Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

CHARA KA-SA MI-I IT A

p. 457

By Upayoga-Samstka is implied the conditions in respect of the taking of food and drink. These depend upon the indications of digestion*.

Upayoktri, again, is he that takes food, viz ., he upon whom depends the suitability of food.f28

These are the eight considerations bearing upon the ordinances about food and their exceptions.

Of these there are special circumstances which become pro¬ ductive of results beneficial or baneful. They also contribute to each other’s excellence. These should, therefore, be determined.

Having understood them, on should seek one’s own good. One should not, through heedlessness or error, indulge in such articles of food, or such practices, which, though agreeable, are baneful or productive of evil consequences afterwards.24!

As connected with the considerations about food and drink, it is, of course, well-known that pertain kinds of food and drink are beneficial or baneful in certain seasons. As regards time that is called Conditional, it depends on changes in the physical system, such as Infancy, Youth, Old age, &c., or disease and health. Food and drink should depend on age as also on health or disease. — T.

* Food is to be taken for the support of the system. But then it cannot be taken, without injury, at any time and every time. There are conditions or rules irj respect of its taking. When digestion has taken place as indicated by its well-known symptoms, then only should one replenish one’s system with a fresh supply of food and drink. — T.

f The last consideration with respect to food is the person himself that is to take it. He may be one who has accustomed himself to heavy food, or one \vho has always abstained from such food. He may be one that eats much at a time and frequently j or, he may be one that eats sparingly and that at long intervals. The kind of food and its quality also must, therefore, depend upon the taker, i. e., his character.— T,

% ‘Vi^eshah’ implies especial circumstances. The Rishi first names the eight considerations that bear on the question of diet. He then declares that especial circumstances connected with those considerations become productive of good or bad results. Thus, of the first consideration called Prakriti or Nature, the especial circumstances are these : flesh that is light is beneficial, while flesh that is heavy is not so.

As regards the several considerations aiding each other, it is seen that ‘Karana’ or cooking aids ‘Prakriti,’ for heavy food may be made light by subjecting it to the needful processes. — T.

p. 458

CHAR A KA -SA MHITA

The following provisions relating to the ordinances of food are beneficial for the hale as also for those that are diseased. As regards some persons these become most beneficial at certain seasons in consequence of the very nature of those persons. Food that is warm, oily, and according to the proper measure, should be taken. It should also be taken after that previously taken has been properly digested.

It should also consist of such ingredients as would not form a compound of hostile potencies.

One should take one’s food in a place that is agreeable, (z. e.,. not repulsive).

The food one takes should, again, consist of dishes every one of which is agreeable One should not eat with haste ; or taking up a long time ; or talking, or laughing the while.

While eating, one should eat with attention concentrated thereon.

Lastly, one should eat after a proper survey of oneself.25

We shall next lay down instructions on the excellence of these kinds of food.

One should take food that is warm, for warm food,, while being taken, causes perspiration. When taken it assists the diges¬ tive fire, and is soon digested. Such food causes the wind to. move in its natural directions, and dries up the phlegm.

For these reasons we should eat food that is warm.25

One should take food that is oily.

Food that is oily, while being eaten, causes perspiration - when the eating is over, it excites the digestive fire.

Such food is soon digested ; causes the wind to move in its natural directions. It renders the growth of the body stable (or unsusceptible of change). It generates growth of strength ; as also excellence of complexion.

* What is meant by a survey of oneself is attention to one’s state of health. Thus, after recovery from a fever, one should not eat curds or fish too much, or, if one has a rheumatic tendency, one should avoid liquid and cool food, or indulge in it very sparingly, — T.

charaka-samhitA.

p. 459

For these reasons one should take food that is oily.27

One should take food according to the proper measure ; since food taken according to the proper measure, without afflicting wind, bile, and phlegm, increases the period of life in evey case.