A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c13.151

Language: English

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gauḍika⁶²⁵ and paiṣṭika⁶²⁶ drinks are suitable to those with a vātika constitution, mārdvīka⁶²⁷ is suitable to a paittika, mādhava⁶²⁸ to a ślaiṣmika constitution (24.25); the properties and actions of alcoholic drinks made from many different substances (24.26–28); alcoholic drinks, after reaching the heart, disturb the ten properties of ojas by their own ten qualities, thus causing mental disorder (24.29); the ten properties of alcoholic drinks are: laghu (light), uṣṇa (hot), tīkṣṇa (sharp), sūkṣma (subtle), amla (sour), vyavāyin (relaxation-promoting), āśuga (quickly acting), rūkṣa (dry), vikāśin (diffusive), and viśada (clear); the ten properties of ojas are: guru (heavy), śīta (cold), mṛdu (soft), ślakṣṇa (smooth), bahala (gross),⁶²⁹ madhura (sweet), sthira (immobile), prasanna (slowly acting), picchila (mucilaginous), and snigdha (oleaginous);

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the properties of an alcoholic drink counteract those of ojas in the following way: laghu is contrary to guru, uṣṇa to śīta, amla to madhura, tīkṣṇa to mṛdu, āśuga to prasanna, rūkṣa to snigdha, vyavāyin to sthira, vikāśin to ślakṣṇa, viśada to picchila, sūkṣma to sāndra;⁶³⁰ thus sattva, residing there (i.e., in the seat of ojas, the heart), is quickly disturbed and brings about mada (intoxication) (24.30–34);⁶³¹ the heart is the seat of the channels (mārga) transporting rasa, vāta, etc., as well as the seat of sattva, buddhi, the senses, and the primary ojas;⁶³² for that reason the heart, and the dhātus located there, are pathologically changed by the immoderate use of alcoholic drinks and the damage of ojas resulting therefrom (24.35–36);⁶³³ the first stage of intoxication⁶³⁴ is characterized by stimulation (pratibodhita) of the heart, without any damage (avihata) to the ojas; the ojas is slightly damaged in the second stage, more seriously so in the third stage; a paiṣṭika alcoholic drink does not cause damage to the ojas, because the properties vikāśin, rūkṣa and viśada are not predominant in it (24.37–38); alcoholic drinks produce mental changes (vikāra) of a rājasa and tāmasa character, culminating in confusion and sleep when used in excess; this pathological state caused by alcohol (madyavibhrama) is called mada (intoxication) (24.39–40); three stages (prathama, madhyama, antya or uttama) of intoxication are described;

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a special variety, between the second and third stages, occurring in those of a rājasa or tāmasa character, is added (24.41–51);⁶³⁵ the dangers of the improper and immoderate use of alcohol,⁶³⁶ and its merits as a medicinal substance (24.52–60); the beneficial effects of alcohol (24.61–67);⁶³⁷ alcoholic drinks are harmless when one pays due regard to the three types of foods, to drinks, age, disorders (vyādhi), strength, time, doṣa and character (sattva); this correct use is called yukti; a person with a sāttvika character may enjoy all the merits of alcohol (24.68–70); the mind (sattva) is stimulated in the first stage of mada, it loses its lucidity in the second stage, extremely so in the third stage; alcohol exposes the qualities of one’s character, as fire exposes the qualities of gold (24.71–73); the sāttvika, rājasa and tāmasa ways of enjoying drinks (āpāna) (24.74–79); circumstances which make drinking for particular types of persons a pleasant activity; persons who get drunk by a small quantity of alcohol (24.80–87); the aetiology and symptomatology of madātyaya dominated by vāta, pitta, kapha, and the three doṣas (24.88–100);⁶³⁸ the general symptoms of madātyaya (24.101–106); general principles regarding the treatment of madātyaya; kapha is to be counteracted first, pitta and vāta being secondarily involved;

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a disorder caused by a particular alcoholic beverage is alleviated by the administration of the same drink⁶³⁹ (24.107–111);640 alcoholic drinks lead to an impaired digestion; the rasa derived from the food (annarasa) acquires for that reason alkalinity (kṣāratā); the symptoms of this disorder are relieved by the consumption of alcohol, since alkalinity is quickly overcome by acidity,641 profusely present in alcoholic drinks; alcoholic drinks, which are sour in nature, possess four secondary tastes (anurasa): sweet, astringent, bitter and pungent; their total number of properties is therefore fourteen (24.112–116); the treatment of madātyaya caused by vāta (24.117–135),642 pitta (24.136–163),643 kapha (24.164–188);644 the ten kinds of saṃnipāta (24.189);645 treatment in general (24.191–198);646 two disorders, called dhvaṃsaka and vikṣaya, caused by excessive drinking after a period of abstinence; the symptoms and treatment of these disorders, which are curable with difficulty (24.199–205ab);647 the praise of the proper use of alcohol (24.205cd); the advice to remain abstinent (24.206).