Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

t. Some texts have Itkata or Itkataka which is the same as the plant called Okra in Bengal; which others read Utkata or Utkataka, which, Ayurvedartha Chandrika explains, is Daruchini or Tejapatra. If the latter reading and the explanation given by Ayurvedartha Chandrika be preferred, it would seem that the plant indicated is Cinnamomum ZeylaniCHA RA KA -SA MHITA.

p. 631

Caramula ( u ), Rajakshavaka (v), RishyaproktS ( w ), Darada (x), Bharadwaji (jy), Vana-trapushi (z), Abhirapatri (a), Hansapadi ( b ), Kakanasha ( c ), Kulingakshi (d), Kshiravalli (e), Kapotavalli (/), Gopavalli (g), Madhuvalli (Ji), and Soinavalli (*).

Of these {i.e., those enumerated above ), as also of others of this kind, that are numbered in the group, called Sweet, of articles used as drugs, the physician should cut into small pieces those articles which should be so cut, and pulverise those which u. The roots of Saccharum Sara, Roxb.

v. A name applied to a variety of mustard seeds.

■w. Both Chakrapani and Gangadhara take it as implying a variety of Bala or Sida cordifolia, Linn.

x. Both the commentators take Darada as implying the well-known potherb called in Bengal, Pillama-saka, i.e., a variety of Beta Bengalensis.

y. Chakrapani says that this is another name of Bana-karpasi or wild cotton. A variety of Gossypium herbaceum, Linn.

e. A wild variety of Cucumis sativus, Linn.

a. Chakrapani explains that this is a variety of Qatavari or Asparagus racemosus, Willd.

b. Called in Bengali, Thulkuri. Hydrocotyle Asiatica, Linn. It has another Sanskrit name, viz., Mandukaparni, c. Called also Kakatundi. Asclepias currassavica, Linn.

d. Both the commentators take it as implying the plant called Petika ( Petari in Bengali ). Probably a variety of Typpa angustifolia, Linn. ; syn. Typpa elephantina, Roxb.

e. Both the commentators are content with saying that it is another name of Khira-lata. ( valli, of course, means a lata or creeper.) A variety of Convolvulus paniculatus, Linn.

f. Chakrapani takes it as implying Sukshma-Ela, i.e., Elettaria cardamomum.

g. Chakrapani takes it as implying the plant called Anantamula, i. e., Asclepias pseudosarsa, Roxb.

h. Chakrapani explains that this implies a variety of Liquorice.

i. Otherwise called Somalata. Asclepias acida, Roxb, ; syn. Sarcostemna brevistigma, W, A.

charaka-samhitA.

63:2 should be reduced to powders. Having cut and pulverised them, they should then be thoroughly washed and then put into a well-washed vessel,*

Then taking a quantity of milk and mixing with it an equal measure of water, they should be boiled, stirring them the while with a ladle. The measure should be sufficient of the liquid in which they are to be boiled.

When the juice of the drugs has come out (and mingled •with the liquid), and before the milk gets itself burnt, the vessel should be taken down (from the fire).

The milk should then be thoroughly strained, and while still agreeably warm, it should be mixed with clarified butter, or oil, or fat or marrow, or salt, or the inspissated juice of the sugarcane.

The physician, well-versed in the healing art, should then duly apply it as enemata to the patient suffering under affections due to vitiated wind.

To a patient, however, that is suffering under vitiated bile, the above should be administered when cooled and correcting it by honey and clarified butter.

Thus ends the Group of Sweets.*15*

* A ‘sthali’ is any kind of vessel, of earth or of any metal. In Bengal the word is used for indicating a circular dish or platter. In other parts of India, jars and jugs, in fact, any vessel large or small, is still called a ‘sthali.’ It is derived from the root ‘ sth5,’ to put or place. Hence, anything within or upon which any other thing may be put or placed. Generally, Hindu physicians use earthen vessels for manufacturing medicines. — T.

* Having first enumerated the plants, &c., that make up the Group of Sweets, the Rishi explains the method of preparation. Some are to be cut, some to be reduced to powder, &c. The articles are then to be boiled, strained, &c. The preparation is then to be corrected by the addition of some articles. While still warm, the enemata is to be applied to patients whose wind has been vitiated ; but with regard to patients suffering from vitiated bile, the medicine should be administered when cooled.

It will be seen that many of the plants named are unidentifiable. Some of the names stand for more than one plant. The commentators differ. I have done my best to present the different opinions. — T.

CHAR A KA-SAMHItA.

p. 633

5.mra ( a ), Amrataka ( b ), Lakucha (c), Karamardda ( d ), Vrikshamla ( e ), Amlavetasa (/), Kuvala (g), Vadara ( h ), Dadima ( i ), MStulunga (/ ), Kandira (£), Amalaka (7), Nanditaka (»z), ^itaka («), Dantafatha (0), Airavataka (/>), Koshamra (q\ and Dhanwana. ( r ).

The fruits of these are to be taken.

a. Mangifera Indica, Linn.

b. Spondias mangifera , Pers. The hog plum.

c. Artocarpus Lakoocha, Roxb.

d. Carissa Carandas, Linn. ; syn. Carissa congesta, Wight.

e. Otherwise called Tintiri. Tamarindus Indica , Linn. The Tamarind tree.

f. Otherwise called Chukra. Rumex Vesicarius, Linn. The country