Charaka Samhita

Charaka is the renowned author of the oldest surviving text in Ayurveda, the Charaka Samhita. It is believed that his master, Punarvasu Atreya, had seven disciples - Agnivesa, Charaka, Bhela, Jatukarna, Parasara, Harita, and Ksharapaani. Each wrote his own samhita or text, and Agnivesa is said to have had the best version. The revised version of the same is what came to be known as Charaka Samhita.

Our understanding of Ayurveda and its teachings draws straight from the Charaka Samhita, a comprehensive guide that contains details of an overall ideology, approach, treatment methods and general advice for physicians.

Its contents are divided into 120 chapters in eight specific Sthanas or partitions. They are:

Sutra Sthana (30 chapters) - General guide on the core philosophy and beliefs of Ayurveda, and the requisite approach towards treatment
Nidana Sthana (8 chapters) - Eight primary diseases and their causes
Vimana Sthana (8 chapters) - Ideological advice for practitioners on taste, recommended diet and training
Sharira Sthana (8 chapters) - Explanations of the anatomy of the human body
Indriya Sthana (12 chapters) - Diagnosis and prognosis
Chikitsa Sthana (30 chapters) - Specialized treatment methods
Kalpa Sthana (12 chapters) - Methods on how medicines must be prepared for accurate treatment
Siddhi Sthana (12 chapters) - Overall health advice

The final two chapters are attributed to Dridhabala, who is said to have been active around the 4th century CE.

Charaka Samhita

Birth of Ayurveda

Charaka Samhita

Sushruta Samhita

Ashtanga Hridaya

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