CHARAK SAMHITA

The Charak Samhita or Compendium of Charak (IAST: Carak-Samhita) is a Sanskrit text on Ayurved (Indian traditional medicine). Along with the Shushrut-Samhita, it is one of the two foundational Hindu texts of this field that have survived from ancient India.

The pre-2nd century CE text consists of eight books and one hundred and twenty chapters. It describes ancient theories on human body, etiology, symptomology and therapeutics for a wide range of diseases. The Charak Samhita also includes sections on the importance of diet, hygiene, prevention, medical education, the teamwork of a physician, nurse and patient necessary for recovery to health.

Authorship :

The ideal medical student

He should be of a mild disposition, noble by nature, never mean in his acts, free from pride, strong memory, liberal mind, devoted to truth, likes solitude, of thoughtful disposition, free from anger, of excellent character, compassionate, one fond of study, devoted to both theory and practice, who seeks the good of all creatures.

— Charak Samhita 3.VIII.6 (Abridged)

The Charak Samhita states that the content of the book was first taught by Atreya, and then subsequently codified by Agnivesh, revised by Charak, and the manuscripts that survive into the modern era are based on one completed by Dridhabal. Dridhabal stated in the Charak Samhita that he had to write one third of the book all by himself because this portion of the book had been lost, and that he also re-wrote the last part of the book.

Based on textual analysis, and the literal meaning of the Sanskrit word charak, Chattopadhyay speculated that charak does not refer to one person but multiple people. Vishwakarma and Goswami state that the text exists in many versions and entire chapters are missing in some versions.

Date :

Dates of composition of the Charak Samhita are uncertain. Meulenbeld's History of Indian Medical Literature dates it to be between fourth century BCE to the second century CE, with Charak's compilation likely between 100 BCE and 200 CE. The Drdhbal revision and completion, the source of current texts, is dated to the 6th century CE.

Roots :

In Sanskrit, charak is a term for a wanderer, sannyasi (ascetic), and sometimes used in the context of the ancient tradition of wandering physicians who brought their medical expertise and magico-religious rites from village to village.

Surendranath Dasgupta states that the medical tradition of wandering physicians are traceable to the Atharvaved, particularly the Caranavaidya shakha – one of the nine known shakha of Atharvaved-based Vedic schools. The name of this school literally means "wandering physicians". Their texts have not survived into the modern era, but manuscripts from two competing schools – Piplad and Saunakiya, have.

The Atharvaved contains chapters relating to medicine, surgery and magico-religious rites. This Atharvaved layer of text was likely compiled contemporaneously with Samved and Yajurved, or about 1200 BCE - 1000 BCE. Dasgupta and other scholars state that the Atreya-Carak school and its texts may have emerged from this older tradition, and he cites a series of Atharvved hymns to show that almost all organs and nomenclature found in Carak Samhita is also found in the Vedic hymns.

Contents :

The aim of life science

Life is of four kinds : Sukh (happy), Duhkh (unhappy), Hit (good) and Ahit (bad).

Sukham-Ayuh is a life unaffected by bodily or psychic diseases, is endowed with vigor, capabilities, energy, vitality, activity, knowledge, successes and enjoyments. The opposite of this is the Asukham-Ayuh.

Hitam-Ayuh is the life of a person who is always willing to do good to all living beings, truthful, non-stealing, calm, self-restrained, taking steps after examining the situation, virtuous, achieves Dharma-Arth-Kam, without conflict with others, worshipping whatever is worthy, devoted to knowledge-understanding-serenity of mind, and to charity and peace. The opposite of this is the Ahitam-Ayuh.

The aim of Ayurved is to teach what is conducive to these four kinds of life.

— Charak Samhita Chapters 1.1, 1.30 (Abridged)

The extant text has eight sthan (books), totalling 120 chapters. The text includes a table of contents embedded in its verses, stating the names and describing the nature of the eight books, followed by a listing of the 120 chapters.

