Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

* These 3 verses, viz., 27, 28, and 29, are very important. They are, as it were, the keystone of ‘Nidana,’ that is, considerations about the originating causes of dis g se. Their sense has been elaborated in the verses that follow. Hence( it is not necessary to point out here their bearing upon both diagnosis and treatment. In verse 28 occurs the compound, ‘vishamarambhamulan5m’ in the genetive form. Here it stands for ‘vishamarambhamulanam vyadhinam’, that is, ‘of those diseases whi ch have for their root or origin abnormal practices, in respect, of course, of eating, drinking, dressing, moving, &c.’ In a more limited sense, the word implies such diseases as arise from the improper administration of correctives and alleviatives, &c.

The same compound, in, however, the instrumental form, occurs in the first line of verse 29. Here it is used as an adjectival substantive, the sense being that of ‘vishamarambhamulaih lingaih’, that is, symptoms belonging to diseases caused by abnormal practices (if, of course, the instrumental form be disregarded). — T.

t In these two verses the Rishi classifies the diseases according to their curability and

CHAR A KA-SA MHITA.

ion

A disease which is incurable can never be cured.

On the other hand, a curable disease may become incurable. Diseases change their nature in consequence of a defect in the four-fold means of cure as also through superhuman agency.* 35

A well-versed physician should mark with attention the aggrava¬ tion, the equipoise, and the depression of the faults {viz., wind, bile, and phlegm) as also the condition of the patient’s body, his digestive power, his strength, and his mind, though these conditions may be exceedingly subtle and difficult to mark. 36

Indeed, a skilful physician adopts a particular means of cure, in a particular condition by observing attentively that particular condition of the disease. 37

It is generally seen that the faults, when they take a transverse course, afflict the patient for a long time.

The physician who has observed with attention the (condition) of the (patient’s) body, digestive power, and strength, should not, in haste, betake himself to the treatment of such faults. 3s

A wise physician should either allay them by administering alleviatives or have them brought into the region of ‘kostha’ (stomach). Ascertaining that the faults have been brought there, he should expel them (by using drugs) according to their nature. f 39

The symptoms of several diseases that have been mentioned in brief (in this Lesson) for a right ascertainment of the (particular) dis¬ ease, are themselves so many diseases. But when the main diseases incurability. The curable are of two sorts, ‘sukhasadhya’ (easily curable) and ‘krichcchrasadhya’ (curable with difficulty). The incurable diseases are also classed under two heads : Some are ‘Yapya’ or suppressible ; some are ‘Pratyâkheya’ or should not be taken up for treatment. The suppressible diseases cannot be cured totally. They can only be suppressed by the aid of proper treatment. But they are sure to manifest themselves at intervals. A slight cause is sufficient to provoke them into manifestation. — T.

* Padavacliara’ is made up of the two words, ‘pada’ and ‘avachara.’ ‘Pada’ literally means a foot. Here it is used metaphorically for a means of cure. The four-fold, means . of cure ate laid down in Lesson IX of the Division called ‘Sutrasthana.’ They are — I. the physician, 2. drug, 3. nurse, and 4. patient. In that Lesson the; Rishi mentions what virtues each of these should be possessed of to become causes for the cure of disease. A deficiency of any of these means of cure is meant by ‘padavacliara.’ — T.

t The drugs should accord with the nature of the fault. The sense is that if the fault excited be phlegm, such drug should he used as alleviates phlegm. The drug may be an emetic or a purgative as the case requires.

p. 128

p. 1012

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

are to be considered they should be taken as symptoms only and not as (separate) diseases.* 4°

The abnormal condition and the normal one are under the influence of their respective causes. They cannot stand without their determinants. These two sorts of conditions are the sole subjects in brief (of medical science).! 41

( Here are some verses containing a summary).

The causes, incubatory indications, symptoms, ‘upagaya’ or diag¬ nosis by experimental treatment, ‘samprapti’, the first origin of disease, the aphorisms in brief relating to treatment, the consider¬ ations of curability and incurability, of the eight diseases having fever for their first, as also the causes, symptoms, and methods of allevia¬ tion, explained separately, of each particular disease, and causes and nomenclature of diseases and symptoms, — all these fall within the Division called Nidana which has been expounded here in brief.! 13