Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

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 physiciaus whom I know personally, to the ancient work of Charaka.

Herr. R. Garbe, Prinzenstram Konigsbureh, Germany : — English translation ofCharaka Samhita is, perhaps, at least from an historical point of view, the most importantwork 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 which a man shall not do. A layman can understand the precepts and such a guide tolife, cannot be other than valuable.

ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS

OF.'

PART XXXIV.

Section III of Lesson. I is concluded in the first portion of this Part.

The ingredients of ‘Aindri-Rasayana’, ‘Medhakara-Rasâyana’, ‘Pippali-Rasayana’, ‘Pippalivardhamana-RasSyana’, ‘TripholS-Rasayana’, and ‘9ilajatu-Rasayana’ are set .down. (Pp. 1047—1055).

Then commences Section IV. It is called ‘Ayurveda-samutthâniya RasâyanapSda.’ The origin of the Science of Life is explained. It will be seen that the account given here differs in some respects from that given in Lesson I of Sutrasth^na.

The ingredients of a few more ‘RasSyanas’ are explained.

The most interesting portion of this Section is that which is headed ‘Rasayana of conduct.’ Purity of conduct and observance of healthful practices constitute, by themselves, a ‘Rasayana’ of great efficacy.

The qualifications of physicians and their title to the respect of all persons, are here set forth. (Pp. 1068 — 1070).

Lesson II commences at p. 1071. It is called ‘Vsjikarana.’ It treats of aphrodisiacs.

It will be difficult to find another passage in any literature, ancient or modern, that can match what is said of woman.

All the objects of the senses exist in a state of combination in woman alone. As existing in woman, they are, again, the foremost of their types. The beauty that resides in woman is superior to the beauty that resides anywhere else.

The agreeableness of touch that resides in woman is superior to the agreeableness of touch residing in the softest velvet.

The different phases also of love have been described in half a dozen verses which may be taken as the quintessence of the entire literature of love, in prose or poetry, in all the languages of the world. Pp. 1072 — 1073).

A comparison occurs here between a childless man and a man having many children. A childless man, the Rishi says, is like a branchless tree, without shadow and without fruit, and emitting a a disagreeable odour. He is even like a painted lamp, a dry tank, a gilded metal, or a human figure made of straw. He has no posi¬ tion. He is nude and empty, and he has necessity for work. A man with many children is like one who has many forms, as one having many faces, or one having many bodies, as one having great activity, or one having many eyes, or one having many souls.

The importance of progeny is explained.

One should always exert to have many children of robust con¬ stitutions and good character.

The section concludes with the mention of some good aphrodisiacs.

This part will amply repay perusal.

CHAR A KA -SAM HIT A.

p. 1047

Agreeably to this method (i. e., that which has been laid down above) should ‘Rasayanas’ be prepared of gold and silver.

The administration of every one of these ‘Rasayanas’ extends the period of life as, has been fully tested by experiment, and dispels all sorts of disease. *9.-25 ■

The person who takes ‘Rasayana’ made of iron for a whole year, becomes as follows : endued with the strength of an elephant, and possessed also of senses in their full vigour, he never succumbs to aggressions of violence committed on his person, or to diseases of any kind, or, to the decrepitude of age, or to death itself. Further, he becomes possessed of great intelligence, and great fame. Whatever he utters becomes accomplished.* Whatever he hears even once he succeeds in remembering. His strength also becomes great. 26-27

AINDRI-RASAYANA,

RASAYANA MADE OF CUCUMIS COLOCYNTHES , &c.

Take ‘Aindri’, otherwise called ‘Indravaruni’ ( Cucumis Colocynthes ), ‘Matsyakshika’ (the roots of AmaranThus spinoszis) ‘Brahmi* {Siphonanthus Indica), ‘Vacba’ (. Acorns calamus ), ‘Brahma-suvarchala’ (a variety of Polanisia icosandra), Piper longtim , and ‘Saindhava’ salt, gold, ‘£ankhapushpi’ ( Pladera decussata ), Aconitum ferox, and ghee. The measure of each of these, except gold, ghee and Aconitum ferox , should be three ‘yavas.’ Of gold the measure should be two ‘yavas’ ; of aconite the measure should be two ‘tilas’, ; and of ghee the measure should be one ‘pala.’ All the above ingre¬ dients (taken in the aforesaid measures) should be mixed together (and taken by the patient in proper measure).