Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

* I have rendered the first portion of Agniveija’s observation rather freely. The drift of the observation is clear. ‘Ekantena’ is explained as ‘ without the faults of Atiyoga, Ayoga, and Mithyayoga.’ ‘ If action commenced judiciously or injudiciously were to lead to success or failue’ means ‘ if action commenced judiciously lead to success •or failure,’ as also ‘ if action commenced injudiciously lead to success or failure’. — T,

CHA RA KA -SA MHITA .

ful conditions and properties are exceedingly subtile (and, there¬ fore, difficult to understand ) of the triple faults ( viz., wind, bile and phlegm ), of drugs, of the place which forms the patient’s habitat or the seat of his disease, of the season in which the disease has appeared, of the. constitution of the patient, of his diet, of the adaptability of the patient, or the medicaments to the conditions of existence surrounding the patient; of the strength, disposition (both physical and mental ), and age or years of the patient. The cbnditions and properties, if reflected upon, would confuse and fconfound the understanding of even a person of ample and clear intelligence. What need then be said of one that is endued with little understanding?*6

Hence it is necessary that we should give instructions in res¬ pect of both the topics, viz., the proper administration of dangerous drugs, and the remedies that are needed ( if the -dangers feared do occur). We shall also, after’these, discourse upon what steps and things are necessary for achieving. success. In this Lesson, however, we shall lay down in brief -those diverse, articles that require to. be kept .ready in view of the dangers to which we allude. They are as follows : —

. In the first place a mansion must be constructed under the supervision of an engineer well-conversant with the science of building mansions and houses. It should be spacious and roomy^ The element of strength should not be wanting in it. Every part of it should not be exposed to strong winds or breezes. One portion at least should be open to the currents of wind.f

' * The diverse conditions and properties of the things indicated here have all been referred to in the previous Lessons. They are thus recapitulated by the Commentator. The conditions of wind, bile, and phlegm, refer to their decrease, increase, and equability or normal measure. ‘ Deqa’ or place refers to both habitat and seat of disease. The fconditions of drugs have reference to their newness, freshness, staleness, and dryness or the reverse ; in case of drugs derived from animals, the reference is to the kind of food upon which the animals have subsisted ; the character of the soil that has produced - them ; their purity or impurity owing to co-existence with other objects ; then again whether the deration is to be taken, or pills or the other forms in which they are capable of being used ; their measure ; &c. — T.

-j- The meaning '.is that though protected against the breeze or strong winds, one portion of.the mansion should be exposed to the breeze.— T.

CHARAKA-SA MHiTA .

It should be such that one may move or walk through it with ■ease. It should not be exposed to smoke, or the Sun, or dust, or injurious sound and touch and taste and form and scent. It ■should be furnished with staircases, with pestles and mortars, privies, accomodation for belting, and cook-rooms.6

After this should be secured a body of attendants of good behaviour, distinguished for purity or cleanliness of habits, attached to the person for whose service they are engaged, possessed of cleverness and skill, endued with kindness, skilled in every kind of service that a patient may require, endued with general clever¬ ness, competent to cook food and curries, clever in bathing or washing a patient, well-conversant in rubbing or pressing the limbs,* or raising the patient or assisting him in walking or mov¬ ing about, well-skilled in making or cleaning beds, competent to pound drugs, or ready, patient and skilful in waiting upon one that is ailing, and never unwilling to do any act that they may be commanded (by the physician or the patient) to do. A number of men should also be secured that are skilled in vocal and instru¬ mental music, in hymning encomiums and eulogies, conversant with and skilled in reciting verses and pleasant discourses and narratives and stories and legendary histories, clever in reading the face and understanding what is wanted by the patient, ap¬ proved and liked by him upon whom they are to wait, fully conversant with all the requirements of time and place, and poss¬ essed of such politeness as to become agreeable companions. The mansion should also be stored with an adequate supply of Lava (a), Kapinjala (b), £a9a (c), Harina (d), Ena (e), Kalapuchcchaka (f), Mrigamatrika (g). and Urabhra (h).7

Samvahaka’ is explained by the Commentator as ‘Hastapadadi-sammarddaka.’ — T.

a. Perdix Ckinensis.

b. The francoline Partridge.

c. The hare.

d. The common variety of the spotted deer. t. The black antelope.

/. The black-tailed deer.

g. A large species of deer fatter towards the abdominal and hinder parts.

h. Sheep.

p. 22

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