Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The Vaikhanasas, the Valkhillas, as also others endued with wealth of asceticism, having obtained this ‘Rasayana’, obtained im¬ measurable longevity.* 53

Freed from decayed bodies, they obtained (through this Rasayana) bodies that were foremost of their kind, as also youthfulness of years. Freed from langour and fatigue and shortness of breath, without disease of any kind, with minds concentrated, and endued with strength of understanding and memory, those ascetics, with great devotion, practised for unending years, penances agreeable to the Vedas, observing the vow of celebacy. 54-55

One desirous of longevity should use this ‘Rasayana’ which is called ‘Brahmya.’ By so doing, one is sure to attain to long life, and great strength and the fruition of all desires. 5<*

[SECOND BRAHMYA-RASAYANA.]

Take a thousand fruits of P hyllanthus Emblica, possessed of qualities already mentioned.! Reduce them to paste. Soften them properly by means of the heat of boiling milk, agreeably to the usual process of ‘swedana.’J

The fruits are then dried in the shade. Divested of seeds, they are then (i. e. their kernel) reduced to pulv.

This pulv is macerated (for seven days) in the expressed juice of a thousand fresh fruits of the same kind.

The following then are added, of measure equal to an eighth part of the pulv of the emblic myrobalans, viz., (Sthira) Hedysarum Gangeticum, (Punarnava) Boerhavia diffusa, (Jivanti) Cselogyne ovalis, (Nagbala) Sida spinosa, (Brahma-Suvarchala) the acquatic plant so t Vide verses 38 and 39 above. — T.

* The ‘Vaikhanasas’ were an order of ascetics. The ‘Valkhillas’ were a very diminutive order of ascetics, about the size of the Lilliputans- Both orders are mentioned in the Mahabharata and the Purans — T.

t That is, the fruits are kept on a piece of cloth covering the mouth of a large vessel. The vessel is half-filled with milk. Heat is applied to the vessel containing milk. The vapours arising from the boiling milk soften the fruits on the cloth. — T.

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

p. 1023

Called,* (Mandukapafni) Hydrocotile Asiatica, (£atavari) Asparagus racemosus, ((^ankhapushpi) Pladera decussata, Piper longum, Acorus calamus, (Vidanga) Embelia Ribes, (Swayamgupta Macunna pruriens, (Amrita) Tinospora cordifolia, (Chandana) Pterocarpus santalinus, (Aguru) Aquilaria Agallocha, (Madhuka) Liquorice, the flowers of (Madhuka) Bassia latifolia, (Utpala) Nymphoe stellata, (Padma) lotus, (Mâlati) Echites caryophyllata, (Yuvati) Aglaia Roxburghiana and (Yuthika) Jasminum auriculatum.

The compound should then be macerated (for 7 days) in the ex¬ pressed juice of a thousand palas of (Nagbala Sida spinosa.

It should then be dried in the shade.

Ghee of twice the measure, or ghee and honey of twice the measure should then be mixed with it.

A ball should then be made of the mass. This should be kept in a clear and strong earthen jar that has sucked a sufficient measure of ghee .

The jar should be placed underneath the ground, covered with a heap of ashes, for a fortnight.

Having kept the jar thus, it should be taken up, after a fortnight, by the physician conversant with Atharvans.

The pulv should then be mixed, with the globular mass, of gold, silver, copper, corals, and black iron, the measure of which should be one-eighth of that of the boluses.

Keeping an eye over the strength of the digestive fire, the physi¬ cian should then duly administer this medicine every morning, increasing the dose by half a ‘karsha’ every day.jWhen the medicine has been digested, one should take ‘sashitaka rice (properly boiled), with ghee and milk.

Taking the medicine in this way, one reaps all the benefits already mentioned. 57

( There are some verses here.)

This ‘Rasayana’, called ‘Brahmya’, is used by the great Rishis.

* It is an aquatic plant whose leaves resemble those of the lotus. — T. f A 'karsha’ is equal to 2 tolas. Half a ‘karsha’, therefore, is equal to one tola. Some of the Bengali translators take ‘Gudakriti’ to mean boluses. This is wrong. It means a globular mass.— T.

p. 1024

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

One using it becomes freed from disease, attains to longevity, acquires great strength, and obtains the love and affection of all creatures, as also the fruition of all his desires.

The splendour of his complexion resembles that of the moon or the sun. His memory becomes so improved that he becomes able to retain all he hears.

His mind becomes like that of the Rishis.

The compactness of his body becomes like that of a mountain, and his powers (energy) like that of the wind.

If poison comes in contact with his system, it loses its force. 58-60

[CHYAVANA PRA£A.]