Charak Sanhita

CHAPTER VI

अथातस्तस्याशितीयमध्यायंव्याख्यास्यामः॥१॥

Now (1) shall expound the chapter on ‘one’s diet’ etc. [1]

इतिइस्माहभगवानात्रेयः॥२॥

As propounded by Lord Atreya. [2]

तस्याशितायावाद्वाराबलंवर्णब्धवर्धते।यस्यर्तुसात्म्यंविदितंचेष्टाद्वारव्यपाश्रयम्॥३॥

One’s diet (of various types) leads to promotion of strength and complexion only if he knows the wholesomeness according to (different) seasons dependent on behaviour and diet. [3]

इहखलुसंवत्सरंपडक्ङ्गमृतुविमागेनविद्यात्।तत्रादित्यस्योदगयनमादानंचश्रीनृष्छिशिरावीन्श्रीष्मान्तान्व्यवस्वेत्, वर्षादीन्पुनईमन्तान्तान्दक्षिणायनंविसर्गच॥४॥

Here, the year has got six parts according to division into seasons. Amongst them the (period of) three seasons from sikira to grişma is known as ādāna (receiving) when the sun takes northward course; (the period of other three seasons) from varst to hemanta is visarga (releasing) with the sun following its southern course. [4]

विसर्गेपुनर्वायवोनातिरूश्यःप्रचान्ति, इतरेपुनरादाने।सोमधाव्याहृतबलाशिशिरामिर्माभिरापूरयजगदाप्याययतिशत्रभवात्, अतोविसर्गःसौम्यः।भादानंपुनराग्नेयं।तावेतावकंवायूसोमधकाल- स्वमाषमार्गपरिगृहीताःकालर्तुरसदोषदेवलनिवृत्तिप्रत्ययभूताःसमुपविश्यन्ते॥५॥

In the period of visarga winds are not very rough as in ädäna; soma (moon) having unobstructed strength replenishes the world continuously with its cold rays, thus visarga is saumya (having predominance of soma). On the other hand, Idana is agneya (predominant in agni). Thus the sun, the windand the moon are responsible for appearance of time, season, rasa, doşa and bodily strength according to the nature and course of time they follow. [5]

तत्ररषिर्भाभिराद्वानोजगतःस्नेहंवायवस्तीवरूक्षाधोपशोषयन्तःशिशिरवसन्तश्रीष्मेषुयथा- क्रमंरौक्ष्यमुत्पाव्यम्तोरूक्षान्रसांस्तिक्तकषायकटुकांधाभिवर्धयन्तोनृणांदौर्बल्यमावहन्ति।।६।।

(During the period of ädäna) the sun receiving the unctuous portion of nature, and the wind-sharp and rough drying it up produce roughness in śiśira, vasanta and grişma in progressive order and by increasing the rasastikta, kaşaya and kațu having roughness cause debility in human being. [6]

वर्षाशरद्धेमन्तेषुतुदक्षिणाभिमुखेऽर्केकालमार्गमेघवातवर्षाभिहतप्रतापे, शशिनिचाव्याइतबले, माहेन्द्रसलिलमशान्तसन्तापेजगाति, भरुक्षारसाःप्रवर्धन्तेऽम्ललवणमधुरायथाक्रमंतत्रबलमुपचीयतेनृणामिति॥७॥

While in varsa, śarad and hemanta when the sun is facing towards south with its intensity having been attuned by time, course, clouds, winds and rains, the moon is having unobstructed strength and the temperature of the nature having been cooled down by heavenly waters, the non-rough rasas-amla, lavana and madhura-increase in progressive order with consequent promotion of strength in human beings. [7]

भवतिचात्र-

आदावन्तेचदौर्बल्यंविसर्गादानयोर्नृणाम्।मध्येमध्यवलं, त्यन्तेश्रेष्ठमधेवनिर्विशेत्॥८॥

Here it is-

The human beings experience debility in beginning and end, medium strength in mid-term and maximum strength in end and beginning of the periods, visarga and ādāna, respectively. [8]

