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.
In the season, however, of rains, of £arat, and of Hemanta, when the Sun begins his southerly course, and his powers become weak¬ ened by time, by the virtue of his track itself, by the winds generated by the clouds, and by the downpours (from the cloudy regions), when the Moon also appears with unabated vigor, and (lastly) when the heat of the universe becomes cooled by the water that falls from the clouds, moisture that is cool, sour, saltish, and sweet, increases gradually, and the strength of human beings increases..6
On this topic are the following verses : —
It should be said that during the first season of the Giving period, {viz., the season of rains), and the last season of the Taking period, {viz., summer), men become weak. In the two interme¬ diate seasons of both the periods, {viz., £arat and Vasanta), men become neither very weak nor very strong. During the last season of the Giving period, {viz., Hemanta), and the first of the Taking period, {viz., (jlifira), the strength of men is at its highest.1
In the season of Hemanta which is cold, the digestive fire of wen, who become strong at that time, being confined within the body in consequence of the outer surface of the body coming 'into constant contact with cold winds, becomes capable of digesting heavy food taken even in excess of the proper measure.*2
When that fire does not get proper fuel (on which to spend itself), it then begins to destroy the moisture belonging to the body itself.3 For this reason, the wind, which becomes cold in the cold season, becomes strong (for producing evil results). Hence in this season of snow, one should eat the flesh of goats and aquatic and amphibious animals yielding juices that are cooling, sour, and saltish. t 4 t ‘ Medhya ’ means goats, probably in consequence of their fitness for being used in sacrifices ; ‘ audaka ’ are aquatic animals, like tortoises and fish ; * anupa ’ animals are the boar, the rhinoceros, the buffalo, etc. The Commentator expressly mentions these. Modern Hindus, who entirely abstain from such meat, may save their progenitors by reading ‘ medhyanam ’ as an adjective of ‘ audakanupamangshanam, ’ and argue that only the cleaner ones among these classes are recommended. — T.
* ‘Cite’ is an adjective of ‘Hemanta.’ ‘ Valinam ’ is used because men, as said in the previous verse, become endued with strength in this season. ‘ Vali ’ is digestive fire.— T.
CHARAKA-SAMHITl.
The flesh also of such animals as live in holes and of kine and asses, roasted on spits, should also be taken in this season. One should also (in this season), after taking such meat, drink wines, Sidhu, and Madhu.*$
Of him who in this season habitually takes milk (and its preparations), the diverse preparations from sugar, fat of animals\ oil, and new rice, and who drinks hot water, the period of life is never lessened.8
In this season the body should be rubbed with oil, chafing the limbs in an upward direction. Oil should be applied to the head. Perspiration should be caused by staying within a heated chamber.-f- Exposure is to be sought to the heat of the sun. Warm subterranean chambers, and warm apartments of other kinds, should be used.7
In this, season (as also whenever it is cold), conveyances and beds and seats, that are well-covered, and overlaid with thick clothes, (furred) skins, silken sheets, thick hempen cloths, and painted blankets, should be used.J8
One should also, at such times, cover oneself always with thick and warm clothing, and use thick plasters of Aguru. Retir¬ ing to bed, one should sleep, clasping as one likes, a woman of
* Among animals living in holes, the Commentator mentions the Iguana. ' Prasahah ’ means kine and asses. ‘ Bhrita ’ is cooked or roasted on the spit. Both ‘ Sidhu ’ and ‘ Madhu ’ were wines. It is difficult to ascertain how these were made. ‘ Madhu ’ probably was fermented honey. Wilson thinks that Sidhu ’ was distilled from molasses. — T.
t The process called Jentdka is described below very fully. — T.
t ‘Cite,’ the Commentator explains, has reference to both the season of Hemanta and such other times during the year when through normal or abnormal causes the atmosphere becomes cold. ‘ Susamvritam ’ means well-covered or protected from exposure to the wind. ‘ Prabeni’ the Commentator explains, is otherwise called ‘Goni.’ It was probably a kind of coarse cloth made of hemp. ‘ Kutbaka ’ is a painted blanket. — T.
CH A RA KA-SAMHITA .
ample proportions, of full and well-developed bosom, and smeared, with the perfumed unguent of Aguru.*9
Upon the advent of the next season, viz., £i<;ira (the season of dews, when the strength increases), one may, as one pleases, indulge in sexual congress. Upon the advent of the cold season one should abstain from food and drink that are light and that partake of the property of wind. One should at such a time avoid exposure to the wind, the practice of abstinence in the matter of eating, and barley powdered and boiled in water.10
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