Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

* The second portion of this aphorism uses some technical terms which require explanation. “Vikriti-yishama-samavatanam” is “combinations that are unnatural or unequal." Chakrapani gives ‘ Madhura-Tanduliyaka ’ as an example qf the first and ' Tila ’ as that of the secoud. The first is the Amaranthus spinosus, Linn. It is the Bengali Kanta-natiya. Things sweet have the virtues of being oijy and nutritve. The sweetness, however, that exists in the Amaranthus spinosus is not so. Hence the combination of sweetness here is unnatural, failing as that sweetness does to produce its natural action. The second (Tila) is sesame. It is astringent, pungent, bitter, and sweet. If these tastes had existed in equal measures, sesame could have been destructive pf bile and phlegm, or of all the three faults. But these tastes exist ip it in Unequal measures. Hence, it is provocative of bile and phlegm, The separate mention of ff nanatmakinam ” indicates combinations that are both unnatural p.nd unequal,

“ Parashparena upahatanam ’ is easy. These are such combinations in which the ingredients, being hostile tq one another, neutralise one another. In the case pf articles, it is easy to understan4 how tastes may be hostile. In the case of cjiseases, however, the meaning is difficult to catch, for there are only three

CI-IA RA KA - SA M HI TA .

p. 449

In aggregates thus made up, ascertaining the truth about the virtue of the aggregates themselves, should the truth be taught about the virtue of both things and diseases.

Hence, we shall declare the truth, arguing from the virtues or potency of tastes, from the virtues or potency of things, from the potency of the faults, and from the potency of diseases.

As regards this, the virtues or potency of tastes is ( first ) taught.

The virtues or potency of things we shall then declare.*

Oil ( of mustard seeds ), Ghee ( of vaccine milk ), and honey are alleviatives of wind, bile, and phlegm.

Here ( it should be said that ) Oil, in consequence of being endued with the properties of moisture and heat and heaviness, subjugates wind, when constantly used.

The wind, being endued with dryness, coolness, and lightness, is viewed as possessed of attributes contrary to those of Oil.

When things of contrary virtues come together, the great conquer the less. Hence, Oil continually used, subjugates the wind.8* faults and these, instead of neutralising each other, are always seen to exist side by side, or together in an excited state. Bile and wind, or bile and phlegm, or wind and phlegm, or bile, wind, and phlegm, may be excited together. Hence, Chakrapani explains that when the Rishi means the expression to apply to diseases as well as to objects, it should be understood that there may be cases of distempers in which, through unknown causes, one fault may neutralise another.

“ Anyai9cha vikalpanairvikalpitanam ” means combinations of ingredients in different forms ; such as the siaarasa (juice) of certain things may be taken for the mixture, or the kalka (pulp) of those very things may be taken. In the case of diseases, the expression would imply faults excited in different parts of the physical organism such as wind excited in the abdomen or in the arms, or in the lungs or in the head, &c, — T.

* Oil subjugates wind, Ghee subjugates bile, and honey subjugates phlegm. The attributes of oil are set forth ; those of wind also are set forth. The two sets of attributes are opposed to each other. That set which is powerful must prevail over or subjugate the other. By being constantly used, the attri¬ butes of oil gain in strength. Hence, frequently used, oil is an antidote [to excited wind. “ Bhuyasa alpamavajiyate ” is a law of Nature. The power¬ ful must prevail over the weak. The physician’s science supplies him with

45° CHAR A KA-SA MHlTA

Similarly Ghee subjugates bile, in consequence of its being possessed of the properties of sweetness, coolness, and mildness ; since bile is not sweet, hot, and fiery.

And Honey subjugates phlegm, in consequence of its being possessed of the properties of dryness, fieriness, and astringency of taste. Phlegm is oily, mild, and sweet. i°

Whatever other object there is that is contrary to wind, or bile, or phlegm in respect of its properties, sujugates these, by being repeatedly used.11

Without doubt, these three articles should not be used in larger measure than others. They are Pippali ( Piper longuvi, Linn ; syn. Chaivca Roxburghii ); Kshara (alkaline ashes) ; and Lavana {salty*

Pippalis are pungent, and very soon become sweet upon assi¬ milation. They are not very heavy. They are oily and hot, and they generate impurities. They are much approved by physicians (as a remedy in many diseases). They very soon become pro¬ ductive of beneficial and baneful effects.

They are, as regards their preliminary effects, beneficial, owing to the good results they produce when used sparingly as regards, both time and measure. Used frequently, they produce, without doubt, the consequence of exciting the faults.