शीतेशीतानिलस्पर्शसंरुखोबलिनांबली।पताभवतिहेमन्तेमात्राइब्यगुरुक्षमः॥९॥

सयदानेन्धनंयुकंलभतेदेहजंतदा।रसंहिनस्त्यतोवायुःशीतःशीतेप्रकुप्यति॥१०॥

तस्मात्तुषारसमयेखिग्धाम्ललवणान्रसान्।श्रीदकान्फ्मांसानांमेधानामुपयोजयेत्॥११॥

बिलेायानांमांसानिप्रसह्वानांभूतानिच।भक्षयेन्मदियंशीधुंमधुचानुपिवेत्रः॥१२॥

गोरसाविश्वविष्कृतीर्वसांतैलंनवीदनम्।हेमन्तेऽभ्यस्यतस्तोयमुष्यंचायुनंहीयते॥१३॥

अभ्यङ्गोत्सादनंमूर्धिनतैलंओन्ताकमातपम्।भजेङ्गमिपूर्वचोष्णमुष्णंगर्मपूर्वतथा॥१४॥

शीतेषुसंवृतंसेभ्यंयानंशयनमासनम्।प्राबाराजिनकौपेयप्रवेणीकुथकास्तृतम्॥१५॥

गुरुप्णवासादिग्धाङ्गोगुरुणाऽगुरुणासदा।शयनेप्रमदांपीनांविशालोपचितस्तनीम्॥१६॥

आलिङ्गद्यागुरुदिग्धाङ्गीसुप्यात्समदमम्याथः।प्रकामंचनिषेवेतमैथुनंशिशिरागमे॥१७॥

वर्जयेत्नपानानिबातलानिलघुनिच।प्रधातंप्रमिताहारमुदमन्थंदिमागमे॥१८॥

During cold hemanta (winter), in strong persons, the agni (digestion), as checked by the contact of cold wind, becomes stronger and capable of consuming even the articles heavy in quantity as well as nature. Hence, when it (agni) doesnot get proper fuel (diet), it absorbs the bodily rasa that is why the cold vāyu is vitiated during the cold season. So during hemanta, one should use the unctuous, sour and salted juice of the meat of dominantly fatty aquatic and marshy animals and also meat of burrow-dwelling and prasaha (who eat by snatching) types of animals. After this the person should drink wine, vinegar and honey. One does not lose lifespan if he takes regularly milk products, cane sugar products, fats, oil, new rice and hot water during hemanta. One should use massage, anointing, head oil, heated chamber, sun, heated rooms above and underground. During cold season, one should use carriages, beds and seats well-covered and spread over with heavy sheets made of wool, silk, skin, hair-braids and variegated blankets. The clothes should be heavy and warm and he should apply thick paste of aguru on his】 body. While on bed, he should sleep, embracing well-developed women having: big and prominent breasts and anointed the body with aguru paste, with exhilara- tion and libido and enjoy sexual intercourse upto full satisfaction at the advent of śiśira. When winter begins, one should avoid väta-increasing and light food and drinks, restricted diet, strong winds and intake of cold drinks. [9-18]

हेमन्तशिशिरीतुल्यौशिशिरेऽल्पंविशेषणम्।रौक्ष्यमादानजंशीतंमेघमारुतवर्षजम्॥१९॥

तस्माद्वैमन्तिकःसर्वःशिशिरेविधिरिष्यते।निवातमुष्णंत्वधिर्कशिशिरेगृहमाश्रयेत्॥२०॥

कटुतिक्तकषायाणिबातलानिलघुनिच।वर्जयेदपानानिशिशिरेशीतलानिच॥२१॥

Hemanta and šišira are similar with the slight difference that the latter has more roughness due to (beginning of) adana and cold due to clouds, winds and rains. Hence the entire routine of living prescribed for hemanta is applicable to šišira as well. During šišira, one should reside in a house which is more wind-free and heated. During šišira, one should avoid pungent, bitter, astringent, light, cold and väta-increasing food and drinks. [19-21]

वसन्तेनिचितःश्लेष्मादिनकृन्द्राभिरीरितः।कायानिबाधतेरोगांस्ततःप्रकुरुतेबहुन्।।२२।॥

तस्माइसन्तेकर्माणिचमनादीनिकारयेत्।गुर्वम्ठस्निग्धमधुरंदिवास्वप्नंचवर्जयेत्॥२३॥

व्यायामोद्वर्तनंधूर्मकवलग्रहमानम्।सुखाम्बुनाशीवविधिशीलयेत्कुसुमागमे॥२४॥

चन्दनागुरुदिङ्ग्धाङ्गोयवगोधूमभोजनः।शारर्मशादामणेयंमांसंलावकपिञ्जलम्॥२५॥

भक्षयेत्रिर्गदंसीधुंपिवेन्माध्वीकमेववा।वसन्तेऽनुमवेत्खीणांकाननानांचयौवनम्॥२६॥

During spring, the accumulated kapha irritated by the strong rays of the sundisturbs the body-heat and thus causes many diseases. Hence, during spring, evacuative measures like vomiting etc. should be applied and heavy, sour, fatty and sweet diet as well as day-sleep should be avoided. One should use regularly during blossoming of flowers (spring) physical excercise, anointing, smoking, gargles, colly- rium and bath etc. with warm water. He should use paste of sandal and aguruon the body and diet mainly consisting of barley and wheat. During spring, one should cat meat of śarabha (wapiti), śaśa (rabbit), eņa (antelope), lāva (common quail) and kapiñjala (grey partridge) and drink harmless vinegars and wines. Thereafter, he should enjoy the blossoming beauty of women and forests. [22-26]

