Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna
The text is shown on its own: no facing layer is held for this issue.
The translator’s English as printed (Avinash Chandra Kaviratna). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
p. 47
Avyatha (a), £iva (h), Arishta (c), Vatyapushpi (d), and Vicwaksenakranta (e), — these ten cure sterility. 55
Amrita ( f), Abhaya (g), Dhattri (h), Mukta (i), £weta (/), Jivanti (k), Atirasa (/), Mandukaparni ( m ), Sthira ( n , and Punarnava ( o ), — these ten prevent the effects of age (being visible on the body). 5 4
( Here ends the tenth five aggregates of Astringents.)
Thus then are the five centuries of Astringents expounded ai d then the fifty Astringents par excellence , as classified into aggre¬ gates (each of which consists of ten astringents possessing the same virtue), and thus the virtues of the last for examples’ sake.57 No limits can be assigned to an elaborate mention. A brief men¬ tion again is not calculated to suit the capacities of persons of little a. The Commentator is doubtful as to what is exactly meant by this. He thinks it is
Kadali, Guduchi, Haritaki, i. e., Musa sapient urn, or Tinospora cordifolium, or Chebula myrobalan.
b. It is doubtful what is meant by this. The name stands for Chebula myrobalan, for Phyllanthus Emblica, for Batatas Paniculata, for a variety of Panicum Daclylon, and for Acacia suma.
c. Called also ICaturohini. PUrocrhiza Kurroa.
d. Sida Cordifolia.
e. Another name for Priyangu. Aglaia Roxburghiana.
f. Tinospora Cordifolia ; syn. Mtnispermum Cordl/oliam.
g. Chebulic myrobaian.
h. Phyllanthus Emblica ; syn. Emblica officinalis.
i. Another name of Rasna. Vanda RoxbUrghii ; syn. Cymbidium tessaloides.
j. It is difficult to say that particular plant is meant here. The name Cweta stands for many different plants. Many physicians, however, think that the Panicum Dactylon is intended. From green the color may be changed into' white by the simple contrivance of making it grow under a cover. Some physicians use the white variety of the Clitoria ternatea. The Commentator says that some texts read Creyasi for Cweta. The former is a variety of Rasna or Vanda Roxburgkii.
It. Calogync ovalis.
l. A variety of Rasna. Some ’physicianshise Anantamula ( Hemidesmus Indica)
for Atirasa.
m. Called Thulkttri. Hydrocotyle Asiatica.
n. Called also Calaparni. Dcsmodium gangeticum ; syn. Hcdysarum gangelicum.
o. Bocrhavia diffusa ; syn. Boerhavia procumbent and erect a.
p. 48
intelligence. For this reason, they have been set forth without much brevity and without much length. Such mention will enable persons of little intelligence to apply them, while it will aid those that are endiied with intelligence and skilled in reasons and in inferences from the virtues (as stated) of each group, in under¬ standing matters that have not been expressly stated.*58
Unto the illustrious son of Atri who was saying this, Agnivefa said,— “ O illustrious Riski, in this enumeration the tale is not complete of five hundred Astringents. In the several groups of Astringents par excellence (mentioned by you) enter names of the same Astringents.”t39
Unto him said the son of Atri, — “ O Agnive9a, a person possessed of intelligence will not see this to which thou referest. Even one object receives many names in consequence of its dis¬ charging many functions. This is even as follows : a person is capable of doing various acts. He receives special names derived from the attribute of agency, of instrumentality, and of effect in respect of whatever acts he does. J Drugs alsp should be viewed similarly. If we could get some one article possessed of such virtue as to be efficacious in the performance of every act, who is there that would then wish to retain in his own memory or to impart to his disciples (a knowledge of) any other article ?” 50
( Here are some verses.)
There are six hundred Purgatives. They have been spoken of in brief. The articles with which they are made, and how many of them are made from which, have also been indicated. Those six
* Smalakshanyanumana &*c., is explained by the Commentator as Swalakshanasya blidvah, tenet anumanxm, &c. — T.
t Thus Kakoli and Kshirakakoli occur in groups 7 and 8, p. p. 30 and 31, and so on. — T.
X Thus (as the Commentator explains) one that does the act of cooking is called a cook. Here there is agency in respect of the work. One that plays on the fiddle is called a fiddler. Here the attribute of instrumentality enters into the name. Again, one is called a potter, from the effect of his act, viz., the pots he makes. There is nothing to prevent even the same person being called by these three different names in respect of these three different acts all of which he may happen to do. — T.
CHA RA KA-SAMHITA.
No commentary for this page under the selected tracks.
There is commentary on page 1.