Charaka

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For information about the book Charaka Samhita, see this article

Charaka, sometimes spelled Caraka, (300 BC) is one of the founders of Ayurveda. According to Charaka, health and disease are not predetermined and life may be prolonged by human effort.

[edit] Contributions

According to the Charaka tradition, there existed six schools of medicine, founded by the disciples of the sage Punarvasu Ātreya . Each of his disciples, Agnivesha, Bhela, Jatūkarna, Parāshara, Hārīta, and Kshārapāni, composed a Samhitā. Of these, the one composed by Agnivesha was considered the best. The Agnivesha Samhitā was later revised by Charaka and it came to be known as Charaka Samhitā. The Charaka Samhitā was revised by Dridhbala. Charaka was from India Āyurveda is traditionally divided into eight branches which, in Charaka's scheme, are:

1. Sūtra-Sthāna, general principles
2. Nidāna-Sthāna, pathology
3. Vimāna-Sthāna, diagnostics
4. Sharīra-Sthāna, physiology and anatomy
5. Indriya-Sthāna, prognosis
6. Chikitsā-Sthāna, therapeutics
7. Kalpa-Sthāna, pharmacy
8. Siddhi-Sthāna, successful treatment

[edit] Charak Samhita

The Charak Samhita contains 120 adhyayas (chapters), divided into 8 parts.

1. Sutra Sthana (30 chapters)
2. Nidan Sthana (8 chapters)
3. Viman Sthana (8 chapters)
4. Sharir Sthana (8 chapters)
5. Indriya Sthana (12 chapters)
6. Chikitsa Sthana (30 chapters)
7. Kalpa Sthana (12 chapters)
8. Siddhi Sthana (12 chapters)

[edit] External links

• Ayurveda Scholars
• Ayurvedic Literature