मयूखैर्जगतःस्नेहंग्रीष्मेपेपीयतेरविः।स्वादुशीतंद्रवंस्निग्धमन्नपानंतदाहितम्॥२७॥

शीतंसशर्करंमन्यंजाङ्गलाम्मृगपक्षिणः।पुतंपयःसशाल्यनंभजन्ग्रीष्मेनसीदन्ति॥२८॥

मद्यमल्यंनवापेयमधवासुबहूदकम्।लवणाम्डकडूष्णानिव्यायामंचविवर्जयेत्॥२९॥

विवाशीतगृहेनिद्रांनिशिचन्द्रांशुशीतले।भजेश्चन्दनदिग्धाङ्गःप्रवातेहर्म्यमस्तके॥३०॥

व्यजनैःपाणिसंस्पर्शधन्दनोदकशीतलैः।सेव्यमानोभजेदास्यांमुक्तामणिविभूषितः॥३१॥

कानगानिचशीतानिजलानिकुसुमानिच।श्रीपाकालेनिषेवेतमैथुनाद्विरतोनरः॥३२॥

During summer, the sun, with his rays, draws up excessively the moisture of the nature hence in that season, sweet, cold, liquid and fatty food and drinks are beneficial. The person taking regular cold and sweet mantha (unctuous drink), meat of wild animals and birds, ghee and milk along with rice does not suffer during summer. Wine should be taken in a little quantity or with plenty of water or should be left altogether, salted, sour, pungent and hot (food) and also physical exercise should be avoided. One should take sleep in cool room during day and on the top (roof) of the mansion with abundant air and cooled with moon rays during night, having pasted sandal on his body. Onc adorned with pearls and gems should take seat having been attended with fans and hand touch which are cooled with sandal water. During summer, one should resort to forests, cold water and flowers avoiding sexual intercourse altogether. [27-32]

आदानदुर्बलेबेडेपक्ताभवतिदुर्बलः।सवर्षास्वनिलादीनांदूषणैर्वाध्यतेपुनः॥३३॥

भूषाप्पान्मेघनिस्यन्दात्पाकाइमलाजलस्यच।वर्षास्यग्निचलेक्षीणेकुप्यन्तिपचनादयः।।३४।।

तस्मात्साधारणःसर्वोर्योविधिर्वर्पासुशस्यते।उद्द्मन्धंदिवास्वप्नमवश्यायंनदीजलम्॥३५॥

व्यायाममातपंचैषव्यवायंचात्रवर्जयेत्।पानभोजनसंस्कारान्प्रायःक्षौद्रान्वितान्मजेत्।।३६।।

व्यक्ताम्ललवणस्नेतंवातवर्षाकुलेऽहनि।विशेषशीलेभोक्तव्यंवर्षास्यनिलशान्तये॥३७॥

अग्निसंरक्षणवतायवगोधूमशालयः।पुराणाजाङ्गलेमर्मासेोज्यायूषेधसंस्कृतैः॥३८॥

पिवेत्सौद्रान्वितंचाच्यंमाध्वीकारिष्टमम्बुवा।माहेन्द्रंतप्तशीतंबाकौपंसारसमेववा॥३९॥

प्रघर्षोज्ञर्तनस्नानगन्धमाल्ल्पपरोभवेत्।लघुशुद्धाम्बरःस्थानंमजेदक्लेदिवार्षिकम्॥४०॥

