Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna
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The translator’s English as printed (Avinash Chandra Kaviratna). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
One that is conversant with the distinctive features of all diseases, that is conversant alscr with all curative operations, and that knows the virtues of all drugs, should be the physician of the king.50
( Here are some verses containing a summary. )
The conception of groups of diseases according to difference of originating causes, the absence of difference between Diseases and Faults and the synonymous character of the two terms, the enumeration of the Faults, the enumeration of Diseases, the excitement of each one of the Faults, considerations about digestion, and the preservation ( or stirring up ) of the digestive fire, the courses of treatment and conduct for restoring to its natural order the wind, bile, and phlegm of persons in whom each of these predominates,
These have been declared by the great Rishi in this Lesson on the Vimanam relating to grants of diseases.1-3*
Thus ends the Sixth Lesson, called the Vimanam of diseasegroups, in the treatise of Agnive$a as revised by Charaka.
‘Utsadana’ is a doubtful word. Wilson gives the following meanings : — going up, ascending, rising, raising, elevating, destroying, overturning, clean¬ ing the person with perfumes ; rubbing or chaffing the limbs ; &c. Some kind of pressure on the body seems to be the sense here. — T.
* ‘ The conception of groups of diseases according to difference of originating causes, is treated of in aphorisms 2 and 3 ; the absence of difference between diseases and faults and the synonymous character of the two faults, are treated of in aphorisms 4 and 5 ; the enumeration of the faults and that of the diseases occur in aphorisms 6 to 9 ; excitement of each one of the faults is treated of in aphorisms 10 to 13/ considerations about digestion, & c., occur in aphorisms 14 to 18 ; the courses of treatment, &c., occur in aphorisms 19 to 29. — T.
CHARA KA-SA Mil IT A,
p. 527
LESSON VII
We shall next expound the Lesson on the Vimanam of the aspects of the diseased.
Thus said the illustrious son of Atri.1*
Persons of diseased aspects are of two kinds.
Those two are as follows : —
The first is the case of persons who, though afflicted by a grave ■disease, seem yet to have caught only a light disease, in conse¬ quence of the healthy appearance of their mind, strength, and body.
The second is the case of persons who, though afflicted by a light disease, st-em yet to have caught a grave disease, in conse¬ quence of the poor state of their mind and the rest.
Unskilful persons, who endeavour to treat or cure by noticing aspects of diseased persons by the aid of their eyes alone, fail to understand the seriousness or lightness of the diseases that con¬ front them.
Without doubt, by knowing only a part, knowledge is never gained of the entire object of knowledge. 3f
Physicians erring in the knowledge of the disease ( that cornfronts them ), err in the knowledge of the treatment to be followed.
When they meet with a patient who, though afflicted by a serious disease, presents the apparent symptoms of a light disease, they take him as one in whom a particular fault has been, excited to only a slight extent.
When the time comes for administering correctives unto him, they give him mild correctives with the result that the particular
* The name of the Lesson is ‘ Vyadhitarupiyam,’ literally, that which relates to the 1 rupa 1 or form, i e., aspects, of one that is ‘ Vyadhita,’ meaning, afflicted by disease. Hence the name has reference to the aspects of the diseased. — T.
f This aphorism plainly shows that Hindu physicians, in diagnosing disease, never rely upon the apparent symptoms alone. Their diagnosis is endeavoured to be made as thoroughly as possible.
p. 528
CHA RA KA-SAM HI 7' A .
fault excited, ( after being partially or temporarily allayed ), re¬ appears with force.
When they meet with one who, though afflicted by a light disease, presents the apparent symptoms of a serious disease, they take him for one in whom a particular fault has been greatly excited.
When, therefore, the time comes for administering correctives unto him, they give him correctives that are powerful, with the result that subduing to an excessive degree the particular fault excited, they weaken or waste his very constitution.4
Thinking, in this way, that they have, by knowing only a part, acquired a knowledge of the entire object of knowlevge, they trip repeatedly.
Those physicians, however, who know all that should be known, set themselves to treat disease after examining everything in every possible way. ( Accordingly ) they never fad, but succeed in achieving the end they have in view,5
( Here occur some verses. )
The aspects of disease in a suffering person depend on the difference of ( the condition of ) mind and the rest.
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