Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

It should then be kept in a jar as in the case of the foregoing ‘asava’ (i. e., in a jar the interior surface of which has been plastered with the paste of Els and the rest, and the period for which it is to be kept being one month).

By drinking this ‘asava,’ one conquers all the faults of one’s ‘Grahani.’

While taking this medicine one should eat food that is beneficial. The ‘asava’ may similarly be prepared of Drfikha (grapes), of Ikshu (Sugar-canes), and of Kasmaryya ( Gmelina arborea ). These ‘asavas,’ similarly drunk, produce similar results, 15°-ISI

DURALABHA ASAVA.

Duralabha (Hedysarum Alliagi) and Abhaya (Chebulic myrobalans), of the measure of 2 ‘prasthas,’ a ‘prastha’ of Amalaka (fruits of Phyllanthus Emblica ), two ‘mushtis’ (a ‘mushti’ is, literally, one handful, i. e., 1 pala) of Chitraka ( Plumbago Zeylanica) and Danti (B alio sper mum montmium-, and one hundred Chebulic myrobalans, each well-developed :

These should be boiled in two ‘dronas’ (equal to 128 seers, in practice 256 seers are taken).

When a fourth of this measure remains, the vessel should be taken down and allowed to cool.

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CHAR A KA-SA MR IT A.

When cooled, the decoction should be strained, and one ‘kudava’ (equal to 4 palas) of honey should be added, as also a ‘kudava’ of each of the following, viz., Priyangu ( Aglaia Roxburghiana), Pippali (fruits of Piper longum ), and Vidanga ( Embelia Ribes ). The liquid should be kept for a fortnight in an earthen jar which has soaked a sufficient measure of ghee.

After this, it may be drunk by one.

It cures ‘Grahani-disease,’ chlorosis, piles, leucoderma, erysipelas, and gonorrhoea.

It improves the voice and the complexion, and cures blood-bile and (excited) phlegm. 152-155

MULA ASAVA.

The two groups of five roots (/. e. the ‘swalpa’ and the 'vrihat’), Rajani ( Curcuma longa ), VirS (otherwise called SSlaparni, i. e., Hedy - sarum Gangeticum), Rishabhaka (not being obtainable, bambu manna is used instead), and Jivaka (not being obtainable, Guduchi, i. e. Tinospora cordifolia is used instead) :

Five palas of each of the Jabove should be boiled in 4 ‘dronas’ (8 ‘dronas’ or 256 seers are taken in practice).

When the above measure is reduced to a fourth (three-fourths having evaporated), it should be strained through a piece of clean cloth.

The physician should then add 200 palas of treacle, and also half a ‘kudava’ of honey, and the same measure of pulv of each of the following, viz., Priyangu ( Aglaia Roxburghiana ), Musta (tubers of Cyperus rotundas), Manjishtha (JRubia Manjista), Vidanga* ( Embelia Ribes), Madhuka (liquorice), Plava (the tubers of an aquatic variety of Cyperus rotundas), Lodhra ( Symplocos racemosa), and Savaraka (a variety of Lodhra having a white bark).

The liquid, with these thrown into it, should be kept in a jar for a month. It should then be drunk.

This ‘Mula asava’ has been well-tested as regards its property of of kindling the digestive fire. It conquers also blood-bile. It cures

CHAR AKA -SA MBIT A.

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other diseases also, such as suppression of urine, (excited phlegm, chest-diseases, chlorosis, and langour of the limbs. 156-159

PINDASAVA.

The paste of Pippali ( Piper longum ) of the measure of 2 ‘prasthas,’ the same measure of treacle, and the same measure of Vibhitaka (fruits of Terminalia Bellerica, those of middle size being selected), and one ‘prastha’ (in practice 2 ‘prasthas’ are taken) of water.

These should be placed in a jar, and the jar itself should be kept (for a month) within a heap of barley-straw.

Taking a pala from this jar, when the ' liquid within it has been well fermented, it should be drunk, adding to it a palmful of water.

This vinous spirit, called ‘Pindasava,’ cures many ailments.

This ‘Rasayana’ (tonic), whose virtues have been well-tested, may be drunk by even a person who is in good health. He may take it for the period of a month.

A healthy man, by taking this ‘Rasayana’ for this period, will not have those ailments that are cured by it. 160-162

MADHVARISHTA.

Take a new (earthen) jar. Fumigate it with Aguru ( Aquilaria Agallocha ), and plaster its interior surface with the paste of Pippali ( Piper longum ) and honey.

Put within it an ‘adhaka’ of honey (in practice 2 fidhakas are put), with an equal measure of water.

Throw into the vessel the pulvs of the following (in the following measures), viz.,

Half a ‘kudava’ of Vidanga (Embelia Ribes), one ‘kudava’ of Pippali (Piper longum ), a pala of Tvak-kshiri (otherwise called Vangsalochana, i. e., bambu manna), and a ‘kSrshika’ (equal to 2 tolas) of each of these, viz., Kegara (the filaments of Mesua ferrea ), Maricha (black pepper), Tvak (the bark of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum ), Ela (seeds of Elettaria cardamomum), Patraka (leaves of Cinna¬ momum Tamala), £athi ( Curcuma Zerumbet), Kramuka (areca nuts), Ativisha (Aconitum heteropkylluvi), Ghana (otherwise called Mustaka

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CHARAKA-SAMHITA

i. e , tubers of Cyperus rotundas), Harenuks (Piper aurantiacuni ), Elavaluka (a red powder sold under that name\ Tejohva (otherwise called Chavya, i. e., Piper Chaba), Pippali-mula (the roots of Piper longum ), and Chitraka ( Plumbago Zeylanica ).

The jar is kept for a month. After this, the liquid should be administered in proper dose.

It kindles the digestive fire when the latter has become weak.