In the body weakened during ädäna (period), the digestion becomes poor which is further disturbed by the disorders of vataetc, during rainy season. Due to earth vapour, humidity of clouds and sour päka (transformation) of water, the power of digestion is weakened and väta etc. are aggravated during the rainy season. Hence, moderate living is recommended for this season. During thisperiod, one should avoid cold drinks, day sleep, dews, river water, physical exer- cise, the sun and sexual intercourse. He should use food and drinks often mixed with honey. During rainy season, when the day is filled with winds and rains and is much cooler, diet having predominance of sour, salted and fatty articles should be taken for pacification of vayu. The person, cautiously protecting his agni (digestion), should eat old barley, wheat and rice alongwith wild meats and pre- pared soups. For drinks, wine or other types of fermented liquor mixed with honey and in a little quantity, rain water or water from well or tank, boiled and cooled, should be used. One should use regularly rubbing and anointing of body, bath, fragrance and garlands, light and clean clothes and should reside in a place which is free from humidity and fit for the rainy season. [33-40]

वर्षाशीतोचिताङ्गानांसहसैवार्करश्मिभिः।तप्तानामाचितंपितंप्रायःशरदिकुप्यति॥४१॥

तत्राक्षपानंमधुरंलघुशीतंसतिक्तकम्।पित्तप्रशमनंसेभ्यंमात्रयासुमकाङ्गितैः।॥४२॥

लावान्कपिवलानेणानुरक्षाम्छरभान्शशान्।शालीन्सयवगोधूमान्सेव्यानाडुर्घनात्यये।।४३।।

तितस्यसर्पिषःपानंविरेकोरक्तमोक्षणम्।धाराधरात्ययेकार्यमातपस्यववर्जनम्॥४४॥

वर्सातैलमवश्यायमीदकानूपमामिषम्।सारंदधिदिवास्वप्नंप्राग्वातंचात्रवर्जयेत्॥४५॥

दिवासूर्योशुसंतप्तंनिशिचन्द्रांशुशीतलम्।कालेनपक्वंनिर्दोषमगस्त्येनाविषीकृतम्॥४६॥

इंसोदकमितिध्यातंशारदंविमलंशुचि।खानपानावगाहेषुहितमम्बुयथाऽसृतम्॥४७॥

शारदानिचमाल्यानिवासांसिविमलानिच।शरत्कालेप्रशस्यन्तेप्रदोघेचेम्दुरक्ष्मयः॥४८॥

During autumn, the persons having adjusted to rains and cold are suddenly subjected to the heat of the sunrays which leads to aggravation of the accumulated pitta. In that season, sweet, light, cold, slightly bitter and pitta-pacifying food and drinks should be taken in proper quantity and with good appetite. During autumn one should take regularly the meats of lava (common quail), kapiñjala (grey partridge), ena (antelope), urabhra (sheep), śarabha (wapiti) and śaśa (rabbit), rice, barley and wheat. One should prescribe use of bitter ghee (ghee medicated with bitter drugs), purgatives and blood- letting and avoidance of the sun during the autumn. One should avoid fat, oil, dews, meat of aquatic and marshy animals, alkali, curd, day-sleep and easterly wind. The water, heated with the sunrays during day and cooled with moonrays during night, cooked by time, free from defects and detoxicated by agastya (a star), is known as ‘harpsodaka’ which is obtained during autumn and is clean and pure. This water is beneficial like nectar if used in bath, drink and plunging. Garlands of seasonal flowers, clean apparel and also the moonrays in early nights are re commended during the autumn season. [41-48]

इत्युऊसृतुसात्म्यंयश्चेष्ठाद्दारव्यपाश्रयम्।उपशेतेयद्दौचित्यादोकःसात्म्यंतदुच्यते॥४९॥

देशानामामयानांचविपरीतगुणंगुणैः।सात्म्यमिच्छन्तिसात्म्यष्णाश्चेष्टितंचाद्यमेवच॥५०॥

Thus is said the wholesomeness pertaining to behaviour and diet in different seasons. Whatever is suitable to the person because of regular use is known as ‘oka-sātmya’ (adjustment to a particular diet or behaviour due to practice). The knowers of wholesomeness define behaviour and diet, which are opposite to quali- ties of place and disorders, as wholesome. [49-50]

तत्रश्लोकः-

शतावृतीनुमिःसेष्यमसेम्यंयच्चकिंचन।तस्याशितीयेनिर्दिष्टंहेतुमत्सात्म्यमेवच॥५१॥

Now the summing up verse

In every season what is to be used and avoided by the persons is said rational- ly in the chapter of one’s dict etc. alongwith the wholesomeness. [51]

इत्यग्निवेशकृतेतन्त्रेचरकप्रतिसंस्कृतेश्लोकस्थानेतस्याशितीयोनामषष्ठोऽध्यायः॥६॥

Thus ends the sixth chapter on ‘one’s diet etc. in Sütrasthana in the treatise composed by Agniveśa and redacted by Caraka. (6)