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.
§ I. e., medical scriptures, all surgical and other instruments, drugs, uten¬ sils for preparing them, &c. — T.
‘ Mahajana ’ literally means ' a great person.’ It is generally used to signify a person that has been crowned with success of penances, or one that has become an authority for holiness and good conduct and knowledge. It implies also a person of noble birth. It may also mean the great body of people. — T.
* ' Asannihitefwaranam’ does not refer to ‘ strinam ’ following it. It implies those persons, minors or majors, who have not their guardians or masters near them. A person has fallen down from his horse and is in a state of insensibility. A difficult surgical operation may save him, or may not save him. The operaCHA R A KA -SA M HIT A .
p. 555
(After becoming a physician) thou shouldst not accept the gift of fish and meat made by a woman without the knowledge (or per¬ mission) of her lord or other guardian.*
While entering the family dwelling-house of the patient, thou shouldst do it with notice to the inmates and with their permis¬ sion. Thou shouldst (at such times) be accompanied by some male member of the family. Thou shouldst cover thy person properly. Thou shouldst (while entering) keep thy face downwards. With thy wits about thee, thou shouldst, with understanding and mind properly fixed, observe all things. Duly conducting thyself in this way thou shouldst enter (the dwelling-house of the patient.)f
Having entered, thou shouldst not devote thy words, mind, understanding, and the senses to anything else than what is calcu¬ lated to do good to the patient, or to any other object connected with the patient (than his recovery). J tion, however, offers the only chance. What is the physician to do? The patient is insensible. No friend or guardian is near to consult. Charaka’s opinion is that such a patient should not be taken up for treatment. As regards women that have not their husbands or other guardians near them, the prohibition is due to the danger of the physician's falling on evil tongues. — T.
* Why the prohibition touches gifts of fish and meat only, does not seem to be clear. What the Rishi wishes to inculcate is that the physician should never seek to cultivate the good will or friendship of the women of the families he may visit professionally. — T.
t Dwelling houses in India consist of two portions, viz., the inner and the outer apartments. The outer apartments are for male visitors and friends. The inner apartments are for the women, and can be entered by males that are members of the family. While ailing, persons betake themselves to the inner apartments. Hindu women live in seclusion. Hence these words of caution. — T.
$ The physician should not attend to anything else than the cure of the patient. He is not to tell stories for making himself agreeable to the. inmates of the house, or to negociate loans for benefiting them, or bring about marriage alliances. His conversation should be confined to the object for which he has been summoned.-- -T.
p. 556
CH A RA KA -SAM HIT A.
Thou shouldst never give out (to others) the practices of the patient’s house.*
Even if thou shouldst be certain of it, thou shouldst not speak of the diminution of the patient’s period of life when such speaking may shock the patient or any body else (connected with him).+
Even if possessed of sufficient knowledge (of medicine), thou shouldst not boast of that knowledge.
Many people become annoyed with even an Inspired person if he boasts (of his wisdom).11
There is no end (to reach) of Medical Science. Hence, heedfully, thou shouldst devote thyself to it. In this connection, one should conduct oneself in this way. Then, again, skilfulness of practice should be acquired from others, without feeling any humi¬ liation.:]:
Unto men possessed of intelligence, the entire world acts as a preceptor.
Unto men destitute of intelligence, the entire world occupies the position of an enemy.
* I. e., the physician should not talk to others about the possessions of the family, their wealth, their furniture, dress, beds, &C., their mode of living, the arrangements of the house-hold, the conduct of the members, male and female, that may fall under his observation, and such other particulars.— T.
f I. e., when the patient may be shocked or anybody interested in him may be shocked ; the physician should speak guardedly on the probability of re¬ covery. In cases, however, in which the patient will not be shocked, the physi¬ cian may speak openly. In the case, for example, of old men or women, that are desirous of dying in sacred places, the physician should speak of the time when death, according to him, may probably come. In such cases the patient’s anxiety is relieved by the disclosure. — T.
J What is stated here is this : Medical Science has no end to reach. Hence, one should not boast after having acquired some knowledge of it, even if that knowledge surpasses that of others. Then, again, in acquiring skilfulness of practice, there is no humiliation involved in seeking others, i. e., competent preceptors and practitioners. — T.
CHA RA KA -SA MHITA.
p. 557
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