Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Once on a time, as Punarvasu was seated in the midst of a number of Rishis who were all followers of the Sankhya doctrine and who were well conversant with the four and twenty topics relating to Soul and Nature, Agnivecja, moved by the desire of benefiting the world, questioned him for a soultion of his own doubts (His questions were as follow).2

What are those substances that are the sources of Oils? How many kinds altogether are there of Oils? What are the res¬ pective virtues of the several kinds of Oils ? At what time which of them should be taken and with what drugs ? What are the rules in respect of the uses of each ? 8 How many kinds of measure are there in respect of Oils? What quantity should how be used in what diseases ? Which of them is beneficial for whom ? Which of them are superior as Emollients ? 4 Who are those for whom these should be prescribed ? Who are those for whom these should not be prescribed ? What are the indica¬ tions of the substances that are oily and what are the substances that are excessively oily? What is beneficial and what is not so for one before drinking oils, after drinking them, and after they have been digested ? 5 Which of them are mild purga¬ tives, and which strong purgatives ?

What are the dangers that await upon the improper applica¬ tion of oils, and what are the methods for removing those dangers? What conduct should be followed for neutralising the faults of oils and for correcting those faults ? 6

By what rules should what kind of men be made to use these medicines ? I desire, O master, to learn everything about the science of oils and their application ! 7 charakasamhitA.

p. 139

Thus questioned, Punarvasu, the remover of Agniveca’s doubts, answered him thus :

O amiable one, the source of oils is of two kinds, viz., mobile and immobile.

Tila (a), Piyala (3), Abhishuka (c), Vibhitaka ( d ). Chitra ( e ), Abhaya (f), Eranda (g), Madhuka (k), (jlarshapa .(*), Kusumbha ( j ) Vilwa (k), Aruka (/), Mulaka(w), Atasi («), Nikochaka ( o ), Akshoda (/>), Karanja ( q ), and <^igru (r), are immobile substances that contain oils. Among mobile objects that are sources of oils are fishes and animals and birds. Of the latter, curds, milk, ghee, flesh, fat, and marrow, are taken for preparing oils.8

Of all kinds of oils, the oil that is produced from Sesamum Indicum is the best for purposes of giving strength and of emollients. The oil extracted from castor-seeds is the best for purposes of purgatives.*9 Of ail oils extracted from mobile sources, ghee, fat, and marrow are regarded as the foremost. Among these again, ghee is the best in consequence of its adopt-

(a.) Sesamum Indicum.

(b) Buchanania latifolia ; the fruits are called cheraunji.

(c) A kind of nut obtained from the Hiinalyan regions.

( d) Terminalia bellerica.

( e) Called also Manjishta. Rtibia Cordifolia ; syn, Rubia Munjista ; Roxb.

(f) Terminalia Chebula.

(g) Ricinns Communis. The Castor-oil plant.

(h ) Liquorice.

(i) Mustard seeds.

(j) Carthamus tinctorius. Safflower.

(k) rEgle Marmelos.

(/) A kind of nut obtained from the Himalyan regions.

( m) Raphanua sativus. The garden raddish.

( >') I.inum usitatissimum. ( The Bengali name of this is Masina, and the Hindi

(o) A llangium hexapotalum.

(P) Juglans regia.

( q) Pongamia glabra ; syn. Galedupa Indica.

( r) Moringa pterygosperma.

* 1 Agryam ’ the Commentator explains, is connected with * Erandam. ’—T.

p. 140

CHRAKA-SAMHITl.

ing the virtues of those objects with which it is mixed for curing it.+10

Ghee corrects the faults of Bile and Wind. It is beneficial for the juicy or liquid elements in the body, for the vital seed, and for strength. It quenches all undue heat ; and softens every part of flie body. It also improves the voice and the complexion.11

Oil cures all faults of the Wind. It reduces Phlegm* It enhances strength. It is beneficial for the skin. It possesses the property of heat. It contributes to the durability of the body.* It corrects the faults of the sexual organs.12

Fat is beneficial in cases of wounds, fractures, cuts caused hy sharp weapons, inversions of the uterus, diseases of the ear and the head, in enhancing the vital seed, iq emollients, and in physical exercises.13

Marrow enhances strength, vital seed, the juicy elements of the body, phlegm, fat and marrow.f In particular, it adds to the strength of bones, and is approved as a good emollient.14

Ghee should be drunk in autumn ; fat and marrow in spring ; and oil in the season of rains. One should not drink oils when it is very hot or very cold.15

One should drink such liquids at night in the summer season if one’s wind and bile be excited. If the (wind and) phlegm be excited, one should drink such preparations at the day time during the cold season. If the bile ( and phlegm ) be excited, one should drink them at midday when the sun becomes very bright.

Oils, if drunk when it is very hot or during day time, by one whose wind and bile have been excited, produce swoons, thirst, madness, and jaundice.17 t ‘ Samskara ’ is a process to which Ghee and other oily liquids are subjected for. adding to their virtues and neutralising their strength. — T. t