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GENERAL ARTICLE
CHARAKA SAMHITA: A CRITICAL REVIEW
DASS RANJIP KUMAR
Assistant Professor, Department of Panchakarma, MSM Institute of Ayurveda, BPS Mahila Vishwavidya, Khanpur Kalan, Sonipat
(Haryana)
Published by Atreya Ayurveda Publications, Ilkal-587 125 (India) All rights reserved.
Abstract:
Charaka Samhita is a collection of various basic principles, healthy advises and directions, teaching and
research methodology, anatomy and physiology of body, pharmacological actions of various drugs,
description of preventive, promotive and curative aspects of various diseases along with panchakarma
chikitsa etc. For these great contributions, he has been known as “father of medicine” forever. He was
the only one great sage who has told about the two objectives of ayurveda i.e. 1) to maintain and
promote the positive health of healthy individuals 2) to cure the disease of diseased ones. Acharya
punarvasu atreya was the advisor and acharya agnivesha was the main author of charaka Samhita,
whereas acharya charaka was the actual redactor and acharya dridhabala was the completer of this
samhita.
Keywords: Ayurveda, charaka samhita, charaka
Introduction: Panchakarma chikitsa etc. For these great
contributions, he has been known as “Father of
Ayurveda has been one of the ancient
Medicine” for ever. He was the only one great
sciences of life of the world going back to over
sage who has told about the two objectives of
4,000 years BC, which is a branch of Atharva
Ayurveda i.e. 1) To maintain & promote the
Veda. It is an eternal science of healthy living
positive health of healthy individuals 2) To cure
treasures deals with physical, psychological and
the disease of diseased ones. Here the Acharya
spiritual well being of the human being and
Punarvasu Atreya was the advisor & Acharya
covers all the aspect of human life. It is not a
Agnivesha was the main author of this Charak
materialistic science but a philosophical and
Samhita, whereas Acharya Charak was the
factful truth, which enhanced by our great
actual redactor & Acharya Dridabala was the
ancient sages like Acharya Charak, Sushrut,
completer of this Samhita.
Vagbhatt etc. through their experience, logic and
power of wisdom. The “Charak Samhita” consists of 8
sections (Sthan) and contains total 120 chapters,
Among these great sages, Acharya
9035 Sutras (formula) & 12,000 Slokas. Each
Charak has a great contribution towards
section contains some of chapters, sutras &
Ayurveda by giving a great Literature
slokas. These 8 sections are as follows, viz. 1)
i.e.“Charak Samhita”, which is a collection of
Sutrasthan (30 chapters) 2) Nidanasthan (8
various basic principles, healthy advises &
chapters) 3) Vimanasthan (8 chapters) 4)
directions, Teaching & Research methodology,
Sharirasthan (8 chapters) 5) Indriyasthan (12
anatomy & physiology of body,
chapters) 6) Chikitsasthan (12 chapters) 7)
pharmacological actions of various drugs,
Kalpasthan (12 chapters) and 8) Siddhisthan (12
description of Preventive, Promotive & Curative
chapters). Acharya Dridabala has completed the
aspects of various diseases along with
redaction process of “Charak Samhita” by
Pratichhaya (Reflected Shadowa), Prabha Swaras etc.) of Vamana drugs (Emetics) like
(Lustre) & Sadyomaran (Quick death) and Madanphala, Jimutak, Ikshwaku, Dhamargav,
Astamahagada (8 dreadful diseases) are narrated Vatska (Kutaja), Kritavedhan and Virechana
very nicely. drugs (Purgatives) like Shyama Trivrit,
The Chikitsasthan is that section which Chaturangul (Aragvadh), Tilwak (Lodhra),
contains 4904 Sutras and 30 chapters where the Sudha (Snuhi), Saptala-Sankhini & Danti-
detail description of various diseases & their Dravanti according to the stage of Dosha/Roga
principles of treatment along with descriptions & Rogi along with their pharmacological action,
of Rasayan & Vajikaran are available. Here the dose, indications & contraindications are
1st chapter is related to Rasayan & the 2nd is described.
related to Vajikaran. Both chapters are described The Siddhisthan is that section which
according to 4 Paada (Paada have been told, contains 700 Sutras and 12 chapters where the
which denotes 1/4th of a chapter, so that 4 Paada detail description of Panchakarma Chikitsa is
comprises one chapter). The various diseases available. The different Karmas like Snehan,
like Jwar, Raktapitta, Gulma, Prameha, Kustha, Swedan, Vaman, Virechan, Asthapan Basti,
Shosa, Unmada, Apasmar, Kshatakshina, Anuvasan Basti, Uttarabasti, Shirovirechan etc
Shotha, Udara, Arsha, Grahani, Pandu, Shwasa, and their detail procedures, indications &
Kasa, Atisara, Chhardi, Visarpa, Trishna, Bisa, contraindications, advantages & disadvantages,
Madatyaya, Vrana, Marma, Urusthamba, importance of various therapies along with 36
Vatavyadhi, Vatarakta & Yonivyapad and their types of Tantrayukti, the disaease Mutraghata &
clinical features with different principles of Shiroroga and the importance of Charak Samhita
treatment (Shodhan (Panchakarma), Shaman are nicely & elaborately explained in this
(Medicines) & Nidan Parivarjan (Avoiding the section.
causative factors)) are narrated very nice Cite this article as : Dass Ranjip Kumar. Charaka Samhita :
manner, that’s why Acharya Charak was famous A critical review. Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic
for Chikitsasthan (“Charakastu Chikitsite”) Medicine 2013;1(5): 20-22.
The Kalpasthan is that section which
contains 378 Sutras and 12 chapters where the
different Kalpana (Churna, Kalka, Kwath,
Source of support : Nil. Conflict of interest : None declared