These eight books are :

Seventeen chapters of Chikitsa sthan and complete Kalp sthan and Siddhi sthan were added later by Dridhabal. The text starts with Sutra sthan which deals with fundamentals and basic principles of Ayurved practice. Unique scientific contributions credited to the Charak Samhita include :

• A rational approach to the causation and cure of disease

• Introduction of objective methods of clinical examination

Physician, nurse, patient and medicines :

The text asserts that there are four important parts to medical practice – the patient, the physician, the nurse and the medicines. All four are essential to recovery and return to health, states the text. The physician provides knowledge and coordinates the treatment, he is who can "explore the dark interior of the body with the lamp of knowledge", according to the text and Valiathan's translation. The physician must express joy and cheer towards those who can respond to treatment, masterfully avoid and save time in cases where the patient suffers from incurable disease, while compassionate towards all. The nurse must be knowledgeable, skilled at preparing formulations and dosage, sympathetic towards everyone and clean. The patient is responsible for being positive, have the ability to describe how he or she feels, remember and respectfully follow the physician instructions.

The Charak Samhita, states Curtin, was among the earliest texts that set a code of ethics on physicians and nurses, attributing "moral as well as scientific authority to the healer". The text, in chapters 8 and 9 of the Viman Sthan dedicates numerous verses to discussing the code. It mandates that the physician must seek consent before entering a patient's quarters, must be accompanied by a male member of the family if he is attending a woman or minor, must inform and gain consent from patient or the guardians if the patient is a minor, must never resort to extortion for his service, never involve himself in any other activities with the patient or patient's family (such as negotiating loans, arranging marriage, buying or selling property), speak with soft words and never use cruel words, only do "what is calculated to do good to the patient", and maintain the patient's privacy.

There is no end in the knowledge of medical science, claims verse 3.8.12 of the Charak Samhita, and the physician must constantly learn and devote himself to it. The text asserts that a physician should discuss his findings and questions with other physicians because "when one discusses with another that is possessed of a knowledge of the same science, such discussion leads to increase of knowledge and happiness". The verses that follow outline that discussions can be hostile or peaceful, the former are unproductive, the latter useful; even if one faces hostile criticism, one must persuade with gentle words and manner, asserts the text.

Religious ideas :

The Charak Samhita, like many ancient Hindu literature, reveres and attributes Hindu gods as the ultimate source of its knowledge. The Charak Samhita mentions Bharadvaj learning from god Indra, after pleading that "poor health was disrupting the ability of human beings from pursuing their spiritual journey", and then Indra provides both the method and specifics of medical knowledge. The method, asserts the text, revolves around three principles - etiology, symptomology and therapeutics. Thus, states Glucklich, the text presumes proper goals to include both spiritual and physical health.

The Charak Samhita, in addition to initial recitations, uses the foundational assumptions and values embedded in various layers of the Veds. These assumptions include the Vedic doctrine that a human being is a microcosmic replica of the universe, and the ancient Hindu theory of six elements (five Prakriti and one Brahman), three humors (Vat, Pitt, Kaph),] three Guns (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) as constituent forces innate in a human body, and others. The Charak Samhita is premised on the Hindu assumption that Atman (soul) exists, it is immutable, and thereafter the text defines physical and mental diseases as caused by a lack of correlation and imbalance in body, or mind, or both, because of external factors (Prakriti, objects of senses), age or a want of correlation (appropriate harmony, equilibrium) between the three humors or the three Guns.

The Sushrut Samhita and Charak Samhita have religious ideas throughout, states Steven Engler, who then concludes "Vedic elements are too central to be discounted as marginal". These ideas appear, for example, in the theoretical foundations and Vedic metaphors used in these texts. In addition, states Engler, the text includes another layer of ideas, where empirical rational ideas flourish in competition or cooperation with religious ideas, as well as the evidence of later additions of some Brahminic ideas.

There is a close relationship between the philosophic presuppositions and the approach to medicine in Charak Samhita.

Nutrition and diet :

Diet and health

Innumerable diseases, bodily and mental, have for their root Tamas (stupefaction, darkness). Through fault of the understanding, one indulges in the five injurious objects, suppresses the urgings of nature and accomplishes acts that are highly rash. The man of Ignorance then becomes united with conditions for disease. The man of Knowledge, however, purified by knowledge avoids those conditions. One should never take any food, acting only from a desire for it or guided by ignorance. Only food that is beneficial should be eaten, after proper examination. Verily, the body is the result of food.

