Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

In following this treatment, however, care should be taken in properly considering the ‘ avasthantarani,’ i. e., the changes in respect of circumstances, about the faults (wind, bile, and phlegm), that is, the precise measure in which each has been excited, the potency of the medicines, that is, of oils or enemata used, &c., &c., ‘ Satwa ’ is probably ‘ Sara’ ; some men are

‘ Raktasara, i. e., have blood predominating in their constitutions ; some 60

47° CHARAKA-SAMHITA -

Here occur some verses.

Where (in what particular part of the physical organism) are edibles swallowed, chewed, drunk and licked, digested ? This is what we ask thee, O wise one 1

Do thou answer us, O thou that art endued with (great) in¬ telligence !27

Thus questioned by his disciples having Agnivefa as their foremost one, Punarvasu declared unto them the place where the food taken is digested.28

That portion of a living creature’s body which is between the navel and the breasts is known by the name of Ama^aya. It is there that edibles swallowed, chewed, drunk, and licked, are digested.23

The food taken first goes into the ctmagaya : undergoing only digestion there, it subsequently, when digested, reaches every part of the body through the arteries and veins.30*

( Here are two verses containing a Summary .)

In this Lesson the indications have been duly laid down of a person who eats according to due measure, as also the conse¬ quences of such eating.

Similarly, the indications of one who does not eat according to measure have been laid down, as also the consequences of such eating, agreeably .to the divisions of the subject.31

Having carefully attended to the eight considerations con¬ nected with the ordinances in respect of food, one should address oneself to one’s own good.

are ‘twak-sara,’ i. e., have more skin than anything- else ; some are ‘ asthisara, i. e., have more bones than anything else., & c.

‘ Prakriti ’ or Nature should be understood as explained in aphorism 17 in Lesson 1 ante of 1 Vimanam.' — T.

* 1 Dhamanis,' as explained before, are those channels which produce a sound as that of something beating against another thing. They are, there¬ fore, the arteries through which the blood flows and against which the blood, as it flows, beats constantly. Whether the distinction between arteries and veins was understood by the Rishis cannot be precisely ascertained. But ir* rendering 1 dhamani ’ it is better to use the words arteries and veins, — T.

CHA RAKA-SA MHITA ,

47'

If there is any other way, as regards this (topic), fit for achiev¬ ing one’s good, that also, should, be adopted.82

Thus ends the second Lesson,, called Trividha-kukshiya-vimanam, in the Place of Vimanamy in, the treatise of Agnivefa as revised by Charaka..

LESSON III.

We shall next expound the Lesson on the Destruction of towns and large villages.

Thus said the illustrious son of Atri l1'

In the capital known as Kampilya, situate in the region called Panchala, that teemed with clusters of villages, and that was inhabited by many foremost of regenerate persons, the illustrious Punarvasu, the son of Atri, surrounded by disciples,, towards the close of the month of sweat, while engaged in a walk in the woods on the banks of Ganga, addressed his disciple Agnivefa, (and said) :2*

Verily, O amiable one,, of the constellations, the planets, the moon, the sun, the atmosphere, and fire, as also of the points of the compass, as existing in their natural state, conditions are observable causing perverse symptoms of season.

From this, very soon, the soil also will not duly impart unto the herbs juice, energy, assimilable virtue, and potency.

Through absence of these, an epidemic outbreak is certain to. follow.

* The kingdom of Panchala should be identified with, the modern. Raj putana. In the Mahhaharata it is said that the province of Panchala was divided nearly equally, by the river Charmanwati, the modern Chambal, overthe eastern portion of which reigned Drona, the preceptor in arms of the Kuru princes, . and over the western, Drupada, the father-in-law of the Pandavas. — T.

‘ Gharme mase ’ is literally, the month of sweat, i. e., Summer. From the adjective ‘ pa9chime ' it would seem that the month of Jyaishtha is implied. It corresponds with the middle of May to the middle of. June. — T.

47 2

CI-IA RA KA - SA M HI TA

Hence, before destruction sets in and before the soil is im¬ poverished, do thou, O amiable one, now gather the herbs (thou mayst need) that they may not be wanting in juice, energy, assi¬ milable virtue, and potency !

We shall administer these (herbs possessed of) juice, energy, assimilable virtue, and potency, unto those who will seek us or those whom we will seek.

Since, if the medicinal herbs are properly gathered, properly administered and properly prepared, no pomp of treatment would be necessary for (allaying) the diseases that break out for the destruction of towns and villages.8*

Unto the illustrious son of Atri, that said so, Agnive£a said ;

O illustrious one, suppose the medicinal herbs have already been gathered, and properly administered, after having been pro¬ perly sought out.

The question, however, is, — How can the habitations of men who differ in nature, food, body, strength, capacity of bearing par-