Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The observations of the Rishi on the origin of Fever and the diverse kinds of Fever are fraught with great interest.

The passage on the mythological origin of Fever is evidently an interpolation.

Observations also on wind, bile, and phlegm and their corres¬ pondence with the several seasons are extremely interesting.

The treatment of some varieties of Fever occurs in this Lesson. The Rishi’s observations on this subject are fraught with sound sense.

Altogether, the aphorisms on Fever, its varieties, the methods of treatment, and the Regimen of the patient, will abundantly repay a careful perusal.

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

*Q79

They should then be pressed (for obtaining the juice that is in them).

(Having obtained the juice), the pounded grains should once more be pounded and then grinded (with the hand) with milk.

The paste (thus formed) should again be pressed (for obtaining its juice).

All these processes should "be gone through with care.

Taking the juice (that is thus, obtained), it should be mixed with (an equal measure of) milk. It should then be strained (through a pieoe of cloth).

It should then be mixed with the juice of the seeds of Atmagupta ( Mucuna pruriens ), the juice of Dhanya ( Coriandrum sativum ), of Masha ( Phaseolus radiatus') of Bala (Si da cordifolia ), of Supyaparni, (otherwise called Mudgaparni, i. e., Phaseolus trilobus ), of Jivanti ( Ccelogyne ovalis), of Jivaka (a), of Rishabhaka (b\ of Riddhi (<r), of Kakoli (d), £wadangshtrS ( Tribulus lanugimosus), Madhuka (liquorice), £atavari (Aspargus racemosus'), Vidari ( Convolvulus paniculatus\ Drakshfi (the fruit of Vitis viniferroi), and Kharjjura (the fruit of the .date). Mixing these together in equal measures, boil them duly.

Into the boiled product should be cast the pulvs of the following, viz., Tugakshiri (bamboo manna), Masha (Phaseolus radiatus), £ali (paddy of the well-known variety so called), Shashtika (paddy of the variety so called), and Godhuma (wheat).

In consequence of these, the boiled decoction would become thick:.

When it has become thick owing to the addition of these powders, a copious measure of honey and sugar should be added for sweeten¬ ing it

After this, boluses of the size of jujubes should be made of it. These should then be fried in ghee.

The boluses should be administered according to the strength of the digestive fire of the person desirous of taking them.

While taking the boluses, one’s diet should be milk and meat-juice.

By using this medicine, a person, even if he be old in years, gets many children of his own loins, all of whom become long-lived.

a. Not identifiable. The substitute used is Guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia).

b. Not identifiable. The substitute used is bamboo manna.

c. Not identifiable. The substitute is Bala ( Sida cordifolia ).

d. A root brought from Nepal.

p. 137

Io8o

CH A RAKA-SA M HI T A

Even this is the composition of ‘ShashtikSdi-gudika’ (boluses made of paddy and other ingredients), capable of making a man the father of many children. 2-9

COMPOSITION OF APHRODISIAC CAKES.

The physician should obtain the semen of these, viz., sparrows, geese, cocks, peacocks, porpoises, and alligators ;

Also ghee of cow’s milk ;

Also the fat of the boar and the shrike ;

Also the pulv of rice obtained from ‘Shashtika’ paddy, and flour of wheat.

Mixing these together, make ‘Pupalikas’, or ‘(^ashkulis’, or ‘Vartikas’ of the product ; or cakes of other kinds, or edibles of different sorts.*

In consequence of the administration of these edibles, one be¬ comes as invigorated as a stallion,

EXPRESSED JUICE OF APHRODISIAC VIRTUES.

Take the seeds of Atmagupta ( Mucuna pruriens), the seeds of Masha ( Phaseolus radiatus), the fruit of date, £atavari ( Asparagus racemosus), Sringataka ( Trapa bispinosa), and Mridwika (dried grapes) of the measure of one ‘prastha’ (2 seers).

Boil these in a ‘prastha’ of milk, as also a ‘prastha’ of water, f till only a ‘prastha’ remains.^ .

Strain this through a piece of clean cloth, and mix with it three ‘prasritas’ of each of these, viz., sugar, bamboo manna, and new ghee.

This should be taken with a mixture of honey (the dose being regulated by the measure of one’s appetite).

During the period the medicine is taken or continued, one should eat boiled ‘Shashtika’ rice (with a copious measure of ghee and milk.)

By using this preparation, even a person that is reft of strength and overtaken by decrepitude, succeeds in obtaining a large number

* Cakes are made of diverse sizes and shapes. Those that have conical ends with the middle portion thicker, are called ‘Pupalikas.’ Those that are flat and circular are called ‘£ashkulis.’ Those that are round and fried in ghee or oil, are called ‘Vartikas.’ — T.

t Being liquids, the measures should be doubled ; that is, 4 seers of milk, and 4 seers of water are to be taken. — T.

t This would necessarily imply not 2 but 4 seers. — T.

CHAR A K A-S. AM HIT A.

p. 1081

of children, and in approaching women with the energy of a young man. M-17

APHRODISIAC MILK.