Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

That which is called the ante-rainy (Prabrish) is the precur¬ sor of the rainy season. It has the rainy season for its sequel.

Even thus is the year distributed into six seasons, with special reference to the administration of correctives. * 145

Amongst these, the administration of emetics and the rest, is ordained for those seasons that have the common attribute of all the seasons. These medicines should not be administered in the other seasons.

The reason for this is, that those seasons which bear common attributes are, in consequence of the odd, heat, and the rains being mild, exceedingly pleasant; and in them both the human frame and thfe medicines (intended for it) remain in their normal state (z. e., are not affected for the worse, or have not their nature altered).

The other seasons, on the other hand, in consequence of their excessive cold or heat or rains, are exceedingly unpleasant. They are also such that during their continuance, both the human frame and the medicines (intended for it) do not remain in their normal state. f14S

* In Lesson VI., called “ Tasya fitiya,” of "Sutra-sthilna,” the practices (with regard to food, drink, dress, sleep, exercise, &c.), that are suitable to each season, have been laid down. The seasons, in that Lesson, have been treated of, with special reference to “ charyya” or practices. Here, however, the seasons will be spoken of with special reference to the administration of the medicines called correctives.— T.

t What is stated in this aphorism is this : there are six seasons j in three of them, which are, of course, the principal, the characteristics of cold, or heat, or rains, are very marked. These are winter, summer, and the rainy season. Intermediate between each two are three other seasons j these, called anterainy, autumn, and spring, are characterised by the common attributes of the principal seasons ; that is, in each of them, cold, heat, and rains appear in a mild form or state. It is during the latter three seasons that the medi¬ cines called correctives, should be administered. The human body and the medicines also, during these seasons, remain in their normal condition. In the three principal seasons, however, in consequence of the cold, or the heat, or the rains being very marked, neither the human body nor the medicines intended for it, remains or remain in that condition which may be regarded as normal. The subsequent aphorisms establish this point more clearly. — T

6l2 charaKa-samhitA.

In this connection it should be said that in winter, in conse¬ quence of its being afflicted by excessive cold, the body becomes indisposed. It becomes filled with air that is excessively cold ; it becomes exceedingly stiff (in consequence of excessive dryness and harshness) ; and, lastly, the (three) faults (viz., wind, bile, and phlegm) become obstructed (as regards their free movements). The medicines, again, intended as correctives, endued as they are with heating attributes, undergo, in consequence of their being afflicted by excessive cold, a degeneration of energy.

Hence, in consequence of both the body and the medicine, thus agreeing (in swerving from their normal condition), the coirective medicines, if administered (in winter), produce the result called Ayoga. The body also becomes subject to the distempered play of the wind. *147

Then, again, in summer, in consequece of its being afflicted by excessive heat, the body becomes indisposed.

It also becomes filled with hot wind and heat. It becomes exceedingly relaxed. The faults, too, shrink into a rarified state.

The medicines also, intended as correctives, endued as they are with heating attributes, catch, in consequence of their concur¬ rence with heat, keener virtues.

Hence, in consequence of both body and the medicines thus agreeing dn swerving from their normal condition), the corrective medicines, if administered, produce the result called Atiyoga.

The body also becomes subject' to the distempered play of thirst, f143

* " Tayoh samyoge” implies “ in their agreement,” “ their” having refer¬ ence to the body and the medicines. The agreement consists in both swer¬ ving from their normal condition. The body, as stated in the first part of the aphorism, becomes indisposed ; in the second part it is said that the medicines themselves degenerate in point of energy. Hence, because both agree in falling away from their normal condition, such medicines should not be adminis¬ tered in such a season. 'Ayoga’ is absence of (judicious) correlation. Vide p. 88 of SutrSsthana, ante., — T.

f ‘ Atiyoga’ is excess of correlation. Vide p. 88 of Sutra-sthana, ante. — T.

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