Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

J ‘Mahagravani’ is not identifiable. In Bengali it is called ‘Vada-Thulkuri.’ Its otherSanskrit names are : I. Mabamundi, 2. Lochani, 3. Kadamvapushpi, 4. Vikacha, 5. Krodachuda, 6. Palankasha,.,7. Nadikadama, 8. Alamvusha, &c. We give these names for its identification. Different names may be in vogue in different parts of Ihdia. — T.

§ The word ‘Cchatra’ means “Madhurika’ (fennel seeds)', or ‘Dhanyaka’ {Coriandramsativum), or ‘Manjistha’ ( Rubict cordifolia), or ‘gilindhra’ (mushroom).. The word ‘Aticchatra’ is synonymous with ‘Cchatra ticchatra.’ We have followed Gangadhara in taking ‘Cchatraticchatra’ as one herb. — T.

|| ‘Meda and ‘Mahameda’ are not identifiable. — T.

a. ‘Brahmasuvarchala’ is a variety of Adityabhakta (Bengali, ‘Hudhude’) or Cleameviscosa. Ayurvedarthachandrika describes it as ‘an aquatic plant whose leaves are likethose of the lotus.’

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CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

There is also another herb named ‘Adityaparni’(^), otherwise called '‘Suryakanta.’ Its exudation is (also) of a golden colour. Its flower resembles the disc of the sun. r9

There is an herb named ‘Nari.’(c) It is better known as ‘Agwavala.’ Its leaves look like a goat. 20

There is an herb called ‘Kashtagodha.’(^) Its shape is like that of an iguana.

There is an herb called ‘Sarpa’(«) which has the shape of a snake.

There is an herb named ‘Soma.’(/) It is the king of all herbs. It lias five and ten leaves. It waxes and wanes like the' moon. 21

There is another herb named ‘Padma.’(g-) It resembles the lotus in b. ‘Adityaparni’ is described in Sugruta as a plant with a bulbous root, having five deep red leaves which turn towards the sun. It is known in Bengal as Suryamukhi. It is, there¬ fore, a variety of Adityabhakta. — T.

c. ‘Nari’ has not been identified. Sugruta describes it as a plant of great efficacy. It has twelve leaves resembling in colour and shape the plumes of a peacock. Its milk is golden in hue. It has a bulbous root-stock. It is found by the side of a lake in Cashmere, known by the name of ‘Kshudraka-Manasa.’ — T.

d. ‘Kashtagodha’ has not been identified. Sugruta does not seem to have mentioned it.— T.

e. ‘Sarpa’ has not been identified. Sugruta gives another name by which it is known, •viz., ‘Ajagari’, and describes it as a plant endued with five leaves which have the shape of the extended hood of a snake. — T.

f. ‘Soma’, better known as ‘Somalata’, is identified with Sarcostemma Brevisiigma, syn. Asclepias acida. The beverage prepared from this plant was. regarded by the Rishis as sacred. The gods drank it in sacrifices. The Vedas sing its praises. Sugruta mentions that it has two and twenty varieties. Considering the frequent mention of this plant in Hindu sacred literature, the names of those varieties deserve to be recorded. They are I. Angumat ; 2. Manjavat ; 3. Chandramas ; 4. Rajataprabha ; 5. Durvasoma : 6. Kaniyas ; 7. Qwetaksha ; 8. Kanakaprabha ; 9. Pratanavat ; 10. Talavrinta ; II. Karavira ; 12. Swayamprabha;l3. Mahasoma ; 14. -Garudahuta ; 15. Gayatra ; 16 Traishtupa ; 17. Pankta ; 18. Jagatya ; 19. (Jankara ; 20. Agnishtoma^ 21. Raivata ; and 22. Udupati.

The commentators explain that the leaves grow with the moon and fall off with her. The growth begins in the lighted half of the month. On the first lunar day of the lighted half of the month, only one leaf, on the second, two, grow. Thus on the day of the full moon the herb is adorned with fifteen leaves. This is the maximum number. The leaves fall off one by one during the dark half of the month till on the day of the new moon the herb is shorn ■of all its leaves. — T.

g. ‘Padma’ has not been identified. It stands sometimes for ‘Lavanga’ ( Caryophyllus •aromaticus), ‘Bhargi’ or ‘Brahmana-yashtika’ (Siphonanthus Indica ), and some other plants. INone of these, -however, is intended here. — T.

CHARAKA-SAMH1 TA.

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shape. Its colour is as red as that of a lotus. It has also the fragrance of the lotus.

There is another herb named ‘Aja’ {h) which is better known as ‘Ajagringi.’ 22

There is another herb named ‘Nila.’(z) Its milk is blue in colour. It has blue blossoms. It is adorned with many a creeping branch. 23

Of these eight herbs, whichever may be obtained, the expressed juice should be drunk by one to the measure of gratification. 24

One should then lie naked within a vessel which has been con¬ structed with the raw -wood of Butea frondosa and which has been, allowed to suck as much gkee as possible. The vessel should be covered at the time. 25

One, subjecting oneself to this process, becomes attenuated into nothingness. One grows, again, within six months. Goat’s milk should be one’s sustenance.* 26

When this process is continued for full six months, one becomes like unto a celestial in age, complexion, voice, shape, strength and lustre. 27

One, by this process, gets such an excellence that one’s speech reveals even the past.