Charaka Samhita. Part I, Chapter 17 / Translation from Sanskrit, Introductory Article and Commentaries by D. Burba
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Abstract
The publication presents the first Ukrainian translation of the seventeenth chapter of the first part of the fundamental Sanskrit treatise on Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) Charaka Samhita. (For previous chapters, see the previous issue of The World of the Orient journal, issues 2–4 of last year, and issues for 2017). The text was most likely written in the 1st century CE. The translation is of great importance for acquaintance of the Ukrainian readers not only with medical conceptions and life of Ancient India but also with respective religious and philosophical doctrines.
The seventeenth chapter deals with diseases of the head, heart diseases, and seven types of abscesses. Abscesses are classified according to shape, color and location. Diseases of the head include migraine, rhinitis, diseases of the mouth, nose, eyes and ears, dizziness, facial paralysis, head tremor, spasm of the throat, neck or jaws, and “various other diseases”. The main cause of diseases in Ayurveda is considered to be an imbalance of doshas which are similarities of humors mentioned in the works of Hippocrates. The chapter also describes such an imaginary component of the body as ojas: “The yellowish slightly red fluid which is lodged in the heart is called the ojas of the body. Owing to its loss, a man dies”. Along with this, the chapter names such quite rational causes of pathological “imbalance” of mythical doshas as unhealthy diet, excessive physical exertion or, conversely, hypodynamia, emotional state, etc.
Quite interesting that a person suffering from a serious illness is in passing called a sinner in the chapter. This is evidence of the naive theology of antiquity, according to which people suffer for their sins. The author urges readers to always take care of their health, because every person is surrounded by diseases like enemies. The chapter ends with a summary list of its content.
How to Cite
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antiquity; Ayurveda; Charaka; India; samhita; Sanskrit; therapy; translation
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