'Sma' in ‘Grahani-disease,’ the physi¬ cian should administer the drugs that are ‘Dipana’ or enkindlers of the digestive fire, combined with oily substances, since this course of treatment is beneficial.
If the bile predominates largely, the administration of ‘Dipana’ combined with bitters and sweets, is beneficial. 200
Unto one in whom the wind predominates (in Grahani-disease), the administration is beneficial of ‘Dipana’ combined with oily, saline, and sour drugs.
As a fire blazes up when it gets a supply of fuel, even so the diges¬ tive fire of person afflicted with ‘Grahani-disease’ blazes up when fed by ‘Dipana’ drugs. 201
Oily drugs should be known to be the foremost of those which enkindles weak digestive fires.*
Even heavy food is not capable of extinguishing the digestive fire, that has been enkindled by (the administration ofj oils. 202
One who, afflicted with -Grahani-disease,’ has a weak digestive fire, and who, on that account, passes undigested stools in copious measure, should drink (medicated) ghee in proper measure, mixed with ‘Dipana’ drugs. 203
By this means, the ‘SamSna’ life-breath, restored to its own place, becomes cheerful, and in consequence of its proximity to the digestive fire, quickly strengthens it.f 204 t ‘Taya’ has reference to the course of treatment laid down in the previous verse. ‘Sarnana’ is one of the five life-breaths. The function of each of the life-breaths has been explained before. — T.
* The Calcutta and the Bombay editions read ‘Durvalanaladipanam.’ This seems to be correct. Gangadhara’s reading is ‘Durvalanam pradipanam.’ This is, rather, slovenly. — T.
CHARAKA-SAMHITA.
p. 1445
The man who, in consequence of their hardnesss, passes stools with difficulty (while suffering from ‘Grahani-disease), should take ghee , mixed with salt, along with (boiled) rice. 205
If one afflicted with ‘Grahani-disease’ has his digestive fire weak¬ ened, through (injudicious administration of) dry drugs, one should then drink ghee or oils cooked with drugs that are ‘Dipana.’
If one’s digestive fire has become weakened through administra¬ tion of copious measures of oil, then pulvs, and ‘arishtas’. and ‘asavas’ are beneficial.* 206
If in consequence of the obstruction of the anal duct, liquid motions occur, (medicated) oils and wines and ‘asavas’ prove beneficial.
If, however, the digestive fire becomes weak in consequence of flatulence, then enemata, dry or oily, prove beneficial. 2°7
If the digestive fire becomes weak through increase of the fault {viz., phlegm), then one should, having undergone correctives, follow the ordinances (already) laid down about the alleviation of the fault.
If the digestive fire of a person who has supervening ailments becomes weak, ghee boiled with ‘Dipana’ drugs proves beneficial. j- 2°S
If the digestive fire becomes weakened through fasts (abstinence from all food, or indulgence in scanty food), one should then take ghee boiled with gruels (of barley and other grains).
When the digestive fire is weakened in consequence of stuffing the stomach with food, then ghee boiled with ‘Dipana’ and ‘Vringhana’ drugs is competent to cure such weakness.^ 2°9
If in consequence of the ‘Grahani-disease’ being old (one’s digest¬ ive fire becomes weakened and) one becomes weak and emaciated
* ‘Arishtas’ and ‘asavas’ are both spirits. When raw vegetables are used for fermenta¬ tion, the resulting fluid is called ‘asava.’ But when the decoction of drugs is used, the fermented liquor is called ‘arishta.’ — T.
f ‘Supervening ailments’ such as fever, blood-bile, cough, See., supervening upon ‘Grahani-disease.’ — T.
+ ‘Alam’ means competent in such connections. It frequently implies ‘not called for,’ or, ‘not needed.’— T.
p. 1446
CHARAKA-SAMHITA
through indulgence in sexual congress, then such a person should be made to eat (boiled rice and other) food mixed with meat-juice pre¬ pared from the flesh of such birds of prey as live entirely upon flesh.* 2io
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