— Charak Samhita, 1.XXVIII.41-48

Charak Samhita dedicates Chapters 5, 6, 25, 26 and 27 to "Ahartattva" (dietetics), stating that wholesome diet is essential for good health and to prevent diseases, while unwholesome food is an important cause of diseases.

The tastes are six. They are sweet, sour, saline, pungent, bitter and astringent.

Properly used, they nourish the body.

Improperly used (excess or deficient), they verily lead to the provocation of the Dosh.

The Dosha are three: Vat, Pitt and Kaph.

When they are in their normal state, they are beneficial to the body.

When, however, they become disorganized, verily they afflict the body with diseases of diverse kinds.

— Charak Samhita, 3.I.3-4

The text suggests that foods are source of heat, nutritive value as well as physiological substances that act like drugs inside human body. Furthermore, along with medicine, Carak Samhita in Chapters 26 and 27, states that proper nutrition is essential for expedient recovery from sickness or surgery.

Meat for dietetics and medicine :

The Charak Samhita suggests a regimen of Mamsa Ras (meat soup) during pregnancy from 6th month onwards.

Freshly cut meat is also recommended by the text for treatment of poison, wherein the cut meat is pressed against the affected part or spot of insect or reptile bite to absorb away the poison.

Ray et al. list medicinal substances from over one hundred fifty animal origins that are described in Charak Samhita, and the chapters these are found in. These range from meat of wild animals such as fox and crocodile, to that of freshly cut fish, fish oil, eggs of birds, bee's wax. Additionally, the text describes hundreds of formulations (gruel) it asserts to be of medicinal value from a mixtures of animal products and herb or plant products, as well as inert minerals such as various salts, soots and alkalis.

Ancient pharmacy :

Numerous chapters in the Charak Samhita are dedicated to identifying and classifying seeds, roots, flowers, fruits, stems, aromatic leaves, barks of different trees, plants juices, mountain herbs, animal products ranging from their milk to their excretory waste after the animals eat certain diet or grasses, different types of honey, stones, salts and others. The text also describes numerous recipes, detailing how a particular formulation should be prepared. A typical recipe appears in the Chikitsa Sthana book of the Charak Samhita as follows :

Anu Taila recipe

Take a measure of sesame seeds.

Macerate them in goat's milk.

Then pound them in goat's milk.

Place the pounded product on a piece of clean cloth.

Place the product and cloth over a vessel filled with goat's milk.

Apply mild heat to the vessel. Let vapors from heated milk slightly boil the sesame paste.

Mix the boiled paste with pulverized liquorice, adding an equal measure of goat's milk.

Press the oil out of the mixed product.

Add this oil to the (standard) decoction of ten roots in the ratio of one to four.

To this oil mix, add paste of Rasna, Madhuka and Saindhava salt in the ratio of four to one.

Boil all these together. Filter. Extract and collect the oil.

Repeat the root-paste-salt-oil combining and boiling process ten times.

The resulting oil is called Anu-taila.

— Charak Samhita 6.XXVI

The text, thereafter, asserts that this Anu-taila is to be used as a rubbing oil and as nasal drop for a certain class of ailments. Glucklich mentions other medical texts from ancient India which include the use of Anu-taila in skin therapy.

Sexual health :

The Charak Samhita discusses sexual diseases as well as its theory of treatment of sexual dysfunctions and virility (Vajikaran). The text emphasizes methods of body cleansing, sexual health promoting conduct, behavior and diet. Certain herb and mineral combinations are part of its regimen. The text asserts that obesity and a life style lacking exercise is linked to sexual dysfunctions, dedicating many verses on it.

The text, states Arnold, contains great number of verses relating to women's sexual health, suggesting "great antiquity of certain methods and therapeutic agents used in the treatment of gynecological cases", for example the cautery, pessaries, and astringent washes.

Medical education :

Chapter VIII of the Charak Samhita's Viman Sthan book includes a section for the student aiming to become a physician. The text asserts that any intelligent man who knows the challenge and patience necessary to become a physician must first decide his Guru (teacher) and the books he must study. The Charak Samhita claims, according to Kaviratna and Sharma translation, that "diverse treatises on medicine are in circulation", and the student must select one by reputed scholar known for his wisdom, is free from tautology, ascribed to a Rishi, well compiled and has bhasya (commentaries), which treats nothing but the professed subject, is devoid of slangs and unfamiliar words, explain its inferences, is non-contradictory, and is well illustrated.

