Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Professor A. V. Williams Jackson., Columbia College, New York, V. S. A.— I must congratulate you, with true appreciation of your efforts. I should very much like to make a little note, in one of our papers, of the praiseworthy work you are doing. Be assured, Sir, of my hearty thanks and appreciation and of my deep interest in India and antique lore.

Mons. A. Barth., Paris : — Your efforts to place within reach of the readers of ancient literature a work of so interesting a nature both to the Oriental scholars and to the men of medicine, are very praiseworthy, and I shall be happy to bring the work to the notice of the French public, or, at least, of those who take an interest in these researches.

Mons. B. St. Hailaire, Paris : — I praise you on your undertaking and wish you all success. The work is of interest to all learned men and to medical men, and the commentaries written on it prove its value and utility. I will put in a notice in the Journal des Savants as soon as I can and shall be happy to do you justice.

Professor H. Jacobi, Bonn University, Germany : — The work you have undertaken will interest Sanskritists as well as medical men who care for the history of their science. I shall not fail to draw the attention of some eminent physicians whom I know personally, to the ancient work of Charaka.

Herr. R. Garbe, Prinzenstram Konigsbunh, Gertnany : — English translation of . Charaka Samhita is, perhaps, at least from an historical point of view, the most important work of the medical literature of your country.

Sir Alfred Croft, M. A., C. I. E.-, Director of Public Instruction, Bengal:— I have been greatly entertained as well as edified by the examination, in part IV, of all the things 1 which a man shall not do. A layman can understand the precepts and such a guide to life cannot be other than valuable.

ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS

PART XXXIII.

The Division called ‘Chikitsa,’ or, Treatment, begins in this Part. Of all works, on Hindu Medicine, Charaka’s is famous for the man¬ ner in which the subject of Treatment has been dealt with.

The first Lesson is very important. It treats of those medicines that are called ‘Rasayanas.’ These may be taken by both healthy and ailing persons.

‘Rasayanas’ are medicines that promote nourishment or growth.

It may not be unfair to observe that no system of medicine except the Hindu gives such impdrtance to the treatment of the healthy. The ‘Rasayanas’ ensure the preservation of health, and promote longevity.

It is a peculiar feature of Hindu Medicine that it is as much concerned with the Healthy as with the Ailing. Longevity is the object sought.

There are two methods for administering ‘Rasayanas,’ first, ‘Kutipravegika’, and second, ‘Vatatapika.’

The incidents in respect of ‘Kutpravejika’ have been explained in aphorisms 17 to 23.

In the first Section, called ‘Abhayamalakiya’, are laid down six combinations of drugs each of which is a most efficacious ‘Rasayana.’ These are

1. First Brahmya Rasayana,

2. Second ditto,

3. Chyavanapraca,

4. Amalaka Rasayana,

.5. Haritaki Rasayana, and

6. Another Rasayana.

Into the composition of all these, the three myrobalans enter more or less, with diverse other strength-giving and digestion-aid¬ ing drugs.

In the second Section, called ‘Prankamiya’, are laid down the tallowing Rasayanas,’ viz.,

1. Amalaka Rasayana,

2. Amalaka Avaleha,

3. Amalaka Churna,

4. Vidanga Avaleha,

5. Another extract of Amalaka,

6. Nagabala Rasayana,

7. Bhallataka Kshira,

8. Bhallataka Kshaudra, and

9. Oil of Bhallataka.

Some general ordinances occur about the administration of Bhallataka or the fruits, &c., of Semecarpus Anacardium.

In the third Section, called ‘Karaprachitiya’, some other .Rasa¬ yanas’ have been laid down. As the Section is not concluded in this Part, no abstract is given of these.

ESPECIAL NOTICE.

With this Part, we send to our subscribers a small pamphlet about the use of ‘Makaradhwaja.’ It is, we believe, a highly useful publication. Many books have been consulted before the rules about the use of this invaluable medicine could be compiled.

AVINASH CHANDRA KAVIRATNA.

THE PLACE OF CHIKITSITA.

LESSON I.

RASAYAN^' g

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§ i. ABHAYAMALAKIYAc. Jr/

We shall now expound the first Section, <faSj of the Lesson on ‘Rasayana.’

f ‘Abhayamalakiya’,

Thus said the illustrious son of Atri. i

‘Chikitsitam’, ‘Vyadhiharam’, ‘Pathyam’, ‘Sadhanam’, ‘Aushadham’, ‘Prayagchittam’, ‘Pragamanam’, ‘Prakritisthapanam’, and ‘Hitam’, — these, it should be known, are the different names of ‘Bheshajam’ (or medicine).*

The medicine is of two kinds.

Some medicine has for its purpose the increase of the ojos of a healthy person. Some, again, has for its purpose the alleviation of disease by which one is affected. 2-3

As regards those which are banes, they also are of two kinds, viz., ‘Vadhana’ (immediately destructive of life), and ‘Sanuvadhana’ (des¬ tructive of life after a time). 4

That which increases the ojos of a healthy person is of two kind s viz., ‘Vrishya’ (aphrodisiacs), and ‘Rasayana (tonics). S