Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

He is now . at work on an English translation of Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita, two Hindoo works on medicine and surgery unsurpassed in any age, or by any people, as specimens of ancient scientific research. To help him in this object, he has made an appeal to Government, which we are sanguine will meet with a becomingly indulgent response.”

( Extract from Sammilani, Jessore. )

“The Pandit is also bringing out an English translation of Charaka Samhita.

“The translator, in the preface to the first fascicule which has reached us, observes that, ‘it is my firm belief that an English translation of Charaka, if executed properly, and if it succeeds in attracting the attention of scientific men in Europe and America, is sure to produce many important changes in modern systems of treating diseases. Charaka is a highly philosophical work. Its deliverances on many subjects, unsurpassed for their brevity and weight, are like those of Bacon, extremely suggestive. Locked in a difficult tongue, those hints have for ages lain unutilised. Whether employed in teaching students

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or practising their system, Hindu physicians have moved too much in a groove. The vigorous intellect of the West by taking up these hints, may produce results of the utmost importance to science and the sacred cause of alleviating human misery.’ We fully endorse what has been said by the translator.

Charaka has hitherto been a sealed book to European medical men. The translation is likely to be productive of much good to the cause of humanity.”

( Extract from the Indian Light , Madras .)

"One of the well-known sons of this miniature continent is a distinguished Ayurvedic physician and editor of one of the Bengali journals of Calcutta. This high personage is no other than Pandit Avinas Chandra Kaviratna. He has set on foot the task of reviving Sanscrit medicine by translating into Bengali and other languages the ancient Medical works of India.

We can only say that the translation is a faithful copy of the original and that our medical men will not hesitate to assist Mr. Avinas Chandra. Kaviratna in his noble task of restoring the study of the Medical classics. We hope that the translator will not be discouraged by the Government and his fellowmen and that his en¬ deavours will be crowned with success.”

( Extract from the People's Journal, Madras.)

“Babu Avinash Chandra Kaviratna has undertaken to translate this vast compendium of medical Science into English, and has won golden opinions from all quarters.

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It may be safely said that the reader of these pages will find, almost at every step, something to learn or admire.

• Such an undertaking as that of Babu Kaviratna deserves every encouragement at the hands of his country¬ men and the Government.” — July 18 th 1891.

(Extract from the Madura Mail.)

“WeJiave before us the first fascicule of the English version of Charaka Samhita kindly sent us by the publisher, Abinash Chandra Kaviratna. The Kaviratna is a Kaviraj or physician of great reputation in Bengal practising according to the Hindu system of Medicine. His qualifications for the great work he has undertaken are beyond question.

We, therefore, trust that the Local Governments will see their way to extend to the philanthropic gentleman their patronage, which, we may say, he has fairly earned by his former publications. The Kaviratna is no blind admirer of authors of antiquity and their works.” July 18, r89i.

(Extract from the Sanmarga Bodhiny, Bellary.) .

“We have been always of opinion that only a native Sanskrit scholar could do ample justice in correctly translating into English and editing Sanskrit works. And it is our fortune that we have been enabled soon to realise this our long-cherished desire. We beg to acknow¬ ledge with thanks the receipt of the 1st part of CharakaSamhita from its learned author for review ; and we are

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highly pleased to record our opinion on the merits of the translation into English. Charaka and Susruta are the acknowledged authorities on Hindu medicine.

We have years ago come to the conclusion that in Medicine, the Aryans are second to none. Most of their methods of treatment are inimitable. Their treatises on medicine treat exclusively of the virtues'of the various simples. In every branch of Medical Science they attained excellence long before any other nation under the sun had developed this science. We are happy to record that Mr. Abinash Chandra Kaviratna, who has already earned fame as a competent Medical scholar, has undertaken this laborious but worthy task and thus conferred a great good upon the general public and especially the students of medicine in both the Western and Eastern continent.