The teacher for apprenticeship should be one who knows the field, has experience gained from successfully treating diseases, who is compassionate towards who approach him, who lives a life of inner and outer Shaucha, is well equipped, who knows the characteristics of health and disease, one who is without malice towards anyone, is free of anger, who respects privacy and pain of his patients, is willing to teach, and is a good communicator. When one finds such a teacher, asserts the Charak Samhita, the student must revere the teacher like a deity or one's own father because it is from his grace that one gets educated.

When the teacher accepts a student as his apprentice, asserts the Charak Samhita, he should in the presence of fire initiate the student with the following mandates during the period of apprenticeship – "thou shalt be a brahmacharin, wear beard and mustache, thou shalt be always truthful, abstain from meat and unclean diet, never harbor envy, never bear weapons, thou shalt do anything I say except if that may lead to another person's death or to great harm or to a sin, thou shalt behave like my son, never be impatient, always be attentive, behave with humility, act after reflection, and always seek whether sitting or standing the good of all living creatures".

Commentaries :

The most celebrated commentary on this text is the Caraktatparyatika "Commentary on the Meaning of the Carak" or the Ayurved Dipika, "The Lamp to Ayurved" written by Chakrapani Datta (1066). Other notable commentaries are Bhattaraka Harichandra's Caraknyasa (c. 4th-6th century), Jejjatas Nirantarapadavyakhya (c.875), Shivadasa Sena's Caraktattvapradipika (c.1460). Among the more recent commentaries are Narasi?ha Kaviraja's Caraktattvaprakasa and Gangadhara Kaviratna's Jalpakalpataru (1879).

The earliest scholarly bhasya (review, commentary) in Sanskrit may be of Bhattar Harichandra's Charaknyasa on the redaction by Dridhabal. Two manuscripts of this bhasya have survived into the modern era, and currently stored as number 9290 in Asiatic Society of Kolkata and number 13092 manuscript at the Government East Library, Chennai.

Comparison with Sushrut Samhita :

The Charak Samhita is among the most important ancient medical treatises. It is one of the foundational texts of the medical tradition in India, alongside the Susruta Samhita, the Bhel-Samhita, and the medical portions of the Bower Manuscript.

The Charak Samhita is the oldest known Hindu text on Ayurved (life sciences), and it was followed by the Sushrut Samhita. Except for some topics and their emphasis, both discuss many similar subjects such as General Principles, Pathology, Diagnosis, Anatomy, Sensorial Prognosis, Therapeutics, Pharmaceutics and Toxicology. The Sushrut and Charak texts differ in one major aspect, with Sushrut Samhita providing the foundation of surgery, while Charak Samhita being primarily a foundation of medicine.

A source for socio-cultural and ecological history of ancient India :

The text is not only an interesting source of ancient medical practices, it also may be a source of valuable information on ecological, social, and economic conditions in ancient India. The text describes physical geography with words such as Jangal, Aanoop, and Sadharan, then lists the trees, vegetables, lakes and rivers, bird life and animals found in each of these regions. Many of the drugs mentioned, they state, are linked to region of their origin (e.g. Maghadi from Maghad and Kashmarya from Kashmir). Ray et al. list the numerous mammals, reptiles, insects, fishes, amphibians, arthropods and birds and the respective chapters of Charak Samhita these are mentioned in.

The text also states that the food habits of ancient Indians varied by regions. Mamsa (meat) was popular with people who lived in Bahlik, Pahlav, Cheen, Shoolik, Yavan and Shak. People of Prachya preferred Matsya (fish), according to Bhavan and Shreevathsa translation. Those living in Sindhu Desh (now Gujarat and south Pakistan) were habituated to milk, according to Charak Samhita, while people of Ashmak and Avantika consumed more oily and sour food. The people of Dakshin Desh (South India) preferred Peya (thin gruel), whereas those of Uttar (North) and Pashchim (West) liked Manth. Residents of Madhya Desh (Central India) preferred barley, wheat and milk products according to the text.

Source :

https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Charaka_Samhita