Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The heads of date trees, the seeds of Masha ( Phseolus radiatus), Kshirakakoli (a bulb of the onion tribe brought from the Himalayas), (^atavari ( Asparagus racemosus), date fruit, the fruit of Madhuka (Bassia latifolia ), Mridwika (dried grapes), and the seeds of Ajada ( Mucuna pruriens ), each of the measure of one pala, should be boiled in water of the measure of one ‘Adhaka’ (8 seers).

When only a fourth part of the liquid remains, one ‘prastha’ of milk should be added and boiled with it,*

When reduced to the measure of the milk that is thus added, it should be taken down and regarded as fit for use, adding sugar to it of the proper measure.

(The dose should be according to the measure of one’s appetite).

While taking or continuing" the medicine, one should eat boiled ‘Shashtika’ rice, mixed with a copious measure of ghee.

This preparation, with sugar added to it, is regarded as one of the foremost of aphrodisiacs. 18-20

APHRODISIAC GHEE.

Jivaka(a), Rishabhaka (£), Meda(c), Jivanti ( Ccelogyne ovalis), the two varieties of (^ravani ( Hydrocotile Asiatica), date fruit, the fruit of Madhuka (Bassia latifolia ), the fruit of Draksha (dried grapes), Pippali {Piper longurn ), Vigwabheshaja (dry ginger), £ringataka ( Trapa bispinosa), Vidari ( Batatus paniculatus ), new ghee, and water, should be boiled together.

When reduced to the measure of the ghee> it should be taken down.f a. Not identifiable. Guduchi or Tinospora cordifolia is used as a substitute. — T.

* The water should be of double the measure, that is, 16 seers. So the milk also should be of the measure of 2 ‘prasthas,’ i, ~e., 8 seers. The whole should be boiled down to 4 seers.— T.

b. Not identifiable, bamboo manna being used as a substitute.

c. Not identifiable. A^wagandha or Physalis flexuosa is used as a substitute. — T.

t Gangadhara explains that when the measures are not set forth, the solid articles should be together of the measure of I seer. The ghee should be 4 seers ; milk, 4 seers ; and water, 12 seers. The compound should be boiled down to 4 seers, — T.

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CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

To this should be added half a seer of sugar, and half a seer of honey.

The dose- should be according to the measure of one’s appetite.

While continuing to take the medicine, one should take boiled rice of the ‘Shashtika’ variety,, mixed (not with other ghee but) with the ghee (thus prepared).

This preparation is regarded as one of the best aphrodisiacs. It is,, besides, an efficacious tonic.

It possesses also the virtue of improving the complexion as also the voice. It is also a nutritive, capable of increasing the bulk of the body. 2i-z3

APHRODISIAC CURDS.

Take the cream of curds that should be as. white as the autumnal moon, and free from every defect.

The intelligent physician should then mix with it sugar, and honey, and (the pulv of) pepper, and bamboo manna, and Elettaria cardamomum, reduced to powder.

Straining the compound, through a piece of clean cloth, keep the (strained) product in a new earthen jar.

It should then be taken, mixing it with boiled ‘Shashtika’ rice made cold and enriched with ghee.

After taking such rice so mixed, one should take, of the measure prescribed, the preparation called ‘Rasala.’*

One who takes this preparation followed by a proper dose of Rasala, becomes endued with brightness of complexion, a good voice, and strength, and his sexual power also is increased. 24-26 APHRODISIAC MILK.

The person who takes ‘Shashtika’ rice, that is as white as the rays of the moon, and that is enriched with milk and ghee , and that has sugar and honey mixed with it, feels strong for sexual congress. 27 APHRODISIAC PREPARATION WITH ALLIGATORS’ EGGS.

Take some eggs of alligators, as also some eggs of hens. Fry them in hot ghee. Mix them then with the pulv of ‘Shastika’ rice and new ghee.

* By ‘Rasalst’ is meant a preparation of curds, sometimes called ‘(Jikharini', the ingre¬ dients being ‘Krishnajiraka’ ( Nigella sativa), treacle, ginger, the bulbous root-stock of Cypervi fartenuis, camphor, sandal-paste, musk, and diverse spices. — T.

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

p. 1083

Make eakes of the product. These cakes may be taken by the person desirous of using an aphrodisiac.

After taking the cakes, drink a glass of ‘Varuni’ wine.

Through the virtue of these cakes, one can approach a woman like a stallion and discharge his seed like an elephant. 28-29 Here are some verses containing a summary.

The eight preparations which have been spoken of in this Section called ‘Asikta-kshirika’, should be taken by those who are desirous of acquiring energy of manliness as also a numerous progeny. 3°

Through the virtues of these various preparations one becomes endued with a handsome and oily body. One also becomes possessed of strength and fairness of complexion and the cheerfulness of mind.

The effects of the medicines enable one to indulge, like a stallion, in sexual congress with beautiful women for a period of eight years (without repeating their use during the interim.) 31