Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The compilation has eight divisions. They are, 1. (jdoka, 2. Nidana, 3. Vimana, 4. £arira, 5. Indriya, 6. Chikitsa, 7. Kalpa, and 8. Siddhi.

The first of these, i. e., £loka, comprises thirty Lessons.

The second, the third, and the fourth, viz., Nidana, Vimana, and £arira, each comprises eight Lesssons.

* Here some synonyms of Ayurveda are given. 1. Ayurveda is Science of Life ; 2. Cakhavidya is knowledge of a (particular) Qakha or branch (of the Vedas); 3. Sutrajnana is conversance with the aphorisms (of the Science of Life); 4. Qastralakshanam is the contents of the treatises (on this Science); and Tantram is compilation or treatise. It should be noted that it is only in the lips of physicians that these words would imply the Ayurveda. — T.

f The Section on Qarira explains its composition as made up of the five principal elements.

That on Vritti treats of the diverse kinds of sustenance.

Hetu has reference to the causes of disease, viz., injurious food and practices.

Vyadhi is the absence of harmony in respect of the constituent elements (dhatu) of the body.

Karma has reference to the application of remedial operations, i.e., treatment.

Karyya has reference to the restoration of an ailing person to health.

Kala treats of the Seasons, including the age or years of men.

Karttri has reference to the Agent in treatment, i.e., the physician.

Karana refers to drugs and other curative agents.

Vidhi- vini?chaya is ascertainment of the mode of combining drugs and remedial agents for bringing about a cure.

The latest Bengali translator of Charaka, viz., Babu Yasodanandan Sircar, copying an earlier erroneous text, has committed the most ridiculous blunders in his version of this aphorism. — T.

p. 425

The division in respect of the Indriyas comprises twelve Lessons.

That on Chikitsa comprises thirty Lessons.

The seventh and the eighth, viz,, Kalpa and Siddhi, each comprises twelve Lessons.’0*.

Here are some verses.

Two consist, each, of thirty Lessons ; three, each, of twelve Lessons j and three, each, of eight Lessons. They are £loka and Aushadha, and Arishta and Vikalpa and Siddhi, and Nidana and Vimana and A9raya.!°f

In each division (or sthana) the topics have been set forth that form its subject.

f • The distinction between Prakarana, which has been spoken of in the fore¬ going aphorism, and Sthana, which is spoken of in this, should be understood. Prakarana is a division of the subject, while Sthana is a division of the treatise.

The first division of this treatise (Charaka) is that which relates to Qlokas or Sutras, i.e., aphorisms. The reader has, by this, got a pretty clear idea of what the contents are of the Qloka- or Sutra-sthana, which has been rendered ‘ place of aphorisms.’ The present completes the thirty lessons of this Sthana or place or division.

The division called Nidana relates to the primary causes of disease, such as indulgence in practices and use of objects which are destructive of the harmony of the Dhatus or constituent elements of the body. It treats also of those faults of the understanding which bring about mental diseases. It discusses also the symptoms, preliminary as well as developed, of diseases in general.

The division called Vimana treats particularly of the faults and the rela¬ tion of objects or drugs with the faults as regards their excitement and alleviation.

Qarira treats of the origin of the body, and the diverse conditions relating to it.

The fifth division, called Indriya, treats of the Senses in particular, as regards the symptoms they discover when the body is diseased.

The sixth, called Treatment, refers to the treatment of diseases in particular.

The seventh, called Kalpa, treats of the combinations of drugs or the man¬ ner in which drugs are to be employed for effecting cures.

The eighth division, called Siddhi, refers to the effects of the application of remedial processes and drugs. — T.

t These names are slightly different from those mentioned before. But there is no difficulty in identifying them. — T,

p. 54

p. 426

CHA RA KA -SA M HI TA.

There are, in all, a hundred and twenty Lessons in these divi¬ sions. Hear what their names are as I mention them one after another.

They are 1. Dirghanjivitiya, 2. ApamSrga-tundaliya, 3. Aragbadhiya, and 4. Shadvivekagraya, These four have drugs for their topic.

Then come 5. Matragitiya, and 6. Tasyagitiya, and also 7. Navegandharaniya, and 8. Indriyopakramaniya. These four treat of (the rules of preserving) Health.'*

Then come 9. Khuddakachatuspada, 10. Mahachatuspada, as also 11. Tisraishaniya, and 12. Vatakalakaliya. These four, the learned should understand, deal with what should be done and what avoided.'4

Then come 13. the lesson on Snehana, and 14. that on Swedana, and 15. that called Upakalpana, and also 16. that called Chikitsapravritiya. All these four deal with the mode of adminis¬ tering remedial agents.'8

Then come 17. the lesson called Kiyantagirasiya, and 18. that called Trigothiya, and 19. that called Ashtodariya and 20. that called Maharogadhyaya. These four treat of diseases in especial."