Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

How the protection of both the child and the mother should be provided for, is then explained, (pp. 856 — 857).

The especial treatment of the mother after delivery is then laid down, (p.858).

It will be seen that the Rishis fully understood the topics mentioned above.

CPARAK4 SAM It IT A. 827

Even these are the diverse ‘ Pungsavan ’ rites and medicines.

Women should observe and use those other ‘Pungsavanas’ also which inspired Brahmans may declare as beneficial.38 *

After this, we shall expound the practices which ensure the preservation of the conception (from injuries of every kind tending to destroy it.

Aindri (a), Brahmi ( b ), Cataviryya ( c ), Sahasraviryya (if), ^mo'gha (e), Avyathi. (/), 'Civa tg), Bala (A), Arishti (*), Vatyapushpi (_/'), and ViswaksenakSinta (k) :

‘ Gobrat ’ is supported by that of ‘ Dehali ’ which is derived from ‘ Deha ’ (cow-dung) and the' root ‘ li ’ meaning to lave or plaster.— ^T.

* Having especially 'mentioned some kinds' of ‘ Pungsavanas,’ the Rishj generally directs 'that :oth>er kinds of ‘ Pungasavana,’ laid down by the wise, should be observed and used. — T.

* a. Chakrap5ni explains that by ‘ Aindri ’ is meant ‘ Gorakshakarkati,.’ It is called in Bengali, ‘ Rakhala-sasa ; 1 a variety of ‘karkati’ or ‘ kankur,’ i.e. 'Cucumis Melo, Linn ; syn, Cucumis utilissimus, Roxb.

6. Gangadhara explains that ‘Brahmi’ means' ‘ Brahma-yashthi.’ It is/ called in ‘Bengali, ‘ BUmanhat}.’ Clerodendron Siphonanthus ; syri. Sip/ionantltuSk 'Jtidic'a, Laitik. ' / = c. White Durva grass. i~ d. Black (or dark-green) Durva grass. Both c and d are varieties of

Panicuni Dactylon, Linn syn. Cynodon Dactylon, Pers. . v

‘ e. Otherwise called '1 Patala ’ or ‘ Parula.’ Stereospermum suave-olens, DC ; syn, Bignonid suave:dlens, Rokb.

f. Otherwise called Guduchi ; Tinospora Cordifolia , Miers ; syn. Menispermum Cordifolitim.'

g. Another name of Haritaki. Chebulic myrobolans ( Terminali ckebula, Retz.) '

‘ ' h . Sida cordifolia , Linn. It has other names such as Vatyapushpi, SamangS, &c.

' ' i. -Otherwise called Katurohim or Katuka, as explained by the commenta¬ tors. Piirdrtdiiza'kitrrbd', R'oyle.

j. 'A 'variety of 'Hals'.' The yellow variety is implied, as observed by both Chakrapani and GangSdhara.

' k. ' C haik ra pani explains that this means Priyangu or Agtaia Roxburghiana, IV. A.

GangSdhara takes it as another name of Catamuli or Asparagus racemosus , Willd. ’ !‘" 1 ’ : •' ; ■’ • = ■

‘ AyurvedSrtha ChandrikS,’ on the authority of Amara Singha, takes Viswa-ksenakSnta (or Viswaksenapriya) as another name of VSrShi, called in Bengali, Phubri-Siu, i.e., Didscorea globosa, Roxb. ' ' ' s

IOS

S?8

CHAR AKA SAMJTITA.

These herbs should be held with the right hand on the head.

Boiling these with milk, or ghee, the woman, should drink (the decoction).

Under every successive ascendency of the lunar asterism called Fushya, the woman should bathe in water in which these have been dipt.

Pounding these and reducing them to a soft paste, she should also frequently use it as an ointmeut for rubbing her person with it. * 7

The uniform use, according to the ordinances laid down for regulating it, of all those herbs which are included in the class called ‘ Jivaniya,’ explains the (topic of the) preservation of con* ception (when it has set in, from injuries of every kind tending to destroy it). 9

The following incidents ar,e injurious to .conception (when it has set in) :

They are these :

The foetus of one who sits on her haunches, or on a spot that is uneven, or on a seat that is hard ;

or of one who suppresses the urgings .of wind, urine, and Stools »;

or of one who practises hard and improper physical exercises ;

or of one who takes, in a large measure, keen and hot food and drink.;

or of one who takes very frugal fare ;

dies outright in the womb, or is expelled prematurely it? point of time, or is dried up. S8-f

So also the foetus of one that has conceived is expelled pre.- fnaturely by these acts, viz, violent knocks or blows as also violent pressure (on the womb), -and. frequent sight of deep p/ts and walls and high precipices ■,

* The herbs included in the class called Jiyan.iya ’ are ten in pumber, . Vide p. 30, Sutrasthana, ante. — T, ■ t ‘.Hard and improper physical exercises J are explained hy the Cpmmenta-- t 3rs thus : Hard exerqise, such as running with great speed, &c.

Improper exercises imply those to which the woman is not all habituated,

1 Tikshna ’ or keen food implies food that is pungent on which produce? •?lent effects on the body, such as excessiye yom.iting or purging, &c. — T,

ClIARAKA SAMHITA.

82 § hlsb (riding on) vehicles that move the body violently ;.

or the hearing very often of sounds that are disagreeable.

Then* again,- of a worhart that always lies on her back, the Umbilical cord of the foetus twines rounds its neck.4®*

A worriari that sleeps in an uncovered place, and rambles at night, brings forth a child that becomes insane.

One that is accustouled to constant wordy warfare brings forth a child subject to fits of epilepsy.

One that is excessively fond of sexual congress brings forth a child that is deformed of limb (ugly), or shameless, or hen¬ pecked.

One that always indulges in grief brings forth a son that be¬ comes timid, lean of flesh, and short-lived.