Charaka Samhita by Acharya Charaka — Ancient Ayurveda Books

March 23rd, 2007 | admin

Charaka samhita is the main Ayurvedic text that deals with medicines and non-surgical methods of Ayurvedic treatment. Charaka Acharya lived in third or second century BC. Charaka Samhita is one of the three major classics of Ayurveda. Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam being the other two.

Charaka compiled the work of a student of Athreya Acharya, Agnivesha on general medicine, which was mainly the teachings of the Acharya.

Just like most ancient Ayurvedic scripts, Charaka Samhita too is in poetic form, mainly to facilitate easy memory by the students. It generally discusses kaya chikitsa, one anga (branch) of Ashtanga Ayurveda.

Charaka Samhita treats life as a form of consciousness and knowledge. Charaka Samhita (charaka samhitha, charaka samhidha, etc) tells in detail about health, hygiene, diet, lifestyle and medicine. Snehan and Swedan karmas are also described in detail. It also has directions about the method of constructing a vaidya sala (hospital).

Charaka samhita tells about the root causes of diseases, diagnosis of diseases and treatment of different diseases. Human anatomy, sense organs, physiology, panchakarma, etc.

Charaka samhita has a typical slogan which tells that a person has better chance of survival if he is hit by lightning than if he is treated by a fake vaidya (Ayurvedic practitioner).