Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

* I think GangSdhara is right in interpreting this verse. ‘Kolalaksharase tadvat’ is one part, and the rest of the two lines is another part, ‘Tadvat’ brings in the paste of Payasya and the rest. — T.

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

p. 1297

Kharjjura (dates\ B3tama (almonds), Abhishuka (a kind of fruit), and other fruits -of the kind (which are known to be alleyiative of both' wind and bile) :

Reduce these into a paste'.

Add a prastha (2 seers) of each of these, viz., Dhatri-rasa (the expressed juice of the fruits of Phyllanthus Emblicd), the expressed juice of Vidari ( Batatus Paniculatus ), that of Ikshu (sugarcanes), the meat-juice of the goat, and milk.

Boil a prastha of ghee with all these.

When cooled, add half a prastha of honey and half a Tula of sugar. 32-36

Also add two karshikas of the pulv of each of these, viz., Patra (leaves of Cinnamomum Tamala ), Eli ( Elettaria cardamomum ), Hema (otherwise called Nagkegara, i. e., Mesua f erred), Twach (the bark of Cinnamomum Zeylauicum ), and black pepper. .

One afflicted with sores in the chest should take a proper measure of this preparation and- lick it as often as he can. 37

This ghee is called ‘Amritapraga,’ and its effects on human beingsare like those of ‘amrita’ (nectar) itself.

Unto one who takes milk and meat-juice, this ghee is said to be' ‘Sudha’ or ‘amrita-rasa.’* 3s

.. This ghee nourishes those that have lost their semen, those who have been weakened by sores in the chest (2. e., the lungs), those who have lost their strength (through other causes), those who have been emaciated by ‘(other) ailments, those who are addicted to women (and have, as the consequence thereof, become weak), those who have lost flesh, as also those who have lost complexion or voice. 39

This ghee cures cough, hiccup, fever, difficulty of breathing, burn¬ ing of the skin, thirst and blood-bile.

* The first line is read variously. All the texts, however, have ‘Sudhamritarasa’. Both ‘Sudha’ and ‘Amrita’ mean nectar. — T.

p. 1298

CHARAKA-SAMH1TA.

It gives progeny, and cures nausea and vomiting, swoons and ailments of the chest, the genital organs (of females), and the urine. 4°

Even this is the composition, and these the uses, of the ghee called ‘Amritapraga.’

Take a pala of each of the following drugs, viz., £wadangshtr& (otherwise called Gokshura, i. e., Tribulus latiuginosus), Ushira (the roots of Andropogon muricatum ), ManjishthS ( Rubia cordifolia), Bâla {Sida cordifolia ), Kasmaryya (otherwise called GambhSri, i. e., Gmelina arborea), Kattrina (otherwise called Gandhatrina, i. e., Andro¬ pogon schcenarithus), Darbhamula (the roots of Saccharum. cylindricum), Prithakparni (otherwise called Chakulia, i. e., Doodia logopodioides), Palaga' ( Butea frondosa), Rishabhaka (not identifiable, bambu manna being used as a substitute), and Sthira (otherwise called ^alaparni, i. e., Hedysarum Gangeticuni).

These should be boiled in water, mixed with milk of four times its measure, along with the paste of Swagupta (Mucutta pruriens), Jivanti ( Ccelogyne ovalis), MedS (not identifiable, Agwagandha, i. e., Physalis flexuosa being used as a substitute), Rishavaka (not identi¬ fiable, bambu manna being used as a substitute), Jivaka (not identi¬ fied, Guduchi, i. e., Tinospora cordifolia being used as a substitute), (^atfivari (otherwise called £atamuli, i. e., Asparagus racemosus ), Riddhi (not identifiable, Bala i, e., Sida cordifolia being used as a substitute), Mridvika (raisins), £arkara (sugar), £rabani (otherwise called Munderi, i. e., Sphceranthus Hirtus, syn. Spkeranthus Indicus ), and Visha (lotus-stalks).

When a prastha (2 seers) only remains in the vessel, it should be taken down.

The ghee thus prepared cures excited wind and bile, as also pains in the chest. It cures also difficulty of micturition, gonorrhoea, piles, cough, consumption and phthisis.

It gives strength and flesh to those that have been weakened by wielding the bow, or by addiction to women and wine, or by bearing burdens, or by walking long distances. 4W4

Even this is the composition of ‘^wadangshtradi ghrita.’

CHAR AKA -SAM HIT A.

p. 1299

Eight palas of the flowers of Bassia latifolia should be boiled in the decoction, measuring a prastha (2 seers), of grapes. Add ghee measuring a prastha, and boil the compound with the paste, measur¬ ing eight palas of Piper longum.

When the boiling is over and the contents of the vessel become cool, they should be mixed with eight palas of honey and sugar.

Add to the product an equal measure of the flour of fried barley.

This preparation (of fried barley) is beneficial in weakness caused by sores in the chest, as also in bloody tumours. 45-46